One More Stupid Call

[kaimana]

Just don't do it

The message on my machine says that a message should be left with detail because this is a message phone and will not be answered. Calls will be returned based on priority of importance. Information requested by us should be left in the message as opposed to "call me".
Contact is also available via email and anyone using email will get a quicker response.
Once the clients docs are in our hands the clients seem to revert to the child like, "is it done yet". I don't mince words with my clients nor do I sugarcoat. When they ask when their return will be finished they are told "when it's done, dear".
the ones that ask when do I have to have the docs in in order to have the return filed on time..my response is "three weeks ago"... first in, first out and extensions can be expected if the docs are not in my office by 3/1 or are incomplete when they arrive.
kaimana

[BHoffman]

The message on my machine says that a message should be left with detail because this is a message phone and will not be answered. Calls will be returned based on priority of importance. Information requested by us should be left in the message as opposed to "call me".
Contact is also available via email and anyone using email will get a quicker response.
Once the clients docs are in our hands the clients seem to revert to the child like, "is it done yet". I don't mince words with my clients nor do I sugarcoat. When they ask when their return will be finished they are told "when it's done, dear".
the ones that ask when do I have to have the docs in in order to have the return filed on time..my response is "three weeks ago"... first in, first out and extensions can be expected if the docs are not in my office by 3/1 or are incomplete when they arrive.
kaimana

Perhaps your clients should receive these along with the tax organizers every year:

http://www.preparationh.com/hemorrhoid_medications/medicated_wipes.asp

_________________________
Intimidation is not a replacement for a good tax pro

[Larmil]

Perhaps your clients should receive these along with the tax organizers every year:

http://www.preparationh.com/hemorrhoid_medications/medicated_wipes.asp

_________________________
Intimidation is not a replacement for a good tax pro

I like your style!

[Snaggletooth]

This One is a Classic

Customer emailed yesterday that his partner needed Schedule E's completed by atleast the end of this week for his tax return. It has to be filed because of daughter's college Fasfa. This is 5 rental properities. He said if I could not do it he would get his partner's accountant to do it. Email him back to let his partner's accountant do them.

GeekGirl, this one takes the cake if you stop and think about it.

From your date of posting, it appears you received this communication on April 14th. Your client has a "partner" right? Wonder if he brought a K-1 from a real partnership, or engaged you to prepare a 1065.

His "partner" has his own accountant, according to the e-mail. Why didn't he call his accountant to begin with? Could it possibly be because his own accountant told him to buzz off with this ridiculous request? Never mind, I'll call the GeekGirl, right?

All he needs is schedule E's. Five of them. Since each of these properties is subject to passive loss or income limitations, how can they really be completed without knowledge of other income on the 1040? Also appears (to me) the reason for this sudden influx of schedule Es is to reduce his AGI so his daughter can apply for student aid. Why didn't his partner's accountant file these to begin with? Maybe because it is questionable that the losses are genuine?

If ignorance is bliss, these two must be the happiest guys in the state of Georgia. E-mail him back and let his partner's accountant do them? You betcha!!

[Lion]

Fafsa

By the way, FAFSA has a box to check if you're estimating items from your tax return and even asks if it's been filed yet. You don't have to have finalized your tax return to fill out FAFSA.

[S T]

Fafsa

Yes, thank goodness the clients can check estimated, as Fafsa would rather have the information in their hands in January before any W-2 forms, 1099 forms, etc are issued.

Fafsa should get on track with tax reporting deadlines

Sandy

[geekgirldany]

That is good to know on the Fasfa about the estimated part.... I can pass that info along in the future.

Snag, thing is I had already told this fella that I would not be able to work on his taxes and the rental props until May. I received the information for them to be completed on April 4th. So he already knew I could not do them. Last year I prepared the Schedule E's for my client and then printed his partner a copy of them. I had to overide a few entries. So his accountant went by the E's I prepared. This customer is the kind that thinks all I have to do is key the information in. If people could just understand that there is more to it than that.

Yeah I think he thought if he said he would have the other accountant do them that I would go "NO NO, I will do them". Pssh! Let him do them if he can, saves me time