Couple comes in yesterday, fourth year coming back. They are retired, the wife is very pleasant and friendly and the husband can be a bit abrasive. By this I mean that he comes off as a bit of a know-it-all. I brush this off every year, smile and let him carry on. I always take some time and ask about their grandkids, their health, vacations, etc.
After we go over all of their paperwork, I ask "is there anything else you have questions about?" At this time, the husband proceeds to slide over some papers to me. I look down and to my complete surprise I see a completed Federal tax return done in pencil before my eyes. I flip through the papers and then look up and the husband is just sitting back in his chair with this big smirk on his face. All I could do is let out a little laugh and say "well, I guess we'll see where things come out". I was just so taken aback that I didn't know how to react. I have NEVER had something like this happen, nor have I EVER heard of something like this happening to a fellow preparer before. Truly unbelievable! I think about the look he had on his face and was truly the look of pride. These folks had returned from 6 weeks away down south (we are from the frozen tundra of northern MN) and he come home, takes the time to complete his own tax return, then has the nerve to come into my office, and plans to pay me to basically "correct his homework". In the end, I'd just be showing him how to do his own taxes for next year. I am so busy that I turn away 3-5 new clients a week! I've had to cut back on my clients this season because I grew too much. I'm looking at hiring an assistant next year because of where things are at. I don't need to have someone coming into my office who does not appreciate the service that I provide. Service that I know goes far above and beyond most of the preparers in my area; as I am told this on a regular basis.
To make matters worse, I already know that my rates are too low for my area. I've been told I'm about 40-50% less than H&R and those percentages climb for some of the big firms in town. I'm just a one-woman show and don't have the big overhead. All of this aside, I am so frustrated to think that he would take all of that time to prepare his own return just to save himself $150 (and then turn around and drop $20,000 at the casino). I have been nothing but kind and overly generous with my time given to them in the past. So sad, so very, very sad.
Thanks for allowing me to vent!
~Becky
After we go over all of their paperwork, I ask "is there anything else you have questions about?" At this time, the husband proceeds to slide over some papers to me. I look down and to my complete surprise I see a completed Federal tax return done in pencil before my eyes. I flip through the papers and then look up and the husband is just sitting back in his chair with this big smirk on his face. All I could do is let out a little laugh and say "well, I guess we'll see where things come out". I was just so taken aback that I didn't know how to react. I have NEVER had something like this happen, nor have I EVER heard of something like this happening to a fellow preparer before. Truly unbelievable! I think about the look he had on his face and was truly the look of pride. These folks had returned from 6 weeks away down south (we are from the frozen tundra of northern MN) and he come home, takes the time to complete his own tax return, then has the nerve to come into my office, and plans to pay me to basically "correct his homework". In the end, I'd just be showing him how to do his own taxes for next year. I am so busy that I turn away 3-5 new clients a week! I've had to cut back on my clients this season because I grew too much. I'm looking at hiring an assistant next year because of where things are at. I don't need to have someone coming into my office who does not appreciate the service that I provide. Service that I know goes far above and beyond most of the preparers in my area; as I am told this on a regular basis.
To make matters worse, I already know that my rates are too low for my area. I've been told I'm about 40-50% less than H&R and those percentages climb for some of the big firms in town. I'm just a one-woman show and don't have the big overhead. All of this aside, I am so frustrated to think that he would take all of that time to prepare his own return just to save himself $150 (and then turn around and drop $20,000 at the casino). I have been nothing but kind and overly generous with my time given to them in the past. So sad, so very, very sad.
Thanks for allowing me to vent!
~Becky
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