Hiring an accountant for taxes

[lisl71]

Have any of you Americans ever used an accountant to do your taxes? If so, can you post me recommendations in a private message off the forum (or do so publicly if you're comfortable with that)? I'm not needing to do a 2014 return as I've only recently arrived, but I may need to do some shopping around for someone who knows the ins and outs of both countries for someone doing contract work here. I would prefer to work full-time, but it looks like with my limited year-only visa, it's scaring people away but not from contract work. As luck would have it, my line of work is often contract-based anyway, so.... maybe it's OK till I get a better visa? But I've heard about the incomplete tax agreement between the two countries, so I don't want to get hosed too badly....any help would be great.

[Bozeman]

We've used US NZ Tax Specialists (nzustax.com) for years. A couple of years ago, I would have given a very favourable recommendation. Today, we're not quite so pleased. Their charges have doubled and the service is much less personal than it once was. While I have no reason to doubt their ability and expertise, I have the sense that the firm is struggling to keep up with what appears to be rapid growth. With that said, I'm not aware of a good alternative. I reached out to the Accru contact listed here: http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/contact_the_irs.html but, after an initial warm response, she never followed through with a proposal, despite my many reminders. Please let me know if you find something good.

[lisl71]

Yeah, I shot off an inquiry to the firm you mention above last night, but they charge $350 just for a half-hour consultation? That seems mighty ridiculous to me. I will let you know if I find something better. I'm frustrated beyond frustrated right now.

[Oregonkiwi]

I don't regularly use an accountant, but when I had a problem with my US returns, I got really good (and reasonably priced) help from Steven Khoo at Accru Smith Chilcott Limited in Auckland. (I guess that's not so much help to you if you're in Nelson though.)