I'm in a hole

[LTS]

>>a brief explanation of my hourly fee structure<<

Good thing I'm a tax preparer instead of a preacher. I've been struggling mightily on the ethical point, but I just can't make it stick. The economic argument is so much more compelling!

if the economic argument was that important to you, you wouldn't have logged so many posts on this and other boards. i value those posts for different reasons and levels; two examples: girlfriend as sister for hh - funny / carmel coast - envy.

preach away.

[jainen]

struggling mightily

>>a brief explanation of my hourly fee structure<<

Good thing I'm a tax preparer instead of a preacher. I've been struggling mightily on the ethical point, but I just can't make it stick. The economic argument is so much more compelling!

[Brad Imsdahl]

I don’t call stock brokers asking for basis information for a client.

I don’t call employers asking for an explanation of a W-2 box 14 amount.

I don’t call employers asking for more information on a client’s employee stock option plan.

I don’t call the accountant who issued my client a K-1.

I don’t call the previous year tax preparer asking for a depreciation schedule.

And I am certainly not going to call an employer on a suspicion of W-2 fraud.

I make the client supply me with missing information. And if the client acts ignorant and complains about not knowing how to get the missing information, I give a brief explanation of my hourly fee structure for me having to do any of the above. Clients will always have a rather sudden change in attitude about coming up with the necessary documentation requested.

[BP.]

After you've been in practice a while, you'll get a sense of this.

Uh . . . that was a jaw dropper!

[Brad Imsdahl]

Remember, Brad, real fraud is suspected in the case under discussion.

If real fraud is suspected, why don’t you call the police?

Interesting that when real fraud is suspected with EIC, according to the regs I quoted earlier, you are supposed to refuse to do the return. Nothing about doing your own investigation with third parties. Nothing about going into the private eye biz.

After you've been in practice a while, you'll get a sense of this.

One thing I’ve learned so far, during the short period of time I have been in practice, is that for the fee I get doing a tax return, its not very profitable spending time on the phone having to call people to verify information supplied by a client. It is far more profitable making the client supply the needed additional information in order for me to complete the return.

If I suspected W-2 fraud, I’d have the client produce all the pay stubs from the employer. Problem solved.

[Ken]

wrong employer ID #

I have tried to file a w-2 with the wrong employer ID number and I couldn't do it. It was my mistake of course and I corrected it right away. If the person making the fake W-2 knew the employers correct ID number, it might work for him. I'm not going to call an employer and play tax police, thats the IRS's job, not mine.

[Black Bart]

An old-time Southern lawyer

My friends, I'm in a hole on...other software forums...I hope... greater wisdom here...I was all alone...I don't mind...if you...join your colleagues against me...but isn't there anyone...who will champion my side?

That's what you sound like with your sly and successful new tack/tactic of a low-profile, non-assertive, easy-goin', and non-confrontational style. Have to admit I'm a bit jealous (it's been a while since I scored a thousand-hit post).

A suggestion: Perhaps if you began every other paragraph with the anachronistic phrase "Mah fellow Uhhmericuuuns; what this country needs is...(a good -- and deductible -- $500 water heater)"

[jainen]

different skill

>>Remember, Brad, real fraud is suspected in the case under discussion.<<

One of my principal concerns is that a real fraud investigator is not involved. You may be an excellent tax preparer, but trying to gather evidence of fraud is a whole different skill.

[Black Bart]

Now

...Remember, Brad...After you've been in practice a while, you'll get a sense of this.

that statement to a guy who literally "wrote the book" is pretty funny.

[ChEAr$]

That's simple

And then what are you going to do if he says, "I have three Joe Blows working for me. Which one do you mean?"

I would say "the Joe Blow who is about 37 years old, brown eyes, red hair with a wife but
no children.

Don't have to divulge a social security number or address contained on the W2 in question at this point.
And, don't need to make a federal case out of this.

Remember, Brad, real fraud is suspected in the case under discussion.
After you've been in practice a while, you'll get a sense of this.

[outwest]

My legal training is sparse but..

didn't the taxpayer give you a document supposedly prepared by this employer complete with name address and SSN?

If it's legit, no confidential information to share, the employer already has it. (though I will concede a question of who you talk to might not be in HR)

If not legit, the taxpayer has made an affirmation that it is issued by the employer. I think you would have a good defense. None the less I wouldn't like to go to court, even if I think the chances are good.

Rubber meets the road for me, I agree with SeaTax, I not going to waste my time.

Doug

[Brad Imsdahl]

However, calling an employer in the area to ask if he had a certain someone working for
him last year will not get me in trouble. Don't have to mention social security number;
don't have to ask to verify the wage amount. Simply "Did Joe Blow work for you last year?"

Nothing illegal about that.

And then what are you going to do if he says, "I have three Joe Blows working for me. Which one do you mean?"

[John of PA]

Tough Times

and remember everyone, TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST, TOUGH PEOPLE DO!

[jainen]

in the mail

>>I trust your out of your hole by now<<

Oh yes, thank you all. This has bucked me right up! To tell the truth, I've been a little depressed by a few things (especially that 24-year-old living in my garage) but I'm getting control of it again. I still have to clear some time this afternoon to get my organizers in the mail, however.

[John of PA]

Out of hole yet?

Janien, I trust your out of your hole by now. Your really are among the top respected participants in this forum. You send out an SOS and the response is overwhelming. Thats great, thanks for all your contributions to this sight.