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Taxes: CPA or Turbo Tax?

Updated on: February 26, 2011 / 3:12 PM EST / MoneyWatch

I am a lazy taxpayer--there, I said it! Sure I could prepare and file my own tax returns, but I also could paint my own house, but I don't do that either and in both cases, I prefer to pay a professional to complete these burdensome tasks.

Still, the cost of a CPA can be steep, which got us wondering: for most taxpayers, is it worth it to use an accountant or should you plow through tax prep software?

Jill Schlesinger

Jill Schlesinger, CFP® is the Emmy-nominated business analyst for CBS News. She covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog, "Jill on Money." Prior to her second career at CBS, Jill spent 14 years as the co-owner and chief investment officer for an independent investment advisory firm. She began her career as a self-employed options trader on the Commodities Exchange of New York, following her graduation from Brown University.

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