Gerald Bayus Jr EA, dba Bayus & Associates LLC

03/24/2026

Letter to Politicians and Public.... Beware! Every year I see this crap being misrepresented to the public. Know what your paying for..... The ONLY individuals possessing the experience and credentials to prepare tax returns, admisnister tax law and represent taxpayers before the IRS are Enrolled Agents (EA), CPA's and attorneys. EVERYONE else are "unlicensed" preparers.

03/24/2026

UPDATE BELOW: TOTAL COST TO TAXPAYER FROM INCOMPETENT WORK BY H&R BLOCK, 2018-2024, $2,204

I met with a new client today that has used H&R Block for several years in the past. I asked him about his HSA account. He told me he quit putting money into it because they “H&R Block tax advisor” told him he had to pay tax on it when he took it out. He questioned them and said even if I use it for medical expenses. And the tax advisor told him yes it is taxable. And no s**t tax years 2022 and 2023 the same tax advisor taxed him and penalized him on his HSA distributions.
In 2024 he didn’t have distributions because he didn’t want to pay tax on them.

This is beyond elementary and complete incompetence and malpractice. So the taxpayer is now getting all of his returns from H&R Block prior to 2022 and we will see how far back they taxed him on his HSA distributions. He also quit going to them because this particular tax advisor told him repeatedly that she can’t provide tax advice. 🤷🏼
This tax preparer and this office will get reported! Most people who sit behind a desk and prepare taxes at these national tax preparation warehouses are unlicensed, do not have credentials, and I wonder if they even have malpractice insurance. H&R Block, as well as the others come up with their own self labeled tax advisor titles….. none of which are legitimate credentials.

Only enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys carry credentials to represent taxpayers before the IRS and that includes the knowledge to prepare tax returns!

Taxpayers and customers are being defrauded by those that represent themselves as tax professionals when they have no legitimate credentials! And the taxpaying consumer that pays for this non-credentialed work only believes the end product is correct and accurate until somebody else like me who actually knows the law and knows how to prepare taxes and is legitimately licensed or credentialed tells them otherwise.

Congress needs to act and regulate the preparation of tax returns for the protection of the public and the integrity of the system!

UPDATE:
2018; taxed $187, penalty $37, total cost $78
2019; taxed $3000, penalty $1260, total cost $1260
2020; Treated HSA distribution correctly but took a an HSA deduction of $858, appears to be erroneous
2021; taxed $1770, penalty $354, total cost $566
2022; taxed $241, penalty $48, total cost $101
2023; taxed $474, penalty $95, total cost $199
2024; taxpayer quit using his HSA because he didn't want taxed and penalized again by incompetent tax preparers.
Total cost to taxpayer $2,204

02/10/2026

Your tax return preparation should include more than just putting some numbers on a tax form. A thorough interview with the taxpayer provides the preparer with information that otherwise isn’t disclosed in tax reporting documents that may lead to a lower tax liability for the taxpayer (in most cases this means a larger refund.)

Advisory services includes an understanding of a taxpayers financial and economic situation that provides tax savings or meets a personal or economic need.

Investment and retirement savings guidance, loan and debt analysis, medical insurance costs, budgeting and cash flow issues, can all be steps included with the preparation of a tax return.

If you normally get a refund of $2000 but with a little work and planning your refund could be $4000, the time and effort a tax professional invests in you has value immeasurable and ongoing for years to come.

“Cheap” or “Fast” usually never provides for the best return.

Tax Preparation | Tax Advisors | Tax Law | Accounting | Business Advisory | IRS Representation, Notices | IRS Audits | Complex Tax Situations

02/10/2026

TAXPAYER DUE DILIGENCE IS A “THING”

It is 'your' responsibility as the taxpayer to be sure you understand as best possible and agree with a tax return prepared for you by any paid preparer. I understand there is an amount of trust, but having zero knowledge of the tax return and assuming it is correct is your own neglect. I continually see year after year, returns prepared by others with significant errors. The following are issues from prior years:

1) Husband Wife married in December 2019. They wanted to keep their own preparers. Return prepared by a CPA for husband using married filing separate filing status without considering spouses income. Spouse came to me as she has been a long-time client. I run the numbers and inform them both that filing separate returns collectively cost them $12,500. I amended both tax returns for filing status and a multitude of other errors on husband’s tax return resulting in refunds of $13,000.

2) New client has gone to a local ‘franchise’ type discount tax service for several years. While reviewing their Ohio state tax returns back 4 years, I discovered that the taxpayer had qualified survivorship benefits from her late husband that were non-taxable but were not deducted on her original returns. After amending 4 years allowed, taxpayer realized refunds of almost $4000.

Just because someone has initials behind their name doesn't mean they know what they are doing. Just because someone has a tax preparation office, doesn't mean they are licensed and regulated let alone competent to prepare income taxes. If there are mistakes, you may never know until someone else who might know what they are doing catches the errors and calls them out.

Take some responsibility for your own tax returns.

