[true_religion]

> They take the interpretation of tax laws and your personal situation that is most favorable to the IRS, though. This can amount to tens of thousands of dollars that you pay them needlessly.

I agree 100%.

Though, I think that most people hear stories about a multi-thousand dollar tax notice, and become terrified that the IRS will force them to pay that money.

However, as your story illustrates, the notice they give is the worst case scenario. If you have any kind of documentation, you can add that amend your return and it'll be accepted by the IRS drastically reducing your tax bill.

This is made easier, because you're working with a real live human being on the other end---one who at least in my case, I could call and ask questions like 'what do documentation do you specifically need to see for X?' instead of guessing as is the norm for non accountants working within the complex tax code.