[PopAlongKid]

> if they don't have a CPA.

There are alternatives to CPAs, who are licensed by individual states and don't necessarily specialize in taxes. Several states, including California, require testing and registration for paid tax preparers who aren't CPAs or Enrolled Agents. EAs are the only federally-licensed tax professionals with unlimited practice rights before the IRS.

It's reasonable to assume that CPAs pass along the costs of their marketing and lobbying efforts to their clients, without any guarantee of higher quality compared to the other professionals available.