the Cost of Personal Accounting Services

We had our 2007 taxes completed by a man who runs his tax business out of him home. The tax business is his part-time job; he farms full-time. He completed and filed our 2007 State and Federal taxes and MN Property tax refund. Our taxes included two W-4s (one without taxes being deducted), one 1099 (included closing of an at-home party business) and deductions for health care, interest on mortgage and education.

Our taxes had been completed for the past 15 years by a close friend of our family who also ran a tax business. In 2007 she sold her business to this man; we had the option of finding someone new for our taxes or going with this new man. We chose the new man; we figured if our family friend felt okay in selling her business to him he must be good.

I felt that he listened to us when he met with us. I liked that he provided us with paperwork prior to the appointment; this helped me gather all of the important documents. The one thing I didn't really like was the cost. In previous years our taxes were much more complicated than our 2007 taxes. He charged us "what you paid in 2006." I think it should have been less since they were not as complicated and this was his first year doing our taxes. I think $90 would have been fair.

Ask what the price will be upfront.

Ask if there are ways to lower to price (perhaps it is cheaper if you bring in all documents in an organized fashion.)

Seek out referrals from family and friends.