How good are consumer computer tax preparation programs?

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. However, I must state a disclaimer that no one knows how the new tax program may affect taxes even for the 2017 tax year. 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 itemized 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 makes changes to others, and of course the new tax law is radically different. As you can see, changes are constant and it is very difficult to keep up with them.  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.