But My Return Isn't That Complicated

[JohnH]

We've talked about extensions quote a bit lately and my position is pretty obvious. I usually begin filing extensions around Mar 20 (although this year I began around Mar 8 due to the illness of a close family member). However, for some reason in the past few days I've had more than the normal number of responses to the effect that "My return isn't that complicated". And these are the usual procrastinators, for the most part.

So I'm getting tired of saying "Yes, I understand, but this isn't about how complicated your return is. MOST of the returns I file aren't that complicated - I just like to get a little sleep every now & then."

About the only other thing I can think of to say is "You're right, it isn't that complicated. Maybe JH or HRB could crank it out for you if you're willing to sit in their office for a couple of hours - here's their phone number."

Before I go there, does anybody have any pithy comments or diplomatic replies you can suggest to me?

[Gretel]

What about: If you were the only person saying this and coming in this late, we both would be in great shape. So, you see, you are not that special after all.

[taxea]

Say "The returns are done in order of first in/first out...unfortunately you missed the mark this year", as you open your drawer and let them see how many returns are ahead of theirs while you put their docs at the back of the others.

The only way I can get through the tax season is to be sure that your crisis does not become my crisis.

I'll let you do the stressing, I'll just stick to the preparing.
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[geekgirldany]

I just tell them:
"I know it isn't that complicated but as you know I am a one person office. I've got over 30 (or whatever number) of people in front of you. I am trying my best to get everyone finished. But if I can not I am doing extensions. If you don't want to wait on me then you may want to go to someone else this time".

[AZ-Tax]

A prospect calls the other day....

trying to impress me with his knowledge of tax forms though being as incorrect as he was, I could sense trouble. The prospect says: It's only going to take you 15 min - 20 min to do my tax return. New client, unorganized, Sch A, Sch D etc. I wanted to tell him; Tell you what, I put you on my other computer, if you get your return done in a hour without my help, I will e-file your return for free.

[JohnH]

All excellent replies. I plan to use every one of them between now and mid-month just to keep from getting bored.

I liked the one about whose job it is to do the stressing from taxea too. Reminds me of a sales manager I used to work for - very much a "Type A" personality. One time someone suggested that he calm down before he has a heart attack. He bellowed back " I don't HAVE heart attacks - I GIVE THEM!"

I'm intrigued by that last one, AZ. I might look into setting up a second computer off to the side. It won't actually have tax software on it, but it might be fun to issue some of them the challenge just to see if they're brave enough to sit down at it. If so, I'll probably reward them by completing their return without an extension.

[taxea]

trying to impress me with his knowledge of tax forms though being as incorrect as he was, I could sense trouble. The prospect says: It's only going to take you 15 min - 20 min to do my tax return. New client, unorganized, Sch A, Sch D etc. I wanted to tell him; Tell you what, I put you on my other computer, if you get your return done in a hour without my help, I will e-file your return for free.

Excellent Joe but I don't think I would want him anywhere near any of my computers if he thinks the return can be done in 15/20 minutes.
If I had the time I would do a spreadsheet that shows the time the IRS estimates that it takes a pro to complete various forms. I don't think any of us charge for that amount of time!

[BHoffman]

I have an SCorp client with two shareholders. Their return indeed is not that complicated, but they enjoyed enormous profits in 2009. They are finding that results in not so pleasant taxes, and just will not close their books because they prefer to avoid that icky feeling of seeing 30% of their profits going away in the form of a large payment to the IRS. They are straight shooters, and want to be in compliance and pay their taxes. I think this year's amount is shocking them and they just don't want to know how much that will be. They have the funds to pay.

I contacted them in November to see if they needed help closing. Nope, got it covered. They did have good inhouse accounting staff, but the full charge bookkeeper actually won the lottery and quit. She said she would come back shortly after year-end and close the books. She keeps saying that, but doesn't show. She moved out of state.

