Tax prep software - check my cpa's numbers

[Ronstar]

^^I describe total tax comparisons (that include quarterlies) in post 24. Middle paragraph where it says total tax.

I'm only addressing what is paid on 4/15 because that is what will vapor lock my 96 yo MIL. She doesn't remember the quarterlies. That is the only reason I went down the 4/15 rabbit hole.

 

[Jerry1]

^^I describe total tax comparisons (that include quarterlies) in post 24. Middle paragraph where it says total tax.

I'm only addressing what is paid on 4/15 because that is what will vapor lock my 96 yo MIL. She doesn't remember the quarterlies. That is the only reason I went down the 4/15 rabbit hole.

I feel your pain. I did the taxes of a very nice elderly lady. When it came time to pay, it was always stressful. One year she got a big royalty check from a gas well. Helping her understand what happened was difficult. Sometimes, dealing with the person is more difficult than preparing the taxes. She also had to start paying estimated taxes after that since her withholding wasn’t going to be enough, so April 15th I had to explain why she needed to write two big checks. It isn’t easy being the bearer of bad news, no matter how accurate it is.

 

[wolf]

Can’t you just put this years return next to last years return and see what the difference is? That’s what I would do. Then, if the difference isn’t something you understand or agree with, go back to your tax preparer and get clarification. With the magnitude of differences you describe, the difference should be obvious. I’m surprised the preparer didn’t go over this with you, assuming they did the returns last year. Unless you’re paying them by the hour, you probably should just start by asking the preparer what happened. They might have a year to year comparison they can go over with you. Turbo Tax had a high level year over year comparison that would help in this situation, their software probably does too.

OP. Should be obvious if you follow this suggestion. IMHO, Maybe, you do not understand how to do
this.
Simple solution. Call your tax preparer. Ask, Why the big difference in Tax due. 2023 vs 2024.

 

[Ronstar]

Jerry1 said:
Can’t you just put this years return next to last years return and see what the difference is? That’s what I would do. Then, if the difference isn’t something you understand or agree with, go back to your tax preparer and get clarification. With the magnitude of differences you describe, the difference should be obvious. I’m surprised the preparer didn’t go over this with you, assuming they did the returns last year. Unless you’re paying them by the hour, you probably should just start by asking the preparer what happened. They might have a year to year comparison they can go over with you. Turbo Tax had a high level year over year comparison that would help in this situation, their software probably does too.

OP. Should be obvious if you follow this suggestion. IMHO, Maybe, you do not understand how to do
this.
Simple solution. Call your tax preparer. Ask, Why the big difference in Tax due. 2023 vs 2024.

Yes I did that. Very helpful. I really don't need to calculate my taxes to check the CPA. I can see the big difference of capital gains in the comparison.