Don't expect to see me much today

Even with the programs, mine are more complex than I can comfortably handle on my own. I found I had too many questions that I couldn't answer about depreciation, home offices, basis versus repairs, etc. Sometimes it's worth paying for peace of mind.

Elizabeth (who stopped doing her own about 6 years ago)

Just the opposite here. I had a professional do it until a few years ago. That was when I realized mine is pretty cut and dried, without anything special.

Now I use TurboTax and it works very well for me, but if it was a complicated return, I think I would go back to an accountant.

Lucille

Ditto, mine is pretty much the same year to year and the one I use has an 'interview' section where is asks all sorts of questions to check you have claimed anything and everything possible.

I can see paying someone to do it if things are changing yearly but I am dismayed how many people I know like me who are still dropping a couple of hundred to have a straightforward return done. They just don't believe how easy it is with good software.

I still hand over the money to an accountant, rather than endure DH's rants and rages. And he still has a few complications in his tax status, although they have become less since he no longer works. DD uses tax software, since her circumstances are straightforward (salaried employment, charitable deductions, student loan payments) and finds it very easy. I would do that myself, but would not want to take responsibility for DH's tax, and he cannot do it himself, as he lives firmly in the 19th C and cannot cope with call waiting, digital answering machines, cell phones, computers or DVDs.

Dawne

I would too if I were you ! My commiserations.

My DH insists on doing (with Turbo Tax). If anything ever happens and he can't do the taxes, I'm finding a pro....

Cheryl

Sputter, spew warning needed there.....

For the first time ever, I'm having someone else do my taxes. (DH is doing his, but he's far better at numbers than I am). For the 2008 tax year I have two months of full-time employment, 10 months of pension, three months of Canada Pension, some side employment, some sole-proprietorship income and some investment income. Nope - not even going to try! Toooooo confusing. There was even some possibility of pension splitting, but because our incomes are pretty close, there is really no advantage.

Next year should be simpler.

MargW

You're very lucky, having promised to 'help' seniors St Harper only 'helped' those who are not widowed by allowing pension splitting. Friends have saved several thousand that way. It was a grossly unfair thing to do, on balance, it really cost more to live as one instead of two. Never vote for that sob.