"Gary Bode has just completed our tax returns for the first time and I am totally satisfied with his level of service. He has been very attentive, asked all the right questions, and not only fixed some problems from our previous accountant, but also set us up for future success through a thorough and professional analysis of our corporate structure in conjunction with several personal variables.Many folks can prepare their tax returns with TurboTax: but if your comfort level falls, please consider calling us at 399-2705
This may be an unusual stance for a CPA firm here in wonderful Wilmington NC. But yes, many folks are perfectly capable of preparing their own tax returns. But probably not by hand. If you want to self prepare, we reccomend Intuit TurboTax, especially if you use QuickBooks for your bookkeeping. QuickBooks offers integration of your bookkeeping and accounting into TurboTax.
“Self tax preparation usually requires an online or stand alone tax software program like Intuit TurboTax.”
Gary Bode, CPA, Wilmington NC Tax Accountant
If your confidence in self tax preparation falls to an uncomfortable level, please consider calling us at (910) 399-2705 for a free initial consult. We’re a Wilmington NC CPA firm who can handle all your personal and company tax preparation needs.
Why and Why not Intuit TurboTax?
Intuit TurboTax is good quality tax preparation software, produced by the same folks as QuickBooks and QuickBooks Pro. Even some CPAs use it. E-File ability assures fast tax tax refunds. It usually has all the tax forms you need - but you may have to augment TurboTax with hand prepared tax forms from the Internet. TurboTax has an interview mode that asks most of the right questions to facilitate tax preparation. But sometimes you have to understand a tax issue. The tax support section is good, but you may have to read a tax form’s instructions on IRS.gov. TurboTax has multiple versions, but they’re good at helping your choose the correct one for your needs. The cost isn’t always cheap, especially for business returns. For Schedule C filers, like sole proprietors and SMLLC(s), who use QuickBooks, there is a feature that allows linking accounts in QuickBooks to specific tax lines in TurboTax.
TurboTax is less helpful on NC Form D400, and poor for preparing multiple State returns with IRS Form 1040. As the complexity of your return increases, especially with the business and Trust tax returns listed below, TurboTax can become more problematic and expensive.
TurboTax has versions for business and Estates/Trusts too:
- IRS Form 1065 for Partnerships and LLCs with NC Form D403.
- IRS Form 1120 for C Corporations and LLCs with NC Form CD405.
- IRS Form 1120S for S Corporations and LLCs with NC Form CD401S.
- IRS Form 1041 for Estate and Trust returns.
- Year end payroll and subcontractor Form W-2, W-3, 1099-MISC and Form 1096.
If you’d like a free consult on a tax preparation or tax audit issue, please consider calling us at (910) 399-2705.
Here is what we don’t recommend:
- Hand preparation. Even a moderately complex Form 1040 is beyond most folks without TurboTax. Math errors increase the chances of a tax audit!
- On site tax preparation by the big chains like Liberty Tax Service, H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt. Their preparers may not any better trained than you are. And they’re more expensive than CPAs! But their software is excellent. If the cost isn’t prohibitive, their online versions for self preparation are probably excellent for moderately complex Form 1040 tax returns.
- The large, highly advertised tax resolution firms like JK Harris, Roni Deutch and TaxMasters. Based on multiple, State level prosecution against all of them, it appears their ethics and customer satisfaction aren’t good.
- Going beyond your comfort level. Many folks can become proficient bookkeepers for their company, especially with good software like QuickBooks, but tax preparation only occurs once a year.
For a free initial tax preparation consult with a local Wilmington NC CPA firm, please call us at (910) 399-2705.
