Hi. I need to file as self-employed this coming tax season. It's my first time to file US taxes and not sure what to do. Where can I find a good tax preparer? I've read that H&R Block is a total rip off. They charge hundreds of dollars. How much should expect to pay a good tax preparer? I'm in Lynnwood but general advice would be appreciated too. Thanks!
I work for a CPA, and a tax preparer will generally charge by how many forms they have to file, plus the time it takes them and whatever costs they incure (copies, etc.). Depending on how complicated your return is, I would expect to pay 2-300. You could ask around and see if anyone recommends a CPA in your area, but I would go to HR Block before I'd go to one where they have someone standing out side dressed in a costume.
We own our company and we have a CPA who makes sure everything is on the up and up with all the taxes due, etc.
On a personal level, depending on your business, we also use TurboTax and have for years and never had an issue.
We do everything ourselves and the CPA makes sure we are on the right track.
TuroTax can be very simple to use. As for our business....it is much more detailed, I pay taxes monthly for payroll, etc. through my Quickbooks program which is Awesome!
Make sure you go to someone who can understand your business...not an "accountant in the box "HR Block". Anyone working with self pay needs a little extra to make sure you are on track.
You NEVER want the IRS to have reason to question you. Always Err on the caution side vs aggressive side.
H&R sucks. We got audited for the 2007 taxes, turned out they did a big screw-up and we got stuck having to pay the IRS $350 (That we COULND'T afford!) out of our pockets... When we tried to get them to live up to their "guarantee" they refused because apparently my fiance didn't get the "peace of mind protection plan" (If they know what they are doing, why would you need to pay for peace of mind??) They did refund the cost to prepare the taxes though, so there's that I guess.
doing ur own taxes with one of the tax prep cds is pretty easy, but i have never paid 100s at h&r block. my mom pays about $150 but she has three w2s normally. the cost depends on how much paper work you have to file
I was self employed 4 yrs and did my own taxes through Turbo Tax. They take u step by step and make it very easy. Good luck:)
