Engagement Letter

[thomtax]

I'm wondering if you put a copy of the signed engagement letter in the return copies that you give to the client or just keep the original for your files.

LT

[geekgirldany]

I give them a copy of it unsigned and I keep the original they signed. My clients sign the letter when they come to pickup the return.

[taxmandan]

I give them a copy of it unsigned and I keep the original they signed. My clients sign the letter when they come to pickup the return.

You interview them and prepare the return before they sign the engagement letter? Sorta defeats the purpose doesn't it?

[geekgirldany]

You interview them and prepare the return before they sign the engagement letter? Sorta defeats the purpose doesn't it?

Not really. My engagement letter for individuals is a one page simple document. States their responsibility and mine. Of course if someone comes in with two or more years of tax returns that need to be prepared, someone with 10 rental properties, or a more complex return... I do a separate engagement letter for them to sign upfront. It is on a client by client basis about signing the engagement letter before return prep.
Business, bookkeeping, and payroll clients sign engagement letters up front.

Also most if not all of my clients drop off the information and/or mail it into me. So I don't really want to wait to prepare their return until I get them to sign the letter. As long as the letter is signed that is all I care about.

[Davc]

I'd be careful having different clients sign the engagement letter at different stages of the process. You could be sued foor discrimination.

[geekgirldany]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I can see your point. But the more complicated the return or service the more detailed the engagement letter gets. So it is not the same engagement letter.