W-2 only with a straightforward return? TurboTax is probably fine. But once you have rental income, a business, equity compensation (RSUs or options), significant investment activity, or you're self-employed - the complexity goes up fast and the errors get expensive.
A good CPA or tax preparer asks questions. They look at last year's return and flag things that seem off or missed. They think about future-year planning, not just compliance. The difference between a good and average preparer on a complex return can easily be $2,000-$5,000 in taxes, which more than covers their fee.
CPA fees in the DMV run $300-$500 for basic returns, $800-$2,000+ for complex situations with business income or equity comp. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund - that's a red flag for aggressive and potentially illegal deductions. Make sure they have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) at minimum.