I have done it about every way possible. I studied accounting in college but got a degree in business instead because I really didn't like accounting all that much. Did my own for years, then started with a great CPA for a few years. After we moved to Central PA I started using H&R Block just because for $30 I can get their "piece of mind guarantee". I figure if I get audited I'll let them explain some of the shit they did instead of me having to deal with it.

H&R isn't the cheapest way out and like stated above "they really don't know anything more than what the computer tells them" but at least I am not spending a half a day dealing with it. Spend 45 minutes in their office & it is done instead of spending 1/2 a day doing it myself.

I do keep notes & great records also. I know all the info I am giving them is good but some of the ways they save me money kind of worries me at times. Since I have always had a couple businesses I typically have tons of write-offs and they are normally my biggest concern. A couple years ago when I bought my latest new van there was some type of "special" write-off they used that saved me several thousand dollars. That is the type of stuff you might miss doing taxes yourself! Typically they save me more than they cost me in fees.

Great way to "sum it up". If you don't know tax code fairly well and have anything complicated a CPA is the way to go for sure. Typically when I go into H&R I know more about the tax stuff then they do. But they do know the latest "hidden little stuff" because it is in their computer program and I love that part of what they do for me.

I think who you use should be based more on your needs than anything else.