Am I crazy for paying $571 for basic tax preparation? Should simple returns cost this much?

Is there any way to get a partial refund from Jackson Hewitt if you think you were overcharged? And what's the best alternative for next year that won't break the bank but still helps with things like EIC?

Unfortunately, most tax preparation services have you sign agreements upfront that make refunds difficult once the service is complete. You could try speaking with the office manager to express your concerns, but typically the fees are binding once the return is filed. For next year, I'd recommend looking into the IRS Free File program which partners with tax software companies to provide free filing for people below certain income thresholds (usually around $73,000). TurboTax, TaxAct, and others participate in this program. If you're comfortable with slightly less guidance, FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) offer completely free federal filing and low-cost state filing regardless of income.

Does it actually handle things like child tax credits and retirement contributions properly? I've tried other tax software that messed up my retirement deductions and I ended up having to file an amendment.

How does it compare to TurboTax? I've used TurboTax for years but am getting annoyed with how they keep trying to upsell me on everything. Does taxr.ai have hidden costs that pop up at the end?

It handles child tax credits and retirement contributions perfectly - that's actually one of its strengths. The system is designed to properly categorize and optimize those specific tax situations, and it double-checks everything before you file. Compared to TurboTax, the biggest difference is transparency. There are no surprise fees or constant upselling throughout the process. You know exactly what you're getting upfront, and the interface is much more straightforward. It asks relevant questions based on your specific situation rather than making you click through dozens of irrelevant screens.

Wait, is this legit? How does it actually work? I've been on hold with the IRS for literally hours and always get disconnected. Seems too good to be true that something could actually get through.

Sounds like a scam to me. The IRS phone system is notoriously broken - how could some random service fix what the government can't? I bet they just take your money and you still wait forever.

It's completely legitimate! The system works by navigating the complex IRS phone tree for you and waiting on hold in your place. When an agent is about to come on the line, you get a call connecting you directly to them. I had the exact same reaction as you - total skepticism. But the government phone systems are actually just badly designed, not impossible to navigate. This service has figured out the most efficient paths through the system and automatically tries multiple approaches if needed. It's not about "fixing" the government system, it's about using technology to navigate it more effectively than a human can manually.

Ugh, I feel even worse now knowing they saw me coming! Was there anything specific that made them charge me so much? I thought maybe it was the EIC calculations that were complicated, but you're saying that's actually simple?

The EIC and child tax credit calculations are completely automated in their software system. It's literally just clicking a few buttons and the computer does all the work. What they did was charge you their "deluxe" or "premium" package rates because you had tax credits. These places train their preparers to identify clients who might have refundable credits because those clients are often less price-sensitive (they're focused on the refund amount, not the preparation fee). They know you're getting a larger refund with those credits, so they take a bigger cut. Next year, remember that your return is actually quite straightforward and any of the major tax software options could handle it for a fraction of the cost.

Try Cash App Taxes next year (used to be Credit Karma Tax). Completely free for federal AND state, no income limits or hidden fees. I've used it for 3 years with W-2s, 1099s, and child credits with no issues.