The Truth About DIY
Tax software is built to be "correct enough" to file. We are built to be strategic enough to win.
When you first started, saving money on tax prep made sense. But as your wealth grows, the "savings" from DIY software often cost you thousands in missed opportunities, overlooked credits, and poor long-term planning.
What You Get: The Breakdown
| Feature | DIY Software | Ingram & Green |
|---|---|---|
| Files Your Taxes |
|
|
| Finds Typical Deductions |
|
|
| Proactive Strategy & Planning |
|
|
| Review of Prior Years |
|
|
| Year-Round Availability |
|
|
The "Hidden Cost" of Free Software
Software is reactive. It asks what you did, not what you should have done. By the time you sit down to enter your data into tax software, the year is over. The opportunities to save money are gone.
We operate proactively. We meet before year-end to make moves—harvesting losses, funding retirement, shifting income, or timing asset purchases—that lower your liability before the clock runs out.
Where Software Misses the Mark:
- Missed Opportunities: Failure to harvest capital losses or strategically plan for capital gains timing.
- Real Estate Mistakes: Incorrectly handling rental property depreciation, repairs vs. improvements, and passive loss limits.
- Entity Structure: Missing out on S-Corp savings for your side hustle, consulting practice, or small business.
- QBI Deduction Complexity: The Qualified Business Income deduction is complex; software often defaults to conservative (lower) calculations.
Common Questions
Thinking of Switching?
"Aren't you more expensive than software?"
Upfront? Yes. But the ROI comes from tax savings. If we find $5,000 in savings that software missed, our fee pays for itself multiple times over. We view our service as an investment, not an expense.
"Is it harder to work with a CPA than using an app?"
It's actually easier. Instead of spending your weekends fighting with forms and wondering if you did it right, simply upload your documents to our secure portal or drop them off at our office, and we handle the rest. You get your time back.
"Can you review my past returns?"
Absolutely. We review both personal and business returns from the last 1-2 years. It is very common for us to file amended returns to claim refunds for money that was left on the table.
Stop Filing. Start Planning.
Let's discuss how we can minimize your liability and maximize your financial potential.
Get a Second Opinion