Many people like to do their own taxes, rather than pay someone else to do them. While I understand this mindset, I am glad the I use a tax preparer for my pass through home business LLC and for my personal tax return. For years I did my own taxes, even when I filed as a sole proprietor. However, when I switched my organization to the LLC, added some investments and began itemizing, I decided that perhaps things were getting a bit too complex. I am perfectly capable of taking care of it myself, but it is so time consuming.

I have to read instructions, make sure I have the right forms, and keep up with all of the ins and outs of new tax laws, credits and deductions. Sure, I could buy some software to figure my state and federal taxes, and do it for my business as well, but by the time I paid for the proper edition, it would only be a little less expensive than using my tax preparer. On top of which, we go back to the time thing. With the tax preparer, I bring my (well organized throughout the year) stuff in, talk to him for about half an hour, and then leave for an hour and a half, running errands and being generally useful, while he prepares everything and gets it all ready for e-file.

Even with software, I’d be sitting there for a couple hours in front of the computer. And when I add in what my time is worth, it tips the scales in favor of the tax preparer. It’s more convenient, I have more time, and it’s worth the cost.

What about you? Do you use a tax preparer?