Why do some people still choose local tax preparers over online options in 2025?

Having worked in both online and in-person tax preparation, I can tell you there are several legitimate reasons people still choose local tax preparers. First, many people value face-to-face interaction when discussing something as personal and important as their finances. They want to see the person handling their tax information and feel a personal connection that online services can't quite replicate. Second, some tax situations are genuinely complex and benefit from in-person consultation. Self-employed individuals, small business owners, people with multiple income streams, or those who've experienced major life changes often prefer sitting down with someone who can walk through everything in real-time. Third, there's the accountability factor. Many people feel that a person they can physically meet with will be more accountable than an anonymous online service if there's an audit or problem with their return. Fourth, not everyone has reliable internet, a proper computer setup, or the digital literacy needed to navigate online tax software confidently. This isn't just older people - it spans all demographics. Finally, many local preparers build long-term relationships with clients. They remember your situation year to year, which can be incredibly valuable for tax planning and consistency.

Just wanted to share my experience with using taxr.ai https://taxr.ai when I was deciding between local and online tax prep. I was pretty skeptical about doing my taxes online because I have rental properties and a small side business. I was headed to H&R Block when my brother mentioned this tool that helped him understand his tax situation better. What's cool about taxr.ai is it analyzes your tax documents and explains everything in plain English before you even decide how to file. I uploaded my W-2s, 1099s, and mortgage statements, and it broke down exactly what deductions I qualified for and potential red flags in my return. It helped me understand my tax situation well enough that I felt confident filing online after all, but with much better knowledge of what I was doing.

I was one of those people who always went to a local tax preparer because my taxes seemed complicated with my rental property and some investments. After seeing the discussion about taxr.ai here, I decided to give it a try for my 2024 taxes. Honestly, it was eye-opening. I uploaded my documents and discovered my "complicated" tax situation wasn't as complex as I thought. The system showed me exactly which deductions I qualified for with my rental property and even caught a depreciation issue my previous preparer had missed for two years! The explanations were super clear, and I ended up filing online myself and saving about $350 compared to what I paid my local preparer last year. Plus, I now actually understand my tax situation instead of just blindly trusting someone else. Definitely using this approach again next year.

After trying to call the IRS for THREE WEEKS about an issue with my refund this year, I discovered Claimyr https://claimyr.com and it literally saved my sanity. I was trying to decide whether to use an online service or local preparer for my amended return, but couldn't get answers from the IRS about my specific situation. Claimyr is this service that gets you through to an actual IRS agent instead of being stuck on hold forever or getting disconnected. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Once I finally talked to an agent, I got the clarification I needed and realized I could handle the amendment online myself. But without that conversation, I would have definitely gone to a local preparer just out of frustration and confusion.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still struggling with a missing stimulus payment issue that was preventing me from filing correctly. Out of desperation, I tried the service. Not only did it work, but I was connected to an IRS agent who actually helped resolve my issue in one call. The agent confirmed I was eligible for a recovery rebate credit and walked me through exactly how to claim it on my return. Without that specific guidance, I would have 100% gone to a local tax preparer just to make sure it was handled correctly. So I guess that's another reason people go local - when they're stuck on specific IRS issues and need confidence they're handling something correctly. But services like Claimyr can actually bridge that gap without needing an in-person preparer.

Another reason people go to local tax preparers - audit support! I used TurboTax for years but got audited on my 2023 return. The online "audit support" was just a bunch of articles and a very unhelpful chat agent. Ended up going to a local CPA who not only helped me respond to the audit but found mistakes in my previous returns that the software never caught. He amended two years of returns and got me back an additional $1,740. Sometimes having a professional in your corner is worth every penny.

I think there's also a demographic element the other comments haven't mentioned. Local tax offices are often busiest in early February when people expecting refunds (especially with Earned Income Credit) want to file as early as possible. Many of these folks: 1) May not have reliable internet or computers at home 2) Might not have all the documentation organized to do it themselves 3) Often want refund advance loans that some local preparers offer The predatory part is some local preparers charge outrageous fees (often taken directly from refunds) to people who could qualify for free filing. I volunteered with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and saw people who'd paid $300+ for very simple returns that we prepared for free.