(RALEIGH) -- In less than a month, the tax deadline will be upon us. Beth Stevenson at the State Revenue Department says there are some things to look out for when seeking out a preparer.

"If you go to a return preparer and they ask you to sign a blank return and they'll fill in the information later, that might be a little bit of a red flag," she cautions.

She adds that if a preparer promises you a big refund, that could also be a sign of a disreputable preparer.

The deadline for filing is April 17th this year, because the 15th lands on a Sunday and the 16th is a holiday in the District of Columbia.