What would you charge for THIS?

[RitaB]

Not to be a copy cat, and I don't know anything about fixin up an actual poll, but this came up today:

Clergy, with Housing Allowance, some of which is excess, wages in box 1, deferred comp in box 12, Wife makes $14,000 doing something at the church, Sch A, Sch C for Honorariums, 2 kids, Form 8812, Form 8880, Form 2106.

He is well-organized and has a pleasant personality. Seems to be as honest as the day is long. (Hey, it makes a difference. To me, at least.)

No state return. This is Tennessee, and he is well paid for THIS community - all told, they make $84,000. (I only say that because I know that many pastors are underpaid, and we might tend to do more for less.)

[JoshinNC]

$350ish

Maybe a little more, but not less

[AJsTax]

That return

is worth a max of $150 around here.

[Chief]

That return

For a new client I probably would charge $100. Why a Form 2106 for a minister?

[Art]

Start at $150 and up

Art

[RitaB]

Because

For a new client I probably would charge $100. Why a Form 2106 for a minister?

Because he is an employee for income tax purposes, and he had unreimbursed employee expenses.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p517/ar02.html#en_US_2010_publink100033669

There is an example about 2/3 thru the publication.

[JoshinNC]

No wonder the economy in OH is in the toilet

is worth a max of $150 around here.

Really, $150 for a 1040, an A, a C, and ee expense?

[Bonnie]

My thoughts are between 100-150 but I kinda agree with Chief $100. I guess because he's a Pastor.

[AJsTax]

Yes,

Really, $150 for a 1040, an A, a C, and ee expense?

we feel that is a fair and honest price, Even at that we are making 150 to 200 an hour,
Only partnerships, trusts or corps ever approach or go over $400.
If they think we are too high there are several other firms in the area that will do it for that price.
Yes, the economy is down, which rules our prices, not the other way around.

[JoshinNC]

Partnerships, Corp and Trusts start @$600

In our office unless there was almost no activity, then minimum $300.

[RitaB]

Thanks for the input

I had already charged him before I asked the question, and I would probably do it exactly the same anyway.

I knew his 87 year-old preparer before me charged him $75. She retired. (Already?)

Anyway, I told him when he came in to pick up that I charge $150 for this, but I know you are used to paying less, so you can pay what you think it's worth. But, in the future it's $150.

He was VERY nice, and paid the $150. On the way out, he asked if I would be offended if he found someone next year to do it for less.

Not at all. (Obviously, I lied.) It is bothering me a little that he might think I ripped him off.

I did ask two local preparers. They both said $200 - $300.

[Gretel]

I am not touching a tax return for under $100 (with rare exceptions), Sch. C or 2106 not under $200. I am expensive for my little town but when I look at all the time and expenses I have to invest you to stay barely on top I think my charges are fair.

I don't consider the payment as payment for time but for knowing what to do, like the mechanic who charges $50 to turn a screw, took him 2 minutes. Customer complains and mechanic says: I charged you $5 for turning the screw and $45 for knowing which screw to turn.

By the way, I just won a new client, who had asked me for a quote some years ago, but I was too expensive for him. He did the tax returns himself. Now, they inherited some stocks etc., so he came to me and I discovered so many serious mistakes by just looking at his last years tax returns that he will be filing an amended one, each tax return around $350 and between these two years I saved him at least $3,000 in taxes. No, not EIC.

[veritas]

How very

He was VERY nice, and paid the $150. On the way out, he asked if I would be offended if he found someone next year to do it for less.

uncourteous he was. You went out of your way for him. $300 minimum for that return.

[RitaB]

Thank you

uncourteous he was. You went out of your way for him. $300 minimum for that return.

I think I will ask HIM if he would be offended if I asked him NOT to let his new preparer see (use) my tax return. Those clergy worksheets don't complete themselves, you know.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Sounds like he will find out you are less expensive than others around if they told you they would charge more than you did.

I had a new client last year. Old preparer had died although they had already decided to change because he made some serious mistakes on someone's return they knew. When I told her my charge, she said we are used to paying this much, so that is what she paid me.
I took it. Of course they came back.

Sometimes the clergy don't want to pay....they are used to things being given to them. Don't worry about it.

I think you treated him very fairly.

Linda, EA