Where are the cheapest places to get taxes prepared professionally? HR Block alternatives?

Thanks for this advice! Do the VITA volunteers handle situations with rental income or would that be too complex for them? Also, how do I find these local smaller offices you mentioned?

VITA volunteers can handle some rental situations, but they have limitations. Simple rental properties are usually okay, but if you have multiple properties or complicated expenses, it might exceed their scope. Most VITA sites will let you know upfront what they can and can't handle. To find smaller local offices, check Google Maps and look for independent accountants rather than big chains. Read reviews carefully and call to ask about their pricing structure before making an appointment. Ask friends/family/coworkers for recommendations too - personal referrals are often the best way to find reasonably priced, trustworthy preparers.

Does it actually work for complicated situations? I have income from 3 different states plus a side business. Would something like that handle it or is it more for simple W-2 only situations?

I'm skeptical about AI handling taxes correctly. How do you know it's not missing deductions or making mistakes? Did you compare the results with what a human would have done?

It absolutely works for complicated situations. My return included freelance work across multiple states plus stock sales and a home office deduction. The system flagged everything properly and the review with the tax professional caught a few deductions I would have missed. The AI is actually just the first step - it organizes everything and finds potential issues, but real tax professionals review everything. They compared my previous year's return to make sure nothing was missed and found several new deductions. The combination of technology plus human expertise gives you the best of both worlds without the crazy pricing.

Wait I'm confused... how does this actually work? Does it just call the IRS for you? I don't understand how they can get through when nobody else can.

Yeah right. Nobody can get through to the IRS these days. I've tried for WEEKS. If this actually worked, everyone would be using it. Sounds like some kind of scam to me.

It doesn't just call the IRS for you - they have a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold so you don't have to. When they reach a live agent, they call you and connect you directly to that agent. It's basically like having someone wait on hold for you. I was skeptical too! I tried calling the IRS for 3 days straight with no luck. The system works because they're essentially waiting in the phone queue on your behalf. It's not a magic back door to the IRS - just clever technology that saves you from the hold time frustration. Think of it like having a virtual assistant whose only job is to wait on hold until a human picks up.

I never thought to check with my bank! Do you know if this is something most credit unions offer or is it pretty rare?

It's becoming more common but definitely not universal. Credit unions are more likely to offer it than big banks in my experience. Mine partners with a local accounting firm to offer members a discounted rate. Some only offer it for premium account holders, while others make it available to all members. Just call your bank/credit union's customer service line and ask if they have any tax preparation benefits or partnerships. Even if they don't have a formal program, sometimes they can point you toward affordable options in the community.

I used Liberty Tax last year when they had a $99 special. The base price was legit but they charged extra for state filing ($45), schedule C ($60), and some other forms. Ended up paying about $220 total. The preparer was nice but honestly didn't seem super knowledgeable. Probably fine for simple returns but I wouldn't go back with anything complicated.

This is such a smart approach! I wish I had thought to call around for quotes before committing. I ended up at Jackson Hewitt last year and paid $285 for what turned out to be a pretty straightforward return with just some 1099 income. Definitely learned my lesson about shopping around. One thing I'd add - when you call for quotes, ask specifically what's included in their base price vs. what costs extra. Some places advertise low prices but then nickel and dime you for every additional form. The most honest places will give you a comprehensive estimate upfront once you describe your situation. Good luck with whatever route you choose! Sounds like you've got a solid plan.