I still remember the first time I tried to file my taxes on my own. It was late March, I had a pile of receipts on the dining table, three different W-2s, and a half-drunk cup of coffee that had gone cold an hour earlier. TurboTax was blinking at me with a cheerful, “You’re almost there!” but I knew I wasn’t. I was knee-deep in deductions I wasn’t sure I qualified for, and by the end of the night I had convinced myself that a single misplaced number might trigger an IRS audit that would ruin my life.
That night planted the seed for a question that comes back every year: should you tackle taxes yourself or pay someone else who actually enjoys this stuff?
It sounds like a simple choice, but it’s not. Tax filing isn’t just about punching numbers into boxes—it’s about peace of mind, money saved (or lost), and the kind of time you’re willing to spend on something most people dread. So, let’s walk through the pros and cons of both paths. Maybe my late-night tax panic feels familiar to you, or maybe you’re the type who gets a weird sense of satisfaction from organizing spreadsheets. Either way, it’s worth thinking about what actually makes sense for you.
The Case for Doing Your Own Taxes
Let’s start with the DIY route, because that’s often the default—especially for younger people or anyone with a straightforward financial situation.
One of the biggest reasons people stick with filing on their own is cost. Hiring a tax professional isn’t cheap. A basic return might run you $200 to $300, and if you’ve got multiple income streams, rental properties, or business expenses, that number can creep well into the thousands. Tax software, on the other hand, can be as little as $0 (yes, free versions do exist, though they’re usually barebones) up to maybe $120 for the premium packages.
There’s also a sense of control that comes with doing your own taxes. You know exactly what’s being filed, which boxes were ticked, and why. For some, that control brings confidence—they feel like they’re taking ownership of their finances. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys learning the rules, there’s even a bit of pride in mastering the process. It’s like conquering a puzzle where the reward is a refund.
Another underrated advantage? Speed. If your taxes are simple—say, one job, a W-2, and maybe some student loan interest—you can be done in under an hour. No scheduling an appointment, no back-and-forth emails with a CPA. Just you, your laptop, and a sigh of relief when you hit “submit.”
But here’s the flip side. The “simple” part is key. Tax law isn’t static—it shifts every year. Credits come and go. Rules for things like child tax credits, education expenses, or self-employment deductions can change, and it’s easy to miss those changes if you’re not paying close attention. I once almost missed out on a deduction for my freelance income because I didn’t realize the rules had shifted slightly. Luckily, a friend who’s an accountant caught it over drinks one night, but it made me realize how easy it is to leave money on the table.
There’s also the stress factor. For some people, stress doesn’t come into play at all—they plug in numbers, double-check, and they’re done. For others, even the idea of logging in to tax software makes their stomach drop. And if you’re in that second group, “saving money” by doing your own taxes might not feel like much of a win when you consider the anxiety tax that comes with it.
The Argument for Hiring a Tax Professional
Now let’s flip it. Imagine you walk into an office with a shoebox full of receipts and documents, hand them over to someone else, and walk out knowing it’s not your problem anymore. That’s the dream scenario, right?
The biggest selling point of hiring a professional is expertise. Taxes aren’t just about filing—they’re about strategy. A good tax preparer won’t just crunch numbers; they’ll look at your bigger financial picture. Did you start a side hustle last year? Thinking about buying a house? Supporting a kid in college? A professional will know which deductions or credits apply to you, and sometimes they find savings you wouldn’t have spotted in a million years.
There’s also protection. If you get audited, having a CPA who prepared your return gives you someone to lean on. You’re not standing alone in front of the IRS with sweaty palms. That peace of mind alone might be worth the price for many people.
And then there’s time. Taxes take hours—sometimes days if you’re juggling complicated finances. Outsourcing that work can feel like buying back your time, which, if you think about it, is another form of money saved. I know someone who runs a small business and swears that hiring an accountant is the best money he spends all year. “It’s not just about the taxes,” he told me. “It’s about the sleep I get in April.”
But let’s not romanticize this too much. Hiring a tax professional has its downsides. Cost is the most obvious. If you’re paying $400 to have your taxes prepared and your return only nets you a $300 refund, it feels like you’ve worked backward.
Another issue is trust. Not all preparers are equally skilled, and yes—there are shady ones out there. Some might exaggerate deductions or push the limits in ways that could come back to bite you later. That’s why it’s crucial to vet anyone you hire. Look for certifications, check reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask how they get paid. (If they’re taking a percentage of your refund, that’s a red flag.)
And while having someone else handle your taxes is a relief, it can also mean you’re less aware of what’s happening with your own money. Some people hand everything over and tune out, which isn’t always great for long-term financial literacy.
Who Should Probably DIY
So who does DIY actually make sense for?
If you’re single, renting, and working one job with no side hustle, your taxes are probably pretty straightforward. A W-2, maybe a 1099 for interest income, and you’re good to go. Tax software can walk you through that with ease.
Students also often fall into the DIY camp. Your situation might involve tuition credits or student loan interest deductions, but those are easy to handle with most programs. Plus, you’re likely not earning enough yet to make tax strategy a huge factor.
And if you’re someone who genuinely likes to understand how systems work, filing on your own might actually be satisfying. I know people who treat tax filing like balancing a checkbook—they don’t love it, but it scratches a certain organizational itch.
Who Should Probably Hire a Pro
On the other hand, if your financial life looks like a messy flowchart, it might be time to outsource.
Business owners, freelancers, and landlords usually benefit from a professional. Taxes in those cases get complicated fast. Between quarterly payments, deductions for expenses, and depreciation rules, the margin for error is huge.
Families with kids often find that the credits and deductions are worth getting professional help to maximize. Same for people who’ve had a major life change—marriage, divorce, buying or selling a house, or inheriting money. All of those events change your tax picture in ways that might not be obvious.
And of course, if you’ve ever been audited or gotten scary letters from the IRS, hiring someone isn’t just a choice—it’s self-preservation.
The Middle Ground
It’s worth pointing out that the choice doesn’t always have to be all-or-nothing. A lot of people do their taxes themselves for years and then bring in a professional when life gets more complex. Others meet with a CPA once, get advice, and then handle the actual filing on their own. Some tax software even offers hybrid options where you can file yourself but tap into a professional for specific questions.
Personally, I’ve done both. Some years I keep it simple and go the DIY route. Other years—like when I started freelancing full-time—I happily paid a CPA and slept better because of it. The “right” choice shifts with life, and I think that’s important to remember.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the decision comes down to a mix of complexity, cost, and personality. If your taxes are straightforward and you don’t mind spending an evening with a tax program, DIY might be all you need. If your finances are layered or you value peace of mind more than saving a few hundred bucks, hiring a professional could be the better call.
What I’ve learned is that it’s not about doing the “right” thing—it’s about doing the right thing for you, this year, with the life you currently have. And that might change. Next year your financial situation could be wildly different, and so could your choice.
So, should you hire a tax professional or do it yourself? Maybe the better question is: how much is your time, sanity, and confidence worth?