When I need a quick answer to a fairly routine tax question, my go-to resource is the EY Tax Guide 2014, published by the accounting/consulting firm Ernst & Young.

This inexpensive and easy to read tax reference is perfect for practitioners and laypeople alike. It’s written in plain English, always a big plus for a tax reference. The index is especially well done, which makes looking up any topic a breeze. Examples of how rules work are provided for extra clarity, and, as the name implies, it is updated each year to stay current with the ever-changing tax laws.

While it won’t substitute for the services of an accountant when you’ve got a complex situation, this is a great place to start when you’ve got a run-of-the-mill tax question.

I’ve used it recently to help clients figure out whether an expense was tax-deductible as a business expense, as well as whether they qualify for a Roth IRA.