| During tax time you spend a lot of money having | | | | accurate. Sometimes even the slightest typo when |
| someone prepare your taxes for you. If you want to | | | | entering numbers can cost you thousands of dollars. A |
| save yourself some money on next years tax | | | | CPA will go through and double check to make sure |
| preparation then you may want to invest in income tax | | | | that all the numbers entered are accurate based on |
| software. There are disadvantages to using this type | | | | the information that you gave them. This is critical |
| of software and it could cost you a lot of money in | | | | because again it could leave you paying thousands of |
| the end. | | | | dollars and the IRS will not know that you actually did |
| The main expense to using online income tax | | | | file your tax returns. If you hire a CPA to file your |
| software is the initial purchase of the software. After | | | | returns they can verify to the IRS that you did indeed |
| you purchase the software you can use it every year | | | | file those papers. |
| for as long as you have the software and a | | | | There are also disadvantages to using the software; |
| compatible driver to read it. One disadvantage to using | | | | you do not have someone to back you up if you are |
| this software is that you don't have a real human being | | | | audited. Although the software keeps track and |
| to look over the forms and verify the information. | | | | provides you with the opportunity to print out all the |
| There is no way to check for errors and even | | | | necessary paperwork associated with filing your taxes |
| software can make errors. | | | | if you are audited the software cannot speak up for |
| If you are using income tax software to prepare your | | | | you. You will need to take care of all the necessary |
| taxes you won't have anyone to answer your | | | | paperwork yourself to file when you use the software. |
| questions for you if you run into problems or questions | | | | That can be another disadvantage. You want to make |
| on your forms that do not seem clear. If you called | | | | sure that the IRS receives your paperwork and a |
| someone they may or may not be able to help you. | | | | CPA can give you that guarantee. |
| When you have a CPA doing your taxes they look | | | | If you have questions about filing or using income tax |
| over everything and check it twice so you are able to | | | | software then you can always ask the IRS or you |
| make sure everything is accurate and then it is sent in | | | | can call your trusted tax preparer to ask them any |
| to the IRS. | | | | questions you may have. Tax preparation should not |
| When using the tax software the calculations may be | | | | be difficult. Hiring a CPA to prepare your taxes is not |
| accurate but you won't have a human to look over the | | | | difficult either and you have the guarantee that you |
| paperwork and verify that all the numbers entered are | | | | need. |