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    #1

    NT / I am SOOOO grouchy

    Lady just in here wondering what she can deduct for the bag of stuff she donated. After the yard sale, no less.

    Me: You can deduct what it was worth.

    Lady: Is there no standard amount?

    Me: No.

    Lady: Are you sure?

    Me: Pretty sure. You wanna fill that out (blank, signed paper from the non-profit, I HATE THAT) or take it back home?

    Lady: (Filling it out, asking ME to value her stuff that I HAVE NEVER SEEN): You mean there's no standard deduction?

    Me: Well, THE standard deduction for you is $11,400.

    Lady: So, you will deduct $11,400 if my deductions are less than $11,400? (They are about $2000, just like last year, and the year before, and the year before...)

    Me: Oh, that's a good idea. Let me write myself a note.
    If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Don't you have contribution valuations written on your ceiling? That's where all my clients look to get their numbers when we have this sort of conversation.
    "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectful" - John Kenneth Galbraith

    Comment

      #3
      Goodwill

      Clients who do not give one red cent to charities are telling me they donate $$$$ bags of stuff to Goodwill Industries. Creates the need for an 8283 if they manage to itemize. It is amazing what THEY think their four bags of clothes are worth.

      I would like to put a quietus on this if I could. The IRS should do it, but in case they don't, I believe I will ask them to go through the hoops on the 8283. Dates. When did they purchase these suddenly cashmere-lined suits and dresses? What did they pay for them? Let them look in TTB at the long list of stuff (some of it $1.75) and put a value on each bag. THEN let's see how badly they're chomping at the bit to deduct this stuff.

      Cynical cryptic critic that I am, I have to believe most of these folks do not have charity foremost in mind when they do this -- most likely purpose is just to find a depository for stuff they no longer want.

      Comment

        #4
        I also have a bad attitude

        Originally posted by Edsel View Post
        Clients who do not give one red cent to charities
        I also have a bad attitude toward two pastors whose returns I do who don't tithe. Not even close. I have asked if they gave contributions in addition to their $345.54. Funny thing, both make good money, but never seem to get ahead...

        Hmm. Guess they don't REALLY believe that stuff in Malachi and Philippians. Appears to be working for THEM.
        Last edited by RitaB; 03-04-2010, 01:13 PM.
        If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

        Comment

          #5
          Preachers

          I do a few preachers returns. They seem ok, and they all tithe. But our new preacher at my church asked our church board to reimburse him for a doogie gate his dogs broke. He seems to think our small church is loaded. My employer wouldn't pay those kinds of expenses for me.

          I was going to offer to do his return - free. But not now. I guess I'm mean.

          Comment

            #6
            No freebies here either

            You are not mean.

            A pastor I love tells this story about how he was trying to get a contractor to cut his price on a job. Kept telling the contractor, "We need this done, and we just need you to bless us, brother. We also need that other thing done, and we just need you to bless us on that, too, brother." Pastor kept on and on hinting around for a discount.

            Contractor finally had enough, looked at pastor and said, "Well, be blessed. And if you want me to do this job, here's what it's gonna cost, brother."

            Pastor said, "I never again asked anybody to give me or the church a break. Our Father owns it all, and if we can't pay full price, something's wrong."
            Last edited by RitaB; 03-04-2010, 02:22 PM.
            If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

            Comment

              #7
              And another thing

              Why do people call you when they get your message that the return is done and ask you what they owe you so they can have the check ready?

              Well, they NEVER have the check ready.

              Plus, where's the fire that you can't sit down for 20 seconds and write out my check while you're here? You can chit chat for 30 minutes when you drop off, but suddenly it's critical that you get in and out of here in 32.4 seconds when you pick up.
              If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

              Comment

                #8
                I'd like to see a rule for non-cash contributions that caps this deduction at a percentage of cash contributions (maybe 25%). Still require the supporting documentation on the 8283 to substantiate the deduction itself, but also impose that cap. Maybe offer an exception for inherited items or when someone moves or donates an exceptional item like a car, but make them document the exception. It would put an end to some of the abuse of the rules in this area.

                And on a personal note, I wholeheartedly agree with the foregoing statements in this regard. People who don't also make cash contributions generally aren't that charitable - for most of them Goodwill is a place to dump their junk. I often wonder how much of it goes from the donation site straight to the dumpster.
                Last edited by JohnH; 03-04-2010, 02:30 PM.
                "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectful" - John Kenneth Galbraith

                Comment

                  #9
                  Originally posted by RitaB View Post
                  You are not mean.

                  A pastor I love tells this story about how he was trying to get a contractor to cut his price on a job. Kept telling the contractor, "We need this done, and we just need you to bless us, brother. We also need that other thing done, and we just need you to bless us on that, too, brother." Pastor kept on and on hinting around for a discount.

                  Contractor finally had enough, looked at pastor and said, "Well, be blessed. And if you want me to do this job, here's what it's gonna cost, brother."

                  Pastor said, "I never again asked anybody to give me or the church a break. Our Father owns it all, and if we can't pay full price, something's wrong."
                  I agree. All of the pastors I know are faithful givers. When your boss owns "all the beasts in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills", I think He expects all His ambassadors to reflect that generous atittiude.
                  "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectful" - John Kenneth Galbraith

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Come On, Somebody!

                    Originally posted by JohnH View Post
                    I agree. All of the pastors I know are faithful givers. When your boss owns "all the beasts in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills", I think He expects all His ambassadors to reflect that generous atittiude.
                    That's it, John! I had a really stingy pastor, wanted reimbursed for EVERY little thing. Took food to a church member when he was sick. Church member thought it was so nice. Pastor then turned around and asked the church to reimburse him for $14 in food and pay him mileage to the member's house. Would take his friends out to eat and call it "ministry meals" and ask for reimbursement. He has a lot of other issues, too. Horrible teacher, reads commentaries to the congregation for "Bible Study". Arrogant.

                    Several of us couldn't take it and left. At a business meeting, he made a crack that since finances were good, the people who left must not have been tithers. One member who stuck it out was in here yesterday and said the church was broke. She cried. They will know in two months if they are stuck with him for another year. So sad.

                    Those of you who are so inclined, please pray for this congregation.
                    If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      I also like the "take the limit" on the goodwill or other non deductions. I push the paper at them and tell them to write down what they gave. Mention the word "audit" to them... suddenly it doesn't seem that important of a deduction.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Somewhere years

                        ago I read the "standard number" was $75.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Grouchy Too

                          But not so much because of clients,

                          Software Issues, and Printer Issues

                          I spent half the day on the phone with HP regarding a new printer that they don't want to cover under warranty -

                          I am really grouchy!

                          Sandy

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Printers - Aaugh!

                            There is nothing more aggravating than a printer break down during tax season!

                            I had one EVERY season prior to this printer. (It happens to be an HP, knock on wood.)

                            I actually have a dedicated copier that I CAN use as a printer if I have to because of my experiences with printers. Course, finding that cable might be a problem...
                            If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Standard Interest Deduction

                              Is there a standard amount we can deduct for home interest? My barber mentioned something about that.....Also real estate taxes......

                              Comment

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