var json_comments = new Array("<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048306\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=346324\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-346324-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=346324\">Mike8813</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048306\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T13:18:44-05:00\">January  9, 2010  1:18 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048306);\">Moderate</a> |</span>	<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://consumerist.com/mt-static/plugins/Moderate/moderate.js\"></script>	<script type=\"text/javascript\">		successMsg = \"\";	</script><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048306');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I fell for the big refund promises as a dumb kid in the army. Went to the same lady for 3 years because of the inflated tax returns. 3 years later, I got audited bt the IRS and owed nearly 4,000 after interest. </p><p>Turns out she was claiming 20,000 in work related vehicle expenses on my deductions every year. (More than the value of my car)</p><p>I was a very, very stupid young man. </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048306, 'Mike8813')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->								<div class=\"num-replies\">2 replies</div>	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048339\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=3130\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-3130-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=3130\">Bargaineering.com</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048339\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:39:24-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:39 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048339);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048339');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>It happens to the best of us, fortunately it was only for three years and only for $4,000.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048339, 'Bargaineering.com')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048308\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1526791\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1526791\">J-Sap</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048308\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T13:36:37-05:00\">January  9, 2010  1:36 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048308);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048308');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Wow that sucks. I feel for you.</p><p>Glad I do my own taxes online, the only way to fully know someone else isn't screwing you over is to do your own taxes I guess.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048308, 'J-Sap')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>    </div>","","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048309\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1288769\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1288769-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1288769\">Rylar</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048309\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T13:42:35-05:00\">January  9, 2010  1:42 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048309);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048309');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I did my taxes online once. They charged me an insane amount of money to do the taxes... and it still took 2+ hours of my time because I'm still the one who did them.</p><p>Online tax return companies are a major scam. </p><p>I did my own tax return using the same internet resources to explain things and it took me about the same 2 hours, and I didn't have to pay anyone anything. Filing your taxes should be FREE. Don't pay corporations for things that are free. </p><p>Understandably people are afraid to make mistakes. A tax company isn't going to get you a better return unless your rich and have a lot of work to do on your taxes. Your not rich, so do your own taxes. If your not sure about something; look it up, if your still not sure, err on the side of caution. Most of us can fill out a 1040EZ... sad how many go to a tax preparer when they can do a 1040EZ. </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048309, 'Rylar')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->														<div class=\"num-replies\">8 replies</div>	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048345\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=474880\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=474880\">Etoiles</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048345\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:50:23-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:50 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048345);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048345');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Online tax prep is worth it for some of the more arcane state returns, though.  I've been doing my own 1040EZ for... 12 years?  15?  Whenever I got my first job as a teenager, my parents made me do my own taxes from the start.  So I'm not unfamiliar with the process, or with how one has to deal with the forms.  And I did my own MA taxes for 8 years, too.</p><p>But oh, god, then I moved to NYC.  I did the form on paper three different times and got different answers *every time*.  Then I ran it past someone else, who got a fourth answer.  Then I did it through TurboTax, hit print before paying (you can't do that anymore, haha) and copied the answers onto the paper form... and the state / city adjusted that 5th answer into a 6th one before sending me my refund (which was $17).</p><p>For my 2008 taxes, when I had 4 1/2 months of NYC residency and 7 1/2 months of VA residency, the money TurboTax took to do the state forms for me was WELL WORTH IT.  Stupid New York.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048345, 'Etoiles')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048470\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1246845\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1246845\">sammy_b</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048470\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T18:29:25-05:00\">January  9, 2010  6:29 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048470);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048470');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I'm so glad you said that about NYC taxes.  I always did the EZ, when i lived in MA i could handle those state taxes fine. NJ taxes were cake (and free online too!) but oh my gosh, the NY tax form was the most complicated thing i've ever done.  Ended up paying $30 with turbotax because i simply couldn't handle it.  Not looking forward to it again this year.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048470, 'sammy_b')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048356\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=461138\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-461138-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=461138\">Julia789</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048356\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T15:07:07-05:00\">January  9, 2010  3:07 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048356);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048356');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>If you can't print it, can you do a screenshot of it to show it to someone else?