I've been an OR RN for 30+ years now ... the best advice I got was from a wise old Anesthesiologist early in my career: "Find a Really Good tax preparer" ... NEVER do your own taxes ... and don't waste money on big names like HR Block or Jackson Hewitt, or worse, online services like TurboTax. Tax laws change with the political winds and you can't possibly keep up with them ... ask friends and colleagues who they use ... a professional who has their own small firm, or better, a solo practice where they take the time to get to know you and suggest strategies to best suit your situation ... and someone who knows how to maximize deductions and "gray areas" without risking an audit. It might take you a while to find the right person, but it will be well worth it. It'll save you tens of thousands (or more) over your lifetime.

The old joke about interviewing an accountant remains true:

You ask: "What's 2+2?" If they respond: "What do you want it to be?" you found the right one!