I prefer the H&R block home software (od TaxAct, for that matter) to TurboTax. But yes, if you don't have multistate or foreign income, are not self employed, and your investments are relatively simple there is zero reason not to just do your own taxes with consumer software
I tried two different CPA in two years as well as turbotax to see how much I got back (had stock sales that year) and I’m on visa. It was pretty much similar for the second year and I noticed that the first year the CPA made a bunch of errors which I had to then address :/ I feel using turbo tax is best IF you are ready to spend some time upfront learning about some shenanigans around filling. It also helps you better understand your financials and where you can save. Once you’ve made notes you rinse repeat every year. CPAs are less effort and can get you similar returns but you should absolutely cross check their filing before you can trust them.
If you own nothing, then go ahead and do your own taxes. IF you've got anything in terms of investments or charitable donations then use a professional. Btw, $100 to $200 is very reasonable to pay a tax professional. My cost is $450, but when I get 10k+ back it's totally worth it.
If you have regular stock investments , you need to understand basis, wash sale, etc because by the time you file taxes it is too late to make any difference - and these things aren't hard. If you need help figuring them out, the time to do it is BEFORE you make sales (where a good accountant or financial planner can be very helpful if the basic idea of marginal rates and the LTCG rates escape you.) Especially now that they report basis on the 1099 which has been going for like 9-10 years now If you have investment property or non-standard investments like trusts that report on a K1 that can be another matter, ditto if you are doing market (not ISO) options trading or margin stuff where you have offsetting costs that aren't reflected in basis. If you have normal cash donations or small non-cash donations an accountant soing your taxes dds zero value - the only help can be in advance. If you have substantial non-cash donations, that's different.
If you want something like TurboTax but without contributing to the societal cancer that is Intuit, try TaxHawk.
If you are paying under $200 and are confident it is being done right, why hassle with doing it yourself.
I use H&R Block home software, got a good refund last time
Turbotax
$100-200 is nothing for taxes done right
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I would say if you're going at it on your own try H&R Block first. $100-200 per year isn't bad since going to a location they charge per form which adds up to about that price, but they do guarantee that if you get audited and a mistake was made on their part, they will pay for everything. Including any fees and penalties the mistake may have caused. Try the home version first and compare to your previous fillings. Hope this helps.
Worst advice. H&R Block are thieves. If your taxes are that simple, either continue with who you have or do it yourself. I wouldn’t wish anyone on H&R Block.