</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048356, 'Julia789')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048473\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1246845\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1246845\">sammy_b</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048473\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T18:30:11-05:00\">January  9, 2010  6:30 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048473);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048473');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>you have to pay before you start the form.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048473, 'sammy_b')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048551\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=461138\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-461138-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=461138\">Julia789</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048551\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T21:02:15-05:00\">January  9, 2010  9:02 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048551);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048551');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Oh, I thought he wanted to print it before submitting it, to have someone check it over and make sure it was filled in correctly, then submit it. I must have misunderstood.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048551, 'Julia789')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048325\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1226904\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1226904-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1226904\">Dondegroovily</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048325\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:16:09-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:16 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048325);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048325');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I've never paid a penny to use an online tax program, and have used them many times. Below a certain income, there is no charge.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048325, 'Dondegroovily')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048322\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1021770\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1021770-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1021770\">AngryK9</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048322\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:01:03-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:01 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048322);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048322');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>That's funny.  I have been using Turbo Tax Online for the last, I dunno, 5 years give or take, have never paid more than $25, and have never had a problem.  Guess I'm being scammed.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048322, 'AngryK9')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048310\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=917643\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-917643-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=917643\">Laura Northrup</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048310\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T13:44:06-05:00\">January  9, 2010  1:44 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048310);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048310');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>It sort of hurts my brain that people pay someone to fill out a 1040EZ, but at the same time, people are also terrified of getting audited (see Mike8813's post above) and ending up in trouble.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048310, 'Laura Northrup')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048475\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=304771\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=304771\">pepe prawn</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048475\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T18:32:00-05:00\">January  9, 2010  6:32 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048475);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048475');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>i made a mistake a few years back on a form.. in the irs' favor due to a math error (i did it manually w/a pen & calculator).  i've been audited every year since.  it's no biggie since i don't lie about deductions.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048475, 'pepe prawn')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048324\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=6173\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6173-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=6173\">Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048324\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:13:31-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:13 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048324);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048324');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>Some people also lack the literacy necessary to do the 1040EZ. I used to do low-income tax returns through one of the IRS's volunteer programs when I was in law school. The problem often wasn't the complexity, or that the individuals didn't understand the instructions -- it was that they didn't have the necessary literacy to READ the instructions. They typically knew what was needed and brought everything with and could answer the questions, but couldn't read well enough to be sure they put the right things in the right places.</p><p>Interestingly, innumeracy was rarely a problem.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048324, 'Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>    </div>","","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048311\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=461138\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-461138-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=461138\">Julia789</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048311\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T13:45:11-05:00\">January  9, 2010  1:45 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048311);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048311');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>A decent accountant (CPA) will do your taxes for $100±. They'll also pay if they screw up your taxes. It might cost a little more, or a little less, depending on how simple or complex your returns are. We paid a $100 flat fee. (We now use TurboTax as our return information has been almost the same for several years, so we're confident about all our deductions and comfortable using it. But after the cost of the updates and the electronic filing fees, it's not that much less than having an accountant do it. So I'd say go with what you're comfortable with.)</p><p>My friend pays $150-$200 for a CPA to do her taxes, but she has a complicated situation with working in one state while living in another, and her husband has work related deductions which are complicated.