How can I find out if the tax consultant costs are reasonable?
June 19, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Petra Lehmann
Dear tax consultant,
my name is Felix Engel and I run a small business. In recent years, my tax consultant costs have been steadily increasing and I am wondering if these costs are still reasonable. I feel that the services of my tax consultant do not correspond to the costs and I would like to check if I may be paying too much.
Currently, I pay a fixed monthly amount to my tax consultant, which covers all services. This includes the preparation of the annual tax return, advice on tax matters, and support with business questions. Additionally, special services such as accompanying tax audits or preparing financial statements are also billed.
My concerns are that I cannot assess whether the amount of tax consultant costs is justified. I want to ensure that I am paying a fair price for the services provided and not paying excessive fees. It is important to me as a business owner that I do not bear unnecessarily high costs and that my business is not burdened as a result.
So my question to you is: How can I find out if the tax consultant costs I am currently paying are reasonable? Are there benchmarks or guidelines that I can use to evaluate the costs of my tax consultant? What steps can I take to ensure that I am billed fairly and transparently?
Thank you in advance for your support and I look forward to your expert advice.
Kind regards,
Felix Engel
Dear Mr. Engel,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the appropriateness of your tax advisor fees. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether the costs you are paying for the services of your tax advisor are justified. As a tax advisor, I would like to help you clarify this issue and provide you with some tips on how to assess the appropriateness of your tax advisor fees.
First and foremost, it is important to know that the costs for the services of a tax advisor depend on various factors. These factors include the scope of services, the size and complexity of your business, the experience and qualifications of the tax advisor, and regional circumstances. Therefore, it is not always easy to determine whether the costs are reasonable or not.
To assess the appropriateness of your tax advisor fees, you can take several steps. Firstly, you should find out about the typical fees for tax advisors in your region. You can inquire with the local tax advisor chamber or research average hourly rates online. This way, you can gauge whether the costs being charged to you are within the normal range.
Another important point is the transparency of the billing. Your tax advisor should clearly outline the services provided and the corresponding prices. If you feel that the billing is not transparent enough, do not hesitate to ask your tax advisor to explain the invoice in more detail. A good tax advisor will be happy to provide information and answer any questions you have regarding the costs.
If you are unsure whether the services billed by your tax advisor are actually necessary, you can also consult with other tax advisors and seek their opinion. An independent perspective can help you better assess the situation and determine whether the costs are justified.
Lastly, I would recommend regularly discussing costs with your tax advisor. Establish clear agreements on the services to be provided and the costs involved. This can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure transparent billing.
I hope these tips will help you gain clarity on whether the tax advisor fees you are currently paying are appropriate. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Petra Lehmann
