Occupation

[ChEAr$]

Do we put the client's CURRENT occupation, or their occupation during the tax year we are preparing? As, you say, one could be executive and the other unemployed or retired. I'd heard through the grapevine that the IRS used the occupation to judge deductions as reasonable or not, so I've used the occupation during the bulk of the tax year of the return.

My comments about using taxpayer's current occupation dates back to when I first learned how to prepare tax forms. I would have thought it would have been in some IRS literature of that day and age (1972), but would have to dig it out at the office.

Rationale was that if IRS wanted to contact taxpayer at work they would have that
information when phoning the employer. But they have better ways of finding someone these days.

[Possi]

I'm surprised!

I'm so surprised that some don't list an occupation at all! I thought you had to put something on there.. even 'domestic goddess" or "housewife" or "homemaker" or even "unemployed" but I didn't think you could leave it blank.

(I like "spork" too...)

[ChEAr$]

I'm so surprised that some don't list an occupation at all! I thought you had to put something on there.. even 'domestic goddess" or "housewife" or "homemaker" or even "unemployed" but I didn't think you could leave it blank.

(I like "spork" too...)

An occupation is an endeavor from which one derives compensation, thus none
of your examples qualify. Even 'student' or 'retired" don't qualify.

And please spare me a discourse on just how much a wife and homemaker are
worth. (grin

[Possi]

An occupation is an endeavor from which one derives compensation, thus none
of your examples qualify. Even 'student' or 'retired" don't qualify.

And please spare me a discourse on just how much a wife and homemaker are
worth. (grin

So unless my client is deriving compensation, his endeavor is unmentionable? Inconsequential? Useless? Worthless? Nothing on the line?

[erchess]

ty Harlan

I have always put what was their principal occupation for the tax year in question and never mind if it was different for the year during which I prepared the return.

[ChEAr$]

So unless my client is deriving compensation, his endeavor is unmentionable? Inconsequential? Useless? Worthless? Nothing on the line?

Righto!

(more added here because error message said that my original message of one word was too short.)

[Possi]

Good one!

Trust-funster?

That's a good one!

[Davc]

So unless my client is deriving compensation, his endeavor is unmentionable? Inconsequential? Useless? Worthless? Nothing on the line?

Unmentionable, Useless, and Worthless would all be listed as Attorney.

[RitaB]

Lol

Unmentionable, Useless, and Worthless would all be listed as Attorney.

Good one, Davc. LOL.

[Possi]

so,

leave it blank for attorney? hahaha

[taxea]

leave it blank for atty...snake oil salesman is more appropriate.