Any clients asked to hold their check or stiff you altogether?

[Larmil]

1. a post dated check is illegal....I would ask the client to bring in cash and that his return will be filed when it is paid for.
2. I had a client that gave me an NSF check....I charged her 30 for bank fees and asked her to send me a money order
3. don't accept credit cards.
4. don't file the return until the client pays. If you are unsure of the check, take it to client's bank (any branch). They can determine whether the funds are in the account cash it and put the money in your account.

Thanks for the legal advice.

[Jesse]

Good to know, thanks BHoffman

I accept post dated checks quite often, I have the taxpayer date the check the refund is to be deposited according to the refund cycle chart. If the refund is not deposited they can call, but I have yet to have a problem. There are many unemployed people in our area and they have been faithful clients, many feel like family, so I feel their business helps me, and by doing this I am helping them.

http://www.coveringcredit.com/busine...e/art256.shtml

One of the myths that somehow refuses to go away is the myth that post-dated checks are "illegal." They are not. There is nothing illegal, inappropriate, unlawful, unethical, unprofessional, or unconscionable about a creditor asking a customer to issue a post dated check, nor is there any reason a customer cannot issue one or a series of post dated checks to clear a past due balance.

[Bonnie]

I have several customers I do hold the check for. Usually they don't post date them, I just agree to hold til refund comes. I've never not gotten paid. After all I know exactly when they are getting their refund and can deposit it when the money is there for sure. Even have a couple who don't have checks so they come back and pay me in cash. I know, I'm not the average tax preparer but these people are my friends and if they weren't in the beginning we have become friends over the years. At least half of my customers give me a hug when they leave. All have always paid me. I go above and beyond the call of duty and get many referrals, probably because of the customer service I do provide.

[Dusty2004]

TaxEA

You said "a post dated check is illegal" Could you please give a reference? Is this a state law or federal law?

Dusty

[Jiggers]

Post Dated Check Danger

You said "a post dated check is illegal" Could you please give a reference? Is this a state law or federal law?

Dusty

postdated check n. a check delivered now with a written date in the future, so that it cannot be cashed until that date. The danger to the recipient is that such a check is legally only a promissory note due at the later date, and if the account is closed or short when the check is presented at the bank, the payee has no rights to demand payment by the bank or claim that the delivery of a bad check was criminal.

[anu31402]

Allowing customers pay in check is a no no for me. I tried it 3 years ago reading from this board but regretted it. I ended in small claim court with three clients. I threatened another with collection but he just wouldn't care. Another lesson I learnt was, when you go to court with a client, you lose that client plus bad mouthing. I quickly signed up with Quick books merchant account. I rarely take checks now. ...and the peace of mind? priceless.

Kay, EA