When you get your income taxes prepared do you feel like you are in line at the deli counter?  Next please! That’s the difference between a customer and a client.  When you are a client your preparer cares about you and wants to make you sure you pay the least amount of tax the law will allow and most importantly wants you to come back the following year.  A client can also call throughout the year to discuss financial changes and the impact on their taxes and implement any planning to lower taxes.  In most cases a customer is someone treated as a one time purchaser, not necessarily a good feeling when dealing with your finances.  Keep this in mind when choosing a preparer, a lot of tax professionals are taking on clients and are not as pricey as you would imagine.  Make an appointment and interview some, it pays to find someone you can go to long term that has your best interest at heart.