Can I hold my taxpreparer liable for an error on my federal return?

Maybe for the penalties and interest if it was his error. You would have likely owed some of the taxes anyway.

Was it an error because of something you told him that was incorrect or did he put something down that was different that the information you gave him?

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How is he liable, is it a math error? He could be liable, and if you bought the insurance or what ever it is called that they will pay or reimburse you something for their error.

Is it from unreported income? If so then it is your error for not providing him all the tax information.

So it does depend on what the error is.

Good luck

you need to discuss this with the preparer

the tax is and always was yours but if the preparer was in error you need to discuss this with him

he might pay your interest and penalties and possibly some adjustment for his error(if it was his)

only your preparer can tell you