But the number preparing their returns manually still outranked those who go to the Web or buy their own software with 17 percent reporting they will fill in their own numbers. Among those aged 18 to 34 years old 16 percent  plan to use online programs compared to 2 percent of those who are older than 65. The older group is much more likely to hire a paid preparer, 69 percent, while among the younger group only 55 percent will go to a pro.