re: recommend a CPA

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All of the heavy lifting was done

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What do you mean by that? The firm still had to analyze everything you have them, and then process the amended return.

A firm like P&N (I don't work there but I know a whole bunch of their guys and gals) is going to provide high quality tax services for high complex situations. Their rates are high. A smaller firm probably could have done it for less than $800 and probably could have done it faster.

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when they only charged my gf $400 to originally file her taxes which are way more complex

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I've never seen them get a 1040 out the door for $400. Does she have a business return that they also file, that maybe they stuck a lot of the cost on the business return?

Also, you said earlier that by filing late they cost you some money. You should end up in the same place - if IRS scooped the current year refund before they processed the prior year amendment, when they process the amendment, you will now have an overpayment on the amended year and they will refund that money to you. It will take longer, yes, but in the end you should be in the same place.

ETA: What I'm trying to say is that P&N is a great shop but if you have a simple 1040, their prices will probably be in excess of what you need, and since your return is very small to them, they probably won't rush to complete it.