Maybe it is just where I work

[powerage]

I have a a lot of clients who are given the wrong tax information, time and time again. I always hear "well, so and so said I could deduct over the counter medication" or "I can deduct my contributions without itemizing"...this stuff just drives me batty. I am constantly telling people to not to listen to tax advice unless it comes from a tax pro. The tricky part is doing it without making the client look stupid.

Then I have a few who want to tell me how to prepare their return. Sorry, it does not work that way. As someone else posted, (CRS disease) I'm the tax pro, that is why you are in my office.

I had a client in earlier this week, and she told me her prior year return was done by an attorney. He took a deduction for aspirin.

[spencer]

You must

work everywhere, then. I had a college girl tell me yesterday that all full time college students got $1,000 back. She had more scholarship than tuition and was NOT a happy camper. Maybe your aspirin client had a cafeteria plan. Some of those plans will pay for OTC stuff but it certainly can't goon Sch A. Goon. yah, right.

[geekgirldany]

work everywhere, then. I had a college girl tell me yesterday that all full time college students got $1,000 back.

Must be going around the college scene. Had a few college age folk tell me the same thing. "I'm suppose to get all the tuition back that I paid in".

[jeff501]

I've got a good one...had a guy come in who ran a flea market. Rented out booth space, etc. Tried to tell me he lost $30,000 one year and was told by someone "who had done this on their taxes before" that they got a big refund because of a huge loss. But, this person who told the story to the flea market guy never paid any estimates or had any withholdings from a W2. I tried to tell this guy you can't get a refund just because you lost 30K with nothing paid in. In addition, he hadn't even filed taxes in years. He got mad and asked where the local IRS office was so he could just go there and get his taxes done. I gladly gave him the address.

We also get the occasional single parent with two or three kids who makes no or very little money ($2-3K) expecting to clean up on the child tax credit and EIC. It's usually the same old story that a friend got over $8,000 back and they wonder why they don't. When you try to explain how EIC works and even show them the EIC tables you get the deer in the headlights look.

[BP.]

clients who are given the wrong tax information

Clients last night didn't know why their energy credit was just $1,500 for their $10,000+ heat pump (not geo-thermal.) The installer told them they'd get back over $3,000.

[powerage]

Maybe your aspirin client had a cafeteria plan. Some of those plans will pay for OTC stuff but it certainly can't goon Sch A.

It was on Schedule A. I had to show her in Pub. 17. I still don't think she believed me.

[RitaB]

Yeah

We also get the occasional single parent with two or three kids who makes no or very little money ($2-3K) expecting to clean up on the child tax credit and EIC. It's usually the same old story that a friend got over $8,000 back and they wonder why they don't. When you try to explain how EIC works and even show them the EIC tables you get the deer in the headlights look.

And I can't figure out why people can't take a gander at their past tax returns so they have some clue. Or download Pub 17 so if they are gonna cheat they can be somewhat successful at it. (Not saying a single parent with three kids making $3000 is cheating or anything, but I am always curious to see if they drive a nicer vehicle than me.)

Just got finished with one beauty shop gal who was just shocked that she only got "back" $1700. I suspect if she has told me everything, she would have done better.

A few years ago, had a guy running a hunting lodge. Appeared to be eating. Drove a $40,000 pickup. Did you make any tips? Oh, no. NO. Are you sure you have recorded all your income? Oh, yes. YES.

Had a loss. Yeah, no refundable credits for you, buddy.

[Jesse]

I have a a lot of clients who are given the wrong tax information, time and time again. I always hear "well, so and so said I could deduct over the counter medication" or "I can deduct my contributions without itemizing"...this stuff just drives me batty. I am constantly telling people to not to listen to tax advice unless it comes from a tax pro. The tricky part is doing it without making the client look stupid.

Then I have a few who want to tell me how to prepare their return. Sorry, it does not work that way. As someone else posted, (CRS disease) I'm the tax pro, that is why you are in my office.

I had a client in earlier this week, and she told me her prior year return was done by an attorney. He took a deduction for aspirin.

I have a few clients I guess you could say that I "lead on". Every year I tell them certain expenses are deductible but not for you, because they don't exceed the 7.5% or 2% or they don't have enough itemized deductions so the standard deductions is used. Every year they bring the receipts, aspirin and all, so for these "special" people I print out a dummy Schedule A. As long as they can see the number on the return they are happy.

The few that tell me how to prepare their return are really annoying me this year, I guess I'm getting old and less patient. I seem to be receiving more calls from people wanting me to walk them through the DIY program. It's hard because so many clients have become like family, but this time of year with my tax prep being my bread and butter, and my time very precious, I can't be their "friend", either I prepare your return for a fee or you DIY without my help.

[luke]

Amen

The few that tell me how to prepare their return are really annoying me this year, I guess I'm getting old and less patient. I seem to be receiving more calls from people wanting me to walk them through the DIY program. It's hard because so many clients have become like family, but this time of year with my tax prep being my bread and butter, and my time very precious, I can't be their "friend", either I prepare your return for a fee or you DIY without my help.[/QUOTE]

Amen Brother JESSE!

[thomtax]

I had one in this week that wanted forms so that he could fill out information to mail to his preparer. Guess what I did not have?

LT

[JohnH]

When someone asks for forms, I tell them it's all on the computer and I need their email address. Then I email them the link to IRS and State of NC. Rarely do I get a second request from anyone.

[powerage]

mostly boring....

I had 2 clients today.

MFS, $80,900 on a W-2, 10% for withholding, previous client. Long story short, he owes back child support, the IRS took his refund from the RAL or AR last year, so he owes my boss $295 before I can start the return. Client says he cannot pay and leaves. Fine, the boss will see you and the other deadbeats in court or however that is handled.

Second client, she has zero tax knowledge, married, but it also seems like the husband is a d*******g, from the interview before I started the return. Married 4 years. I guess he hides everything and files MFS as soon as he can. We talked a good 10 minutes before I even opened the software. Her cousin had done her previous returns, including at least 1 1099-MISC every year. No clue that she could deduct expenses. She also received a CP2000 for tax year 2007, which the IRS added another $500 or so to her tax. The office manager down the street from me is an EA, so she now has an appointment with him.

Client told me she did learn a little more about taxes after talking with me. I mentioned how I once had to re-construct my mileage expenses on my own return and described how I did it.

And that was the first CP2000 I have ever seen. I knew they existed. I was just hoping I would never see one.

[outwest]

I had 2 clients today.

And that was the first CP2000 I have ever seen. I knew they existed. I was just hoping I would never see one.

Ah, the sweet innocence of youth....

soon to turn to the cynicism of old age wherein a cp-2000 only incites a yawn.

[JohnH]

Well, a yawn plus the opportunity to bill a few more hours.
After all, most of the time there's a scary balance due on that CP-2000 that makes the invoice for the work look like a bargain in comparision.

[mwarney]

Clients last night didn't know why their energy credit was just $1,500 for their $10,000+ heat pump (not geo-thermal.) The installer told them they'd get back over $3,000.

We were shopping for wood stoves the other day and the sales person was telling us that we can get a $1,500 tax rebate on the $2,000 stove we were looking at.