When you are young, without a lot of tax issues, it may take only an hour or so to prepare a Form 1040-EZ or Form 1040A. Once you own a home, you graduate to the more complex standard tax form, the 1040, with one or more additional schedules. The time comes when you realize you are spending a lot more time getting the return done, especially if you are uncertain how an item should be treated; you have to spend time researching the tax law. You begin to worry that you might not be handling things correctly, and fear that one day that dreaded letter from the IRS arrives. When I started as a CPA over 30 years ago, tax laws changed about every two years. But now it seems that almost every bill that Congress passes has an impact on taxes. I have to keep up with all those changes, at least to the extent of knowing how to research a specific problem in light of the tax code. Many of the rules aren't logical. They just are. So having someone who knows what the new laws are how to interpret them is key to your Tax Preparation survival and success! About Tom Healy He received the highest grade in Colorado on the November 1977 Uniform CPA Examination. After working for Arthur Young & Company (now part of Ernst and Young for a short time, he started his own company in 1979. In addition, he has taught accounting and business administration courses for Regis University's School for Professional Studies. In 1998 he took the course work and passed the examination to become a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA).