Clients requesting prior yr AGI

[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?

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[tilt53]

I think the "deal" is that we have to stop what we're doing, close the file we're working on, open the prior year, look up the information, and give it to a client who already has access to the information but is too lazy to go find the return we gave him last year. They paid us for last year's return, but now want additional info. Let them figure out where they filed their copy. We have met our obligations. Why should we have to give them information so that they can bypass us?

[Gary]

Question

You don't want to lose clients over a matter of principal. The original poster didn't imply that the three clients that requested information were not coming back this year.

[David1980]

You don't want to lose clients over a matter of principal. The original poster didn't imply that the three clients that requested information were not coming back this year.

He didn't? "Folks need it for DIY tax filing." - I read that as implying the clients are not coming back. Maybe I misinterpreted.

[JohnH]

I'm sympathetic to both sides of the argument, but my personal response would be to give them the info at no charge (unless it's a client I want to hassle to try and be sure they don't return). DIY's sometimes give up after spending a little time trying, or they occasionally come back in a year or two anyhow. So to hamstring them over a relatively minor issue like this is just guaranteeing they will go somewhere else if they do later decide to have the return prepared.

Considering that most of us will agree to spend a few minutes speaking on the phone with a prospective new client at no charge in order to generate business, why not extend the same courtesy to an existing client? I'd put it in the category of goodwill. On the other hand, if they want me to "answer a few quick questions" while we're o the line, then it's going to switch over to chargeable time.

If I'm occupied with a return when they call or it's otherwise inconvenient at the moment, I'd just tell them I'll email the AGI info to them as soon as I can get to it. (always looking to capture that email address if it's not already on file)

[dsi]

In my area, nothing if free. Time is money.

[JohnH]

So how much do we owe you for posting that last comment?

[Snaggletooth]

Section 7216

Have had three calls this week requesting last year's AGI --- how about you guys? Folks need it for DIY tax filing.

Can you imagine someone who is DIY who can't even find the AGI from last year's return? Stupid knows no limits.

Anyone this stupid would never get past new disclosure rules under Section 7216. Tell them they have to come by your place and sign a release. You can't release information over the phone. They have to see you personally.

That way they either come back or have to go to more trouble than it is worth to DIY.