Hi, a client of mine is balking about my fees, and I think I'm being way generous. Here's what is involved: Schedule C including COGS for buying, building on, and selling properties. In 2011 he sold two properties, and for each one I had to make a special trip to my office in the off-seasonto meet with him to prepare a CA state property tax withholding form. His wife is disabled and receives SSI, and he has 2 dependent children, so he is claiming CTC as well as EIC. The year before he only had one property, but he had 3 dependent children that year, and he managed to get maximum EIC. He said he used some of his savings to live on, so it was conceivable that he supported them all on his low income. This year with the 2 properties his income is quite a bit higher, and therefore the EIC is quite a bit lower (also due to the oldest child leaving home), so I'm thinking he is going to be upset about $2,000 less of a refund, and be more inclined to gripe about my fees.
Last year I charged $286 and he thought that was excessive, so when he called this year and begged for a discount, I told him I'd do it for $250 but no lower, and he griped about that! I told him he wouldn't find anybody else in town that would charge him less than that, so he did come in. Now that I have the work all done I'm anticipating him griping about the much smaller refund, and that will surely open up again the discussion about my fees. It seems to me that $250 is an incredible deal.
Any input on this would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Linda
Last year I charged $286 and he thought that was excessive, so when he called this year and begged for a discount, I told him I'd do it for $250 but no lower, and he griped about that! I told him he wouldn't find anybody else in town that would charge him less than that, so he did come in. Now that I have the work all done I'm anticipating him griping about the much smaller refund, and that will surely open up again the discussion about my fees. It seems to me that $250 is an incredible deal.
Any input on this would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Linda
Comment