Ask N.YC: What is the best (cheap) way to prepare taxes (for an individual and a small business)?

Hire an accountant. That's the easiest way.

If by "easiest" what you meant was "cheapest"... I used Turbotax online for personal stuff once and it seemed just fine. I don't use it for small business, though. I don't trust some scripted AI to give me actual financial advice.

If you don't understand tax or your situation is relatively complex, I guess go to a well-recommended accountant.

Otherwise, TurboTax is excellent (make sure to buy the version that corresponds to what you need to report, and also be on the lookout for deals- there are often good rebates or sales).

Agreed, if you understand tax law (and it's not that difficult if you just follow directions usually), TurboTax is the way to go.

I've been doing it for my personal and 1-man LLC for years. My new business partners actually went to a well-respected accountant, and they told us we should give TurboTax a try first.

I'll probably use H&R Block's Tango http://hrblock.com/tango next year.