can anybody who works for an income tax company like h&r block look at other people's income tax info.?

Question

my mother-in-law works for h&r block during the tax season. although she doesn't do our taxes for us, i was wondering if she could still look at our tax information by keying in our social security numbers? my husband and i decided to hire an accountant to do our taxes because when she used to file them for us she always told everyone how much money we made for the year. also our accountant who does our taxes now, files them through h&r block as well.

Answer 1

A tax preparer cannot divulge any information about the returns that are prepared to a third party. If your MIL was telling people how much money you made, that was wrong.

Tax preparers do not have the ability to look up another person's return. A preparer could possibly look up a return that was done at the same office. A preparer could get tax info from another office in the same company, but only for a good cause. The sharing of information is closely scrutinized.

But never should any tax return information be divulged to any third party, other than the taxpayer or via a legal process such as subpoena.

Answer 2

Only the person actually doing your taxes and their supervisor should be able to look at your return.

Your mother in law showed very poor judgement and ethics to tell anyone info she got from doing your tax return.

If you are going to an accountant and they're filing through H&R Block, doesn't sound like they're much of an accountant. Are they really an accountant, or just someone who prepares tax returns?

Answer 3

I don't have an answer for you, but offer you this.

Next time you MIL discusses your income with someone else in front of you you should but into the conversation and ask her to define ethics, or ask her if they teach ethics at H&R Block. Do it so that every one hears you and wait for an answer. It won't happen twice.

I am a CPA and the family tax accountant. I NEVER discuss any members income with anyone but them. I do not even defend myself when someone says "you can afford it, but they aren't so fortunate" when I know damn well they make a lot more than I do. I just eat humble pie and agree with them.

You might buy you MIL a book, for Christmas, on Ethics.

Answer 4

I agree with Ninasgramma and smh60437. It is completely unethical to discuss your finance with any third party. If you look at page 1 of your 1040 down by where you sign it, the IRS asks specifically if they can discuss your return with your preparer. If you check no, the preparer cannot discuss it with them.
I too work with my In-Laws on their tax returns, however as I'm not a CPA or enrolled agent, I cannot and do not sign it as the preparer. I also never discuss their finances with anybody, not even my wife. She'll discuss it with them if she and they want.

Answer 5

do u mean can they physically do it? yes. is it ethical no but there really is very little stuff that remains confidential. even legal stuff like this has 10 -15 peoples hands on it and can be gossiped about, especially happens in small town law offices, accountant/tax offices and any gov't offices. it sucks but not much that can be done about it.

Answer 6

No absolutely not.