Trump and SBF blamed their accountants – but your taxes are your responsibility | Gene Marks

We business owners can't just shrug and say it's the accountant's job - it's our signature on those forms

Every year, millions of individuals and small business owners have their tax returns prepared by outside accountants. It makes sense. Taxes can be complicated so it's a good idea to have someone who knows this stuff well - a professional - to do your year-end reporting, and do it right.

But let's say there's a problem with your tax return. Maybe your tax professional made a mistake. Or was negligent. Or wasn't up to date on the rules. And let's say this problem resulted in you owing more money to the IRS. Or even - if serious enough - it results in the IRS taking you to court. Who's ultimately responsible for this problem? Is it your accountant?