</p><p>And my mother paid $300 for an accountant to do her taxes last year, but she had the sale of her property, moving to a new state, and probate court and will/trust complexities, from the death of my father. She was glad to pay an experienced accountant who could help her handle all that. Someone at H&R block would have had their head explode if handed all that information. </p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048311, 'Julia789')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->									<div class=\"num-replies\">3 replies</div>	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048687\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=98684\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-98684-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=98684\">radio1</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048687\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-10T08:45:04-05:00\">January 10, 2010  8:45 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048687);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048687');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>As a former preparer for HR Block for 6 years-- I take offense at the \"head explode\" comment.</p><p>I can not comment on your particular experiences with them, but Block's training program is the best in the business. 30 credit hours of new tax courses must be passed before tax season begins. No repeats of courses within 3 years. I've personally done S-125s, K1s, merchant marine, businesses and multi-state returns.</p><p>CPAs can be great. But I've corrected many returns from them. My wife's best friend wanted to go to me when I worked at Block (for a free return). I looked at her previous return and asked why she got such and such deduction... Essentially through 'creative' deductions her trusted family CPA got them back consistently several grand more a year than they deserved. I told her what she would get back if I did it... Several thousand less. Needless to say, she uses her family CPA.</p><p>Also CPAs rarely do the taxes returns themselves. CPAs/Accountants will hire senior year Accounting students, business school grads, tax preparers from all major outfits to prepare tax returns for them. No interviews- just stacks of documents, receipts and what have you churned out and signed by the CPA (hopefully after he/she looks it over).</p><p>Taxes can be daunting, but easy if you know what you are doing. Just take a tax class, all the majors offer them. I'd recommend Block because the cover everything. (A 3-month course that meets twice a week for 3hrs...) You'll be able to do any return.</p><p>Also go to the IRS website and download a Pub. 19 (Publication 19)- that is the tax bible... Read it, you'll learn a lot. It's dense, but an excellent resource for anyone who wants to do a tax return themselves.</p><p>Other than that TurboTax and the like are very very good. I myself use TaxAct online...</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048687, 'radio1')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20049044\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=461138\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-461138-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=461138\">Julia789</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20049044\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-10T21:59:38-05:00\">January 10, 2010  9:59 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20049044);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20049044');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>That's too bad those CPAs you know of are giving returns to students. Ours sat down and did ours right there with us at the table, taking his time and asking us lots of questions, and making sure we were very involved in the process.</p><p>Sorry if it hurt your feelings with the crack about H&R block. I meant it light-heartedly.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20049044, 'Julia789')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048752\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1528408\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1528408\">JrnymnJ</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048752\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-10T11:44:37-05:00\">January 10, 2010 11:44 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048752);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048752');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I'm having trouble finding the Publication 19 that you refer to. Is this some joke or has this document gotten a new number?</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048752, 'JrnymnJ')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>    </div>","","","","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048326\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=6173\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6173-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=6173\">Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048326\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:16:18-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:16 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048326);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048326');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I'm of the general opinion that everyone should file their own taxes by hand at least a few times, so that you're confident you can do it and you understand the mechanics of a tax return. My dad made me do mine by hand every year until I finished college. These days my father-in-law, who's a CPA, does our taxes, and it's more complicated with different kinds of income and many more deductions and credits and whatnot, but I know that if I *have* to sit down with the 1040, I *can* do it, just slowly.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048326, 'Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048333\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=389492\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-389492-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=389492\">catastrophegirl chooses not to fly</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048333\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:34:23-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:34 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048333);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048333');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>this will be my first even slightly complicated tax return, what with buying a house and the associated tax credits. <br />my sister is getting turbo tax and i'll try it there first [it's my usual form of preparation] but if i screw it up, a friend referred the tax accountant she has been using for a decade. <br />based on what i have read and the fact that the IRS has started making videos about how to make sure you qualify for credit x,y,z and such, i feel pretty confident in my ability. <br />mostly i like to use turbo tax because i suck at simple math and my employer offers e-W2 that turbo tax can just download right into the software. then all i have to do is add donations and deductions</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048333, 'catastrophegirl chooses not to fly')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->									<div class=\"num-replies\">3 replies</div>	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048426\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">                <a href=\"\">        <img src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1478229-100x100.png\"             width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" />            </a>            </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\">ChimmyChai    </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048426\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T17:17:24-05:00\">January  9, 2010  5:17 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048426);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048426');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>In tax prep circles, rumor has it that the IRS is going to flag all returns with the First Time Homebuyer Credit on them so that they can make sure that this is a valid credit.  