Tax Filing Options Quiz

2 Questions

Americans have two basic options when it comes to filing their taxes: do it yourself or hire a professional.

The average charge for preparing and filing a tax return is $216, according to a survey from the National Association of Tax Professionals.

Study Notes

Americans have two basic options when it comes to filing their taxes: do it yourself or hire a professional.
The IRS does not charge to file taxes, but there might be an additional charge for state filing.
If you're well-versed in tax law, you can print out and mail in your paperwork or request the paper forms in the mail.
If you have straightforward income, you can still find free filing options at the IRS website.
The only professionals qualified to help you with your taxes are tax lawyers, CPAs, and enrolled IRS agents.
Tax preparers start at around $100 and vary depending on where you live and how complex your taxes are, and accountants might very well charge at least twice that, with similar variations in price according to location and complexity.
According to a survey from the National Association of Tax Professionals, the average charge for preparing and filing a tax return is $216.
The key facts from the text are that someone who is planning to itemize their deductions might save more money doing so than taking the standard deduction, but it can be tricky to do on your own, and if the idea of doing so makes them nervous, a professional might be a better option.
Someone who doesn't trust themselves to cover all their bases might want a professional to help them with their taxes.

2 Questions