Interview: Beth Winstedt

Beth Winstedt is an accountant for my family in Virginia. Having been an Accountant for over 14 years qualifies her as an expert in her field. I utilized the "master/apprentice" method of research in order to educate myself about what exactly accountants do, and why they are needed. Below I listed some of the key take-aways I learned from this insightful interview:

Complex lifestyles equal added difficulty when filling out the 1040.

Gathering all of the forms needed(i.e. W-2) in order to fill out the 1040 is "Half the battle."

"Organize, organize, organize!"

Have a copy of the form from the previous year

People use alternate resources, such as; Taxing companies, and Accountants because they are easily intimidated or overwhelmed by the volume of information provided and needed to fill out a mere 2 page form.

In Beth's opinion, the EIC(Earned Income Credit), also known as the EITC(Earned Income Tax Credit) is the most difficult to understand for the average manual user filling out the 1040 form.

She volunteers for VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistants, which is an organization that provides free taxing services for those "in need"; mainly the elderly and low income persons according to Beth.

When a new tax law is passed, the 1040 is more complicated, and they have to "put it somewhere" or find a space within the lines of the form.

Feels there should be an "EASY TO FOLLOW "QUICK GUIDE" for the user BEFORE the form is filled out.

The 100 plus page booklet is one main reason people don't like to do their taxes themselves.

ALWAYS MAKE A COPY OF YOUR FORM before you mail it to the IRS.