So how are you handling clients in light of the virus ?

[Twin Turbo Z]

We have a big notice on our door explaining how we handle stuff too. Door is now locked and will stay locked. 90% of our business is drop off anyway. So no big deal. My families health is a bigger concern than my clients refunds. Plus we can afford to shed a few of the pain in the ***, want it now clients.

[EvenKeelTax]

Burke, as of now Maine has not officially extended deadline past April 15, but I would expect that to happen very soon. I plan to just keep the OPEN sign off, and I took down my hours sign. I put a notice on the door essential saying call or email for service.

[ATSMAN]

Essential business is a state by state definition.

Here we go again. Some states consider Taxpreparers as "essential service" and others non-essential YET the tasks we perform are same or identical. Go figure??

Reminds me of Gov. Cuomo talking about Ad-Hoc nature of state response on everything connected with this crisis.

I liked the quote from Sen. Kennedy of LA. "Our country was founded by a bunch of geniuses BUT it is run by a bunch of idiots" it was delivered on the Senate floor!

[Lion]

Essential business is a state by state definition.

[Burke]

Working on Maine tax return now; does not appear this state has extended any filing or payment deadlines?

[EvenKeelTax]

I do woodworking as a hobby. Just finished my first electric guitar before tax season hit. Came out pretty good. Well I rushed the painting process. I see all the imperfections. But it plays nice. Good to have something to do and or fall back on. Back on subject, as of tonight we are shutting down all in person client pickups. Our state is implementing a closure of nonessential businesses. And we are non essential IMHO But will still do remote crap.

That's awesome you made a guitar. I wonder if we could be considered essential as tax businesses? I suppose each state would vary that definition, but I just had a client call me wanting to finish a return because they need the refund money. Right now in Maine there is not a mandatory lockdown of all businesses yet, but I see the writing on the wall as more and more states do shut down. I'll still help anyone who needs a refund ASAP.

[Lion]

All my clients are still here, the usual number are in already and the usual number already requesting extensions.. If yours are coming in more slowly, contact them. Tell them the filing and payment deadlines were postponed but NOT the deadline for IRAs, certain elections, etc., and that the sooner they file, the sooner they'll get refunds. If you're not busy, offer a % discount for files dropped off by 15 April or a certain date. Maybe a lesser % a month later. Put the word out that you're available to file 2018 returns for those wanting to qualify for advance checks. Offer a % discount for small businesses (schedules C) that need the financial help now, and you will gain some long-term clients.

[Twin Turbo Z]

I'm doing what you are doing, Twin Turbo. I have a drop-box, and I have a portal. I'm closed and helping people via email/phone calls for now, and I am going to take off and go do carpentry to make extra money. Never thought I would be insulating and sheetrocking in March because my tax office is doing almost no business! I actually am lucky to have carpentry work this time of year that I normally would not even have as an option. One of my good friends (who still has a job and an income) has been renovating his multi-unit apartment building and needs the work done. It will be weird doing taxes in July for people who would have normally filed months ago.

I do woodworking as a hobby. Just finished my first electric guitar before tax season hit. Came out pretty good. Well I rushed the painting process. I see all the imperfections. But it plays nice. Good to have something to do and or fall back on. Back on subject, as of tonight we are shutting down all in person client pickups. Our state is implementing a closure of nonessential businesses. And we are non essential IMHO But will still do remote crap.

[EvenKeelTax]

I'm doing what you are doing, Twin Turbo. I have a drop-box, and I have a portal. I'm closed and helping people via email/phone calls for now, and I am going to take off and go do carpentry to make extra money. Never thought I would be insulating and sheetrocking in March because my tax office is doing almost no business! I actually am lucky to have carpentry work this time of year that I normally would not even have as an option. One of my good friends (who still has a job and an income) has been renovating his multi-unit apartment building and needs the work done. It will be weird doing taxes in July for people who would have normally filed months ago.

[ATSMAN]

Personally, I am not in favor of total drop offs since things get lost, even as we scan everything initially.

That is exactly what I had in mind when I first started drop off service before this year's emergency. So to protect us I have an inventory sheet that gets completed as soon as we handle the envelope. We know from current clients what we must see in general so that gets inventoried first. If any document that should be in there is missing a call is made within 24 hours to find out why. Then we add any additional new documents.

After we scan the documents we match that to the inventory sheet. Believe me this has saved my bacon when part time help misfiled or forgot to pick up a document from the scanner hopper.

BTW many of my clients put in their envelope documents that we don't need for tax prep. I staple all those documents separately and there is an index card stuck on top "NOT REQUIRED FOR RETURN PREPARATION". Generally these are credit card/bank statements, household repair bills (not related to rental activity) etc.

[mastertaxguy]

So how are you handling clients in light of the virus ?

With surgical gloves and masks (we actually some), (The "surgical" or medical Masks don't really protect us, but protect the client according to my nursing and other health care professional clients and spouse.)

Seriously, we increased the client spacing from the preparer desks, are wiping down counters, door handles, etc. more frequently, encouraging drop offs but handle those client returns needing to be completed for one reason or another (using loans, student loans, that sort of thing). We have a preparer with serious medical issues now working from his home to minimize his exposure to things.

Personally, I am not in favor of total drop offs since things get lost, even as we scan everything initially.

But we do what we must.

[Twin Turbo Z]

The Senior Citizens Centers in our area have volunteers that do income taxes for seniors (free of charge) and those have shut down. Been bombarded with call form effected seniors. Unfortunately we dont want anymore clients and have to turn them away. Keep safe everyone !!!

[Lion]

The CLIENT has to call.

From the IRS site: Once your return is accepted, information pertaining to your payment, such as account information, payment date, or amount, cannot be changed. If changes are needed, the only option is to cancel the payment and choose another payment method.

Call IRS e-file Payment Services 24/7 at 1-888-353-4537 to inquire about or cancel your payment, but please wait 7 to 10 days after your return was accepted before calling.

Cancellation requests must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET two business days prior to the scheduled payment date.

[ATSMAN]

I was mostly doing drop off/pickup and a few snail mail. But with today's filing deadline announcement I am going to see how next week goes and then make a decision. If in person appointments are going to slow down, I may open one or two day a week for office appointments and work from home the rest. Let's say everything is up in the air until the dust settles!

BTW I have gotten a lot of calls from balance due folks wanting to cancel their ACH Debits on 4/15. How are you guys handling those calls?

[Twin Turbo Z]

Oh hell yes to more sleep. Been steaming alot of veggies here. Hot Totties too !!