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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
How much do you pay to get your taxes done?
We've been going to the same company and every year they've been increasing their rates (fine), but I think it's going to cost us close to $230-$250 to get our taxes done this year. This cost is for both Federal and State.
It's only the 2 of us (no kids), and our taxes are pretty straightforward.
Is this common, or am I over-paying?
ETA: If you have a recommendation, we'd love to get some recommendations...
Re: How much do you pay to get your taxes done?
We are in the exact same situation and it seems like a LOT of money to pay someone when maybe we could just do it ourselves. I started going with them because I had a side music business and it was easier for them to do it. I don't do quite as much with that side business these days so after tax season this year, I told my husband that maybe we should do it ourselves in 2011. Your post made me want to go back and look at how much I/we have paid over the last few years.
2003 - $165 (me, single)
2004 - $134 (me, single)
2005 - $194 (me, single)
2006 - $176 (me, single)
2007 - $321 (me and Chris, separate)
2008 - $322 (me and Chris, joint)
2009 - $342 (me and Chris, joint)
So I don't have any recommendations but at least this tells you that $230-$250 isn't totally ridiculous. Or if it is, then we're paying a really ridiculous amount!
If they are pretty straightforward why not file online for free? Sites like taxact.com will walk you through questions and fill out the forms for you. I've done it every year with no problems (especially if they are not complicated, like owning your own business or whatnot).
I've never had anyone do them so I have no idea what is a good price. We will have to have them done this year as my husband became a realtor so we have to file self employment and all that goes along with it, so I guess I'll find out!
Getting an early start on tax season, eh?
I used to have a "tax guy" (as we called him LOL) who filed for me. He charged around $75-100 - but retired last year. DH has always done his own taxes, and is now doing ours.
If your filing is pretty straightforward, is it something you would consider trying on your own? There are a few programs that walk you through the steps and don't charge too much.
Just another direction/suggestion... Good luck!
My company does taxes during the 'tax season' and I think that's pretty high if you have straight forward taxes wether it's a joint return with just the 2 of you or if you had 100 kids...it doesn't make it any more difficult to add dependents it's just additional data entry. We charge $199 but that's for rapid refund which is historically more expensive. If I were paying for someone to do my return I wouldn't pay any more than $75.00. If you have a business where you have to file self employment that's a whole different story and the price you quoted would be reasonable.
Turbotax.com is highly recommended by me. You can do a simple federal return for free and pay around $20 for the state (I think that's what it's been the last few years). The refund will be direct deposited in your account in less than 2 weeks. If you aren't comfortable doing your own taxes my company will do them for $50 which includes your federal and state. It won't be an e-file, but we will do them and print them off for you to mail in. If you want e-file it's $75. Let me know if you are interested and I can give you information. But really... Turbotax.com is SO simple and can save you lots of time and money, I suggest at least trying it out. You don't have to submit it if you aren't comfortable with it! Just DON'T spend the $$ to buy the software at the store, what a rip off! You can just go online and get the same service.
That sounds pretty high to me. I have a LOT of special things that need itemized, etc. and when it was just me it would range anywhere from $75-100. When we got married and filed this year it was about $120.
I've been going to a place on Reading Road called Ohio Tax Service since I was about 17. They are very reasonable and do an excellent job; I've never had an issue. I also believe they have a referral program so if you go there and mention me you'll get $10 off your filing.
Ste 105, 7162 Reading RoadCincinnati, OH 45237-3899
Get Directions(513) 731-6323
We had always done our own until last year--DH had some pretty complicated investment issues that had to be deciphered, so we used an accountant that his sister works for. We paid somewhere from $200-$250. I thought that was high, but again I had never paid to have taxes done before, and I our return was pretty complicated.
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