Frankly, this whole thread is evidence of that. There's been a meme since before Intuit existed that tax prep in the US is akin to performing brain surgery on yourself. I do have enough oddball schedules these days that having an accountant is almost certainly a good idea but, honestly, I piggybacked on my parents' accountant for many years when I probably didn't really have a good reason to.

A lot of people have just convinced themselves that getting a Turbotax update or going to the H&R Block booth at Walmart is just one of those annual rituals you have to do if you're sensible.