Ask Stacy: Should I Do My Own Taxes or Hire Help?

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Taxes
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Welcome to “Ask Stacy,” a short video feature answering money questions submitted by readers and viewers. You can learn how to send in a question of your own below.

If you’re not typically a video watcher, give it a try. These are short and painless, and I think you’ll learn something valuable.

Today’s question is about income taxes; specifically, whether you should file a return on your own or pay a pro to do it.

Before my various businesses became complicated, I did my own taxes. Nowadays, however, I have an accountant, although I still pay close attention to what he’s doing.

What’s best for you? Here’s what I think.

For more information on this topic, check out “What You Must Know Before Doing Your Own Taxes” and “Tax Hacks 2018: 7 Ways to Get Your Taxes Done for Free.” You can also go to the search at the top of the page and put in “Tax Hacks 2018” and get access to a lot of tax-related stories. We’ll be pumping them out until the last return is filed.

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The questions I’m likeliest to answer are those that will interest other readers. In other words, don’t ask for super-specific advice that applies only to you. And if I don’t get to your question, promise not to hate me. I do my best, but I get a lot more questions than I have time to answer.

About me

I founded Money Talks News in 1991. I’m a CPA, and have also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

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Got more money questions? Browse lots more Ask Stacy answers here.

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