Should I pay an accountant to file my taxes if I didn't work this year? Worth it?
I've been on a sabbatical this past year and barely had any income. Only sold one item on eBay for about $1,350 and had a bunch of small business expenses that I tracked on a Schedule C. Now I'm debating whether it makes sense to shell out $325 to have my accountant prepare my tax return. Since my financial situation is so simple this year, I'm wondering if I should just learn how to do it myself. Could save some cash by watching some YouTube tutorials and reading up on the IRS website to figure out how to file properly. What do you guys think? Is it worth paying an accountant when my tax situation seems pretty straightforward, or should I just handle it myself? Any experiences or advice would be super appreciated!
18 comments
Join the conversation
Zainab Ahmed
Based on what you've described, you could definitely handle this yourself. With just one eBay sale and some business expenses on Schedule C, your tax situation is pretty simple. Most tax software programs can easily walk you through Schedule C filing, and they'll ask you questions to make sure you're claiming all eligible expenses. The software usually costs $50-100 depending on which one you choose, so you'd still save quite a bit compared to the $325 for an accountant. Just make sure you understand the requirements for reporting self-employment income. Even with minimal activity, you'll need to report that eBay sale on Schedule C if it was business-related. The software will calculate if you owe any self-employment tax.
0 coins
Connor Gallagher
•If I use tax software, will it help me know which expenses I can deduct? I'm worried I'll miss something that an accountant would catch. Also, is there a particular software you'd recommend for someone filing Schedule C for the first time?
0 coins
Zainab Ahmed
•Yes, good tax software will guide you through deductible business expenses with specific questions about different expense categories like office supplies, software, travel, etc. They typically include explanations of what qualifies for each category. For Schedule C first-timers, I'd recommend TurboTax Self-Employed or H&R Block Self-Employed. Both have user-friendly interfaces and provide extra guidance for business deductions. FreeTaxUSA is a more affordable option that handles Schedule C well too, though with slightly less hand-holding.
0 coins
AstroAlpha
After years of frustration doing my own taxes for my side business, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been a game-changer for situations exactly like yours. I had a year with minimal income but still needed to file Schedule C, and wasn't sure if I should pay my usual accountant. This tool analyzed all my receipts and business documents, then helped me categorize everything properly for Schedule C. It was way more thorough than I would've been on my own, but cost a fraction of what an accountant charges. The best part was how it explained which deductions I qualified for based on my specific situation.
0 coins
Yara Khoury
•How does it compare to regular tax software? I've used TurboTax before but always feel like I'm missing deductions. Does it actually find stuff that regular tax programs might miss?
0 coins
Keisha Taylor
•I'm skeptical about these AI tax tools. How does it actually verify that what you're claiming follows IRS rules? Seems risky to trust a computer with tax compliance when the stakes can be so high if you get audited.
0 coins
AstroAlpha
•It's actually quite different from regular tax software. While TurboTax asks you questions, taxr.ai actually reviews your documents and identifies potential deductions based on what it sees in your receipts and financial records. I found several deductions I would have missed with regular software. The AI uses IRS guidelines and tax law to validate deductions, and it flags anything questionable so you can review it. It's not making decisions on its own - it presents you with options based on tax code and your documentation. You still have final say, but with much better information backing your choices.
0 coins
Keisha Taylor
I need to eat my words about AI tax tools. After expressing skepticism about taxr.ai in my previous comment, I decided to try it for my own minimal self-employment situation. I'm genuinely impressed by how thorough it was with my Schedule C. The system found several legitimate business deductions I would have completely overlooked, including some partial home office expenses and subscription services I use occasionally for business. It explained exactly why each deduction was valid according to IRS guidelines, which made me feel confident about claiming them. For someone with just one eBay sale and some expenses like the original poster, this would be perfect - much cheaper than an accountant but more thorough than doing it entirely yourself.
0 coins
Paolo Longo
If you still want professional eyes on your taxes without the full accountant cost, you might consider calling the IRS directly for guidance. I struggled to get through for weeks until I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They somehow get you connected to an actual IRS agent quickly - you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was in a similar situation last year with minimal self-employment income, and the IRS agent walked me through exactly what I needed to file and which deductions I qualified for. It gave me confidence to file myself, but with professional guidance. Definitely saved me from paying my accountant for what turned out to be a pretty simple return.
0 coins
Amina Bah
•Wait, this actually gets you through to the IRS? How does that even work? I've literally spent hours on hold before giving up. What's the catch?
0 coins
Oliver Becker
•This sounds like BS honestly. The IRS is notorious for being impossible to reach. No way some random service can magically get you through when millions of people can't get through every tax season. And even if you do reach them, they're not going to give you tax advice - they specifically say they don't do that.
0 coins
Paolo Longo
•There's no magic - they use a technology that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone tree until it gets through, then calls you when an agent picks up. It basically does the waiting for you instead of you having to sit on hold. The IRS absolutely does provide guidance on filing requirements and can answer questions about what forms you need and basic deduction eligibility. You're right that they won't give specific tax planning advice or tell you how to maximize deductions, but for basic questions like "Do I need to file Schedule C for a single eBay sale?" they're actually quite helpful.
0 coins
Oliver Becker
I have to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After dismissing it as BS, I was desperate to ask the IRS about my minimal self-employment situation from last year, so I decided to try it anyway. To my complete surprise, I was connected to an IRS representative in under 30 minutes when I had previously wasted entire afternoons on hold. The agent confirmed that yes, I did need to file Schedule C for my occasional online sales, but also explained which of my expenses qualified as legitimate business deductions. For someone like the OP with one eBay sale and some expenses, getting direct confirmation from the IRS might be the perfect middle ground between paying an accountant and going completely DIY.
0 coins
CosmicCowboy
Don't overlook free options! If your income was low enough last year, you might qualify for the IRS Free File program or VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). They can help with Schedule C too. I was in exactly your position last year - took time off, had one small sale on Etsy, and some expenses. VITA volunteers prepared my Schedule C perfectly at no cost. Saved me $275 from what my accountant wanted to charge.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Is there an income limit for VITA to help with Schedule C? I thought they only did simple returns and turned away any business income?
0 coins
CosmicCowboy
•VITA generally helps taxpayers who make $60,000 or less, and while some locations might turn away complex business returns, many VITA sites have volunteers certified to handle simple Schedule C forms like yours would be. It does vary by location though - when you call to make an appointment, just specifically ask if they can handle a simple Schedule C with minimal income and expenses. Some sites have advanced-certified volunteers who definitely can help with this.
0 coins
Javier Cruz
Do the tax software options others mentioned handle state taxes too? I'm in CA and always hear horror stories about how complicated California taxes get even for simple situations.
0 coins
Emma Thompson
•Yes! All the major tax software handles federal and state together. California isn't as bad as people make it sound for simple situations. I'm in CA too and did my Schedule C last year with minimal income through FreeTaxUSA. The state part was actually easier than the federal section.
0 coins