A Pro May Not Solve Your Taxpaying Woes

My husband likes to start our taxes early. He bought one of the tax-prep software packages in February and ran the numbers, hoping for a refund. Alas, we actually owe money -- for the third year in a row.

When I was single, I always got a hefty tax refund, but now that I file jointly, I’m in a different tax bracket and get slammed. I don’t necessarily want a huge refund. I just want to avoid writing a huge check every April. So I suggested we go to a pro to help us make the most of our tax situation.

After reading this article, I probably won’t be checking out the chain accounting firms. The story says the government studied 19 outlets of commercial chain tax preparers located in one major metropolitan area, discovering they made major errors -- both on the actual returns and on what they charged people.

So what’s the alternative to having someone else do your taxes? The IRS Web site reveals that 70 percent of us are eligible to prepare and file online for free. Remember that some of your job search expenses may be tax-deductible.

Still not sure if you should go to an accountant or self-prepare? This Monster article will help you make the right decision.

For more help on making the annual ritual a little less painful, check out these resources:

• "Financial Resolutions for 2006"
• "Taxes: The Best-Paying Homework"
• "Tax Resources for Independent Contractors"
• "Tips for Deducting Work-Related Expenses"
• "Turn These 3 Days into 4 Months"

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