Rant thread

[powerage]

I thought he was going to pull it off. I swear he came out of nowhere, like his old man did back in Talladega in 2000. Other than the track problems, a great race. For the record, I have 2 Dale Sr. tattoos.

I'll probably be doing taxes the rest of my life, as it seems to be my niche, and I do like it. I need to strike out on my own, but not in this area.

[geekgirldany]

I don't know how y'all do it. I'm burned out after 5 years.

Daytona 500 in about 12 hours, heck ya!!

I think you just get use to it after awhile. I started doing tax returns when I was 20 years old. When I graduated high school I never thought I would become an accountant or something as fancy as a Enrolled Agent. My chosen career path was either secretary or bank teller. So I am truly blessed to have such a good business and career.

With time you learn to deal with everything that comes with tax season. As John said logic really doesn't go with income tax. I got that through my head a long time ago. Over 16 years I've learned how to deal with customers, gained more self confidence by doing so, and learned how to deal with doing tax preparation. One day at a time is how you deal with it.

So far this year is my least stressful year I have ever had. No more trying to figure out tax problems while I am at home or trying to go to sleep. Worrying about what I have to do the next day. Will I get this return done in time for this client. I am just taking it day at a time. Alot of times things come up that I can't do anything about. I try to do the best I can and move on.


Daytona 500.... geez 6 hours. Old Dale Jr was pretty good on that last lap. From 10th to 2nd play.

[S T]

Receiving Same

I am receiving the same message Dany, clients emailing or calling me, Are you still preparing taxes! Have I given them a clue, that I WAS NOT preparing taxes? No I don't think so.

So I don't get it either Maybe the client just needs the confirmation that we are still there for them?

Sandy

[geekgirldany]

Linda I understand about looking at the Caller ID and seeing a client's name you don't want to see. I've got one that I can't just call and ask a question... it turns into a 40 minute conversation about everything but taxes. Now I like talking to my clients and finding out how everything is going. But it is pretty ridiculous with this guy.

One other thing I get from a few clients every year is the question "are you still preparing taxes?". Why do people ask that? I am like "yes still here.... been doing yours for 5 years... don't see it changing unless you go to someone else".
I don't know is there that many tax prep businesses that open and close each year?

[oceanlovin'ea]

2 comments

First, about the cat. We had a cat years ago....a long-hair persian mix. She realy had an attitude. She would claim a chair for a week or so and then move to another spot. But while that was her spot you better NOT sit in that chair. One time my daughter (then a teenager) had friends over. This one guy said why is the cat sitting there staring at me. We told him he was sitting in her chair and she wanted him to move. He didn't believe us. So he got up. She jumped up in the chair and got comfortable and went to sleep. He couldn't believe he got run out of a chair by a cat. We all got a good laugh from that.

Second, about the client that no mater what you do something happens with their return. I've got one. He started coming to me when he married his wife about 3 years ago. She had been a partner in a restaurant I did the bookkeeping for. Some little something always happens. This year he called Friday because his refund wasn't deposited. So I checked "Where's my refund?" No record of return. So started checking more. It rejected and I didn't catch it. They came in on Wednesday night so if it rejected it would have put the refund off till the 19th anyway. The reason for the reject was the third party designee! For some reason it was changed from preparer to my name but without the PIN. That is something set up in the beginning and I don't even go into that area of the program in preparing a return. I don't know how that happened!!!!! But when I told him of course, he was going to pay some bills off that are due now. He won't get his money till the 26th. Last year he says something happened too. I can't remember what. I really just DREAD when I see his name on my caller ID. Guess I will send him a gift certificate to a restaurant and see if that appeases him. But then next year he will find something wrong and expect another one probably.

Linda

[JohnH]

One of my professors in college often said there are two courses you should never take at the same time - "Income Taxation" and "Logic". He also reminded us frequently that you can figure out much of the tax code based on rational accounting concepts, but there are parts of it you just have to memorize and accept. (He usually said this just before test time and again when reviewing test results) That was 40 years ago - I imagine he'd be even more emphatic about the "memorize and accept" part today.

[powerage]

just writing...

Y'all that have done taxes for 10+ years, I salute you. I know a lot of y'all have been at it for over 30 years. Seriously, just amazing.

I don't know how y'all do it. I'm burned out after 5 years. And compared to the returns y'all do, 80% of mine are pretty easy returns, and I include mortgage interest and real estate taxes in that category. I got lucky today and actually had 2 returns that I seldom do, which included rental property and depreciation. But they were done with 100% confidence because I have had the training and any resource is available to me if I have a question.

I think what is doing it to me is the friggin' tax code. Some of it makes sense, some has me scratching my head, and the other 85% reads like it was written by a monkey. I have read all of the tax protester scams, and I can ALMOST see why they do what they do.

And don't get me started on see this pub and that pub and then this pub...and too bad I don't have the money to buy a friggin house for the FTHB...my half-brother, who is not a relative, even though we have the same Mom...regardless, I would qualify, according to the IRS and IRC.

I know to not to try to make sense of this mes, but I'm fed up. IMHO, our tax system is a total disaster. I do not have the answer yet...

Daytona 500 in about 12 hours, heck ya!!

