Finding deductions after return filed

[zeros]

Had my first for the year of client calling a couple of days later after he signed off on his return and was sent in electronically, that he found a couple of additional deductions. "I forgot about the my electrician license fee and also I had one more auto tab. Will it make any difference?" This make a small difference and I suppose the return will have to be amended. How do you avoid something like this? Hold the return, routinally, for awhile before sending. I have 2-3 a year of this. How do you preparers do it?

[David1980]

Like you, I've got 2-3 per year. I figure it's such a small number and I'm pretty quick on amended returns that I don't worry about it. Depending on who it is (IE, is it that one guy I want to get rid of) I may charge a high fee (high for me on 15 minutes of work is $50 or $100) or I may do it for some token amount ($15).

[S T]

Hold Returns

I know we try to process as fast as possible and keep the work flow moving, but somehow in my practice I have just learned which clients are the ones that never seem to give me all of the information up front, or will call a few days later, and say you know or they are still trying to reduce that tax liability or increase their refund.

After phone conversations, and emails or faxes and questioning, some of those clients I just put on hold for a couple of days! Just finished one of those tonight, that was one email, after the other for the last 5 days. I finally just told them, when you are done thinking about it and you have "finally" provided me with the information, I will work on your return. They finally told me the were done and I had everything that they could provide me!

No easy answer on this one!

Sandy

[taxea]

I send my clients worksheets to insure that they don't miss anything. In this case I would ask for the figures, put them in the return to see how much it changes the refund/tax due and then with this information tell the client that since the error was his, it will cost him $150plus to amend the return. The choice is his from that point.taxea

[Uncle]

thre are always some

This happens frequently with desperate clients who demand bank products. I tell them up front that if they have forgotten anything, my minimum fee for an amended return is $100. Naturally, they swear they have brought it all. So it is a source of extra income for me.

[BHoffman]

Yep. Charge for those amended returns and let them know whether it will be worth it.

[taxea]

Uncle..that is exactly why I keep a copy of every document they give me. taxea

[MAJ]

FInding Deductions after returns are filed.

My wife books all of my appointments.
Over time she has come to learn {as I have} which clients this tends to impact.
Usually the contractors who are un-organized.

If they call too early she tends to push them back a week (or two) stating that I am booked. If they press for a sooner appointment of course we'll comply.

However, Amended returns will cost them. I charge according to time spent.

I too started keeping a copy of everey document that contains data relevent to the return. I scan to a PDF file and create a subdirectory for each client. Even docs related to school clarification, etc. I'm trying to cover myself as best I can.

I also print a copy of their return to PDF as well so I know the return remains unchanged post filing. Takes an extra minute but it's well worth the effort.

I can also password proect the PDF file so if the client needs a copy I can {on rare occasions} email it to them. Not something I prefer to do, but it is an option. Are there any legal issues with this?