# Chain tax store vs private vs software **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209 "2012-04-18T21:53:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209/1 "2012-04-18T21:53:36Z")
I’m trying to get my taxes done. I’m wondering how cost (charge) and benefits (doing taxes correctly, getting largest potential refund, negotiating lower penalties) compare between chain tax stores, private filers, software, etc. In my case, I have past years to do for myself, a deceased relative to do for this year, and possibly estate taxes. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209/2 "2012-04-18T23:33:01Z")
If you have to ask, the answer is that you need to retain a professional. Particularly if you have several years of back taxes you’re filing, which it sounds like you do. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-tax-store-vs-private-vs-software/619209/3 "2012-04-19T02:36:19Z")
There is no software that I know of for the estate tax, and I’d venture to guess that most of the chain tax preparers never deal with it.