Rate Schedule

[peggysioux]

Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?

[ChEAr$]

Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?

I have no "rate schedule"; only what I've programmed in the computer to guide me after the
return is done.

Above all, no quotes on the phone. Generally I ask a prospect to bring in last year's return
so I can look it over and tell them roughly what I would have charged last year.

And if the previous preparer's invoice just happens to be in the folder, I can look at it almost always and say
"not THAT much!"

[Gretel]

I stopped giving quotes on the phone even if it is only one W-2. We all know that one W-2 can mean very little or quite a bit more. I explain this and also tell them at what price my returns start. Then I offer to come in and give them a quote.

Yes, it is always good to see the prior year invoice. Since I am not in the biz of offering the lowest price in the area, invoices from competitors surely help me to price my returns adequately.

[Jiggers]

Quote over the phone?

That is like doing a haircut over the phone.

Isn't going to get done.

I don't do quotes.

Even if they bring in their information, I give them a range with a spread of about $50. In writing.

[luke]

Good Answers

We have gotten burned before by "quoting" a fee and when the tp brings in info fee should've been twice as high? SO NO fees over the phone - Even with all my employees on board with this "policy" I'll still get a couple of tp every year that will try to say "lady on phone said my fee would only be..." - I then stop them and ask who exactly they spoke to because I'm FIRING that person on the spot! Then its like well I'm not sure when I called OR who I talked to.....

[luke]

standard minimum

Have a potential new client with a schedule C that has requested my rate schedule. There are so many variables to a return, I find it difficult to provide a quote until I have reviewed what return entails. How do other tax preparers handle this question?

Peggysioux - I will tell someone that my MINIMUM for a Schedule C return is $X ($300) but there may be additional charges based on the number of forms to be completed.

[Lion]

Last Year

I also say I will give them my price for their prior year return so they can compare apples to apples and invite them to drop it off. Then I give a range, more like $100 range. And, ask them what changed, so I can alert them if that triggers a pricey form or two. You know, like the one who drops off his simple return and then mentions his wife started selling real estate.

[JG EA]

Told a client today that I had a minimum fee - I could see it was very simple. 'Are you OK with that?' (since he said I did it for him years ago for nothing. Well, he didn't have to file so I didn't charge him. But I said 'Now where are you going next year? To the senior's center right'.

[Jesse]

Ha Ha.....

How can you compete with the Senior Center?

I had a "walk-in" that wanted to know what I charged for a simple return, he didn't want to wait in line at the Senior Center. He got rather belligerent with me - he thought $10 for a couple of minutes would do - after all the Senior Center does it for free! I just responded, now how can I compete with that - I suggest you go back and wait in line.

[Jiggers]

How to respond?

How can you compete with the Senior Center?

I had a "walk-in" that wanted to know what I charged for a simple return, he didn't want to wait in line at the Senior Center. He got rather belligerent with me - he thought $10 for a couple of minutes would do - after all the Senior Center does it for free! I just responded, now how can I compete with that - I suggest you go back and wait in line.

"$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"

[Jesse]

"$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"

Priceless!!!!

[Gretel]

"$10 for the couple of minutes getting the information from you, $150.00 knowing what to do with it and where to put it!"

Fantastic, simply and truthfully put.

[dyne]

I plan to start advising callers who ask for my fee that my fee STARTS at $200 and
goes up for complexities. This should make these callers go elsewhere. I do not want
them anyway.