Tax Time! ARRRRGH!

[Detroitpete]

In my mid to late twenties, I discovered something... I STINK at certain things. I have tried and failed to do several things.

Same here! This is why I do what I do, and have YOU make my kilt!

[Chainsaw02]

Been doing my own taxes since I was a kid, long before computer tax software came along. I now use TurboTax and since I am considered to be self employed (a very small business) I use their Home and Business model. Finally, after many years of owing I am getting a refund. Sorry folks, no kilt or kit, just a new lawn mower or a goat. I'll have to think about that. Figured out a long time ago that no one will lie for me like I will.

Larry dirr

[EagleJCS]

I've been doing my own for many, many years, but this past year was a little different - not going into details - so I'm considering going to a pro for help.

Any refund(s) will be going into the 'future taxes' fund for this year's property taxes.

[ForresterModern]

3 mortgages on two houses in two states, deductions for significant contributions to charity (Wife lost a son to leukemia 11 years ago--lots of contributions), been selling a set amount of stock each year for the last 6 years (stocks that took a huge loss in the first tech bubble burst) that can only be deducted partially each year for several years as a loss, going from 3 kid deductions to 1, inheritance from a stock account my ex-wife forgot to have me removed from as principle beneficiary since our divorce 9 years ago and her death nearly 4 years ago, other various deductions, etc.........

Every year for the last 7 years my accountant has looked at my anticipated income, deductions, etc... and told me how much to have withheld per paycheck, etc... She has done our taxes, including innumerable complex additional forms for various incomes or deductions, gains or losses, and brought home 4-5 figure refunds each year from federal, and usually 3-4 figure refunds from states. Last year she warned us we were dangerously close to an audit for the type of deductions we had listed combined with my income, but when the audit came along she ponied up her time and effort (no extra charge) and we actually got an additional $600+ back from the IRS after they initiated and completed the audit (that's a new one). Silly IRS.

She is well worth the cost, if only in the fact that I do not have to deal with the headache of dealing with the d@%& things, and that we always get a refund. God bless my CPA, and all the advice she provides as part of her services. Easily saved me 3-4:1 what her costs are on an annual basis.

jeff

[cormacmacguardhe]

For the past several years I have gone with Turbo-tax, have no complaints. About 15 years ago, my wife and I went to a CPA that was recommended by her sister. Two years later went to a different one who looked at our old returns and told us we had more coming back to us. After we moved back to Washington state we looked around for another CPA, had bad luck trying to find one. The first one we called did not show up for the appointment. The second one was referred by my parents asset manager, met with this one gave him all of our paperwork, he dropped out of sight. We still do not know what happened to him or our papers. Decided to do our own with Turbo-tax, two years in a row owed money due to my wife being self-employed and not paying quarterly. Both this year and last, we got money back. I do love Turbo-tax.