How do you decide between doing taxes yourself vs using a professional — what actually saves more in the long run?

I’ve been seeing a lot of mixed advice around whether it’s better to file your own taxes using software or to work with a professional. Some people say DIY is cheaper and straightforward, while others argue that professionals often uncover deductions or mistakes that more than cover their fee.

For those who have tried both approaches:

• Did a professional actually reduce your tax burden or just make the process easier?
• At what income level or life situation (freelancing, investments, property, side income, etc.) did DIY stop making sense for you?
• How do you evaluate whether the cost of hiring someone is justified over time?

I recently came across how firms like JTC CPAs approach tax planning with a long-term perspective rather than just filing forms, which made me curious about how much strategic planning really matters versus basic compliance.

Would love to hear real experiences — especially from people who switched from self-filing to professional help (or vice versa). What actually made the biggest difference for you?