personal tax filing-yourself or delegate?

[shootingstar]

Do you file/prepare your own personal income tax return?

Or it's done by someone else..a family member, accountant.

I wasn't familiar with a parent still doing it for their adult child who has been working for awhile. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../lifeMain/home

Compared to other people, my life situation is generally not too complicated, hence continue to do it myself.

I recall someone new to Canada, was abit ticked off when they realized they could have done an equally good job themselves instead of paying a HR Block to do theirs. And this couple, both had engineering degrees..so mathematical literacy was not a huge obstacle.

[SadieKate]

I don't know about tax code in Canada, but since Tim Geitner had problems with TurboTax, I'd think twice.

We have an accountant do our taxes. It's not like we're rich, but our finances are a bit complicated with buying/selling houses, Bubba retiring, moving to another state, etc.

I believe that at some point you get what you pay for. Free legal and tax advice is worth exactly that. Of course, the pros can still screw up (ask MP), but I suspect the IRS is easier to deal with if you can point to your pro as the idjit.

[maillotpois]

Of course, the pros can still screw up (ask MP),.....

Indeed. More of a miscommunication than an actual screw up, but we're severely hosed this year.

[jobob]

I'm the tax preparer in my fambly unit.

But, on account of extenuating circumstances, this year I only got around to attempting said taxes a few days before they were due.

Come to find out, Jo + TurboTax + Pain Meds were a wretchedly sub-optimal combination. Extensions have been filed.

[crazycanuck]

I give my taxes to someone at H & R block so i don't make mistakes

Just don't leave your taxes for 4yrs.. I received a little fine but it's all ok

[Cataboo]

I file & prepare my Mom's (for her business as well), my brother's (for his business as well), my sister's, her boyfriend's, my mom's little japanese old lady friend whose husband died 2 years ago and doesn't trust her kids to do it, my mom's neighbors across the street, and my taxes. Various years other peoples get added on (boyfriends, friends, whatever).

It's fairly straight forward, if I have questions about anything, I just read the appropriate IRS documentation, and I use turbo tax. I've been doing it for years and haven't had a problem.

Of course, none of the above people have ever been appointed to public office requiring the congress to go over their tax returns.

[shootingstar]

I file & prepare my Mom's (for her business as well), my brother's (for his business as well), my sister's, her boyfriend's, my mom's little japanese old lady friend whose husband died 2 years ago and doesn't trust her kids to do it, my mom's neighbors across the street, and my taxes. Various years other peoples get added on (boyfriends, friends, whatever).

Alot of people owe you several nice dinners!

[divingbiker]

I don't know about tax code in Canada, but since Tim Geitner had problems with TurboTax, I'd think twice.

My coworker whose husband works for IMF said there is no way Tim Geithner could not have known what he was supposed to do when filing his taxes. They are told very clearly, several times a year, what the procedures are for filing taxes. The problem was not with Turbo Tax. Sorry for the hijack...I don't work for Turbo Tax and in fact like Tax Cut better.

[uforgot]

I do mine and my two "adult" children. Spending part of the year in a combat zone is about as complicated as it gets. Then again, I teach math...

[Blueberry]

I have a CPA, she's totally worth it!

CA

[AnnieBikes]

I have used Turbo Tax for years and love it. The year we called the accountant to say we were doing it ourselves, he replied "I was wondering when you were going to do it yourself!" We got a refund this year.

[SadieKate]

My coworker whose husband works for IMF said there is no way Tim Geithner could not have known what he was supposed to do when filing his taxes. They are told very clearly, several times a year, what the procedures are for filing taxes. The problem was not with Turbo Tax. Sorry for the hijack...I don't work for Turbo Tax and in fact like Tax Cut better.

I don't know the details and really don't care, but I can tell you that one very bright attorney I know cussed like hEll doing taxes every year both with pen and paper and then Turbo Tax. This was back when our finances were pretty simple and the State of CA made the same consistent mistakes (as an employer) every year. I stopped dreading April when we finally used an accountant.

I still stand by "you get get what you pay for" so if you have finances involving more than 1 paycheck, same house for years, and no investments other than savings, an accountant does not hurt.

Maybe Tim Geithner should have known what he was doing, but that should have included having a professional review his taxes.

[TxDoc]

I use H&R block and love them!

[msincredible]

My parents had me start doing my own taxes when I was a kid (investment accounts in my name) and I've done them myself since then, with one exception. Most of those years were with pen/paper/calculator, then a few years ago I switched to TurboTax and more recently to TaxAct. Some of my tax returns have been quite complicated, including a combination of itemizing deductions, dealing with foreign tax paid, inheritance income, and Roth IRA conversions all in one year.

Even with the software I always review the actual forms for accuracy.

There was one year I decided to have a friend (casual friend) do them as she is a CPA and trying to get started in business. Ironically that was the only time in recent years my taxes were quite simple. She did them correctly but I decided afterward I just always prefer to have it under my control.

[smilingcat]

I avoid the whole ordeal of tax filing.

I'm smart enough to know that I have zero clue about taxes so I use an accountant. I love my Jewish CPA. She's straight as an arrow no funny business. I sleep without worry. And if something should happen, they have their own team of tax attorneys on staff.