CPA? Software? E-File? WHAT'S A GIRL GOTTA DO TO GET FILED?!

So, it's that time of year again... TAX SEASON.... yay.

Naturally there are many choices for preparing your tax returns... CPA, tax prep firm, e-file, software. But what's the best?

Well, once again, it's all about choice, that is, your preference. Working for the tax industry I can tell you, because the experts have told me, that you should always get your return professionally prepared. The peace of mind of knowing you got it done right always outweighs the expense. However, you need to know who to go to, because although preparers are filing on your behalf, the IRS still sees you as solely responsible for what's on that return, including mistakes. Therefore, choosing the right preparer is key. I recommend Sharon Raines, and Pat Harker.

However, if you're hell bent on getting it done cheap, tax software may be the next best thing. Still, it depends on your return. If it's complex, a tax preparer may be the best way to go. On the other hand, if it's simple you may be wasting money on software when you could do it yourself through e-file. Sharon has a good article on finding the best tax preparation software and some good points to think about when choosing software over other options.

Last, but not least, is the cheapest option by far: IRS e-filing. (It's free. Can't beat that!) Although this option is only available to those who make under 54K, if you fall within this requirement, have a fairly simple return, and feel confident in filing it yourself, this may be your top choice. However, as usual with the IRS, there are further stipulations and specifics to e-file eligibility.

So, you have a decision to make. Again I'll stress getting your return prepared by a tax preparer. You do NOT want to get on the IRS' bad side by making a mistake. However, there are other options.

Additional Articles:

Which Tax Software is Best to Prepare Your 2007 Return?
IRS Free File- Who Can Do This?