For those that get their taxes done by pros...

[jcunning]

How much does it cost to have your taxes done?

I get charged around $850. I'm not sure if this is fair or not. I've been using the same people for 10 years and I'm a little hesitant to up and move everything to a new person. My taxes are complicated and cannot be done with the typical turbotax software. I have AMT calculations, capital loss carryovers, home business deductions, personal stock sales, stock option sales, etc..
(I tried turbotax one year. I put everything in and it said I owed a crapload of money. I then waited for the official return and I ended up with a sizeable return!)

I have no idea how many actual hours are put into my taxes, but I know it takes me about 2-3 hours just to fill in their forms every year. I then send that up along with the paperwork and out pops my full 1040 and every other official form. I then just sign and date and put it in the mail.

I about 95% satisfied with their work.

[HardDrive]

We are in the same ball park. Depends on the paperwork for that year. Somewhere in the $800-1000 range.

[Jim Bremner]

same here, plus the biz tax is around 2,200

[aigel]

I remember $350 for a simple two income return after an interstate move many years ago. That makes $850 for your job look reasonable.

George

[911Rob]

Same. Package includes personal and businesses.
Me and the bean counter go back 20 years now

Edit: Oh, he writes off my Porsche too! Ha, ha.

[jcunning]

Thanks guys. I feel better when I see that I'm in the same ball park as everyone else!

[PorscheGAL]

We lived in Birmingham for 4 years. Had an attorney do the taxes $250. Even though we live in SC now we mail all our stuff to him at tax time. PM me if you want contact info.

[Sarah]

Our tax prep always seems to be b/ $250-375 but are not as involved as yours sound. Main point is if they are thorough and IRS finds no reason to audit.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Our tax prep always seems to be b/ $250-375 but are not as involved as yours sound. Main point is if they are thorough and IRS finds no reason to audit.

That and electronic filing done by them and not me. My tax guy for 5 years was only like $140 for one self employed and one wage earner. Turbo Tax was costing me money as well as the purchase of the product.

I just got word he passed away. My age! I'll get another because I don't want to do it myself again.

[dan79brooklyn]

Sounds expensive, the guy who does my wife and my taxes (joint filing) in NYC is like $300, and last year he forget to charge us, I think because my sister decided to use him also and he filed her taxes late and she was pissed. But he does a good job usually.

[Sarah]

I know a lot of people who use Turbo Tax...but we still feel more comfortable having them prep'd for us...

[on2wheels52]

Smalltown USA perhaps, a woman does mine for $80 (self-employed-small business), even comped my kid last year for his first time with w2's.
Jim

[Eric Coffey]

Sometimes "you get what you pay for" also applies to accountants. I've heard a few horror stories. Personally, I wouldn't deal with a CPA that didn't have extensive/practicing tax law experience, especially if your returns are complicated. My CPA has her JD LLM, and I would recommend you look for someone with the same.

Not only is she held to much higher standards, she is a whiz at tax strategy and IRS risk management. The 24/7 free tax/law consults are worth the price of admission alone.

She also hosts a yearly week-long gathering in Hawaii for all of her clients that is structured to be 100% tax deductable.

[berettafan]

That's not a cheap 1040 and capital loss carryovers are simple. The business may justify the cost though.

[BReif61]

$800? Is this typical?

This is my first year out of college; and I'll be damned if I want to/have the $800 to give away. How much does it normally cost to get them done for a single filer w/o many deductions?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by BReif61

$800? Is this typical?

This is my first year out of college; and I'll be damned if I want to/have the $800 to give away. How much does it normally cost to get them done for a single filer w/o many deductions?

$39.95 for Taxcut or Turbo tax. Unless your situation is complicated (doesn't sound that way) you actually CAN do it yourself.

[JavaBrewer]

$230. I have used this gal for 15 years now.

[jbripps]

500...covers my personal as well as my business...which includes a schedule C...some stock stuff, 1099'S, amortization on some assets, and some other stuff. I don't think you are overpaying. And if for some reason you get audited (knock on wood!), you'll have a group fully familiar with your documents that can represent you....and that's priceless.

J

[LWJ]

$280. Answers questions during the year for no additional charge. A regular CPA. He has **** communication skills however. Not recommended.

[cl8ton]

I spend $1000 for my CPA to do mine…It sucks…I really dislike the SOB, but he knows where all the bones are buried
Plus I think having a CPA sign the returns means a lot to the IRS!