Here's how to figure out whether you should do your own taxes
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Everyone has to pay taxes.
As to whether you should prepare your own or work with a tax preparer or accountant, however, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Since most people's financial situations change every year, it's a question worth asking annually.
Americans have two basic options when it comes to filing their taxes:
1. Preparing them yourself.
You can use tax software, or go through the IRS website.
Popular tax software includes programs like TurboTax (the most basic version is free), TaxACT (again, the basic version is free), and H&R Block (the most basic version offers federal filing for free, and $9.99 for state).
The IRS does not charge to file taxes, and while you can print out and mail in your paperwork or request the paper forms in the mail, the IRS encourages online filing and directs taxpayers with incomes under $62,000 to available free filing software like that mentioned above. For people with incomes north of $62,000, the site provides free fillable forms.
2. Hiring a tax preparer to file for you.
The only professionals qualified to help you are tax lawyers, CPAs, and enrolled IRS agents. You can search for appropriately credentialed preparers at taxprepareregistry.com.
Preparers generally start at around $100 and vary depending on where you live and how complex your taxes are, and accountants might very well charge at least twice that, with similar variations in price according to location and complexity. According to a survey conducted by the National Society Of Accountants, federal and state tax preparation with itemized deductions costs an average of $261.
Note that if you itemize your deductions, you may be able to deduct the cost of your tax preparation from next year's taxes.
So, should you prepare taxes yourself or hire someone to help? For most people, it's not just about the price. Ultimately, it comes down to what you're most comfortable with, but these guidelines could help you decide.
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Do your own taxes if:
You have a straightforward tax situation.
That probably means you don't have dependents, investments, or significant assets or charitable contributions, and you don't own a business.
Those basic, free versions of tax preparation software mentioned above were created for people like you, who have few deductions and factors to take into consideration.
You have the time and patience to deal with it.
Taxes probably aren't the kind of thing you should do with Netflix on in the background. Expect to set aside some time to give it your undivided attention — in 2012, the IRS estimated you'd need 16 hours to do all of the preparation work for the basic form 1040.
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