IRS Fingerprinting For Registered Tax Preparers

[joanmcq]

In New York people get tea and sympathy; here in Arkansas they get a glass of water and a kind word; whaddaya call this California version?

"Do you want a glass of whine with that?"

[Black Bart]

Suck it up, eh?

(re) your garbage issues...complain to your city/county...If you can't raise your fees...it's time to get out...I needed to get fingerprinted to sell cars in CA...get a special photo ID as well...I have long been paying much more for my CPA license and...CPE (also much more than you will be required to have)...$300 per year biz license, increases in software costs...even paper...had to pay to get the same PTIN...

I'm with Joan...I spend thousands of dollars and countless hours obtaining CPE's for my license, not to mention the schooling...

"Do you want a glass of whine with that?"

Well, the Georgia peach lady simply wanted to vent a bit and complain about her costs without being bluntly bludgeoned. The fact that your CA CPA fees (and those of the Maine KPA) are higher doesn't mean hers are less valid/more whiney than yours (I guess we're at the point of dropping the smiley faces).

[joanmcq]

I'm just getting really tired of people complaining about registration and how a few hundred dollars in total fees are going to make it difficult to stay in business. I mean, really?? Yeah, I'm being *****y, but I'm also trying to give some perspective, like the how much will it cost per client comment. When you run the numbers, it's not much.

I was trying to make a pun on wine & whine, ya know like CA is famous for wine?

[kpangelinan]

Well, the Georgia peach lady simply wanted to vent a bit and complain about her costs without being bluntly bludgeoned. The fact that your CA CPA fees (and those of the Maine KPA) are higher doesn't mean hers are less valid/more whiney than yours (I guess we're at the point of dropping the smiley faces).

So what's a comment that is without being bluntly bludgeoned:

"Sorry you feel the way you do."
"Thanks for sharing."

I suppose we could have been a tad softer, but, the subject matter warrants some of the responses I think.

[S T]

No

some of the responses are not warranted - when someone reads - they need to READ and understand what the OP is saying

BB hit it - Peachie was not whining she was venting

We all have felt the "pain" of the extra costs and the frustration of the current new requirements of IRS and State Agencies, but also Postage, Office Supplies, Tax supplies or Tax Software.

Sometimes we just "vent" on the Board - and other posters will provide us with alternatives.

We do not need as "posters" to be making "judgements" - are we walking in the "OP's"shoes???

A couple of "helpful" suggestions can go a long way! We need to be kind and helpful to our "fellow poster".

I have certainly asked, as many others have on the Board.

Sandy

[Peachie]

Venting vs Complaining

Well, the Georgia peach lady simply wanted to vent a bit and complain about her costs without being bluntly bludgeoned. The fact that your CA CPA fees (and those of the Maine KPA) are higher doesn't mean hers are less valid/more whiney than yours (I guess we're at the point of dropping the smiley faces).

BB thank you so much for understanding, mostly, the purpose of my post. For clarification purposes, I was Venting, not Complaining. I like your kindness.

Those of you that shared info with me instead of beating me up over my vent, I am appreciative. This venting came because of another e-mail from IRS saying we now have to pay for something that’s been “free” for many years.

Let me address those of you that are so self-righteous you missed my focus entirely:

1)As a home based business owner, I am required by my county government to be licensed. I gladly pay my fee each year which allows me to contribute to a profession I love dearly. I display that license proudly.

2)I only learned in June of the additional sanitation fee for having a home based business. This is the first year of many years our property taxes were itemized and I noticed the line item for sanitation for my business. I certainly would have been taking the write off had I known.

3)Many of you pointed out how educated you are as an EA and the additional education requirements you have. Well, I have self-enforced educational requirements as well. I take additional classes to earn CPE credits just as you. Of course, they are not the same caliber as what you do, but I love learning so I know I will be prepared to be a registered tax preparer when the time comes. I pay the fee for my courses as you do.

4)IRS has my fingerprints on file because I had to submit them in relation to electronic filing and the PTIN. This, too, happened many years ago and was free at the police department. I have no objection to being fingerprinted and was again-venting.

5)I am a member of a National Tax Organization and the fees are not cheap. Maybe, not as much as your EA fees, but I do pay it. I don’t have to be a member of this organization. Again, it’s about education.

6)I certainly understand how to factor in my additional costs—I’m not new to this game and raise my fees each season accordingly.

So, fellow tax professionals, whether you were negative or positive, I know now VENTING is not what it’s supposed to be on the TMI board. I said in my OP I was frustrated and needed to VENT and that brought out some ugliness. I asked you to share with me your thoughts and not beat me up. Some missed that part. Next time I’ll just say what I want to say and not label it at all. I am not looking for a benefactor and I’m not begging. I just thought I could come here and find a soft place to land. Oops! My bad.

