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NT - Posting in 2011

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    NT - Posting in 2011

    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.
    Last edited by Corduroy Frog; 01-02-2011, 10:04 PM.

    #2
    You have a great point there, Ron. As we get into the busy season, it is helpful to stick to the topic and make the replies relevant & responsive. There's plenty of time to act out more after Apr 18.
    "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectful" - John Kenneth Galbraith

    Comment


      #3
      The best response

      The best response is sometimes NO response. If someone asks a question that is so basic that it appears they are not a tax pro, it would be best either to ignore it or just answer the question

      If someone DOES answer it, then that should end the subject.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by taxxcpa View Post
        The best response is sometimes NO response. If someone asks a question that is so basic that it appears they are not a tax pro, it would be best either to ignore it or just answer the question

        If someone DOES answer it, then that should end the subject.
        Agree 100%
        http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/

        Comment


          #5
          How's this

          Originally posted by Corduroy Frog View Post
          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.
          BEES KNEES: That's quite a three-year old. Congratulations.


          Ron, your original post was hilarious. Your point is well taken.
          Last edited by RitaB; 01-03-2011, 01:27 PM.
          If you loan someone $20 and never see them again, it was probably worth it.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by taxxcpa View Post
            The best response is sometimes NO response. If someone asks a question that is so basic that it appears they are not a tax pro, it would be best either to ignore it or just answer the question

            If someone DOES answer it, then that should end the subject.
            I agree but for different reasons. I can't imagine someone buying TTB who is not a tax pro. I know for myself that I sometimes ask a basic question because I got myself so terrible confused or I just can't grasp a concept (like my recent post about reimbursable expenses).

            I tend to ignore a question that just is a loaded one sentence question and does not give any details and could have 100 different answers. It's like all the effort is put on the one(s) who respond, whereas the poster doesn't go through much trouble.

            On the other hand I am also guilty of not giving enough info no matter how hard I try.

            Comment


              #7
              Excellent Observation

              Originally posted by Gretel View Post
              It's like all the effort is put on the one(s) who respond, whereas the poster doesn't go through much trouble.
              Gretel, excellent observation. We have been discussing our failure as respondents to answer the question, when in many cases, the least bit of research on the part of the originator could have answered it up front.

              As preparers, we encounter many situations where TTB cannot possibly answer in the few hundred pages they publish, and some situations where no source, no matter how voluminous, has addressed. Some questions are not even addressed in regulations (often temporary regulations which can last for years) or even private letter rulings. For these questions, it is helpful to have other experienced people offer solutions and opinions. There are enough of these alone to keep the board busy and relevant on an ongoing basis.

              As others have suggested, perhaps the best "answer" is no answer if it appears the question is coming from someone who is totally untrained or unresearched. The "no answer" approach has the added benefit of keeping the post free of babble and hot air. There are plenty of topics to keep us reading and busy without those kind of demands on our time.
              Last edited by Nashville; 01-03-2011, 04:20 PM.

              Comment


                #8
                Omitted

                was my post as postulated by Ron. Should I feel slighted?

                What would I have said? (grin)
                ChEAr$,
                Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

                Comment


                  #9
                  Consider yourself lucky

                  ...that you failed to be personified as a thoughtless respondent. When considering "taxbabble and hot air" I really don't know how you were left out.

                  The worst thing is now we'll never know what Harlan would have said...
                  Last edited by Nashville; 01-03-2011, 04:27 PM.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Nashville View Post
                    ...that you failed to be personified as a thoughtless respondent. When considering "taxbabble and hot air" I really don't know how you were left out.

                    The worst thing is now we'll never know what Harlan would have said...
                    And you never will! (grin
                    ChEAr$,
                    Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by JohnH View Post
                      You have a great point there, Ron. As we get into the busy season, it is helpful to stick to the topic and make the replies relevant & responsive. There's plenty of time to act out more after Apr 18.
                      I totally agree!
                      Believe nothing you have not personally researched and verified.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Well, humph! The wife is a bozo!




                        Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by ChEAr$ View Post
                          What would I have said? (grin)

                          You would have said: "I agree with Bees."

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Bees Knees View Post
                            You would have said: "I agree with Bees."
                            Okay, I can do that. ProVIDED... you don't call me Cheryl!
                            ChEAr$,
                            Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by ChEAr$ View Post
                              Okay, I can do that. ProVIDED... you don't call me Cheryl!
                              I know . . that was so funny - someone calling you Cheryl! You don't like it?

                              Comment

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