Are the consumer computer programs used to prepare taxes as good as doing it yourself or hiring a tax preparer?

I have been asked this question several times already this year, so I am repeating the answer I gave to this question several years ago. Also, see my recent article from January 16.  If you have only W-2 income and claim the standard deduction, you can probably prepare your own tax return or the available programs would be fine.  However, if you claim deductions, have investment, rental or other income, or own your own business, I would suggest a professional tax preparer.  Each year congress renews some tax helps for the taxpayer, ends some and made changes to others. As you can see, changes are constant and it is very difficult to keep up with them, especially with the COVID-related tax law changes.  We have a full-time accountant on staff and we can efficiently and correctly prepare the simplest or most complex return for you at a fair price. As always, if you have any delinquent taxes, please let me help you resolve them.