If your tax situation is simple, there's little reason to use a CPA. If you have unusual circumstances, mixed income sources, corporations, etc., you're far off better using an excellent CPA.

But as has been pointed out, not all CPAs are alike. You must find a good one. There are many idiots out there. So start looking early.

Going back to Turbotax, at the end of your filing it will give you the option to purchase Audit Insurance. I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE THIS. It's only $30.00 per tax year.

Last year, I was audited and was asked for some absurd documentation.

The company turbotax contracts out with (the audit insurance company) performed one of the most fantastic jobs I've ever seen. Their services were worth thousands.

I owed nothing, and I knew I owed nothing, but that didn't mean my stress level wasn't through the roof before I contacted them. They assisted me in producing the 100+ documents the IRS required, and went to bat for me against the IRS.

For $30.00, you can't afford not to buy this service. One hour with a tax attorney can easily cost $250 to $300 depending on where you live, and I would have needed many hours, to be sure due to what ended up being a simple IRS error in their calculations.

This year, given that I do have a corporation, rental properties, income from multiple sources, massive business expenses, and multi-state income, I'm going to use a CPA that I've vested for many months.

It will be my first foray into using a CPA, and while I'm not thrilled about it, I do know when to say when.

Understanding IRS Publications is one thing. But, keeping track of the case law that is continuously coming out of Tax Court is another. I'd caution anyone, to consult a CPA, if you're on the cusp. The IRS publications do not do a good job of demonstrating the "tests" that IRS Prosecutors and Courts use to determine if a particular asset is deductible or not.

This is where an expert CPA comes in, and although "experts" are few and far between, just as good lawyers, and good doctors, and good real estate agents, etc., they are out there and the good ones are heads and tails above even the best "tax enthusiast."

My $0.02. Happy Hunting!