I’ve done my own taxes since I was 12 and wrote them out by hand — my mom made me file them, even though my paper route earned me basically nothing. I didn’t like it then, but it was great preparation for having to learn a new tax system when I went to college in the U.S. (I’m from Canada) and for learning to file self-employment income, and I actually think it’s a fun puzzle to work out.

For the past two or three years, I’ve used Simple Tax in Canada, and it’s the best. It made things super easy and painless, even with a bunch of medical/education deductions and self-employment income — and it operates by donation. For any Canadian Billfolders, I highly recommend it!

This year I was considering working with a pro, since my taxes will be more complicated (self-employment in Canada, then a move back to the U.S. for a job that gave me a W2), but after doing a bunch of research, I feel confident in choosing to do them myself. Curious to see what you decide, Nicole!