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CostHelper.com > Personal Finance  > Tax Returns

Tax Returns Cost

How Much Do Tax Returns Cost?

low costLow: Free, $20-$90
low costMedium: $90-$130+
low costHigh: $200-$400+

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Typical costs:
  • If your income is less than $50,000, you may qualify for Free File, a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, which should let you e-file your taxes for free.
  • Software, such as Intuit's TurboTax, typically costs between $20-$90, depending on the complexity of your returns and whether you need to complete a state return. During the past two years, retail discounts during February and March have been common. An online version, Web TurboTax, is also available.
  • Tax preparation fees at retail outlets such as H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt can run $90-$130, but Refund Anticipation Loan fees, electronic filing fees, and check cashing fees can triple the amount. In March, 2006, the New York Attorney General sued H&R Block for its business practices.
  • A part-time tax-preparer who operates out of a home may charge around $100 for a relatively simple return.
  • A professional CPA operating out of an office might charge $200-$400 for a relatively straightforward return, depending on the complexity of the return, the local cost of living, and the size of the office. More complicated returns - with significant stock transactions, real estate, and other deductions and earnings - may cost over $500.
  • A relatively straightforward return might include typical job-related deductions, interests and donations, mortgage deductions, and a few straightforward stock transactions.
What should be included:
  • No matter which you choose, you should receive a copy of your tax return with clear instructions of where to send them to, how much you need to pay (or how much you will be refunded), and how to complete the forms. You should also receive a copy of your tax forms for your personal records, as well as more detailed worksheets, if applicable.
  • Some higher-end accountants will provide you with addressed, stamped envelopes; others will give you only instructions.
Additional costs:
  • At a CPA, more complicated returns with unique situations requiring hours of additional work, or close work by a partner (versus an associate) can make a return costly.
Discounts:
  • Generally, you can find better retail bargains or have an easier time negotiating with an accountant if you start early - in January or early February.
Shopping for tax returns:
  • TurboTax for the Web is available online.
  • You can find local branch offices for H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt online.
  • If you're looking for a tax prepare or CPA, referrals are a great place to start; ask friends and co-workers.
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $300.00 $300 for a medium complexity return - fair price?
Posted by: a user in Mountain View, CA.Purchased: April, 2006
Type of Firm: small CPAComplexity of Return: homeowner, some stock
My CPA charges me $300 a year for my returns. I own some stock, have a fair number of work-related deductions, and have mortgage deductions. My accountant is a referral from a friend who works in a 2 person small office. I used to use a CPA in a fancy 10 person office in an expensive part of town, and they charged $475, and the results didn't seem any better (in fact, they complained a lot more and their admin kept losing my address).
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Amount: $220.00 Tax return
Posted by: DS.pa in Lancaster, PA.Purchased: June, 2008
Type of Firm: TaxComplexity of Return: Low
$300. sounds way too much for a simple tax return. The additional reporting for stocks and dividends is minimal. We spent less than $250 for filing 2 sets of returns for NJ and PA; we have stocks and rental property. This was with H&R Block. CPAs tend to be more pricey.
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Amount: $250.00 tax cost
Posted by: TAX RETURN in kansas city, MO.Purchased: November, 2008
Type of Firm: small tax firmComplexity of Return: MEDIUM
H&R BLOCK IS THE WORST PLACE TO HAVE YOUR TAXES DONE UNLESS YOU ARE JUST FILING A EZ1040 FORM. WHICH MOST PEOPLE CAN DO THEMSELVES. IF YOU FILE MORE FORMS THAN THAT--EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK ITS STRAIGHTFORWARD--LOOK IN THE IRS CODE BOOK THAT THE GOVERMENT CHANGES EVERY YR. H&R BLOCK EMPLOYEES ARE BASIC EDUCATED. PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND CPA'S ARE NOT YOUR BASIC EMPLOYEE. I SUGGEST YOU TAKE YOUR RETURN TO A REAL ACCOUNTANT TO REVIEW OVER YOUR RETURN FOR MISTAKES SINCE YOU HAVE RENTAL PROPERTY. H&R BLOCK COULD BE COSTING YOU MONEY AND YOU WOULD NOT EVEN KNOW IT. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. YOU WILL GET THE BEST SERVICE AT A SMALL FIRM. MAY COST ALITTLE MORE, BUT YOU WON'T BE JUST ANOTHER TAX RETURN FOR A EMPLOYEE TO DO THAT DOESN'T CARE. 300.00 ISNT BAD AT ALL--COST OF LIVING IS HIGHER IN CA--PLUS THEIR STATE RETURN IS MORE COMPLEX THAN ANY OTHER STATE RETURN EXCEPT MAYBE NEW YORK. IF I HAD RENTAL PROPERTY, STOCK SALES, BUSINESS EXPENSES, MY PRICE WOULD BE MORE IN THE 300 plus range- a good accountant will make time to study all options for you--which are many and believe me the government makes it hard for the normal person to know what they all are.
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Amount: $95.00 Individual Tax Returns
Posted by: JN in Arvin, CA.Purchased: February, 2009
Type of Firm: Sole Proprietor Tax PreparerComplexity of Return: Middle
Tax preparer E-filed and prepared my 1040 return. This included itemizing, Sch. E, and installment sale reporting. Preparer is Joe Navarro (661)340-4873.
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Amount: $120.00 NJ Federal and State Tax Return Cost
Posted by: Mr. Jennings CPA in Carlstadt, NJ.Purchased: January, 2009
Type of Firm: H + R Block Proprietor Tax PreparerComplexity of Return: Medium
H&R Block Charges Differ Between the amount of the return, for instance if your AGI is less than the Federal taxable income of 2008, which is currently $5,450 than the charges will be less usually between $80-$100. These charges are less because the amount of the return will be less, usually between $200-$300. For an average return of the AGI over the Federal taxable income, will cost slightly more between $120-$160. The boost in price is relative to the boost in the return usually ranging from $600-$1,100. The larger the return the larger the fees.
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