# Thank you DiosaBellissima! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 4, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519 "2011-03-04T21:15:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/21 "2011-04-05T16:37:57Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > **DiosaBellissima** , how do you suggest finding someone good who can prepare your return? Not for this year, as I’d imagine all the good folks are slammed at this point, but for next year? Definitely start by looking at CPAs and Enrolled Agents (or, ideally, someone that’s both- that’s two fancy certifications to one). Most of the preparers at places like H&R Block (as is my understanding) just took a Saturday class or two and that is their certification (though the IRS is forcing this to change). So, obviously, using someone who is properly certified will definitely do ya’ good AND probably wont cost you must more than going to a walk in place. I was shocked when I found out we actually charge less for most tax returns than the big tax prep factories because they nickel and dime you on every schedule and form they have to do. Second thing: check them out with the BBB. I know that’s sort of a ‘duh,’ but you’d be surprised how many people in this business have just tons of complaints. I’d even do a basic Google search, just to see what people online are saying about them. Also, if they are even remotely reputable, I’m sure they’d have some references for you to call. I know this seems like an awful lot to do, but having a good tax person is absolutely key. . . and hard to do. I can’t tell you how many clients come into our office (we do representation work before the tax agencies, not so much regular tax prep or anything) and were just totally boned by crappy, shiesty preparers. > [@Salem](#): > > I am not an accountant, cpa or anything related, nor have I ever played one on TV, however, I have used TaxAct online for years and it’s pretty darn good. My daughter had to file last year for the first time and decided to try it herself on TurboTax. I could not believe how difficult they made it for a 16yo to do the easiest of easy forms. I made her stop and switch to TaxAct and we whipped right through it. I would not recommend TurboTax to anyone. FWIW, I’d think a 16 year old could also do her own basic form by hand. It’s literally 1 page, she has no write offs (I mean, I can’t imagine she does), and it’s just adding, subtracting, and multiplying. I wouldn’t pay money to have that return done, since she could probably do it herself in about 5 mins. I’d say the same thing to an adult with no kids, no write offs, and a W2 job. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/22 "2011-04-05T18:28:28Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > I know she is not typical accountant-type. We’re Facebook friends. 😛 > > In all seriousness though, glad you were able to get some bad ass tax help. I bet it’s a huge weight off your shoulders isn’t it? Hey! She said I was the only guy she knew on Facebook! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/23 "2011-04-05T18:57:24Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Hey! She said I was the only guy she knew on Facebook! Wow. This just got real [hawkward.](http://www.howtobelikeme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/hawkward.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/24 "2011-04-05T19:02:27Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Hey! She said I was the only guy she knew on Facebook! Damn it, now we have to split up the week with her. I’ll take Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. How’s that sound? Or do you wanna have Sundays on a rotation type thing? ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/25 "2011-04-05T20:19:52Z")
Thanks, **DiosaBellissima**. Stupider question time: Would you just search the 'net for CPAs, then check a number of them out, or is there a good starting place? I have pretty simple taxes right now, but it looks like the situation might change soon, and I want help at that point. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/26 "2011-04-05T20:22:13Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > Thanks, **DiosaBellissima**. Stupider question time: Would you just search the 'net for CPAs, then check a number of them out, or is there a good starting place? > > I have pretty simple taxes right now, but it looks like the situation might change soon, and I want help at that point. You could use the BBB website to search for CPAs in your area. Or you could use the [National Association of Enrolled Agents website](http://www.naea.org/memberportal/). Or there’s always the phone book, followed up with a nice Google search :). ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/27 "2011-04-05T20:25:46Z")
Man, **congodwarf** is right. You are good. Thanks. Except, I don’t have a phone book. I AM LOST! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/28 "2011-04-05T20:26:52Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > Man, **congodwarf** is right. You are good. Thanks. > > Except, I don’t have a phone book. I AM LOST! No problem, I’m always happy to help! 😃 Fortunately for you, the Yellow Pages has an online version, my friend! ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/29 "2011-04-05T21:33:48Z")
Will wonders never cease?!?! ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/30 "2011-04-05T21:36:16Z")
Let’s talk about her real accomplishments. She introduced me to yellow concealer. So key for a gal whose dark circles rival those of [Fat Tony](http://media.ebaumsworld.com/2007/12/FatTony.jpg). Thanks, **Diosa**! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/31 "2011-04-05T21:54:51Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > Will wonders never cease?!?! I am some sort of tax wizard, lemme tell ya! > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Let’s talk about her real accomplishments. She introduced me to yellow concealer. So key for a gal whose dark circles rival those of [Fat Tony](http://media.ebaumsworld.com/2007/12/FatTony.jpg). Thanks, **Diosa**! Ha! You’re welcome! I’m sure you looking nothing short of stunning. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/32 "2011-04-06T00:28:46Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Damn it, now we have to split up the week with her. I’ll take Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. How’s that sound? Or do you wanna have Sundays on a rotation type thing? I get the days that end in “y”. I agree. You can have all the rest of them. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/33 "2011-04-06T06:05:15Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > I get the days that end in “y”. I agree. You can have all the rest of them. Sucker! ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/34 "2011-04-06T16:18:40Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > [Quote=BlueKangaroo] > Will wonders never cease?!? I am some sort of tax wizard, lemme tell ya! > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Let’s talk about her real accomplishments. She introduced me to yellow concealer. So key for a gal whose dark circles rival those of Fat Tony. Thanks, Diosa! Ha! You’re welcome! I’m sure you looking nothing short of stunning. [/QUOTE] And, apparently, a make-up pro too. How did I miss that? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/35 "2011-04-06T17:19:14Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > And, apparently, a make-up pro too. How did I miss that? Oh, not a makeup pro- just a girl who knows way too much about makeup. In fact, that may have been the thread title, “Ask The Girl Who Knows Too Much About Makeup.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519/36 "2011-04-06T23:41:36Z")
I’m amused. And also likely to hunt down that thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-diosabellissima/573519.md?page=1)