Turbotax or CPA?

[shiftbmw]

So, what do you guys use? Debating this year what to do. I don't really have a complicated situation, just trying to maximize my return.

When would you opt for Turbotax and when would you opt for a CPA?

[markseven]

So, what do you guys use? Debating this year what to do. I don't really have a complicated situation, just trying to maximize my return.

When would you opt for Turbotax and when would you opt for a CPA?

TT has worked well for us. We stopped using a tax person three years ago.

[Eric]

I've used taxslayer.com for a few years now and it has worked great.

[pureaudio]

CPA is going to maximize your return and be responsible for mistakes made for not much more than Turbo Tax.

[z31maniac]

CPA is going to maximize your return and be responsible for mistakes made for not much more than Turbo Tax.

Yeah, but if all your doing is entering 1 W-2 and taking the standard deduction.........?

My wife uses a CPA since she's self-employed.

I use taxact.com.

[nando]

if it gets complicated - (1 spouse from another country, buying/selling assets, children, etc) a CPA makes sense. I paid like $700 for tax services last year (!!!!) but she got me like $12000 back.

if you're single and it's just a W2, you can pretty much only take the standard deduction anyway, so software is a better deal.

[markseven]

CPA is going to maximize your return and be responsible for mistakes made for not much more than Turbo Tax.

The last time we needed a CPA to prepare our taxes it cost $300. TT costs $39.99 for the Deluxe version (after Costco $10 off coupon).

[e30prideTN]

I've been wondering too. I always use a free program online, but that was when I was on my own. If my bf id head of household & we had a baby this year, should we use a CPA?

[KenC]

Yeah, but if all your doing is entering 1 W-2 and taking the standard deduction.........?

My wife uses a CPA since she's self-employed.

I use taxact.com.

I've been using taxact.com for years now. I'm single and just have a simple W-2, so it's super simple.

[pureaudio]

Yeah, but if all your doing is entering 1 W-2 and taking the standard deduction.........?

My wife uses a CPA since she's self-employed.

I use taxact.com.

Yeah touché, guess I was just assuming it was more complicated.

When I was 18-19, I'd have my return processed the day I got my w-2, now I'm just finishing up early April.

[ohthejosh]

I used H&R block for my very first tax return and now I use TT, I found that TT is cheaper with either similar or better returns.

Like the above posters have said. If its complicated stuff use a CPA, otherwise go with TT.