How to switch from TurboTax to a real tax preparer
Quick answer: you need a PDF of last year's return from your TurboTax account, your current-year documents, and about 20 minutes. We review everything free, send one written quote, and a real person prepares and signs your return. No upgrade screens, ever.
Step 1: Save last year's return
Log in to your old software and download the full PDF of your most recent return. Five minutes, and it is yours to keep either way.
Step 2: Upload your documents
Send the PDF and this year's documents through our secure portal. Our office follows up on anything missing so you never have to keep a checklist.
Step 3: Get one written quote
We review free and send a written quote before any work begins. The quote is never based on refund size, and it does not change at the end.
Step 4: Approve and relax
A real, year-round preparer does the work, reviews it, signs it, and files it. You see every stage in the status tracker.
What you stop paying for
The upgrade screen at hour three. The per-state add-on. The fee for paying out of your refund. The premium tier you only needed because one form appeared. With one written quote, the games end.
Will I lose my prior-year data if I leave TurboTax?
No. Download the PDF of last year's return from your account before the season starts. It contains everything we need, and our office rebuilds carryovers like depreciation and capital loss balances from it.
Is switching worth it if my return is simple?
Honestly, maybe not. One W-2, one state, no credits in question can be fine in free software. Run our true cost calculator first. Switching pays off when you have self-employment income, multiple states, rentals, equity comp, or a year with big changes.
When is the best time to switch?
Before January. Off-season setup means your documents, prior return, and quote are already handled, so filing season becomes a short review instead of a scramble.
What does it cost to switch?
Nothing to start. The document review is free and ends with one written quote. Simple returns start at $50 and self-employed returns at $150. The quote is the price.