Clients requesting prior yr AGI

[David1980]

What is the big deal here? Just tell them the line number on their 2007 return. You just have to look it up once for everyone.

Well you could perceive that question as suggesting "I do not feel that you provide a service worth as much as you charge." The customer is after all choosing not to use you to preparer their taxes this year and is going DIY so that might in fact be the real perception they have.

I can see how that would upset some people.

[BOB W]

What is the big deal here? Just tell them the line number on their 2007 return. You just have to look it up once for everyone.

[ChEAr$]

another way

is for that (former) client to authorize present preparer to use eServices at IRS to obtain
AGI.

BUT... if he's DIH (like DIY) tough!

[BP.]

Another suggestion is to tell them the can get it from the IRS. They need form ??, they will then find out it costs 57.00 (?) and it will take 3 months if they are lucky.

That's the route I took today when one of the clients who called stopped by for the info. I told them they can pay IRS $57 and wait 2-3 mos, or they can have me print a copy of their '07 return for half that price. They were cool with that, so I think that'll be my SOP on this issue.

But I do like the "go fly a kite" approach, Jesse!

[PIGLEE]

Another suggestion is to tell them the can get it from the IRS. They need form ??, they will then find out it costs 57.00 (?) and it will take 3 months if they are lucky.

[erchess]

Agree with Jesse

If they want information from last year's return the only way they get it free is by having me do this year's return for a fee.

[Jesse]

I'm going to get a box of kites at the local dollar store.

I'm not going to return their phone call. If they stop by the office to ask I will tell them to go fly that kite and they can contact me after April 15, as I'm too busy at the present time.

Actually, I've been too generous with my time but I've decided no more, because generally along with the AGI comes the "quick question". My mechanic charges me for his knowledge of which screw to turn, I will charge for my knowledge - and for you nonbelievers, I do have some - to prepare their tax return.

From now on I am going to tell them to look on their tax return or call me after April 15. They can call the DIY program and have them tell them where to find the AGI, but of course the problem is they are too lazy - I'm sure they have a good excuse in their own mind - to pull out their old tax return. So then they can call 1-800-829-1040 and request a transcript.

What do you think?

[BP.]

Have had three calls this week requesting last year's AGI --- how about you guys? Folks need it for DIY tax filing. Of course, after I tell them to look at their Client Copy , they say they can't find their copy.

I've told them all I'll look it up when I have a chance, and get back to them, which I haven't yet. If this'll be a trend, I'm thinking of solving this problem by offering them a copy of their last year return for a fee, rather than just give them the AGI info no charge.

Are you guys having this?