The Extension Crowd

[Nashville]

Yep - that time of year again. Amazing how it's the same people year after year who cannot for once in their lives make it to the tax preparer before April 14th.

Funny thing about this crowd too. Even though there is a six-month extension, you won't see them May 14th or June 14th or July 14th, etc. They won't be back until October 14th, and then ALL of them will show up as if you are not going to be working on anyone's return but THEIRS.

The extension does not accommodate months. Or numbers. Or government processing. It is all about human behavior.

[BOB W]

It took one of my clients to get married to change his 10yr habit. Wife is high income and on the ball.

I have another client that refuses to return my call until July or August....He always owes big time with no extension. Local IRS office knows him by his first name as he is always putting out fires on a year to year basis. He still owes $50,000+ with no liens...????

[zeros]

Few Extensions

I have maybe one extension a year. If somebody calls for an extension, I try to get them in and see exactly what's missing in documents. When that it determined, they can see that it is only one or two bits of information that is missing and do manage to file on time. Works for me.........

[oceanlovin'ea]

I have a half a dozen who always file extensions. Everyone else I try to get done by the 15th of April.
This year will be a real push, but I am still determined and hopeful I will get all of them done.

Linda, EA

[JohnH]

I hate to rush. And I'm getting more adamant about this as I get older. I'm preparing extension as the returns come in the door and then finishing what I can between now and the 18th. Not planning to work weekends, and no late evenings unless I feel like it. Stress-free is definitely better for your health.

[geekgirldany]

I've got six extensions so far. I expect a few more.

Had a new client that was suppose to come by today and give me his info. I told him on the phone I would have to do an extension and would charge $100 that would go towards his tax prep bill. Well he did not show up today. Really the first year I've put my foot down about charging for extensions. Maybe that is a good way to see if they really want to be your client or really want to get it done anywhere.

[joanmcq]

I've got a return client that called yesterday and almost sounded apologetic about asking for an extension (elderly and have some rentals & don't have all the stuff sorted & totalled). I would've kissed her if she was in front of me.

I've got tons of new clients with the new federal same-sex filing rules in CA and the returns take about 4 times the amount of time a hetero couple with the same return would. All the ones coming in now are extensions.

[Black Bart]

Say Joan,

...I've got tons of new clients with the new federal same-sex filing rules in CA...returns take...4 times...a hetero couple...would...All...are extensions.

While I never heared of sich and it never occured to me to check out the off-beat bunch (or whatever you're allowed to say out there), I'm also lookin' for some summer trade. Do you happen to know if any of those new-fangled federal filing rules apply to brother-sister couples in AR?

.

[JohnH]

Bart: Here in NC, we usually handle that situation with a real loose reading of the "qualifying relative" rules. Especially in those parts of the state where some people think of family reunions as a good place to get a date.

[Lion]

Heard at a wedding...

At a CT wedding, the groom's toast included his observation that one good thing about marrying your (second) cousin is that you know she's from a good family!

(He was rich; she was young. She's now divorced and married to another.)