As we enter the New Year, I wonder if it is worthwhile to look at how we answer posts. I've been accused of being a self-appointed "police" urging people to behave, but in the ensuing discussion I am a notoriously common offender.
How many times do we REALLY answer the question? instead of blowing hot air, taxbabble and other stuff? Here is a hypothetical crafted conversation, and ask yourself how many responses actually answer the original question:
JOLENE: My husband and I have a three-year old son. I stay at home and he brings home a W-2 of $90,000. If we file joint, can we claim our son as a dependent?
SOVA: "Jolene, this is a very simple question and your ignorance shows by posting it. Are you sure you're a tax preparer? That's who this message board is for."
S T: "Jolene, try this link: www.taxjournal28\2533,org"
SNAGGLETOOTH: "Jolene, welcome to the board. Please bring your questions anytime and we'll welcome you to our comraderie."
VERITAS: "Have you and your husband considered setting up a 529 plan so your son can go to college in 15 years?"
KOSS: "The question becomes complicated if the son has unearned income. Consider what happens if grandparents .......[reams and reams to follow]"
JOSHinNC: "Sova, you are really rude and inconsiderate. I'll bet you were a real zero the first year you did taxes."
ZERO: "I resent the above remark."
BLACK BART: "Jolene, do you really have auburn hair and eyes of emerald green? If you do my address is 123 Main Street; Dogpatch USA."
BHOFFMAN: "Jolene I wouldn't take on this customer if I were you. The wife sounds like a real bozo."
CHIEF: "Good to hear from you Josh. Did you ever take that trip to St Petersburg?"
RITAB: "I had a situation like that once. Nobody could ever figure out who should claim the child, finally got claimed by his uncle who was in prison the year in question."
JOHNH: "I would be careful answering Jolene. Her question has to have an underlying hook somewhere that lures us into giving her a wrong answer."
SOLOMON: "See IRS Publication 503."
PAULROBERTS: "O.K. people, this has gone on long enough. This woman has asked a question and none of you have had the forthrightness to give a credible answer. Time to move on."
Maybe we get the point. Score: Questions 1, Answers 0. I'll continue to enjoy the message board, but will try to do better addressing original posts.
How many times do we REALLY answer the question? instead of blowing hot air, taxbabble and other stuff? Here is a hypothetical crafted conversation, and ask yourself how many responses actually answer the original question:
JOLENE: My husband and I have a three-year old son. I stay at home and he brings home a W-2 of $90,000. If we file joint, can we claim our son as a dependent?
SOVA: "Jolene, this is a very simple question and your ignorance shows by posting it. Are you sure you're a tax preparer? That's who this message board is for."
S T: "Jolene, try this link: www.taxjournal28\2533,org"
SNAGGLETOOTH: "Jolene, welcome to the board. Please bring your questions anytime and we'll welcome you to our comraderie."
VERITAS: "Have you and your husband considered setting up a 529 plan so your son can go to college in 15 years?"
KOSS: "The question becomes complicated if the son has unearned income. Consider what happens if grandparents .......[reams and reams to follow]"
JOSHinNC: "Sova, you are really rude and inconsiderate. I'll bet you were a real zero the first year you did taxes."
ZERO: "I resent the above remark."
BLACK BART: "Jolene, do you really have auburn hair and eyes of emerald green? If you do my address is 123 Main Street; Dogpatch USA."
BHOFFMAN: "Jolene I wouldn't take on this customer if I were you. The wife sounds like a real bozo."
CHIEF: "Good to hear from you Josh. Did you ever take that trip to St Petersburg?"
RITAB: "I had a situation like that once. Nobody could ever figure out who should claim the child, finally got claimed by his uncle who was in prison the year in question."
JOHNH: "I would be careful answering Jolene. Her question has to have an underlying hook somewhere that lures us into giving her a wrong answer."
SOLOMON: "See IRS Publication 503."
PAULROBERTS: "O.K. people, this has gone on long enough. This woman has asked a question and none of you have had the forthrightness to give a credible answer. Time to move on."
Maybe we get the point. Score: Questions 1, Answers 0. I'll continue to enjoy the message board, but will try to do better addressing original posts.
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