Mini rant

[FEDUKE404]

This is a serious question, and I am trying my best to be kind.

I have noticed a significant increase in questions here which, at least in my opinion, a person with minimal tax skills should already know.

Yes, we were all once young and inexperienced and all that. Everyone agrees that professional tax preparation is a never-ending learning process, and I am sincerely grateful for some of the comments other members have posted here whenever I have a question. Hopefully some of my own comments have been helpful to others also.

BUT I have taught basic (and other) tax classes, back in the days when a computer was a luxury, and even the slowest person in my class would (should) have known the answers to many of the questions I now frequently see here.

This is not a chat room for TurboTax first-time users. But some of the questions ARE indicative of such. I even find myself biting my tongue between saying something like "I think you should already know that if you are preparing taxes for compensation" or even "Read the darn instructions!"

OK - rant over - did not mean to offend anyone, truly! Comments are welcomed, however.

FE

[taxea]

I can only ditto that

[KBTS]

Maybe it is the start of a new season or just lots of new users, but I have noticed an increase in questions that could be easily answered just by referring to TTB, searching this forum, or even using a Google search.

Perhaps a useful suggestion would be to ask people to do a little research on their own before posting their question. I know it is easier to just post a question and wait for an answer, but you generally learn a great deal more when you do some digging on your own and then post if you are still unclear (at least that is how it works for me).

[DTS]

Perhaps a useful suggestion would be to ask people to do a little research on their own before posting their question. I know it is easier to just post a question and wait for an answer, but you generally learn a great deal more when you do some digging on your own and then post if you are still unclear (at least that is how it works for me).

This is the approach I try to use, sometimes not successfully. It is hard to always find the clear answer we need and want. For me, that is why the experience of many of you on this board is so valuable.

D

[geekgirldany]

I agree and I also think there is alot of new users here.

I do admit my moving expense post was probably a question I should not have ask here. I was just a little confused in that the prior preparer took the deduction and I could not find a definite answer on any of my research materials. Well I now know to look at the IRS Pubs also. TTB has spoiled me Got so use to looking there and another research resource that I did not look at the IRS Pubs. I just could not find a clear answer to my question.

I appreciate everyone taking time to help me.

[dan doshan]

Just to add. I have been back doing taxes for around 12 years now. And find that sorting out dependency, qualifying children, filing status, eic, couples who divorced or never married, can get ridiculously complicated. I think I understand it pretty well but still find myself perusing the books to double check in various situations.

Point being, anytime you have any or all of the above, the best thing to do is ask a lot of questions. Many of which can be very personal. Take your time and look at all the options that may come up. Just when you think you have it mastered, trust me, someone will come in with a situation that will have you looking thru or up information on again.

[Jesse]

I don't mind the basic questions. Sometimes it's a good refresher.

Sometimes my brain is on overload and I'm not thinking clear so I appreciate those that are willing to take the time to answer.

I don't understand why it's such a big deal for anyone to just ignore a question they feel is not worthy of their time.

[BHoffman]

It must be wonderful up there

[Jesse]

It sure is great down here!

[JoshinNC]

I think I get the gist of the OP's opinion

Sometimes the very rudimentary questions, especially when the same poster asks several rudimentary questions, expand on the opinion that there genuinely are folks out there preparing taxes for a fee that probably shouldn't be. Has or will the new testing regimen scared some of them away, I'm sure? But others will somehow pass the test (or just ignore the requirements) and continue to prepare returns at bottom dollar prices on kitchen tables with no actual tax knowledge, and this is a scary realization to those of us that actually have chosen tax as our profession and not just a way to make a couple bucks between the next deck we help build or the next invalid we sit next to for hours on end while we complete crossword puzzles.

[AZ-Tax]

My take

I don't mind the basic questions. Sometimes it's a good refresher.
Sometimes my brain is on overload and I'm not thinking clear so I appreciate those that are willing to take the time to answer. I don't understand why it's such a big deal for anyone to just ignore a question they feel is not worthy of their time.

In a way I agree with Jesse, if you find the question elementary, ignore it vs. being snippy. Being snippy has the potential of making all of us look bad. Heck, one of these members some of you may find “green”, may refer you a client or clients for being kind, courtesy and knowing your sh*t. They may not be located in your area but their clients may have relatives, friends etc in your neck of the woods or moving to your neck of the woods.

[Jesse]

Hey JoshinNC,
Just curious, how was the traing and how is the side job going?

[FEDUKE404]

Addressing member responses to post

Thanks for the comments here.

Jesse raised a valid point. Sometimes it is a breath of fresh air to be "reminded" of facts regarding some issues that, for whatever reason, we may not regularly be exposed to.

And Dan D was correct: Sometimes the most aggravating details and/or nit-picking can come into play with dependent/EITC issues. I rarely rely on my memory when things get "close" (must/should/can/may or at least/more than verbiage).

And Josh definitely speaketh the truth. I wonder how many "professionals" may find in the future their PTINs (assuming they had one in the first place ) suddenly do not work next year.

And now back to the tax skirmishes.....

FE

[thomtax]

Thanks for the comments here.


And now back to the tax skirmishes.....

FE

OH NO - Are you Yankees invading us in the South again?

[ChEAr$]

I just wonder now, isn't a subscription to THETAXBOOK required for access here?

Advice to newbies asking questions. When you dont' understand something in THETAXBOOK at least provide a cite for what you have found out so far, and then re state the questions maybe.