[carbking]

In a different lifetime, I wrote all my accounting programs for my business, and I did my own taxes for about 60 years.

After my wife and I "retired", the deductions on the SS REALLY added several degrees of difficulty to my taxes.

For the last 9 years, I do the accounting, and turn over the reports to the CPA.

He is very reasonable, and generally finds money that I would not have found. The rules change more often than the post office raises postage rates ! Plus he helps me with any other necessary changes, such as a PIN for both of us; which is a great added protection against the hackers !

I will disagree about over-paying, but I NEVER get a refund. Just leave the money there. With the current interest rates, it doesn't cost that much; and it is a green flag if there is every a *&^%$#@ AI generated red flag for an audit. They figure if you are going to cheat you would take the refund.

We were forced to go through a paper audit several years ago because the company that processes credit cards for us coded us a a used car dealer rather than a parts manufacturer / retailer. Of course, 90 plus percent of our gross was paid by credit card, and the computers didn't think a used car lot would have that high a percentage of credit card sales.

The company found their mistake AFTER the audit was initiated, and informed the IRS; and the nice (she really was nice) lady that I spoke with at the IRS told me they had corrected the problem, but the IRS rules were such that once an audit was started, it has to be completed.

19 very frustrating *&^%$#@ WASTED hours ! If I "waste" a little interest each year, and it lessens the probability of an audit, it is worth it !

Jon