It amazes me how some people who have really simple tax forms still pay accountants..
It amazes me how some people who have really simple tax forms still pay accountants..
If your tax forms are simple, the IRS could do it during your electronic filing (providing pre-filled forms with the information they already have and recomputing on the fly if e.g. you add dependents or non-salary income). That's how much of europe works.
My W2 is "simple" (single, no kids, etc.) but I give it to an accountant anyway. Costs $30 or so but the accountant knows certain tricks to maximize my tax return. Not illegal, but she knows how broad exemptions can be. For example, I work from home some days. I built a new computer. Technically, it's exempt because it's a work expense.
She's betting you won't get audited.
Ever play a game on it? Opps, it is no longer a work expense. Minor tax fraud is not exactly a "trick", anyone can do it!