ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997 TAG: 9704100022
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JENNIFER HUANG THE ROANOKE TIMES
With the tax deadline looming, it might be a good idea to visit a tax preparer.
For some people, the thought of spending a spring weekend hunched over a desk, organizing tax returns, sends an unseasonably cold shiver of dread through their body.
For tax preparers John McCusker and Mary Russo, it's just another day at the office.
McCusker retired in 1986 from the accounting department at General Electric Co. and began preparing tax returns for H&R Block a year later.
"I saw it as a chance to do something interesting and challenging," McCusker said. "It's an opportunity to help people by pointing out how they can receive the lowest legal tax."
During the busy filing time of January to April 15, McCusker is a full-time tax preparer. H&R Block employs many seasonal workers - from retirees to homemakers.
During the off-season, McCusker enjoys his retirement, including photography. As owner of The Tax Depot in Roanoke, Russo works year-round.
While McCusker and Russo don't mind spending their weekend waiting for last-minute tax filers, they would appreciate it if they came prepared.
That means bringing all those documents. Without them, the filing process becomes more tedious.
"Without the records, people can't get as much of a deduction," said Russo. "It's hard when people haven't kept records and expect to file by just remembering the information."
Completing the average return costs about $66 at H&R Block - more if things get complicated.
Crunch time for the tax preparers was the first week of February, when many workers got their W-2 forms from employers showing their 1996 earnings and how much was withheld.
Now, with the filing deadline looming Tuesday, procrastinators are filing extensions for returns that aren't close to finished, McCusker said. Russo says she's had fewer people than usual filing for extensions this year.
Although the instructions on the tax return forms can seem crystal clear to some, many people feel more comfortable having a tax preparer file for them.
"I really think that people should have somebody look over their returns for them," Russo said.
"With a complex return, people are anxious that they didn't get all the information down," McCusker said.
To help those who may be worried, H&R Block offers a Basic Tax Course. The class requires 66 hours of instruction and trains people to become income tax preparers, but also can help the average person understand how to prepare his own tax returns.
In addition, people can undergo extensive training and a two-day IRS exam to become an enrolled agent specializing in income taxes. The knowledge of an enrolled agent "is one step above the average tax preparer," Russo said.
For many, this is the weekend to finally sit down and complete those income tax returns.
For others, this is the weekend to take all the paperwork to the nearest tax preparer. That's why McCusker and Russo expect to be in their offices.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB