As I was driving to work this morning, I passed Liberty Tax Service. They are advertising “Get $50.00 now”. Last night when I was web surfing, I saw that Jackson Hewitt was offering a $50.00 Walmart gift card for filing with them. I do not do such things. If I charged $200.00 for a basic family tax return, I would. However, I only charge $90.00, even with the State return, earned income credit and child tax credits. I believe in delivering low fees and high value. I do not believe in gimmicks.
Last year I ran a special in which I said that for anybody transferring from H&R Block, Liberty Tax Service or any CPA, that I would charge 50% of the previous tax preparer’s price or mine, whichever is less. It was always mine. I am going to rerun that special this year and I am going to add Jackson Hewitt to the list. I am unfamiliar with their fee structure, but would imagine that it is in line with H&R Block, especially given that they are offering $50.00 gift cards. If you paid $100.00 or more to any of these tax preparers last year, then I will save you at least $50.00, and probably more, right up front.