Q: Once I commit to the redesign, what’s the process really like?

According to Denise Calderon, who started doing accounting when she was 18, “No. At one point, almost everyone will need a CPA, but not right away. An 18-year-old who files a simple W-2 tax return will not, but life changes. People get married, buy a house, have children, maybe invest in real estate, buy stocks or other investments.”

Then, there is retirement. Planning for it is important. Depending on a person’s age and retirement goals, the first item on most people’s retirement lists is an IRA, a Roth IRA, maybe a 401k through their place of employment. They are wonderful vehicles for saving money and deferring taxes. 

“Now is the time you need a CPA. I always tell my clients to max out their contribution to their retirement account. No matter whether it is their own or benefits provided by their employer. And to leave it alone. Early withdrawals are penalized, and people often do not realize and account for the tax liability they will incur. Some of my clients are on Social Security and have no idea that up to 85% of social security is taxed!”

Our tax codes can be as inscrutable as ancient hieroglyphics. There are so many of them, and they are constantly changing. Even tax professionals can have trouble keeping up with them. “If your taxes are getting too complicated, if you suspect you may not be getting all the deductions you qualify for, or if you just do not want to do them anymore, hire me or a professional like me. I will say that I love what I do. And I try to make taxes, yes, even taxes, a fun and relaxing experience.”