Accuracy Differences as a Function of Preparer Status : An Analysis of Money's Tax Test

To reduce the cost of compliance, it is important that individuals seeking tax preparation assistance, as well as policymakers, be aware of any performance differences between preparers. In this paper the results of Money's tax test are employed to determine whether the accuracy and bias of preparers are a function of preparers' professional status. Each year from 1988-1993 Money conducted a test of volunteer tax preparers from throughout the United States in which they compute taxes due for a hypothetical family. Participants included CPA and non-CPA preparers. The results show that relative to non-CPA preparers, CPAs tend to err in favor of the taxpayer, although overall both groups favored the government. After comparing the cost and the variance in the taxes due, the findings suggest that CPAs are the more cost efficient and less risky preparer group