topic Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own? in Among Friends

Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

RinaRina — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:07:40 GMT

The man who's been doing my taxes for the last 10 years emailed me 2 weeks ago and told me his office had moved. He used to be 10 minutes from my house. Now he's 30 minutes away.

I couldn't find the new place b'cz the receptionist told me they were "next to Macy's".

Well, Macy's has THREE FLOORS .. I couldn't find the office and no one who worked in the mall knew where it was!

I was so t*cked off by the time I found the place, I just wanted to go somewhere else.

Apparently, they thought being in a "mall" would generate more business.

But the new office was EMPTY ... just like the old office.

Are most people doing their own taxes these days?

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

sunshine45 — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:13:16 GMT

not us.

we have our own business so we have a CPA do our business and personal taxes.

we use him year round, not just this time of the year.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Desertdi — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:15:43 GMT

I MAIL my tax paperwork to my lawyer. My late husband once made a GIGANTIC ERROR........and I got threatened with "Leavenworth" by the IRS. I'm sure they have a "flag" on my SS#, and I'm not taking any chances.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:17:47 GMT

Nope. CPA.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:24:41 GMT

Absolutely not. Mine are fairly complicated. The money spent on a CPA is well worth it.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:26:14 GMT

I think alot of people do their own taxes, using the on-line services (turbotax, etc.). This year, though, seemed like not a good year to do it - so many changes for 2018. I have my taxes done, because I LOATH doing it myself, even if I am capable.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

RinaRina — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:41:10 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
The man who's been doing my taxes for the last 10 years emailed me 2 weeks ago and told me his office had moved. He used to be 10 minutes from my house. Now he's 30 minutes away.
I couldn't find the new place b'cz the receptionist told me they were "next to Macy's".
Well, Macy's has THREE FLOORS .. I couldn't find the office and no one who worked in the mall knew where it was!
I was so t*cked off by the time I found the place, I just wanted to go somewhere else.
Apparently, they thought being in a "mall" would generate more business.
But the new office was EMPTY ... just like the old office.

Are most people doing their own taxes these days?

================

The other thing that bothered me was the "receptionist".

I gave her my stuff and asked her to give it to (tax guy). SHE SAID, "may I see your ID please?".

I must've had a crazy look on my face, because she smiled and said, "Just so I can make sure you are who you say you are ..."

I turned around and walked OUT the door.

(and they were NOT .. "next to Macy's" ...

they were next door to a mexican restaurant! SMH ...!!)

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

libbyannE — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:36:57 GMT

We’ve never done our own taxes. My parents always had a cpa, and so do we.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Krimpette — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:38:08 GMT

Mine are more complex than I feel comfortable undertaking. I have my accountant take care of them.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

WindingRoad — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 22:39:14 GMT

I hope this may help someone who needs help in filing their return. For low to moderate income returns, please check out VITA ( Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). It's absolutely free and they have locations open across the country until April15.

This is offered in conjunction with AARP and IRS, but you don't need to be a senior to use their service. I was told they do most returns, but not ones with income properties (landlords).

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:39:58 GMT

I used to do it myself, but it stressed me out , so having someone one do it is a gift I give myself. For me it is money well spent.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

I am still oxox — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:41:11 GMT

Nope taxes already filed I have a guy who has a short turn around time

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Sooner — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 17:42:01 GMT

We always have done our own. Even for a business we had and for my parents' business.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

millieshops — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:21:32 GMT

@RinaRinaThat receptionist was doing you a favor unless she was someone who definitely knew who you are - although they're more likely to work online, anyone can walk into a preparer's office, hand in false info, change your address and if that office accepts it and does "your" taxes, you've just been scammed so that when you go to do your taxes, they've already been done, refund collected, etc.

Yes, you can appeal, but that can take time, money, and aggravation. I wouldn't be so quick to be offended.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Gorgf — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:26:49 GMT

Tax laws change and deductions can change at times even in Feb.2018 when it was decided to allow energy home improvement deductions done in 2017. Only solar for this year. What was one page is now two pages etc. of forms.

I have investments so need to have help on losses and gains. I am not savy with figures in general. I would not want to encourage a red flag for any reason and be penalized. It can and does happen. I am happy to pay for the service and thankful some people are willing to do it. I have the same bookeeper and tax preparer for many years. She keeps up to date and does business and private taxes. I trust her to do the best.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

2blonde — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:26:56 GMT

I've always done my own. The last couple years I didn't have enough deductions to itemize anymore, so it became even simpler to just claim the standard deduction, even with my two incomes. The worst part of it is knowing I will again have to pay them more money than they've already taken (not quite as much as last year, though).

Now this time, it was absolute child's play doing it. I downloaded the 2 half pages needed and finished it in about 15 minutes. My state tax (Ohio) is actually more difficult than the federal. My local city tax always comes to 0 owed (the 2% is already deducted from my paycheck), and I just do that one quickly online.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

millieshops — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:36:31 GMT

@2blondeBecause the taxes are the same whether I owe or get refund, unless I owe so much that I get fined, I'd rather pay in April than get a refund.

I have friends who know they are not good savers who prefer to get government help saving during the year - then they have a chunk of money to use for something specvial or to save.

As with almost any decision, there's more than one way, more than one reason why we do what we do.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

chrystaltree — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:38:18 GMT

I know almost everyone I know does their own taxes. It's so expensive to have someone do it for you and the secret is out now. They use the exact same software to do taxes that we can use right from the comfort of our own homes. But it's not even April yet, your guy might have more work than he can handle in a week or two.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 19:27:52 GMT

We are self employed and have our taxes done by a CPA....ex IRS guy, he's a tad quirky but good.

Re: Taxes: Are most peeps doing their own?

Kalli — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 20:10:58 GMT

We don’t do our own. Too complicated.