So, here we are. They did not make adequate estimated tax payments and they are going to have to pay a very hefty amount with the extension. They have known that all year, and it is no surprise for them. I'm going to need to be able to estimate that amount on or before 04/15, and it's going to be large. I could easily be off by a lot, either way. They will not blame me for that, and I won't tolerate any blame if they do. Perhaps I blame myself and shouldn't. Perhaps that is why I'm so angry and feeling so much stress over this.

I'm furious at them for putting this off, blowing me off, and then expecting that I'll be able and willing to work night and day to figure this out long after the very last minute. And they do this every year. And I have advised them to find a larger firm every year for the last 3 years, but they keep talking me into staying with them. They say they don't want the hassle of establishing a relationship with someone new, I'm less expensive than a larger firm would be, their accounting and tax isn't all that complicated - just large numbers, and they like the fact that I know about the DPAD and percentage of completion and other sort of esoteric things and can explain it to them so they understand. All of these things are true. They have never asked me to do anything shady. I prepare a review for them and have not found anything shifty in their records.

These are certainly not rotten apple clients and I'd like to stay with them, but they are stressing me out. My head tells me that this is their problem and not mine. But my tummy is in knots and it gets worse with every passing day. It burns me up that they just expect that they can lay this on me at the last minute. I can find some solace in making sure the fee this year for the financial statement review will be enormous.

[Burke]

These are certainly not rotten apple clients and I'd like to stay with them, but they are stressing me out. My head tells me that this is their problem and not mine. But my tummy is in knots and it gets worse with every passing day. It burns me up that they just expect that they can lay this on me at the last minute.

This is much more of a gender issue than most people realize. Men seem to have less of a problem than women do in these situations. Just don't go softie and ease up on the fee when the time comes.

[Gretel]

This is much more of a gender issue than most people realize. Men seem to have less of a problem than women do in these situations. Just don't go softie and ease up on the fee when the time comes.

You are probably right. That doesn't mean some man don't have the same problems with the issue. We all have male and female energies within us and if a man has enough female energies he struggles the same way.

BHoffman, would you dare to have them pay 50% of your highest estimate for profit (not spending too much time) to the IRS? Maybe that will be a cure for both of you.

It's amazing how much we struggle with our own expectations of ourselves, how much we strive to keep the picture of the competent, nice, patient human being who doesn't overcharge. What else prevents us to do and say what needs to be done and be in peace?

You probably already felt better after letting of steam and this might be all you needed and now you get all this unsolicited advise Happy Easter.

[veritas]

I hear this too often

from clients and friends.

"Only two weeks to go!"

My response ""Yes, but I need 4 weeks".

[JG EA]

from clients and friends.

"Only two weeks to go!"

My response ""Yes, but I need 4 weeks".

I hate hearing: "Are you getting busy?" I had a good answer for that one but forgot it. So I just smile and say Yes.

[BHoffman]

"Are you busy?"

"Nope. Just been sitting here twiddling my thumbs and waiting for you to call."

[taxea]

If your program has a five year tax history...% the total tax liability against the gross income. Do this for at lease three years to see how much it of a difference there is each year. Then average out the % multiply the current gross income by that amount and tell them to send a check to the IRS with the extension you are going to file to give you time to do the return unstressed.
The best advice I can give you is don't let the client's problem become yours...you don't own this issue they do....so you don't stress that is their job.

[RitaB]

MY easy return

This is not really on topic, but you know how I like to tell my stories.

MY guy with the crazy simple return in the pile right now just explained how he has made my life so much easier. Probably I should be paying HIM.

He works for a non-profit. (If you haven't noticed, they don't think like we do).

Mr. Gift of Mercy Saving the World Guy: "I've made it real easy for you this year. I figured my mileage expense for you. I've taken the short trips and multiplied by 50 cents. The longer trips I multiplied by 58.5 cents. I looked at last year's return and figured that out for you. Also, I don't want to get a refund this year cause my ex-wife is an accountant, and she said I would get audited if I kept getting refunds."

Guy is an employee and has way too much withheld. His unreimbused expenses decrease his liability about $150. Not sure why ex-wife doesn't do the return.