Tax preparation
 

I am new to the area. Can anyone recommend a tax preparation service,

AARP TaxAide is free. Book online.

Daily Sun classifieds.

I have use HR Block for several years, not the cheapest, but they do stand behind their work and I actually collected one time when they made an error.

Ellen Cronin Tax Services
4.866 Google reviews
Tax preparation service in Wildwood, Florida
Enrolled agent and CPA preparing individual and trust tax returns.
Address: 10845 US-301, Oxford, FL 34484
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 9 AM
Phone: (352) 350-1951

Who is eligible to use this? Their site says for people over 50 and who need assistance.

Their online assistance is for people with AGI below $84k.

Is the in person assistance capped as well?

Have you ever used online tax service? The average cost is $50.00. They “talk” younthru every step. It’s not hard at all.

Ellen Cronin is a good tax service. But, citing Google reviews is not a good way to promote anything. Google reviews can be bought and they are very often fake. There are a lot of terrible companies that have hundreds of 5-star Google reviews. Google it.

All reputable preparers stand behind their work. So I'm a CPA so I'm somewhat biased. But I've fixed a lot of HR Block returns. They tend to be people who fill in the boxes from your paperwork. Some have but a three week training course. They don't have the breadth of knowledge to be creative, explain missed tax saving opportunities and do tax planning for the next year. I've have clients come to me and tell me that the reason HR Block didn't prepare a form was because it wasn't out yet. It was out - they just didn't know to prepare it.

Plus why anyone would take their audit protection is beyond me. Like a extended warranty on a blender. A tremendous money maker for them!

A side note - years ago the Wall Street Journal took a rather complicated return to a variety of tax preparers - mom & pop shops, EA;s, small CPA's. large International CPA firms, tax attorneys. Not one got the maximum savings. Talks to the complexity of our tax laws and that was years ago!

Really FREE TAX USA . One of the ones recommended by IRS. If it's just for simple filings * I believe * . Love it.

I have always done my own with a tax software (like a TurboTax). One year I was living in multiple states and was having issues with questions from the tax software. I thought I would treat myself to a H&R to get it done easy peasy. Needless to say, they made it worse (were as confused as I was). I ended up doing it myself.
If your federal is straight forward you can try below. You would just copy completed info manually to State and local if applicable.

Free File Fillable Forms

Every year we prepare our Taxes to tell the IRS how much we made and therefore how much we owe. If the IRS disagrees they audit you to tell you how much you 'Really' made and how much you 'Really' owe. Since they know the real numbers why don't they just send everyone a 'Tax Bill' every year and end the yearly nonsense of filing a tax return?

We have used the Villages Tax-Aide service provided free for villagers. They have done a great job and I know of lots of people who use them.

Anyone and everyone. There are some tax situations they cannot cover, such as businesses with depreciable assets, and some schedule K1 stuff.

They might not know all the numbers. For example, if you do a Schedule C, they won’t know all the numbers. You might be audited because they don’t believe the numbers you provided. For many people, including myself, they actually do know all the numbers and can, in theory, do as you suggest and then I can skip buying tax prep software and plugging in, or downloading, all the numbers they already have.

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.