Fire That Client? Letter

[Kurly]

Do any of you have a sample letter that I may pirate that will fire a very uncooperative client?
Thanks

Kurly

[JohnH]

Read through this thread and you'll likely find one or two that you might like:

http://www.thetaxbook.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15145&highlight=JohnH

[Zee]

Dear former client:

Goodbye

Please accept my apologies if this seems "flippant". But, I think we worry too much about client's we're letting go for whatever reason. It certainly best to be kind & cordial, but I wouldn't spend much time on the content of the letter. A simple, with regret...my practice is taking a new direction, etc. will suffice.

[Jiggers]

Be sure to specify the year

I send out 3 - 4 "Your fired" letters each year. Trying to downsize.

Be sure to specify the year you will no longer do their return.

I used to say "due to...........whatever..........I will no longer be able to prepare your return. You should make arrangements for someone else to handle your business.

Letters always mailed out in December, such as December 2009.

I have had two clients come in during March of the following year, 2010, with "......I thought it meant for this tax year, 2010, not the year that is due April 15th, the 2009 return." Duh.

Glad they are gone.

[ChEAr$]

I really hate the term "fire a client". You "fire" an employee, or terminate an employment contract, or even "terminate with extreme prejudice" a spy who's controlled by the other side.

The former client is one who paid you, so you're the only one who can get "fired."

When I decided not to continue a relationship, I simply tell them that face to face, and these
days it's all so easy to say, like Jiggers, that I'm downsizing my workload. Or I might point to some problem coming up in his future returns that I just don't feel qualified to work through.

The real problem comes is when he then asks me who would I recommend for him next year!
The answer to that question really depends on unique factors to each situation.

In short, don't put it in writing.

[abctax]

Insurance carrier

My E&O insurance carrier has a template of a letter to use when terminating an engagement. Perhaps your's has one also?

[ChEAr$]

My E&O insurance carrier has a template of a letter to use when terminating an engagement. Perhaps your's has one also?

Not applicable since I don't use E&O insurance.