Peachie

[S T]

Peachie

As some of us expressed - in various ways - or tried to give some direction on the issues you posted and your frustrations

Your posts are valuable here, I would hope that we (posters) try not to designate between a Tax Preparer Professional vs an EA or CPA, etc. We have already had that discussion on HR Block people.

And, as I can well attest to I have vented many times about issues --- I view this Board as a Group of Friends and Colleagues, that sometimes have understanding, more often than not, have more knowledge than I do - but I do enjoy participating and trying to give "someone" a direction or share knowledge and thoughts or experiences.

I certainly hope that you continue to do so, questions, observations, sharing, and yes even "venting".

Stay safe in Georgia - while Hurricane Irene is moving up the Eastern Coast

Sandy

[PIGLEE]

Peachie, I understand your needing to vent, screaming at the walls does not work, you want someone to listen to you, and to "understand" what you are feeling. Your situation is like mine, you work at home, so have no one to vent to at the office, and I happen to know you are a widow, and I just became one, so there is no one at home either. I would not give up my tax practice, it keeps me busy, sharp, sane, and then there are my once a year friends, that I would really miss. Hang in there, play with and pay for their silly new rules (I do hope it will clean up our industry) and enjoy your tax practice this next year.

[Jiggers]

Fees, fees, and more fees.........

It has taken me many years of being in practice for myself. I started with a CPA firm that billed by the hour. Period. But in my off season of October 15 - December 31, things got tight.

Then I learned about billing by the form and schedule.

Once I figured out a good fee schedule, my profits have significantly increased. Clients understand that if you add a form or schedule the fee will be more. Just like shopping at the local supermarket. One bag of groceries is $40. Two bags cost more. I explained my fees to a person that complained about her fee and then she understood.

Now I have learned to develop my fees to include my CPE, registrations, etc.

I automatically increase my fees each year by 3% of the client's prior year fee, rounded to the next $5.00 and added to my base fee.

I also calculate my annual increases for taxes, health insurance, utilities, rent, PTIN fee, etc. I take that and divide by the number of returns I expect to do and round up to the next $10. That is added to my base fee.

Clients understand that your overhead costs go up. Their's do. Notice the cost of groceries and fuel lately?

Plus I adjust the forms and schedules fees based on new IRS requirements. For instance, look at the Schedule D and attachment form for 2011. There will be a significant increase in my fee for doing a Schedule D because of it.

I just wish some of our organizations would listen to me and allow me to do a one hour presentation on fees. But they won't because of the fear of "price fixing". I just want to share my ideas. I may have to write a book.

[Peachie]

With sincere condolences!

Peachie, I understand your needing to vent, screaming at the walls does not work, you want someone to listen to you, and to "understand" what you are feeling. Your situation is like mine, you work at home, so have no one to vent to at the office, and I happen to know you are a widow, and I just became one, so there is no one at home either. I would not give up my tax practice, it keeps me busy, sharp, sane, and then there are my once a year friends, that I would really miss. Hang in there, play with and pay for their silly new rules (I do hope it will clean up our industry) and enjoy your tax practice this next year.

Yes, Piglee, we are in the same situatioon. I will never give up doing taxes. It's my passion and the one thing I would do absolutely free if I had to. I love my clients and they love me. I am going no where. You totally get what I was saying.

I am so sorry that you lost your spouse. I know how devastating that can be when it's just the two of you at home and then you're by yourself. Please, if there's anything I can do in encouraging you or just offering a word of friendship, I want to know. Please send an e-mail or PM me anytime. The one thing I have learned is not to let anyone tell you when you should stop grieving. Your time is the time.

[Gary2]

Once I figured out a good fee schedule, my profits have significantly increased. Clients understand that if you add a form or schedule the fee will be more. Just like shopping at the local supermarket. One bag of groceries is $40. Two bags cost more. I explained my fees to a person that complained about her fee and then she understood.

Do they complain about the computer doing all the work? For example, maybe this year they qualify for the 8880, for no extra effort on your part. Or maybe last year's child tax credit turned into this year's 8812 - again, with no more keystrokes.

I just wish some of our organizations would listen to me and allow me to do a one hour presentation on fees. But they won't because of the fear of "price fixing". I just want to share my ideas. I may have to write a book.

Have you asked about doing it without using numbers? They probably don't have an anti-trust attorney on staff willing to give an ok, but it can't hurt to ask.

[Jiggers]

[QUOTE=Gary2;124982]Do they complain about the computer doing all the work? For example, maybe this year they qualify for the 8880, for no extra effort on your part. Or maybe last year's child tax credit turned into this year's 8812 - again, with no more keystrokes.
QUOTE]

I do not do the return with the client in my office. After the interview they leave. I work on it later.

Its the knowledge that I bill for. Not the time that it takes me.

Reminds me of the story about an auto repair person presenting a bill for $150 for 10 5 minutes work. When the car owner complained and asked for a detailed bill, the auto repair person presented the following bill:
$ 0.99 for the part.
149.01 for know where the part goes.