How Much Does a CPA Charge to Do Taxes?
I used to work in a CPA firm back in my 20s. Filing taxes was a part of the annual routine.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the many advantages of having a CPA do your taxes. Below, I share how much a CPA charges to do taxes as well as why it matters and for whom it’s best suited.
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How Much Does a CPA Charge to Do Taxes?
As with most things, the amount of money a CPA will charge to prepare your taxes varies depending on several factors, including the CPA’s billing method. Some of the most common billing methods include:
- A flat fee for each tax form/schedule filed
- A minimum fee, with additional charges for more complex situations
- A set annual fee, with additional costs for changes in your tax situation
- An hourly rate based on the amount of time it takes to prepare your return
- A set fee for each data point that’s entered
- A subjective amount based on the CPA’s discretion
You can also expect to pay more if you show up with a box full of disorganized paperwork. The more effort you put into preparing the information the CPA needs, the faster and less expensive your tax prep should be.
According to the National Society of Accountants, the average cost to hire a CPA in the United States ranges from $457 for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule C and a state tax return to $176 for a Form 1040 with a state tax return.
A Form 1040 with a Schedule A and a state tax return will run you an average of about $273. If this makes you gulp, remember that a CPA will often find ways to help you save money on your taxes.
These savings will offset at least part of their preparation fees, if not all.
As a business owner you can expect to pay around $180 per hour (the national average) for your business tax return. Simple businesses will run at least $360; whereas more complex situations will result in a bill above $1,500.
If you don’t already have a CPA to do your taxes, consider TurboTax’s new Live Full Service Business Taxes. It’s available for a flat fee for a limited time. In some cases with TurboTax you’ll be working with an actual CPA live from the comfort of your home.
Do You Need a CPA to Prepare Taxes?
The answer to this question is… maybe.
There are some cases (like when you have a super-simple return) that the services of a CPA might be overkill. However, there are many benefits to working with a CPA that most people find well worth the cost.
While anyone can file their taxes on their own or use a different tax preparation solution, as the saying goes, just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Here are a few of the reasons why you’ll want to consider hiring a CPA.
Why Use a CPA to Prepare Your Taxes
Licensing
Practicing CPAs are required to hold a license through their particular state. For the CPA to maintain this license, they must generally do two things:
- Complete a certain number of continuing education hours (for example, taking a course on the latest tax deductions)
- Run their business according to specific standards
These standards assure that you’re getting a quality service. If you ever have a question about your CPAs legitimacy, you can contact your state’s board of public accountancy and request information about your CPA.
Check out this website for a list of each state board’s contact information.
Consistency and Stability
A CPA is going to be there for you year after year. Practicing CPAs are in it for the long run.
Doors are Always Open
A CPA performs many types of financial services, not just taxes. Therefore, their doors are always open for tax questions, tax planning, and any audit help you may need.
Many other tax preparation services close their doors from May to December. Who’s going to help you when you get that audit letter? Your CPA will!
Record Retention
A CPA will maintain your tax information much like a doctor holds on the patient’s medical records. Your CPA will act as a personal filing cabinet through the years.
You’ll even get your copy of the return and supporting documents in a nice little folder for you to file away yourself if you want. Digital formats are also becoming more prevalent.
Tax Planning
The best part about having a CPA is the tax planning advice they can provide throughout the year. There are certain year-end tax moves you can make that will save you hundreds in tax dollars.
Software and tax preparation companies aren’t around to help you with those things.
Professionalism
As previously mentioned, a CPA is licensed with the state. They’ve gone through tons of accounting classes, a challengin exam, and must maintain continuing education credits each year.
Only a person who wants to be a professional is willing to go through what it takes to be a CPA. Of course, CPAs are still just people. But I’ll take the CPA designation over any other type of tax filing option.
Your Time
The last good reason I’ll give you is your time. I’m not going to lie and say that you won’t have to spend a little time preparing your tax files to bring to a CPA.
But these professionals will save you the time it takes to enter all the information and file your return. The process also gets quicker as you learn what you need to bring to your CPA each year.
When Not to Use a CPA
Generally speaking, you don’t need to use a CPA if you’ve got a simple return. A CPA wouldn’t be necessary if you only file a 1040EZ or a 1040 but take the standard deduction. There are plenty of free tax filing services that you can use to prepare and e-file your taxes quickly.
Related: How to File Your Taxes for Free This Year
The Low-Down on Boxed Tax Solutions
Another viable option for those who don’t need a CPA or can’t stomach the thought of paying for one is a boxed solution, like Turbotax, TaxAct, or H&R Block online.
These tax preparation programs typically cost between $10 and $120, so they are very cost-effective if you’re comfortable with a DIY solution. Many even offer their services for free if you have a simple return.
Once you’ve gathered all of your documents, you can typically prepare a simple return using one of these programs within an hour.
Some software solutions also offer accuracy guarantees and provide you with support if you are audited after using their program to file your taxes. Make sure you read the fine print and that you’re comfortable with the level of protection you’re receiving.
