Can someone please recommend a good and reasonably priced CPA? I really don't want to do my own taxes. I used a CPA in Bryan last year, but it cost 2X more (over $500) than what I paid before I moved to the BCS area. My taxes should be simple this year compared to the last, but I would still prefer to have a professional prepare them. I would like genuine references from members who have used these professionals. Thanks in advance!

I recommend Jim Trotter.

We use Keith Kuttler and are very pleased with him.

Do they have to be a CPA, or will a simple tax accountant do?

There can be a big difference in price depending on which one you need.

The accountants I have used have always been CPAs. It's just happened to work out that way. Although, before I moved to TX, I am pretty sure that the CPA who owned the firm delegated my taxes to an accountant under him who was probably not a CPA. She did a perfectly fine job, but the CPA would officially sign off on my returns, and she would sometimes consult him with questions that I had.

+1 for Jim Trotter

If you have a simple tax return then an experienced accountant will be able to handle your return. My mom is an accountant and I can give you her contact information if you would like.

If you prefer a CPA (they will always be more expensive) then the recommendations given already are good ones. Most CPA's will hand off the returns to accountants working for them and just sign-off on it.

Im curious. Do you remember who you went to last year?

I went to Thompson, Derrig, and Craig in Bryan, and was helped by one of the associates (who is a CPA). They came highly recommended, and I have absolutely no complaints. They did a very good job in a timely manner, and I was pleased with their service. I was just very surprised that the bill was over $500. Before moving to TX, I paid $180-$200 for tax preparation and filing. Now, they did have to file an out of state return for me...maybe that is what increased the price? I am hesitant to go back because I don't want another $500 bill. I do not have to file out of state this year and my taxes are much simpler.

Most firms in town charge hourly. A CPA will have a higher hourly rate than the person who just prepares returns. Ours was pretty complicated last year too (we went to April at Brewer & Eyeington) and she said she likes to do the return herself the first year. That could have been what happened. We paid a little over $300 I think. She also told us in advance how long she thought it would take and actually came in under what I was expecting.

Did you have a state income tax return also?

Did you have income that had to be divided between Texas and another state?

This can require additional time by the preparer.

I am not a CPA, but have been preparing tax returns professionally since 1986. If you need a CPA call Milberger, Nesitt, and Ask @ 822-0175. Otherwise, I can help you. If you are not sure, let's talk and find out. Use the advertiser link for Bowman Business & Tax Services or check out our website: www.bowmantaxserv.com

Good luck!

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It's your money, not theIRS! (At least for a little while longer.)

Yes, I moved to TX from out of state in 2010. So, I had income for about 1/2 of the year from the old state, and had to file a state income tax return in the old state. I knew it would require more work, so maybe the cost was justified. For 2011, I have resided in TX for the entire year and all of my income is from working in TX. I did sell the house in old state in Jan 2011, though, so I will have to include that. I'm not sure how complicated that makes things since that was the first time I have sold a house. I did buy another house here shortly after selling the one out of state.

After much debate and discussion our group moved to Penny Talbert this past year. Now we wished we had moved before.

Who did you use before RV AG? If you don't want to say in public, send me a PM.

I've used Bowman's Tax Service for a few years now and have been very pleased with his services.

Wow, some of these rates are BIG. For a simple one man operation, ye ol' OriginalTexan pays $250 a year for CPA services.

We use Alfred A Martin PC, he is located at 4500 Carter Creek 979.260.1111

We have always been very pleased with his work on our personal and also our business taxes over the last 15 yrs