Are we having fun yet?

[luke]

Good grief its bad enough that IRS has slowed us down, now some of the strangest tax clients have decided to "give me their business"! Gee thanks but sorry I dont MAKE UP info for your return - you have to provide me with the correct info (union dues, business mileage, rental income/expense) - hey I could go on but I'm probably just preaching to the choir!

[Gary]

Obnoxious Client

Last year I had the client from hell. Half-way through preparing the return, I told her I would not finish and to get another preparer to finish. My manager foced to to complete the return. I just received a message that she is coming back to me this year.

[S T]

No we are not having fun yet! for 2012 tax filings in 2013 - bad enough with the Govt delays and possible software changes for some of us

Now - because the T/p Is having a "bad day" I receive it on the other end and it is all my fault, etc,etc,etc !

April 15th and extensions can not arrive soon enough!

Sandy

[JoshinNC]

I've taken a new aPproach this year that is really helping

No we are not having fun yet! for 2012 tax filings in 2013 - bad enough with the Govt delays and possible software changes for some of us

Now - because the T/p Is having a "bad day" I receive it on the other end and it is all my fault, etc,etc,etc !

April 15th and extensions can not arrive soon enough!

Sandy

I call it "you'll get it when you get it". I am NOT rushing to do any returns this year and have decided that at least 1/3 of my clients will be extended. My stress level is WAY lower than years past.

[RitaB]

No, no we are not

Lady caller: "What do you mean we owe $7,000 in tax?! I have never owed tax in my life!"

Me: "Well, have you ever been awarded a $30,000 disability settlement and cashed in your IRA prematurely before? Cause, uh, those are game changers."

It went downhill from there. She actually did not seem too disabled over the phone. She could probably get a job with tech support somewhere.

And a sewer line broke under my building today. Been a sh#$%y day.

[geekgirldany]

So much fun I don't know what to do

I've had alot of people calling for price estimates. Two were older folks and told me how easy their return is. Current preparer is charging to much at $300. After some questions they have five rental props, investments, etc. I told them I would charge atleast that much if not a little more. "I will call you back Monday to make an appointment". Never heard back from them. Lots of EIC people calling also, able to get rid of them quickly with the "I no longer prepare eic returns".

Gave a client the option to go to another preparer this year after complaints about my hours. My hours have been the same since he has been coming to me for 7 years. He complained each year but this time he was dang rude about it. Told him he needed to find an accountant available at the hours he wants. Never heard from him again

[luke]

yes

Thanks Josh! Good philosophy!
Someone called yesterday asking how much is fee to prepare taxes?
When told we dont give out fees over the phone she said, "well I can get my return done for free..."
Well believe me my fee is HIGHER than FREE!

[Roberts]

cashed in your IRA prematurely before? Cause, uh, those are game changers."

Unquestionably, the IRA distribution is the single biggest horror story generator in my practice. People just do not have a clue what they are generating or doing when they take that distribution. The horror on their face when I tell them of the tax bill due and it so easily could have been avoided.

[Roberts]

Oh and I had a guy call because he was supposedly referred to me. The first 10 minutes of the phone call was him explaining to me how his brother skewered him by providing him with a 1099 after he had fired him. He hated his brother. Don't use the family business because they are all jerks over there who cheat their customers (he admitted to working there for over 10 years).

Then he wants me to do his taxes for the last 2 years and this one. I give him the quote and he repeats the dollar figure and says "yeah, no" and hangs up. Never so glad to not get a new client in my life.

[Burke]

I call it "you'll get it when you get it". I am NOT rushing to do any returns this year and have decided that at least 1/3 of my clients will be extended. My stress level is WAY lower than years past.

Good philosphy. You are in command of your time and not subject to the time/tribulation schedules of the client. It is amazing how many people take vacation (what's that?) during tax season. And leaving "next week" for Hawaii, South Africa, etc. etc. and "need to get this to you before I go...." Okay, fine. Will talk to you when you get back.

[oceanlovin'ea]

mostly ok

This year is starting out pretty much ok. Been busy but with my husband doing the bookkeeping I haven't been as stressed out. I have had several new clients, referrals from satisfied clients.
Last year I had the worst client I have ever had. She drove me crazy and made my blood pressure rise. When I sent out newsletters, I didn't send her one. So far she hasn't called me. If I see her name on my caller ID, I won't answer it. I hope to NEVER deal with her again.

So far my clients have been nice and no one has been bugging me about getting things done. I really LOVE my clients.

Linda, EA

[TAX4US]

With all the late forms, software issues, etc, etc I wonder if anyone has established a date for filing extensions. I have a couple of corps that may get them this year. Whats your take on this issue?

[JohnH]

All my corps get extensions.

Personal extensions begin on anything which comes in March 11 or after. No exceptions.

Plus, I'm planning to file extensions next week on a few that are already in-house, including anyone who has a 1099-B with anything more than a little bit of dividend income.

[RitaB]

They are shocked. Shocked!

Unquestionably, the IRA distribution is the single biggest horror story generator in my practice. People just do not have a clue what they are generating or doing when they take that distribution. The horror on their face when I tell them of the tax bill due and it so easily could have been avoided.

Yep. This lady then went off about the Custodian telling her they were withholding enough tax to cover what she would owe. That always fires me up, and I ask them, "You are aware, aren't you, that they withhold from YOU, and if you get a check for the gross amount, you should realize they did NOT withhold anything."

People amaze me, and I always have somebody who can't figure out why they have to report the distribution on the tax return, after all the tax was withheld...

[Burke]

People amaze me, and I always have somebody who can't figure out why they have to report the distribution on the tax return, after all the tax was withheld...

I get that one all the time. The custodians withhold 10% and TP can't figure out why they owe more. And then there's the state......