NT / I knew it was coming...

[geekgirldany]

My clients are made aware each year that any docs not received in time to file them will be put on extension and done AS I HAVE THE TIME to get to them. I make it real clear that I have other obligations after 4/15 and time in my office is limited and sporatic.

I am thinking of sending out a letter towards the end of the year to state this to clients. As I said I've had too many calls after April 15 from people wanting to know why their return is not finished. Along with other bookkeeping and payroll services I just have not been able to work on them. Plus I did need a few days to rest.

[taxea]

My office mgr calls all clients we haven't heard from on 3/15 and asks..,are you using our services this year? Do you need an extension? That lites a little bit of a fire under them.

My clients are made aware each year that any docs not received in time to file them will be put on extension and done AS I HAVE THE TIME to get to them. I make it real clear that I have other obligations after 4/15 and time in my office is limited and sporatic.

[geekgirldany]

I've got about 30 on extensions. I've been trying to take a little time off after April 30. Had to do payroll returns also. I am getting calls from people wanting to know when their returns will be finished, do I need anything else to finish it, what is the status, etc. I just call and tell them I will get to them as soon as I can. Several are needing them for foreclosures, bankruptcy, etc.

[JohnH]

You didn't bite off more than you can chew, unless you have so many you can't get them all done by Oct 15.

[tacks]

Just had my first call from one on extension: "Just wondering if you need anything from me before you can finish my return."

Me: "No. But, thanks for asking."

I'm not following you on this one. Of course more information is needed from the client because that is why an extension was needed.

Actually, i'm following Rita very closely on this. I've put more on extension this year than ever. This year i bit off way more than i can chew.

[JohnH]

Here's what's so funny about it. I never file an extension without insisting on getting the W-2 forms and other basic, pertinent information.

There are rare circumstances where I've made an exception, but for my routine procrastinators I insist that they at least get their W-2 forms to me, (as well as K-1's and 1099-B's if applicable). Even a timely filed extension can be retroactively denied if there isn't a reasonable effort to determine the tax liablilty, so I insist on having that info on hand. I just don't file extensions with all zeros.

This is a client of over 8 years who has always gone through this drill with me because we file an extension every year. Why they decided to just assume I'd change my habits this year is a total mystery.

Fortunately they always have a refund, so it probably isn't a problem at all. Of course, now that I've said that I've probably jinked the whole process and this will be the year they sold $50K in stock or something wierd like that. But f there's a problem it will be THEIR problem, not mine. I even have an email message to back me up.

[DaveO]

I've got about a dozen of those people John. Always amazes me that they trust I'll do it for them.

[ChEAr$]

I believe you, John; after all, you know what "they" say:

Truth is stranger than friction.

[JohnH]

I'm not making this up - got an email today, May 11, from a client whom I hadn't heard from since last year and just assumed he had gone somewhere else:

"Just wanted to ask if you filed an extension for me..."

[RitaB]

Not this time

[QUOTE=ChEAr$;102754]

I'm not following you on this one. Of course more information is needed from the client because that is why an extension was needed.

Harlan, I have about five people's stuff laying here. People who brought their stuff in April 13, thinking I was a wizzard. I'm not.

[ChEAr$]

[QUOTE=RitaB;102752]Just had my first call from one on extension: "Just wondering if you need anything from me before you can finish my return."

Me: "No. But, thanks for asking."

/QUOTE]

I'm not following you on this one. Of course more information is needed from the client because that is why an extension was needed.

[RitaB]

Just had my first call from one on extension: "Just wondering if you need anything from me before you can finish my return."

Me: "No. But, thanks for asking."

I was thinking: "Uh, yeah, you could have done a bunch of payroll tax returns for me if you had called Monday..."

Actually, I must be getting better at making them afraid to call me, cause usually they start calling April 17 or so. Go me!