[powerage]

I had a self-employed client today. Client had good records of deposits and expenses for 2009 and part of 2008 for the business. Also has EIN. Had 2008 return done at the other major tax chain I don't work for. Preparer told him he could not deduct his business expenses because he started the business in 2008. Huh??...("Fine, I won't report my business income.") I told him they better give him a free amended return. Also, not even basic advice about SE tax and estimated taxes were discussed. Most of the BD is SS taxes. He had no clue about that.

That said, I am by no means a tax adviser, but hopefully when the client leaves they have a little bit more of tax knowledge than when they came in. Nothing heavy, just the basics.

[geekgirldany]

My Rant, QBs/Old Accountants

My rant for this week is a new client that had a local CPA do their return last year. Same CPA did two other clients that I acquired last year. All three have the same thing going on. QuickBooks doesn't match tax return and Loan To Shareholder account has large amount.

What I mean on the QBs side is that the tax return was prepared but no adjusting entries were made to match QBs to the tax return. Now I know QBs is a pain no doubt about it but why an accountant would not enter the adjusting entries I have no idea. How do they know from one year to the next what is going on?

I asked all three if the accountant told them that adjusting entries needed to be made and/or discussed certain aspects of the return with them. All three said no and said that was the reason they looked for another accountant.

So here I am again with another CPAs former client. Four years of returns prepared and I can't tell where some numbers are coming from. Then others are either more or less than what is being shown on the tax return.

Another big thing this accountant did is Loans To Shareholder. Now I use this too when distributions go over AAA. But I have never let it get over $10,000. These clients had Loans To Shareholder accounts that showed from $50,000 to over $100,000. No interest, no note.... it is just so aggravating.

[taxea]

I have a nurse practitioner client who is constantly talking or texting on his cell phone while I am asking him questions. I have thought about visiting him in his office with my phone to my ear just so I could give him the same courtesy.

suggestions:
1. put a sign on your desk or wall behind it that says please turn off your cel phone
2. ask the client to please turn off the cel as it is causing too many distractions
3. if the client persists....say, we are going to have to schedule another appointment when they will not be so busy with their cel.

This interrupts your ability to get your work done and is very rude on the part of the client. This is yet another reason why I don't do appointments (work while the client is sitting there.)

[MAJ]

Write offs......

I'm self employed for Tax Preparation.. Most of my clients do not bring the kids but a few do. My office is detached from my house and I have a couch and TV for them to sit and watch. Sometimes the game system is hooked up too.. Keeps them occupied while we chat.

As for people asking questions - Happens sometimes -- I usually come right out and ask "Why don't I prepare your taxes?" Stops them dead in the tracks.. From what I've seen over the years most people are extremely dedicated to their tax preparers. Not sure why that is. But if you think about it - that's a good thing. Hopefully ours are just as dedicated.

If someone is rude and talking or texting - STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING. If they look at you in a strange way - Just say - I'll wait - I don't want to distract you or be distracted - I wouldn't want to make a mistake on your return, right? - They'll get the picture real quick..

[RitaB]

Me too, John

I can't imagine doing returns while the client waits. I think I'd lose it! I can't count the number of times I have thought of something I forgot to ask the client, called them the next day, and all was well. For the past week, I have had about 10 - 14 drop offs a day, and I manage to get 2 or 3 done. I am working on returns brought in 2/02.

I need to work on keeping them out of the office, like you do, John. By the time 14 people yak for 30 minutes each, the day is gone. So, I come in on Saturday, lock the door, rip out the phone, hammer down. I am really getting tired of that, too. I close on Wednesdays after tax season to recover my Saturdays, but still...

[JohnH]

I say send the husband home, too.

I get their info and then send them on their way (assuming they make it into my office to begin with since I try to get them to mail, email, or drop their info in my mail slot). Each of us is different, but there's no way I can concentrate with someone sitting there with me. Except for quick estimates, I never try to work up the return with the client in the office - their mere presence is too much of a distraction.

The more you migrate your clients away from expecting you to prepare the return while they wait, the more relaxed your pace will become. Plus you'll have time to reflect and actually think through anything unusual. It isn't just a matter of avoiding mistakes, it's also a matter of reducing your stress. Doing everything possible to keep your clients out of your office is an important step in the direction of efficiency & sanity.

[FEDUKE404]

Some payment solace

"Child Distraction" fee....

I now have a new item for invoicing, thanks!

While working with a chain...thankfully in the past...I would add $10 to the bill for any cell phone use by the client. It would not show up as a line item invoice addition.

Office manager later noted increases.....asked why.....explanation given.....OM smiled and said "Good idea!"

FE

[Possi]

Distractions

Do you have any clients who just have a cloud over their heads, and no matter how careful you are with their return, you are going to make a mistake?

I have one like that. The wife is so distracting... I can handle talking through the appointment, but she constantly tosses stuff at me while asking questions that require more than a nod or a smile. I mean, she drives me to drink...

She has child dependent care benefits on her W2 and it's difficult to walk through, in my program. They also live in one state and work in another, making the state division difficult.

After the 3rd year, and the 2nd mistake, I told her that she could not stay for the appointment anymore. Now she sends her husband and she stays home.