Rant thread

[Larmil]

I've had the distinct satisfaction of charging "Child Distraction" fees for several clients already this year. Makes me feel loads better as I vacuum the cracker crumbs from the carpet.

"Pet Peeve"- As someone who is owned by a couple of canine pals, I used to smile sympathetically when asked (facetiously, but frequently!) if pets can be claimed as dependents. Then I had to endure client's vet-bill-rant. I'm shutting that one down this year. With head down, straight face, serious tone, I'm asking- Yeah, do you have their SSN's?

I remember the year we first started having to furnish dependent SSN's. The number of dependents claimed dropped drastically.

[erchess]

Mistake I made

I once told a client "You can't claim Rover as a dependent because he doesn't have a social security number." The next year they were back in and they had what looked for all the world like a genuine Social Security Card with the name "Rover Canine Smith". I wonder if Rover has had or will have his identity stolen.

[BP.]

I once told a client "You can't claim Rover as a dependent because he doesn't have a social security number." The next year they were back in and they had what looked for all the world like a genuine Social Security Card with the name "Rover Canine Smith". I wonder if Rover has had or will have his identity stolen.

SSN card- Weird, but kind of adorable!

[Black Bart]

Para-lawyer

...But, you gotta love the ones who call you with a legal question because their lawyer would charge them!

These are the ones that just kill you -- they'll do anything to avoid a lawyer fee 'cause they absolutely know you'll be cheaper.

Elderly guy came in last fall -- said "Are you a notary REpublican?"
BB: "Yes" (can a Democrat be a notary public?).
EG: "How about drawing up a will for me? That lawyer downtown wants $100 to do it."

I don't know whether to be flattered that he thinks I can do it or insulted because he thinks I'll do it for less (never mind that he doesn't know I can't practice law -- although I did hack around on one or two back in the old days before everybody got so dang picky).

[powerage]

Had a client today asking where her check was. I wanted to say "what part of we will call you when your check is ready part did you not understand"? Plus, it has not been 8-15 days yet.

[geekgirldany]

I've mentioned this before on the forum... but my poor cat has endured alot from the kiddies. He has a chair that he lays in next to my desk. Of course the client's kids want to play with him and pet him. My cat though it not friendly. I don't even think he likes me half the time. I have the scratch and bite marks to prove it.

Most of the time the parents will keep their children away from him while he goes and finds a hiding space under my desk. Well last year these people brought their kids in and they were wild. I mean I've seen these kids at stores like this but never had any in my office. They decided to chase my cat down. I mean they were down on their hand and knees crawling under my desks. My cat was hissing and puffing up.

Parents just stood there listening to me. Not saying a thing to the kids. I was trying to talk to them and make sure the kids did not get bitten. I finally told the kids "Get up out of the floor and leave the cat alone. I won't be responsible if he bites or scratches you. I've told you twice already and this makes the last time.".... with the last part looking at the mother. She took them up and made them sit while the return was finished.

Everytime a child comes in now I grab the cat if he hasn't already ran away and put in the back room. He doesn't deserve the same punishment I get j/k

[abctax]

"Child Distraction" fee....

I now have a new item for invoicing, thanks!

[powerage]

about to pull my hair out...

Hey y'all, great posts...we can all relate. I love the child distraction fee. What about a destroy the office fee? The faster it is destroyed, the higher the fee.

Now for my rants from today. I did 6 returns though, which is good.

The same lady from Saturday called me again today. The answer is the same.

Another lady would not listen to my advice about waiting until she got her MI statement, and she had no idea how much she paid...oh, about $8,000...yea, I want to see some paperwork.

A client handed me a W-2 and a pay stub, then flipped through more papers. She then told me I can get started. I don't think so. I will start a return when I'm ready. I like to have everything in front of me to look over. Not only that, my boss has always said that the tax preparer is in control of the interview at all times.

To top it off, a tax preparer at the biggest tax chain told my girlfriend today she does not qualify for the EIC, when she does. Single, earned income under the limit, plus everything else met, a no brainer, basic stuff. She also works for the same company, though not as a preparer.

Good thing Seinfeld is on...

[veritas]

I'll bet

I
Everytime a child comes in now I grab the cat if he hasn't already ran away and put in the back room. He doesn't deserve the same punishment I get j/k

you cat doesn't like this time of year.

[geekgirldany]

Ha! No he does not. So many people coming in that he is just not use too. Fortunate for him I got two 25" monitors during a Black Friday sale. Now on my desk he has 50" of monitor to hide behind. No one can see him LOL I had a customer bring his kids in today. Good kids didn't cause any trouble. Cat came out from behind the monitors to take a look at them. Looked at the little one... I told the cat he better get back behind the monitors... and he did

[tpnl]

Tell them the cat bites.

Let the cat stay. Tell the parents the cat bites and scratches. Maybe they won't bring the kids next year.

I has a client Saturday who wanted to pull up his mortgage interest statement off the internet. No problem. It took 45 minutes!!!!! The infant in the infant carrier was screaming. I kept thinking to myself "PICK HER UP YOU DUMB YOUNG KIDS."

They are 21 and have three kids. I'm so glad Obama announced yesterday that his wants to keep EIC at 3 kids. More people will be stupid and have kids they can't afford.

[RitaB]

OK, Seriously

How many DECADES do you have to be in the same Sch C business to know that you don't just give your tax preparer the grand total of your expenses, no categories?

Also, the guy just told me that even though Obama changed everything, and he doesn't have to report his income for which he did not receive a 1099, he is going to report it anyway.

And a DIYer who complained about my fee last year just called to ask why TaxAct blah, blah, blah. I said I really wouldn't know. He asks me how far behind I am. One week, but HRB can get it done today. Yeah, but they charge a lot more than you...

[Jiggers]

How long?

[QUOTE=RitaB;93183]How many DECADES to you have to be in the same Sch C business to know that you don't just give your tax preparer the grand total of your expenses, no categories?
QUOTE]

I have one that does custom construction in residences. Husband and wife operation.

"We didn't make anything this year". I ask where that goes on the return.

So I get the following:
Profit.........9,300
Labor.......10,200

So I ask, what is Profit? "That is what we made on each job."

After material? "Yes".

And that amount is.........?

Labor? You paid someone? "No, that is the value of our labor we added to each bill."

On and on and on. The same cat and mouse game each year.

Then she says "we did some work for the Holy Rollers Church and lost money on that job." Same questions. Then I tell her no deduction for the material, that is a donation. No deduction for the value of their labor.

Screeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[taxea]

My cat rules

My cat also occupies a chair in my office the only problem she has is when my assistant arrives for work and wants the chair.
As for the questions...I have been fool enough to answer some in detail because I try to explain the why. I think in the future I will give a quick answer and had them my business card.
As for the rest....they are all reasons why I set things up so there are no appts, clients mail, fax, or drop off their documents, I dont answer phone calls only email. My assistant handles all office needs and I concentrate on returns.

[Davc]

My cat also occupies a chair in my office the only problem she has is when my assistant arrives for work and wants the chair..

That should not be a problem. Your assistant should bring her own chair.