SELF TAX FILING- how many do it

[Mak K.]

So I use CPA and over the years as the portfolio gets larger CPA keeps bumping the rates. We use cpa for tax filing and do bookkeeping and Pl balance sheet Inhouse. 

I am thinking of filing the taxes myself.  We do have background in accounting and self tax filing back in years.

question

how many of you file taxes yourself. What software do you use and do you use third party to review it or let the software do its job?

[Ashish Acharya]

Hey Mak, I know this probably sounds cliché coming from a CPA, but if you only have one or two straightforward long-term rentals, doing your own taxes can sometimes make sense. As your portfolio grows, though, the tax return usually becomes much more complex, which is why fees often increase when the work is being done properly.

The real value of a CPA shouldn’t just be filing. It should be helping with things like depreciation schedules, passive loss carryovers, basis tracking, entity structuring, cost segregation opportunities, and planning for future purchases or sales. Tax software can process inputs, but it usually won’t catch strategy gaps or bigger-picture issues.

If you’re not feeling the value for what you’re paying, it may be worth finding a CPA who specializes in real estate instead of going fully DIY. Many investors keep bookkeeping in-house and have a CPA review or file the return, that hybrid approach can help control costs while still protecting you from mistakes and missed opportunities.

There are a lot of solid real-estate-focused CPAs here on BiggerPockets who work virtually, so it may be worth talking with a few. Happy to connect!