it really is the way to go. i'm lucky because my dad is an accounant, but he's told me countless stories how people have missed deductions they could have submitted, or how bad the H and R blocks of the world have errored on the returns. i suppose if someone's taxes are ultra simple, why not try, but i'm at the point in my life where i have a "guy" for everything...accountant, insurance, payroll, financial planner, etc. i want a rep for everything so i don't have to deal with it. actually, it's mostly so i don't screw anything up.