One More Stupid Call

[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

[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

[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.

[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!!

[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!

[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

[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

[Jesse]

I cringe at "quick" questions - why is it that when they say "I just have a quick question" you know they can ask it quick but it's seldom a quick answer!

[oceanlovin'ea]

"Friend"

Had a friend call me this morning around 8:20. She was driving on her way to work and wondered if I could just answer a couple of tax questions for her. I told her I couldn't right then because I had to get my grandchildren to school (2 different schools) and get to the chiropractor's office by 8:45. I was up almost all last night with pain in my right hip and down my right leg. So she says "Oh, I am so sorry. I know how bad that can hurt. Can you answer just one question for me then?"
She wanted to know if she mailed the extension today and then actually got her taxes done by tomorrow night, would that be okay? Or would she have to wait till later to file if she did an extension?
I told her send in the extension. It wouldn't matter.

Another friend did hers on Turbo Tax and it didn't give her vouchers for estimated payments and she wanted to know what to do.

I don't need any more "friends".

Linda

[JohnH]

Just a suggestion - here's what works for me with a lot of clients. I explain to them that the extension simply takes Apr 15 off the table as anything important. With the extension in, Apr 15 is no different that Apr 14 or Apr 16 - just another day.

The clients get worked up over "THE DATE" because the news media and (unfortunately) most tax preparers participate in the myth that it's somehow a critical or even especially important day. Convince them that the extension renders Apr 15 meaningless and then most of them will leave you alone. It has taken a while, but that's been my experience for many years. It also leaves me free to handle something truly unique or meaningful if it comes up, and I'm not dog tired & bleary-eyed while trying to do it.

[geekgirldany]

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.

[BHoffman]

I'm taking a real perverse pleasure in letting all calls go to voice mail today until I feel up to returning them. Maybe after lunch.

[Lion]

I know

It's something about the extensions. They're sure if they just keep talking to me the extension will not be necessary. Unfortunately, most of the extensions were my getting so backed up that I started giving extensions 15 March to clients who were used to never hearing the word "extension" at Block. Next year I work a bit faster or get an assistant in sooner or.... I guess I need to let more calls go to voice mail.

[JohnH]

The ones I already have on extension are calling the most.

Are you going to finish my return by the 15th?

I found two more checks

It's the 14th. What's happening?

Lion:
You've got to train your clients better than this - seriously.

[Lion]

Extensions

The ones I already have on extension are calling the most.

Are you going to finish my return by the 15th?

I found two more checks

It's the 14th. What's happening?

My ex-wife says I should contribute more to our son's college expenses

Will we file on time?

My girlfriend just told me, and she KNOWS, that ALL the lawyers' fees I pay for my divorce are deductible.

When will you submit my returns?

What kind of red wine do you like?

Can we file by the 15th?

My boyfriend's (father of child) accountant asks -- this is today the 14th -- if you could prepare our son's tax return. (Kiddie tax)

When are taxes due this year?