I am an accountant, and I used to do taxes for a living. Thus, I know what I'm talking about.
If you feel like you don't understand what you're doing - then you don't. And you can seriously mess it up and cause yourself some big problems.
I love how, in this DIY forum, we always get these types of things. Plumbers who say, "I'm a plumber, so I know what I'm talking about, don't try to do it yourself", Realtors who chime in with "I'm a Realtor, so I know what I'm talking about, don't do it yourself. Electricians, car mechanics, and on and on and on. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy expert schedules to come on here and be an asshole.
Well I am NOT an accountant and I've done my own taxes many times. Google anything you're confused about. It's not that hard in most cases, and you need to understand it no matter who does your taxes.
I completely agree. It's not that hard in most cases. However, the people who read this site are by definition an elite group of people. The average person (not trained to do taxes and not reading financial sites regularly) are terrified of the IRS, taxes, tax forms, etc. Even if you're not scared of the topic, there are times when you really do need professionals to help. You'd go to the doctor for a broken bone, right?
If all you have is a W-2, then sure you can do your own. Interest, dividends, student loan interest, go for it. For educated individuals up to the challenge, go ahead and itemize deductions. But when you're uncomfortable, that's a sign that you need to get some help.
Capital gains/losses, rentals, businesses, K-1s, 1031 exchanges, death, divorce, massive changes in your life - maybe you need to get some help. At least the first year. It's a lot easier to continue something that's stable than figure it out the first time on your own.
For the record, I do my own taxes. I'm encouraging my friends to learn to do theirs, and helping them through the process with the goal that they will be able to do it next year. But there is a point where DIY is not the best idea.