When to use a professional:
An important part of running a successful business is having a trusted financial advisor to guide you through the minefield of payroll, corporate, personal income, estate, and property taxes that are part of life in the United States.
While DIY, Volunteer, and Semi-Professional assistance options may be right for some, it can be difficult to find reliable help in these avenues. A professional accountant will follow the story of your business and family to help you save time and money both in taxes and otherwise over the long run. In many cases, a professional may be slightly more expensive the first year due to set up and then actually save money over other options in subsequent years.
| Options for Tax Preparation | When to use | Price Range | Tools/Providers |
| DIY Personal Tax Resources | If you only have W-2 income, some business income, and a good understanding of your own tax situation | Free to ~$150 | TurboTax, – Tiered product: Federal Free Edition, Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business. Turbotax.intuit.comTurboTax Mobile App: W2 only, Interest or unemployment income, less than $100K, Available in Spanish. Turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/mobile-apps/turbotax.jsp Drake – Tiered product: Free, Basic, Deluxe: Locate at 1040.com H&R Block Online http://www.hrblock.com/ Jackson Hewitt Online https://www.jacksonhewitt.com/ |
| Volunteer Assistance | If you need assistance with basic tax returns | “Free” | IRS VITA/TCE/AARP http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers CashOregon cashoregon.org |
| Semi-Professional Assistance | Fast, great for non- complex returns | $100-$600 | H&R Block Office http://www.hrblock.com/Jackson Hewitt Office https://www.jacksonhewitt.com/ |
| Professional Assistance | When you have an ongoing business, employees,, or have a problem with a tax authority. | $350- $800 – $$$??? | Schmidt & AssociatesDavid Wilcox (971) 344-6805 Pacific Northwest Tax Service Certified Public Accountants (CPA’s), Tax Attorneys |
Websites for major tax authorities in Oregon, use to search for information and forms:
Federal: IRS
State: Oregon DOR