A few years ago my husband and I made the decision to pay someone to do our taxes. Honestly, I don't know why we waited so long to start doing this. The process went by so much more smoothly, it was less stressful and we felt far more confident we were doing things correctly.

So why did we reach the decision to start paying someone to handle this for us? Well, there are a few reasons.

1. Our tax situation isn't simple

Back before I quit my job to stay at home and work for myself things were pretty cut and dry. My husband and I both had traditional W2s and few deductions. It was a pretty simple process that we could handle ourselves.

But then I started freelancing and had several 1099s, multiple income streams, business deductions, and other costs. Once multiple income streams entered the picture it became harder and harder for us to continue doing our taxes by ourselves.

2. Our lives changed

We started paying someone to do our taxes in 2012. That was the year after our oldest son was born. In 2013 we had another baby. In 2014 we bought a house. In 2016 we had a lot of medical expenses.

As we added new people, new investments and new stages to our lives we realized that keeping up with how this would change or impact our taxes the last thing we wanted to worry about.

3. We are not professionals

Yes, we were having to pay someone to do something we "technically" could do ourselves. But I could also cut my own hair. I choose not to because I don't know how to do it without making a huge mess.

The difference between our tax profession and us is that she is a professional. She knows what she's doing, how to interpret complicated tax code and how to make sure we get all the deductions possible.

I don't think it necessary for everyone on the planet to hire someone to do their taxes, but sometimes it's worth the extra money out of pocket to hire someone to handle these things for us.

What about you? Do you hire a professional? I would love to know your thoughts.

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