Rant thread

[gboykin]

I love when newly separated clients call and ask if they would come out better of they filed separately or jointly. I tell them I need to see both sides of the coin, his information and her information in order to come to a decision. Most of the time they continue asking questions that I cannot possibly answer due to lack of information (W-2's, other income, who will claim children, etc, etc, etc.)

Yesterday, after going through all this, the client says at the end, "So, you think I would be better off filing separately, right?"

Now how do you answer that? I just told him to bring in his information, and if she was willing, we could put her info in with another appointment if they were not civil, and then I could give him hard numbers. Gotta get those Engagement Letters and Consent Forms ready for this one!!!

[JohnH]

Now the guy dropping by to ask questions because his preparer isn't in WOULD be a nuisance. Off the top of my head, I'd be inclined to say to him "I'm pretty busy but I can take time for you. Before we get started, should I send the bill for my time to you or to your preparer?" That might get the point across.

Thanks for the feeback on Mark Twain. Between him, Will Rogers, and CS Lewis there might be enough quotes for a lifetime.

[RitaB]

That's a good point, JohnH

And, I have gained clients from those situations, too. One or two were good. LOL.

I know what you're saying, JohnH. I'm always nice to these people, but I wouldn't think of asking a dentist a flossing question when we happen to be in the same line at Kroger.

And what is it about people who think they are married to their preparer? They are asking me for advice, but couldn't possibly allow me to prepare their mysterious tax return. I don't charge more than anybody, so that's not it.

There is this one guy who will DROP BY my office to ask me a question and actually TELL ME that his preparer wasn't in, so he thought he'd just ask me. What?

I hate being treated like I'm always on the clock. Or, in essence, being told: "My guy is better than you, but since we're both here..."

I love your Mark Twain quote, BTW.

[JohnH]

I'd like to suggest that you consider changing that philosophy. To each his/her own, but I enjoy being asked questions. I'll give them a quick answer if the quesiton is simple and it's easy to tell them this is strictly off the top of my head. It's also easy to say that question really requires getting more detailed information or it needs more reseatrch and I'd need to set up an appointment with them at the office. I've even told people in jest that my off-the-cuff answer is free and worth every cent I'm charging them when the situation justified it.

Having said all that, I don't seek business at church, but quite a bit has come my way as a result of giving out free advice when appropriate. Several of my largest clients came as a result of social interactions, so I suggest not squandering those opportunities.

[RitaB]

My major peeve

OK, TODAY, my major peeve is people cornering me at church, Wal-Mart, the Castrol place, at HOME, etc. to ask me a "quick" tax question. (What other kind is there? Hmm?)

Wait, let me qualify that. If you're a client, it's bad. IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN A CLIENT, do you have ANY idea how rude that is?!

[taxea]

Are you self-employed or do you work in an office? If self employed you could include in your client letter a very kind way of saying "don't bring the children".
If you work in an office you have to go by the company rules. That...the kids...is why I opened by own business in my home and, among other things, I don't meet the clients in my office.
I used to go to my clients then trained them so well that everything is done by mail, email, fax, and dropbox.
My favorite comeback when someone says...it's the tax season, you must be really stressed...I say "I don't stress, that's the client's job"

[powerage]

My disclaimer: I like doing taxes and I like the job, for the most part. I have learned a lot. And I admit, some of the tax problems that are discussed here have me lost. Mainly depreciation and the different state taxes.

My rant...for today...

A major pet peeve...please, potential clients, leave the young kids at home. Every day I have worked this week has involved at least 1 screaming 2 year old. My punishment for working at a chain.