Why use a tax professional?

If there’s anything to like about income tax season, it’s the potential to get a nice fat check from Uncle Sam in the form of an income tax refund. And if we overlook (for just a moment) that your refund was always your money, then the bigger the better, right?

If you really want to maximize your refund this year, you need to work with a tax pro to file your taxes. Here’s why:

In a survey of 2,000 taxpayers, we found that people who file their own taxes get an average refund of $1,824. That’s not bad, right? Well...

People who worked with a tax expert to file their taxes received an average refund of $2,615! That’s $840 more than the average self-filer!

There are plenty of reasons why working with a pro can result in a higher refund, but it mostly boils down to tax know-how. An experienced tax professional can keep you from making the mistakes that cost millions of taxpayers nearly $1 billion in overpaid taxes every year.

The benefits of working with a professional aren’t all about the size of your refund check. You’ll save yourself the 13 hours the average self-filer spends researching the tax code, gathering documents, and filling out forms by having trusted professional do it for you.

What to Look for in a Tax Proffesional

To find a true tax professional, you’ll need to look a little further than the national tax preparation service chains. Those folks have limited training to help you fill out your forms, but they aren’t experts in the tax code.

Look for someone who specializes in your line of work. Tax accountants, CPAs and Enrolled Agents pass rigorous tests but that doesn't guarantee their work ethic, how hard they will work for you, or that they know the unique deductions, laws and rules around your income sources. 

Maximize Your Refund Today and Keep Your Money Tomorrow

Now let’s talk about the fact that you’re getting a refund in the first place. While it may feel like a bonus, an income tax refund is simply Uncle Sam returning your own money to you. Wouldn’t it be better to keep that money in your pocket all year long?

If the average taxpayer who uses a pro gets back $2,600, that’s more than $200 a month that could go toward paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or investing for the future! A tax expert can help you whittle down your refund so you can put that money to more productive uses this year.