The Horrors of "Do it Yourself" Tax Programs

Have you ever found yourself struggling with a "do it yourself" tax program? You start off motivated to get your documentation in, and about an hour into it, you're still feeling positive even though you've only entered one child and your W2. You can't find the back arrow and every time you go to the next screen your refund changes again...

If you've experienced that, you are not alone... There are so many people who feel the same way you do. Granted, not everyone that does their own taxes struggles to get through it. Some have only W2 income, others have enough tax knowledge to manage and understand the questions the program asks, and others just have the knack to do it by hand! Regardless of which category you fall under, most people do not like doing their own taxes (even if they are able to). Some people don't have the time, some don't have the desire, others are afraid, and some don't even file at all! I've seen it countless times - it's the beginning of April and people that have waited to file call me from their home and say "I bought this software at Costco and I'm racking my brain trying to figure this out. Can I just make an appointment and have you do it?" Of course, my answer is always yes! Some get so frustrated that they end up not filing for months after the due date. Then of course, there's the other side.. There are those people who have used online software in the past and 2 years later they get the letter. Panic strikes and they call and ask for the first person available to help them understand what the letter is saying. I've corrected hundreds of tax returns for people due to just one simple question. One simple question has saved individuals hundreds of dollars, sometimes even thousands. Don't always trust that you owe what the letters says because many times the letter is a proposal of what they are estimating you owe. I would say it's a 50/50 chance that you actually owe the amount that is shown on the notice. Always consult a tax professional before you write the IRS a check!

Many people feel like they are safe filing even a complex return online because of the audit protection.

I've looked at the audit protection that online tax softwares offer to you. It is a very helpful tool and definitely beneficial for the taxpayer, but it is NOT offering to pay if there was a mistake on your return. What the audit protection does for you is in the event of an audit, you will have access to a licensed tax professional that will represent you before the IRS. Representation would include reviewing your tax return, communicating with the IRS on your behalf, and clearing up whatever issues need to be resolved. It is not an insurance, they are not going to pay for your mistakes, and it does not mean that you wouldn't have to pay money if you owe the IRS.

Some of the most loyal clients I have today are individuals who used to use the "do it yourself" tax programs and then received a letter and never wanted to touch their own taxes again! I've saved clients thousands of dollars that they would have owed because they didn't understand the program or because of a miscalculation. I've also found extra deductions and credits for many individuals who have used tax software and later called and asked for the return to be reviewed.

You can never be too careful with your money. Taxes is not something to be taken lightly. I would love to help you maximize your tax dollars and save you all the money you're entitled to receive! Give me a call today and we can discuss your tax situation and see what extra savings might be in store for you.

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