Ultimately, you’ll need to assess the complexities of your tax situation and your comfort with preparing your own taxes to determine whether a boxed tax-prep solution is a good option for you.
Information for this post was provided by Larry G. Taylor, CPA, a CPA in Branson, MO. Larry provides tax, financial, and investment services. Visit www.larrytaylorcpa.com for more information.
I just came across this brilliant CPA, Lou Patten in Lake Worth, Florida. After searching for help with my taxes for years, I’ve finally found exactly what I needed. He’s affordable and handled my taxes personally. I highly recommend him. Here’s his website http://www.loupattencpa.com
There are some really interesting points posted by all here. To start off, let me state that I’m a CPA practicing in NY and have experience in both tax and audit. I believe that many people are under the misconception that CPAs are just mere tax preparers. Although taxes are big part of being a CPA, the CPA license allows a practicing CPA to perform services that is only reserved for a CPA. Such services can’t be performed by an EA, CFP or just any accountant. These include attestation and assurance services, which relate to financial statements. This is where CPAs who provide these services may charge a pretty penny for and reasonably so, given the rigorous training and Continuing Education they must undergo. However, a lot of CPAs specialize in tax as it is the “necessary evil” and are even an integeral part of the financial statements they provide attestation services for. Just like doctors, attorneys, dentists, CFPs, EAs, CFAs, or any other professionals, CPAs specialize in different areas of the business, they include various areas of taxation and different industries. Depending on the complexity and your unique tax situation, it is wise to seek out the specialty of your potential CPA or tax preparer. Of course I’m not talking about the 1040EZ or even the simple 1040 filer, I’m talking about the person who wants advice on the best way to structure their new business venture, or the person who has multiple S-corps, LLCs, LPs etc. and has jobs in two different states and has foreign income… you get the idea… This is where you’ll reap the benefits of hiring a CPA, who will not only be your tax preparer, but your consultant to various and complex business matters. If anyone needs advice or assistance with their tax situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’ll try my best to help you and if I can’t, I’ll point you in the right direction!
-Riz
This was a really well-written article. I mentioned some similar facts on my own website. What a lot people don’t realize is that there are many CPA firms that charge about the same as most tax preparers (we’re one of them) so why do people still seem to flood H&R Block? I think it’s general unawareness.
Dude, you were a CPA? I had no idea. You should be busting out some serious tax posts 🙂 Being a CFP, the only other designation I would want to have is the CPA. Taxes and investing go hand in hand and I would love to have the knowledge that my accountant has. Then again, instead of going to the trouble of taking the exam, I can just call him and get the answer 🙂
For those looking to use a licensed preparers such as a CPA or EA, I’d encourage you to verify the credentials of the tax preparer, even if you used the same preparer from last year. You can go online to the state boards of accountancy if they are a CPA or the NAEA or IRS if they are an EA to verify this information.
I still have two years or so until I graduate with my degree, but I hope to get my CPA shortly after I graduate.
Younkin, Taylor, and Assoc has a good ring to it 🙂
That’s great, Zach. Getting the CPA was tough for me, but I stuck with it. Persistence pays off. Younkin, Taylor, and Assoc? 🙂
Very good information to know as I am in the process of working toward my accounting degree with the hopes of ending up with a CPA as well.
Who knows, maybe we can even start our own tax firm, PT?
There’s no need to defend CPAs; there are very many professionals out there with whom I would entrust doing my taxes. Goodonya for using your current skills as a form of income.
I would much prefer going to a CPA to do my taxes over a company such as H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt (unless it was my ex who’s been employed by JH). CPAs will certainly charge a pretty penny for his services, but at least you know where you stand with him. After the debacle with the two abovementioned pushing for immediate “loans” against one’s tax refund, and to try and get you the biggest refund possible by claiming deductions that don’t apply, it’s made me very “shy” about going to them.
As far as what to call yourself, to me it’s all politically correct blither blather. The fact that your credentials are up to date, you’re honest and you believe in continuing “edumacation” speaks volumes enough.
Good luck, my friend!
@Paul – Thanks for the info on the enrolled agent. I guess if the CPA is also an Enrolled Agent then you have double assurance. Congrats on going for the CFP.
Ah the great debate of CPA v. EA. I’ve seen each equally good and equally not so great over the past 30 years. Regardless of which designation you think is best for you, the real sign of either a CPA or EA that is really ‘on your team’ is the one that makes sure you yourself participate with them in your tax preparation and tax planning. It is our job as professionals to make sure our clients at least have the knowledge to known when they would pick up that phone to check the tax consequences before major financial moves.
Under your section on professionalism, you say you’d rather take the CPA designation over any other for tax filing. I’d say a better designation would be an Enrolled Agent. They’re tested specifically on tax laws/rules only and are certified according to IRS standards. They know their stuff when it comes to taxes, probably more than the average CPA since CPAs are tested on a wider variety of topics.
I’d also say using a CFP who prepares taxes would be better than going to a tax prep service (like Jackson Hewitt). They’d offer you some of the same benefits as CPAs (i.e., they’re open year-round). But I’m on my way to becoming a CFP so I’m probably biased. 😉