HR Block has served our needs. We’ve worked with the same gentlemen for years. He knows us, knows our finances and we’re very happy with him/them. Affordable, too.

I’ve used turbo tax for over 25 years with more complicated investments and rsu’s with no issues.

If you belong to AARP, they have a free service of volunteers that will do it for you. Once they begin, you’ll be able to find a listing through AARP website or app. They did a great job for me last year.

My wife is an HRB tax pro, 30 years experience. She has fixed 100's of CPA prepared returns.

If accountant B comes BEHIND accountant A, the 2nd accountant (B )often finds mistakes. But, if accountant A were to come behind accountant B then he(she) would find mistakes. Basically, that is because no one is perfect, we ALL make mistakes. In that particular example of post #19 - a CPA coming BEHIND a HR Block employee would also find mistakes. The point is that, in general, a CPA is going to make fewer mistakes than the AVERAGE HR Block employee.

Surprisingly personal choice
 

Getting a tax preparer is definitely a case of "one size doesn't fit all." If simple, definitely go the least expensive and way you are comfortable. Free filing, maybe use a service like turbo tax, either online or buy the software.

However, most tax returns aren't as simple as you think. If you're a teenager with your first job... it is pretty simple. Then life happens and that complicates everything. Having children, buying a house, investing your money.

Then life events happen that makes it more complicated... a job change, a divorce, a move to a different state (or even locality), owning a business, retiring, a death.

Guess this is a long way to say go with what you are comfortable with. There is satisfaction to have someone who is a "professional" just do it for you. You can argue all day long about their knowledge but pay them, be happy they do something you can't or don't want to. Move on to more fun things.

Unless every penny matters or you have an insane amount of money, no choice is likely to be a bad choice... without spending too much time worrying.

Been using the AARP free service here in the Villages for many many years. The volunteers have impressive experience, many CPA's, many owned own firms, and a lot who retired from the IRS. They do returns from basic to more involved, but there are some limits. If you have multiple businesses, or other complicated issues, you can just ask. But they do returns that involve income from rental properties, etc. etc. You can make an appointment on line at the AARP Tax Aid web site.

Very cool. Looks like a way I can volunteer to help when we move to TV in a few months! Being helpful to others is both satisfying and fun.