<prompt> Human: I have no dependents, exemptions or deductions so I use the 1040ez form. I do have a 401k I just started this year. Would paying 200 to a tax service get me a big enough return to offset the cost?  <response>: If you did your taxes wrong and the professional does them right, then you might get more back. Or the other way around TBH. Tax professionals dont do any magic to get people higher refunds. They follow the tax code, which admittedly they know well. But the point of tax software like TurboTax is that it also follows the tax code and asks you the appropriate questions, especially for a basic situation like yours. 