• Taking Inventory- There are different approaches to making your list. You can write everything down in a notebook, for example. Or you can take pictures, writing information on the back of the photos or putting information on your computer. If you have a video camera, you can walk through your house filming and describing the contents at the same time. Keep receipts when they are available and note the cost for the item, when you bought it and information about the make and model. Expensive items like jewelry and art work may need to be insured separately. Ask your insurance agent whether you need a floater for your homeowners policy.
  
• Store a Copy of your Inventoryin a Safe Place - outside of your home with a friend or in a safe deposit box. (If your inventory is electronic, store it on a disk.) That way you’ll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is damaged. Also, whenever you make a significant purchase, remember to add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.
  
• Keeping Important Documents - It’s also important to keep a record of legal documents, such as birth certificates and passports, and financial documents, such as bank account and insurance policies. You can also use your home inventory to record information about these papers. Note insurance policy and bank and investment account numbers along with your insurance policy contact information.
  

  

FINDING  A  TAX  PREPARER
While most preparers provide honest service to their clients, the Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to be careful when choosing a preparer –– as careful as they would be choosing a doctor or lawyer. Even if someone else prepares the tax return, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for all the information on the return. For that reason, taxpayers should never sign a blank tax form ... always review the return before signing it and ask questions on any entries they don't understand. 
•  Be cautious of tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. 
•  Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund. 
•  Use a reputable tax professional who signs the tax return and provides a copy.

 •  Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the preparation of the tax return months, or even years, after the return has been filed. 
•  Check the person’s credentials. Only attorneys,Certified Public Accountants(CPAs) and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters, including audits, collection and appeals. Other return preparers may only represent taxpayers for audits of returns they actually prepared. 
•  Find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. 
•  Ask friends and family whether they know anyone who has used the tax professional and if they were satisfied with their service.

Reputable preparers will ask to see receipts and will ask multiple questions to determine whether

your expenses, deductions and other items qualify. By doing so, they are trying to help their clients avoid any penalties, interest or additional taxes that could result from an IRS examination.