As a tax professional who uses social media, over the last few weeks, I have been bombarded with ads—as well as outrage in the tax pro community—from TurboTax, claiming that you should “break up with your tax pro” and that they will beat last year’s price. The outrage amongst the community is understandable. We are basically forced to use their software, which they keep changing. They have essentially done away with their desktop version, which was superior, and they have increased their prices significantly, making everything a non-optional subscription.
They reward all of that by sending the message that we, as tax pros, are not necessary at all. Obviously, this was a badly conceived ad campaign, and hopefully, it will cause some change in the small business/tax pro community., Anyone out there want to build bookkeeping software that’s at least as good as QuickBooks?
But the message got me thinking. There will always be DIYers, and I have no problem with that. I think those people who aren’t afraid to dig in, learn, and do what is necessary are pretty phenomenal, and I support them. I don’t always hire a professional for something I could do myself, so why should I expect others to? If you have easy enough taxes to file using a service like TurboTax, why shouldn’t you?
Though, with the anger surrounding the TurboTax ad, maybe you could use a different software?
The IRS is even trying to make the process of filing income taxes easier by developing IRS Direct File, which will be available in 24 states for this upcoming tax season. In our computer-centric, it definitely seems like filing income taxes shouldn’t be so hard for most people., So, if filing yourself is so readily available, why should you use a tax professional?
Well, there are lots of reasons—far too many to list in a short blog. But the biggest reason is the relationship you will develop with your tax pro. Over the last eleven years, I’ve built almost family-like relationships with most of my clients. I’ve helped clients plan for, and celebrate, some of life’s greatest events—births, weddings, graduations. I’ve also been there for clients as they go through some of life’s hardest moments—layoffs, divorces, and even deaths.
I’m currently helping a young couple calm their anxiety as they decide whether to take a leap of faith and start their own business., Do it!, No matter how stressed I get, it’s such a great feeling to know that I’m helping people and that they know I’m here for them whenever they need me. You are not going to get that from TurboTax. Maybe you don’t want that—and that’s fine.
But if you do, call us. We’re here.