tax help?

[misterthorn.livejournal.com]

I'm considering asking H&R Block to help me address some medium-size tax questions and concerns, but I thought I'd post here first and see if anyone can recommend someone local that they've worked with and had a good experience with.

Thanks in advance for any leads!

Comments

[smammy]

Avoid H&R at all costs!

My partner and I see Diane O'Brien. She specializes in freelancers and small business owners, which has been great for us. She's right in Davis Square (7 Davis Square, actually). Her number is 617-591-8383.

[donotforsake.livejournal.com]

Charlie at James' Associates on highland is really good.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I use Richard at James' Associates and have been very happy with him.

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

see also http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1634632.html

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

I've talked to a number of tax preparers in the area, esp. the ones frequently recommended in this community, and I wasn't really thrilled with any of them. (I am just a pickypants I guess.) That said Diane O'Brien would be the best of the ones I have dealt with. She is more expensive than James Assoc, but worth the price difference, I think.

Not the most local but . . .

[tom-champion.livejournal.com]

Outstandingly experienced, up-to-date, competent and thorough:
http://www.barilsmith.com

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

Diane O'Brian. $250 for fairly standard home owner tax prep. This year I'm doing my online with the 'upgraded' service from one of local providers for 1/5th the cost.

[tlaad.livejournal.com]

I've also seen Diane O'Brien and liked her.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Richard at James Associates has done good work for me and easily ironed out my tax concerns after H&R Block told me it was "too much work" for them to deal with. I've had some bad experiences with the receptionists at James Associates however, so YMMV.

[soong.livejournal.com]

I had a bad experience with HR Blockheads (Central Sq office).
Dunno about people you could ask questions of, but I've been happy with TurboTax online since then. When I note that I have Schedule K to file, it doesn't cower in fear it just takes the data and does the right thing.

[mjperson.livejournal.com]

I always have a good experience with H&R Block in Teele. They know what's going on, and charge reasonable rates.

[leko.livejournal.com]

I've been really happy with Rich at James Associates the past 3 years.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Seconded for Diane O'Brien. She does good work and is super-nice, right next door to Diesel.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

+2 for Diane O'Brien.

Wow!

[misterthorn.livejournal.com]

Thank you everyone for all the comments! I will be sure to let you know who I see and what comes of it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D

[witchdogtor.livejournal.com]

I used her last year after positive reviews here, and she had me owing Uncle Sam. I liked her as a person, but I then went to the Harvard students' free service and they got me money back. Glad I got a 2nd opinion.

[apricot3.livejournal.com]

i'm assuming the free service is only for current harvard students and not gf's of div alumni... but just checking!

how much did she charge even though you didn't use her results?
i freelanced and have about 7 companies plus unemployment to file for so i'm debating handing it off to someone else though i can't afford to do so because i know i owe :/

my findings

[misterthorn.livejournal.com]

First I called Diane's office, but was informed that, at this time, she was not accepting new clients. Understandable, given the time of year.

Next I called James Associates, and have since met with Rich there. He is a great guy and is proving to be a tremendous help sorting out some moderately complicated and old tax issues.

Thanks for the recommendations and discussion everyone, it really helped!