TAX SEASON QUESTION: Am I overpaying for services?

I want to get a feel about the range accountants charge in the state. My accountant is based in Howard county. Since I’ve started with them I’ve moved out the county, but kept him for the services. $350/hr is charged for CPA, $125/hr for associate & bookkeeper && idr the rest.

Every year I see an increase (which I can understand but see history below) and they charge a $150 base package that gives you audit defense, tax fraud remediation and IRS/State correspondence response OR for $200 you get an additional 3 hours of consultation for the year.

Is charging for a package of services typical with accountants?

I haven’t been audited and I don’t utilize the 3 hours of consultation (which I know I should’ve by now)

2023 was the first year having my small business and paying $200 for them to fill out my Personal Property tax return. Thats one reason for the increase from ‘22-‘23.

They don’t send out the PPT form, I’ve finally understood that I need to do it myself and the $200 doesn’t go to the $300 yearly fee that goes with the PPT (I thought that’s what I was paying for). I feel like this is easy money and I should learned to do it myself.

I’ve kept the services cause in 2022 I owed taxes, but then I was able to get some money back after using an accountant. I figured it’s better than filling it out on my own.

In my years I’ve submitted 1-2 w2, 1-5 1099 forms (INT, K, Composite for brokerage accounts), and only recently submitted spreadsheets of my expenses for my business. Previous years I gave a low estimate

What are your experiences with filling out the PPT and accountant rates?

Here’s what I’ve been paying for the services

First year was tax year 2022 - $450

2023 - $700

2024 - $1100

2025 - $1400

Thanks for any help and insight !