Before You Book Your Appointment… Let's Go Over a Few Things
Your tax estimate gives you a starting point — not your final refund. Think of it as a preview, not a guarantee. The numbers you saw are based on what you entered, but they're not locked in yet.
Before we lock in your appointment, let's make sure you understand what affects your numbers so there are no surprises when we file. We're going to walk through the real factors that determine your refund, what happens if you're self-employed, and how to know if DIY filing is actually right for you.
Ready? Let's break it down so you can move forward with total confidence.
Your Estimate Is Just the Preview — Not the Final Outcome
Your refund depends on information the estimator can't verify on its own. It's a great tool for getting a ballpark number, but it doesn't know if your income is accurate, if you can legally claim those dependents, or if you actually qualify for every credit you selected.
Here's what actually determines your final numbers when we sit down and file:
Verified Income
Your W-2s, 1099s, and all earnings must match what you reported. Missing income = IRS letters later.
Correct Filing Status
Single, married, head of household — it matters more than you think. This affects your tax bracket and credits.
Dependents You Can Legally Claim
The IRS has strict rules. We'll verify who qualifies so you don't lose your refund to an audit.
Credits You Actually Qualify For
Not everyone qualifies for every credit. Income limits, residency, and documentation all play a role.
What You Paid in Taxes Throughout the Year
Your withholding matters. If your job didn't take out enough, you might owe instead of getting a refund.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions
Most people take the standard deduction, but if you have major expenses, itemizing could save you more.
If anything was entered wrong or left out, your estimate will shift during your review — and that's 100% normal. That's exactly why we do a full verification before filing. No guesswork, no surprises.
Let's clear something up right now: your refund isn't extra cash from the government. It's your money that you overpaid throughout the year. The IRS is just giving it back.
Your refund is the difference between what you owed in taxes and what you already paid in through withholding or estimated payments. If you owed $5,000 in taxes but paid $7,000 through your paycheck withholdings, you get $2,000 back. If you owed $5,000 but only paid $4,000, you owe $1,000.
What You Owed
Based on your total income, filing status, deductions, and credits
minus What You Paid In
Withholdings from paychecks, estimated tax payments, or credits applied
Use the calculator below to get clear on why you might owe, why your refund changed, how your job's withholding impacted your numbers, how dependents shape your refund, and why self-employment taxes change everything.
Important If You're Self-Employed, a Gig Worker, or a Creator
If your income doesn't come from a W-2, read this. This includes you if you're earning from DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, or if you're a lash tech, MUA, nail tech, braider, esthetician, UGC creator, influencer, content creator, freelancer, side hustler, or getting paid via Zelle or CashApp.
Here's the reality: your refund heavily depends on documentation you might not even know you need. And most self-employed taxpayers miss 30–50% of their deductions when filing alone. That's money you worked for, left on the table.
Mileage Logs
Every business mile counts. Track them or lose hundreds (even thousands) in deductions.
Receipts & Expenses
Supplies, inventory, equipment, software — it all adds up to lower your tax bill.
Full Income Reporting
The IRS gets copies of your 1099s. If you don't report it all, they'll catch it and you'll owe penalties.
Your appointment includes a full verification and deduction review — to catch every dollar you're owed. We'll walk through your business expenses, verify your income, and make sure you're not leaving money on the table. This isn't just tax prep. It's protecting what you earned.
DIY works only when your taxes are simple. And by simple, we mean really simple. Like, one-W-2-no-dependents-no-credits-no-life-changes simple.
Use DIY software only if your taxes look exactly like this:
Safe for DIY
One W-2
No dependents
No unemployment
No 1099s
No credits
No life changes
Stop. File With a Pro.
Kids or dependents
Head of Household status
Daycare expenses
Earned Income Credit
Child Tax Credit
Multiple jobs
Gig or cash income
Business write-offs or mileage
Still thinking about DIY? Consider this: DIY tools won't stop you from filing wrong. But the IRS will catch it later. They'll send letters. They'll adjust your refund. They'll charge penalties and interest. And then you'll be scrambling to fix it — usually costing more than hiring a pro in the first place.
Real talk: If you've got kids, credits, multiple jobs, or any 1099 income — filing with a pro protects your refund and your peace. We catch the mistakes before the IRS does.
What Happens Next: Let's Make Your Filing Stress-Free
You're almost there. Here's exactly what happens from here to your refund hitting your account. No confusion, no back-and-forth, no stress.
01
Upload Your Documents
W-2s, 1099s, income statements, dependent info — everything goes into our secure portal. No scanning required, just snap photos and upload.
02
Book Your Appointment
Pick a date and time that works for you. Virtual or in-person, we'll make it easy. You'll get a confirmation and reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
03
We Verify Everything
I confirm your dependents, check credits, review deductions, and finalize your real refund. This is where we catch errors, maximize your return, and make sure everything's bulletproof.
04
File Clean, Confident, and Accurate
No guesswork. No missed money. No IRS drama. You'll get copies of your return, a breakdown of your refund, and peace of mind that it's done right.
Your refund gets filed electronically, and most people see their money in 10–21 days. We'll track it with you and answer any questions along the way.
No jargon, no judgment. Just clear, straight talk about your taxes and your money. You'll actually understand what's happening with your return.
We Catch What DIY Software Misses
Deductions, credits, dependent rules — we know the ins and outs. Our clients average 23% higher refunds than they estimated on their own.
We File With Confidence
Every return is reviewed, verified, and backed by a pro. If the IRS has questions, we handle it. You're covered.
You deserve a tax prep experience that feels like working with someone who actually gets it. Someone who's on your side, protecting your money, and making sure you get every dollar you're owed. That's what we do.
"I was about to file with TurboTax and got an estimate of $2,800. Tax Bestie found deductions I didn't even know existed and got me $4,200. I'm never filing alone again."
— Jasmine T., Content Creator
"I drive for Uber and DoorDash and had no idea I could write off mileage and expenses. Tax Bestie walked me through everything and saved me over $3,000 in taxes. Worth every penny."
— Marcus R., Gig Worker
"I have three kids and didn't understand Head of Household or the Child Tax Credit. Tax Bestie explained everything in a way that actually made sense. My refund was double what I expected."
— Keisha M., Single Mom
These aren't special cases. This is what happens when you work with someone who knows the tax code and actually cares about maximizing your return. You're not just a number in a queue. You're a client, and your money matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my refund is lower than my estimate?
We'll walk you through exactly why. Usually it's because of income verification, credit eligibility, or withholding adjustments. We'll also help you fix your W-4 so next year is better.
How long does the appointment take?
Most appointments are 30–60 minutes depending on complexity. Self-employed clients usually need closer to an hour. We'll give you a time estimate when you book.
Can I still get help if I already filed?
Absolutely. If you filed DIY and think you left money on the table, we can review your return and file an amendment if needed. It's not too late.
What if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?
We'll explain why, help you understand your options, and set up a payment plan if needed. Owing doesn't mean you did something wrong — it just means your withholding needs adjusting.
Do you handle audits or IRS letters?
Yes. If the IRS sends a letter about a return we filed, we handle it. If you get a letter about a return someone else filed, we can help with that too.
What documents do I need?
W-2s, 1099s, Social Security numbers for you and dependents, childcare expenses, and any receipts or mileage logs if you're self-employed. We'll send you a full checklist when you book.
Ready to File with Confidence?
You've got the information. You know what affects your refund, what to watch out for, and why filing with a pro makes sense. Now it's time to take the next step and get your taxes done right.
Upload your documents, book your appointment, and let's get you every dollar you're owed. No surprises. No stress. Just a clean, accurate return and your money back where it belongs — in your account.