Is Your DIY Tax Software Competing Against the Tax Professional?
October 14, 2021
Hosted by Marcelino Dodge, EA
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Episode Description
Since 2018 more taxpayers are increasingly using do-it-yourself tax software. What many do not realize is that these same DIY software companies also provide software to tax professionals. For many people though this can be problematic, as just recently I had to amend a tax return for a new client who initially completed their return using one of these DIY software companies. For tax professionals to compete on this very tilted playing field they need to focus on making the personal connections that big corporations cannot. I started this process years ago by striving to use only companies, such as Taxware Systems, that do not compete against me by offering a similar product to my tax and accounting clients. My focus is on working with clients year around with tax planning and other financial strategies, so my clients can get the best overall financial results. Is your tax professional standing out by using their expertise to help you with complex tax problems that just cannot be handled by DIY software? Or, do they just do your taxes? Today, we discuss DIY software vs. the tax professional, a sizzling hot topic that is so important for both tax professionals and taxpayers.
The Tax Answers Advisor
Thursday at 9 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Business Channel
The tax world is always revolving and changing. How does the taxpayer keep up with both individual tax and business tax changes? The year 2020 saw thousands of pages added to the tax code. We help our listeners to understand the importance of using a licensed, credentialed tax preparer, such as an Enrolled Agent (EA), to prepare their individual tax returns and their business tax returns. You will learn how a proactive approach to rapidly changing tax laws will help you to pay the least amount of income tax possible. You’ll learn by working year-round with an Enrolled Agent. You can maximize both your tax deductions and your tax credits. Together we can help you create tangible strategies to achieve financial success and increase cash flow. By strategic planning and implementation, you can keep tax liability down in the future no matter what Congress does. The Tax Answers Advisor can be heard every Thursday at 9 AM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel.
Marcelino Dodge, EA
Marcelino Dodge, an Enrolled Agent since March 2006, is an experienced tax professional who has over 21 years of experience. An enrolled agent is a federally licensed tax professional who is authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Mr. Dodge owns and operates Cash Tracks Financial Inc., a tax, accounting, life insurance and investment advisory business.
Mr. Dodge has been life insurance licensed since 1995 and investment licensed since 1996. He is uniquely qualified with a background consisting of more than just accounting and tax preparation. He is knowledgeable in many types of employee benefits programs including retirement plans and health insurance programs. Marcelino is uniquely qualified to speak authoritatively on how tax, insurance and investments all work together.
Marcelino has become an Intelligent Solutions Management Advisor (ISMA). As an ISMA, Marcelino now works together with clients year-round to take advantage of tax law changes and to implement proactive tax saving strategies. Plus, by working together year-round he helps individuals and businesses increase they cash flow. He has prepared tax returns for individuals, sole-proprietors, corporations, LLC’s and partnerships. He has been a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals since 2011, and was voted the Lamar (Colorado) Ledger’s People’s Choice Tax Preparer for 2016 and 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Colorado State University in Pueblo.
