Are frequent tax rule changes worth paying an accountant?

[Rowan Ash]

How often do U.S. tax rules shift, leading to compliance worries and endless deductions? Do we truly need an expensive accountant just for simple, small balance filings?

[Mark]

U.S. tax rules change frequently, but the good news is that most of those shifts mainly affect higher-income earners or very complicated deductions. For simple filings with small balances, most people manage fine just by using reliable tax software. Honestly, an expensive accountant is usually only necessary if you have tricky income sources, detailed itemized deductions, or messy state-specific complications.

[Rowan Ash]

@Mark Tax software is great for a standard 9-to-5, but when does a side hustle or multi-state income make it too risky to do it yourself? I'm trying to find the point where an accountant's fee is justified by the savings and peace of mind.