Preparing form 2553, what would you charge?

[AZ-Tax]

One of my fellow EA's in PHX said he bills out $165/hr and probably would take 1 to 2 hours to complete form 2553. Last time I did one I charged $100 couple yrs ago. This one is one shareholder.

[ChEAr$]

One of my fellow EA's in PHX said he bills out $165/hr and probably would take 1 to 2 hours to complete form 2553. Last time I did one I charged $100 couple yrs ago. This one is one shareholder.

What would I charge? nothing. It's all part of setting up corporate account and I will doing monthly writeup work anyway. (Each client represents a monthly annuity.)

Just how long does it take? You go to the pdf form on the web, enter the required data, print it out and give it to client to mail. Oh, probably 5 minutes; 10 at th emost.

You just can't nickle and dime clients to death. Every now and then do something for free. Call it "value added".

[JohnH]

I'm not sure I'd want someone doing any tax work for me if it took them 2 hrs to fill out a 2553.

[veritas]

I would charge

at least one hour.

This includes phone/meeting call from client(s) to discuss making election.

Time to complete form which can vary depending on availability of information.

Setting up appt with client(s) to sign form and mail for them, since they can't be trusted.

[kpangelinan]

I'm not sure I'd want someone doing any tax work for me if it took them 2 hrs to fill out a 2553.

Ditto....that's ridiculous.

What would I charge? nothing. It's all part of setting up corporate account and I will doing monthly writeup work anyway. (Each client represents a monthly annuity.)

Just how long does it take? You go to the pdf form on the web, enter the required data, print it out and give it to client to mail. Oh, probably 5 minutes; 10 at th emost.

You just can't nickle and dime clients to death. Every now and then do something for free. Call it "value added".

We include that in our all-inclusive fee to set up the corporation, consult on what type of corporation might be best, etc.

So, nothing.

[veritas]

What do you include

Ditto....that's ridiculous.



We include that in our all-inclusive fee to set up the corporation, consult on what type of corporation might be best, etc.

So, nothing.

in setting up a corporation?

[kpangelinan]

in setting up a corporation?

Sole props or new business start ups come in seeking to start their S-corp (or C or LLC) and we charge a fee for that; consultation, articles of incorporation, name search, EIN number, 2553, etc.

And like mentioned earlier, who do you think will get the book work and tax prep for these newly formed corporations?

[ChEAr$]

new corporations

Yes Veritas, in some states we are not afraid to assist client in setting up his own corporation. However client himself has to take the paperwork to local probate judge's office for filing.

[Roberts]

I'm not sure I'd want someone doing any tax work for me if it took them 2 hrs to fill out a 2553.

2 hrs for 15 minutes work. Seems about right for most attorney's.

[kpangelinan]

2 hrs for 15 minutes work. Seems about right for most attorney's.

Ouch! Sad, but true.

[veritas]

Then you won't be afraid

Yes Veritas, in some states we are not afraid to assist client in setting up his own corporation. However client himself has to take the paperwork to local probate judge's office for filing.

of the lawsuit you potentially face.

[kpangelinan]

of the lawsuit you potentially face.

Huh?

We use a third party vendor to do the filings and just pass that fee along to the customer and charge an additional fee for the consultation and other things that go along with setting up a corporation.

[ChEAr$]

Huh?

We use a third party vendor to do the filings and just pass that fee along to the customer and charge an additional fee for the consultation and other things that go along with setting up a corporation.

Here, I am only an amanuensis for my client and I charge no fee for so called "legal work".
The articles of incorporation are stock, used by other attorneys and satisfy minimum requirements of the state. As I said, the papers are given to client and he is the one who files them. I see no legal liability on my part. It is not the practice of law.

[veritas]

I was

Huh?

We use a third party vendor to do the filings and just pass that fee along to the customer and charge an additional fee for the consultation and other things that go along with setting up a corporation.

responding to Chear$

[veritas]

Here's the way I see it

Here, I am only an amanuensis for my client and I charge no fee for so called "legal work".
The articles of incorporation are stock, used by other attorneys and satisfy minimum requirements of the state. As I said, the papers are given to client and he is the one who files them. I see no legal liability on my part. It is not the practice of law.

Doctors do doctor stuff.
Dentists do dentist stuff.
Plumbers do plumber stuff
Lawyers do lawyer stuff

Shade tree mechanics try to do their stuff

And of couse we do our stuff