That will mean it will be about 16 weeks before someone will get their refund if they have the First Time Homebuyer Credit on their return.   The recommendation is that we file the return electronically (which is also being disallowed with the FTH credit) without the FTH credit so that the person can get their regular refund more quickly.  We then file an amended return with the FTH credit on it and let that amended return languish at the IRS offices for the 16 weeks.  At least the person will then get part of their refund.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048426, 'ChimmyChai')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->        <div class=\"reply-container\" >            <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048562\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=389492\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-389492-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=389492\">catastrophegirl chooses not to fly</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048562\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T21:49:10-05:00\">January  9, 2010  9:49 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048562);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048562');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>oops, thanks, i found the appropriate video, it's a new one. <br />you'd think that'd be big news already</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048562, 'catastrophegirl chooses not to fly')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	     <!-- Loop through the reply comments -->                    <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20048561\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=389492\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-389492-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=389492\">catastrophegirl chooses not to fly</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048561\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T21:45:31-05:00\">January  9, 2010  9:45 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048561);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048561');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>i hadn't heard about e-filing being disallowed. in fact i can't find anything about it in the irs news releases and videos. i'd love to have more info and links if you have them?</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048561, 'catastrophegirl chooses not to fly')\">Reply</a></div>		 	    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>                <!-- Display comment (reply comment, which may be a parent of more replies) -->            <div class=\"inner-reply-container\" >                 <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>     <!-- For each reply comment, recursively display any reply comments -->          	    </div>        	</div>    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048334\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=1523678\"><img        src=\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1523678-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=1523678\">Mxx</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048334\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:35:07-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:35 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048334);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048334');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>[# Don't use someone you can't get ahold of in a year (or seven) in case the IRS has any questions. Check to see how long they've been preparing returns.]</p><p>this is a kinda silly suggestion since how would you know what's going to happen in a year or seven.. :)<br />if i knew my tax preparer would disappear in a year, i wouldn't use them..</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048334, 'Mxx')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048335\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=966958\"><img        src=\"/css/images/default.gif\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=966958\">Winteridge2</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048335\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:37:52-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:37 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048335);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048335');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>If you know just a little bit about computers, don't own a business, etc, most folks can file online for free using TurboTax, for example, and not have a problem.  Just have your tax records handy and follow the instructions.  Might take you an hour or so.  And no, do not deal with any preparer who offers to pay you your refund in advance.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048335, 'Winteridge2')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment\" id=\"comment-20048338\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=505944\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-505944-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=505944\">JulesNoctambule</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20048338\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-09T14:39:08-05:00\">January  9, 2010  2:39 PM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20048338);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20048338');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>My husband is the only person I know who enjoys doing taxes manually. Sometimes I wonder about him!</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20048338, 'JulesNoctambule')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>","","","","","","","","","","","","","","<div class=\"comments-content\">        <div class=\"comment last\" id=\"comment-20049572\">    <div class=\"inner\">	 <div class=\"user-pic\">        <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;amp;blog_id=1&amp;amp;id=13251\"><img        src=\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-13251-100x100.png\"        width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"user-pic\" /></a>    </div>        <div class=\"comment-header\">            <div class=\"asset-meta\"> <div class=\"vcard author\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&amp;blog_id=1&amp;id=13251\">Starfury</a>        </div>				<div class=\"comment-date\"><a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/01/how-to-avoid-tax-preparation-scams.html#comment-20049572\"><abbr class=\"published\" title=\"2010-01-11T11:41:21-05:00\">January 11, 2010 11:41 AM</abbr></a></div>				<div class=\"comment-moderate\"><span><a href=\"javascript:moderateComment(20049572);\">Moderate</a> |</span><a href='javascript:void(0)' onClick=\"return moderate(this, 'http://consumerist.com/cgi-bin/mt/plugins/Moderate/moderate.cgi?__mode=flag&comment_id=20049572');\">Flag for review</a></div>            </div>        </div><!-- end comment header -->        <div class=\"comment-content\">            <p>I've used TurboTax online the last few years with no problems.  My taxes are relatively simple but I do have a house and do itemize my deductions.  Once I have all my paperwork I can do my taxes in under an hour.</p><p>I used to go to certfied tax lady but after seeing what she did (and writing checks for $150 each time) I realized I'm smart enough to handle the taxes myself.</p>        </div>	<div class=\"reply\">	 <div class=\"reply-button\"><a title=\"Reply\" href=\"javascript:void(0);\" onclick=\"mtReplyCommentOnClick(20049572, 'Starfury')\">Reply</a></div>		<!-- if it's a top level category ' -->		    </div><!-- end reply- button -->    </div></div>        <!-- Display comment (top level parent) -->    </div>");