Can I use my previous tax return as a template for this year's filing?

You can absolutely use last year's return as a reference for this year's filing! Many people do this successfully. The basic structure of tax returns doesn't change dramatically year to year. The main things to watch for are tax law changes that might affect your specific situation. For 2024, there are adjustments to tax brackets, standard deduction amounts, and some credits. Make sure you're using the correct 2024 tax forms (not just copying the 2023 ones) since the IRS updates them annually. Also, be careful with calculations. If you're doing it by hand, double-check your math. If using software, many affordable options like FreeTaxUSA or Tax Slayer can help you for much less than $1100. They'll guide you through the process and often allow you to import last year's return to save time.

I was in your exact situation last tax season when my accountant suddenly doubled his fee. I tried filling out forms manually using my previous return but got really stressed about missing something important. Then I found https://taxr.ai which saved me hours of frustration. You upload your old return and it shows you exactly what changed in the tax code that affects YOUR specific situation. It also highlights what numbers you need to update this year and explains every line item in plain English - not IRS jargon. It basically guides you step-by-step like having a tax pro looking over your shoulder but for way less.

Just wanted to update after trying https://taxr.ai that someone recommended in this thread. Holy crap, why didn't I know about this before?? It analyzed my 2023 return and showed me exactly what changed for 2024 that affects my situation. I was able to use the IRS free file forms with confidence because I actually understood what I was doing this time. Saved me $900 from what my accountant wanted to charge! The comparison feature showing what changed from last year to this year was super helpful.

If you're trying to file yourself but get stuck with questions, don't waste hours on hold with the IRS! I tried calling them dozens of times last February with questions about my retirement account distribution and NEVER got through. Eventually used https://claimyr.com which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of endless busy signals. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's basically a service that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an actual human picks up. Was super helpful when I got confused about some calculations while filing myself.

Ok I need to eat crow here. After I called BS on that Claimyr thing, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about an issue with my stimulus payment showing up wrong on my transcript. Decided to try it since nothing else was working, and damn...it actually connected me to an IRS agent in like 40 minutes! I was shocked. The agent cleared up my confusion about how to report it on my DIY return. Saved me from paying $250 to H&R Block just to ask a simple question.

You might be overlooking that tax prep fees are deductible if you're self-employed! If you file Schedule C, the cost of tax preparation that relates to your business can be deducted as a business expense. Something to consider before going DIY.

Honestly just use freetaxusa.com - it's like $15 for state filing and federal is free. You can also use last years return as reference while going through it. I switched from paying an accountant $350 to doing it myself and it was way easier than I expected.

If your taxes are straightforward enough that you're confident you can DIY with last year's return as a guide, you probably shouldn't have been paying for a tax service in the first place lol. No offense but $800-1100 is for complex situations - business owners, multiple rental properties, exotic investments, etc.

You're absolutely right to question that $1100 fee! For W-2 income with some investments, that's way overpriced. Using your 2023 return as a template is a smart approach - just make sure you're working with the actual 2024 tax forms since line numbers and calculations can shift slightly year to year. A few specific things to watch for between 2023 and 2024: the standard deduction increased to $14,600 for single filers ($29,200 married filing jointly), and all the tax brackets were adjusted upward for inflation. If you have investment income, make sure to check if you received any new 1099 forms this year that weren't there last year. One tip: consider using tax software like FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct alongside your paper return template. You can input your info into the software to double-check your manual calculations, then decide whether to e-file through them or mail in your paper forms. This gives you the confidence of software validation while keeping costs way below what your preparer quoted.