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    Rate Schedule

    Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?

    #2
    Originally posted by peggysioux View Post
    Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?
    I have no "rate schedule"; only what I've programmed in the computer to guide me after the
    return is done.

    Above all, no quotes on the phone. Generally I ask a prospect to bring in last year's return
    so I can look it over and tell them roughly what I would have charged last year.

    And if the previous preparer's invoice just happens to be in the folder, I can look at it almost always and say
    "not THAT much!"
    ChEAr$,
    Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

    Comment


      #3
      I stopped giving quotes on the phone even if it is only one W-2. We all know that one W-2 can mean very little or quite a bit more. I explain this and also tell them at what price my returns start. Then I offer to come in and give them a quote.

      Yes, it is always good to see the prior year invoice. Since I am not in the biz of offering the lowest price in the area, invoices from competitors surely help me to price my returns adequately.

      Comment


        #4
        Quote over the phone?

        That is like doing a haircut over the phone.

        Isn't going to get done.

        I don't do quotes.

        Even if they bring in their information, I give them a range with a spread of about $50. In writing.
        Jiggers, EA

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          #5
          Good Answers

          We have gotten burned before by "quoting" a fee and when the tp brings in info fee should've been twice as high? SO NO fees over the phone - Even with all my employees on board with this "policy" I'll still get a couple of tp every year that will try to say "lady on phone said my fee would only be..." - I then stop them and ask who exactly they spoke to because I'm FIRING that person on the spot! Then its like well I'm not sure when I called OR who I talked to.....

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            #6
            standard minimum

            Originally posted by peggysioux View Post
            Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?
            Peggysioux - I will tell someone that my MINIMUM for a Schedule C return is $X ($300) but there may be additional charges based on the number of forms to be completed.

            Comment


              #7
              Last Year

              I also say I will give them my price for their prior year return so they can compare apples to apples and invite them to drop it off. Then I give a range, more like $100 range. And, ask them what changed, so I can alert them if that triggers a pricey form or two. You know, like the one who drops off his simple return and then mentions his wife started selling real estate.

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                #8
                Told a client today that I had a minimum fee - I could see it was very simple. 'Are you OK with that?' (since he said I did it for him years ago for nothing. Well, he didn't have to file so I didn't charge him. But I said 'Now where are you going next year? To the senior's center right'.
                JG

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                  #9
                  Ha Ha.....

                  How can you compete with the Senior Center?

                  I had a "walk-in" that wanted to know what I charged for a simple return, he didn't want to wait in line at the Senior Center. He got rather belligerent with me - he thought $10 for a couple of minutes would do - after all the Senior Center does it for free! I just responded, now how can I compete with that - I suggest you go back and wait in line.
                  http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/

                  Comment


                    #10
                    How to respond?

                    Originally posted by Jesse View Post
                    How can you compete with the Senior Center?

                    I had a "walk-in" that wanted to know what I charged for a simple return, he didn't want to wait in line at the Senior Center. He got rather belligerent with me - he thought $10 for a couple of minutes would do - after all the Senior Center does it for free! I just responded, now how can I compete with that - I suggest you go back and wait in line.
                    "$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"
                    Jiggers, EA

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Jiggers View Post
                      "$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"
                      Priceless!!!!
                      http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Jiggers View Post
                        "$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"
                        Fantastic, simply and truthfully put.

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                          #13
                          I plan to start advising callers who ask for my fee that my fee STARTS at $200 and
                          goes up for complexities. This should make these callers go elsewhere. I do not want
                          them anyway.

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