Tax Preparation | Tax Advisors | Tax Law | Accounting | Business Advisory | IRS Representation, Notices | IRS Audits | Complex Tax Situations

02/10/2026

𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐗 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐋, 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄, 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓⁣

Gerald Bayus Jr, EA is an Accounting and Tax Advisor, practicing for more than 30yrs, specializing in individual and business tax preparation, tax and business advisory services, IRS representation, IRS notices, audits and collections, distressed business, bankruptcy and reorganization, tax planning for divorce, estates and trusts.⁣
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Bayus is an Enrolled Agent, Licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service⁣
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Specialties: Tax Law, IRS representation, Complex Tax Situations, Taxpayer Non-filing⁣
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𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 'Enrolled Agents' are the only federally licensed tax practitioners who have the technical expertise in the field of taxation. Enrolled Agents are licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, collections and appeals at all levels of the Internal Revenue Service. "Only" Enrolled Agents, attorneys and CPA's may represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Despite all the extensive deceptive advertising, there are NO other "Licensed Tax Professionals".⁣

Tax Preparation | Tax Advisors | Tax Law | Accounting | Business Advisory | IRS Representation, Notices | IRS Audits | Complex Tax Situations

12/11/2025

2025 Tax Year Rules for No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Car Loan Interest and Deduction for Seniors

FS-2025-03, July 14, 2025 — Provisions from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

11/14/2025

Picking up extra hours at your job? You can get a tax deduction on qualified overtime compensation. Starting in tax year 2025, under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, you can deduct up to $12,500 of wages that exceed your regular rate of pay. This can offer significant savings on your tax return.

Find out if you qualify at www.irs.gov/obbb.

03/24/2024

Tax preparation takes more than calling yourself a “tax preparer” and inputting numbers into TurboTax!

Recently I met with a new client who had concerns about whether their past tax returns were prepared properly. They had gone to a local family owned “tax service” office that advertises they’ve been in business for over 50 years.

In reviewing just the previous two years returns, I found that they had one rental property with losses that should have been deducted each year and instead were “suspended” and not deducted. in addition because of their income, they were eligible and should have filed as married filing separate but instead were filed jointly which cost them $1000 in savings each year for more than seven years. The filing status issue alone cost them in excess of $7000 that cannot be recovered.
EDIT: Was just provided documentation that the rental was sold in 2021....can you guess? Wasn't reported either!!!

Incompetent inept tax preparers are everywhere. In my experience, I feel there are more incompetent tax preparers than there are competent.

You might think whomever does your tax return is the best! But you don’t know if your tax returns are prepared properly until somebody else reviews them and tells you they’re not.

If you don’t meet with your tax preparer …. if your tax preparer doesn’t ask you questions….. if you just drop your paperwork off and get it back complete for a cheap fee……
More than likely, your tax return was not prepared properly.

02/10/2023

Consumer Advocate , Ohio Attorney General
Choice in tax preparer requires care, 2/8/2023

You should have received all of your 2022 tax documentation – including W2 forms – from your employer by now, and perhaps you’re planning to hire a professional tax preparer.

First, consider what type of professional you may need. Tax preparers might be certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents and/or attorneys. An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Enrolled agents, like attorneys and CPAs, are generally unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle and where they can practice.

It is important to thoroughly research the person preparing your taxes, as the preparer will have access to your personal information, including your Social Security number. No matter who prepares your taxes, ultimately you, the taxpayer, are responsible for the accuracy of your return.

The IRS recommends the following steps when selecting a tax preparer:

1. Check the preparer’s qualifications. Use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. This tool helps taxpayers find a tax return preparer with specific qualifications. The directory is a searchable and sortable listing of preparers. Remember: Any tax preparer should have a Preparer Tax Identification Number.
2. Check the preparer’s history. Check for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. For CPAs, check with the State Board of Accountancy. For attorneys, check with the Supreme Court of Ohio. For enrolled agents, go to the verify enrolled agent status page on IRS.gov or check the directory.
3. Ask about service fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of the refund or who boast bigger refunds than their competition. When asking about a preparer’s services and fees, don’t give them tax documents, Social Security numbers or other information until you’ve actually retained that person.
4. Ask to e-file. The quickest way to get your refund is to electronically file your federal tax return and use direct deposit.
5. Make sure the preparer is available. Contact your tax preparer as early as possible to make sure he or she has time to file your taxes before this year’s deadline. Be wary of tax preparers offering inexpensive last-minute services.
6. Provide records and receipts. Good preparers will ask to see your records and receipts. They’ll ask questions to figure things such as total income, tax deductions and credits.
7. Never sign a blank return. Don’t use a tax preparer who asks you to sign a blank tax form.
8. Review before signing. Before signing a tax return, review it. Ask questions if something is unclear. You should feel comfortable with the accuracy of your return before you sign it. You should also make sure that your refund goes directly to you – not to the preparer’s bank account. Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return. The preparer should give you a copy of the completed tax return.
9. Ensure the preparer signs and includes the PTIN. All paid tax preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. By law, paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN.
10. Report abusive tax preparers to the IRS. Most tax preparers are honest and provide great service to their clients. However, some preparers are dishonest. Report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS. Use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If you suspect a tax preparer filed or changed your tax return without your consent, file Form 14157-A, Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.
If you suspect a scam or an unfair business practice, contact the Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/Newsletters/Consumer-Advocate/February-2023/Choice-in-tax-preparer-requires-care

01/13/2023

IRS releases FAQ about energy credits and energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits. For tax year 2022, but many more effective for the 2023 tax year and many years beyond. Be sure to obtain the proper documentation from your contractor or retailer.

IR-2022-225, December 22, 2022 — The Internal Revenue Service today released frequently asked questions (FAQs) about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits.