Uncle!!

[Black Bart]

I can't believe that just a few days ago my wife and I were looking at each other saying "Is it just me or does it seem like it's starting slow this season" (although we say that every year)?

Somebody else here on the board said that earlier too, but if they're like me, they're eating their words -- it's been a quick and breezy rush here all day. We've had 45 cases (correction--better half says she did 30 of them) in the last two-three days. It's 4:45 and I've just now had a chance to look up, although I did manage to squeeze in a BLT sometime in the middle of the day.

How's your business?

[geekgirldany]

I've got a couple bringing by their information for corporate returns. But that is all so far. None of my regular individuals have called. I expect some more calls next week. Figure the W-2s will be mailed out this Friday for most people.

[BP.]

hungry

I envy you your brief sandwich time! Today (busy) I got the old familiar early Feb feeling that tells me MUST HAVE FOOD NOW!

[taxmandan]

Slowing building up from 4-5 a day to 10-20. Strange thing this year has been that many of my clients who usually pay cash are asking to have my fee withheld from their refund, making cash flow lower than normal. Are we headed into a recession? Last time I saw that kind of change in behavior was in early 2001, everyone was paying with credit cards not cash. Then the wheels came off the dot.com boom and the economy.

[fliszt]

Client calls

have been slow this year. Only 1 individual thus far come and gone. A few appointments in Feb. Usually the corporate clients have at least phoned and appointments set up. But not this year. So, I can eat lunch uninterrupted. (I'd rather be unable to eat!)

[Black Bart]

Busier than thou

I envy you your brief sandwich time!

Aw, the first braggart doesn't have a chance.

[Black Bart]

The Trash Index as opposed to media's Rosy Scenario

Slowing building up from 4-5 a day to 10-20. Strange thing this year has been that many of my clients who usually pay cash are asking to have my fee withheld from their refund, making cash flow lower than normal. Are we headed into a recession? Last time I saw that kind of change in behavior was in early 2001, everyone was paying with credit cards not cash. Then the wheels came off the dot.com boom and the economy.

No, no -- haven't you been reading the papers and watching TV? They all say business is booming, GNP's up, unemployment's down, the economy's flexing its muscle, and life is gooood!

But, I look up and down the street -- lots of office space is up for rent, factories are off to Mexico, only two cars in front of small businesses (except liquor stores) and those probably belong to employees because the owners all tell me business is awful.

You can't put any stock in the media and I kinda miss the janitor in charge of the "Trash Index." He was an old guy that cleaned up in a big complex where my office was in the 70s. He once told me (quite correctly as was later revealed) that "Business is bad." "How so?" said I. He: "I used to have to take the trash out three times a day. Only once a day now. No paper; no business. The economy's off -- for sure."

[sea-tax]

Well about the economy , it must be regional because up here in the GREAT NW it is still a booming. Business tax and financial planning is going great for me and each year seems to get better than the last.

[veritas]

The only downside

is nobody can afford a home in or near Seattle. The commute is horrible. The taxes are obscene. The elected officials make up their own boxes of ballots.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Some are calling

I have had some clients call and are starting to come in. Trying to finish bookkeeping and get PR reports out right now.

I did my good deed for tax season. Today was my daughter's 8th anniversary. So we kept the 2 grandchildren and let them go away Sunday and they came back Tuesday. It did them a lot of good. My grandson just started sleeping all night about 6 weeks ago and he is 15 months old. She really needed to get away and relax.

So now until next Tuesday it is work, work, work, work. Have about a half a dozen appointments the rest of this week.

Linda F

[S T]

Not a Slow Start

Doesn't seem to be anything "slow" about the start of this tax season.

Most of my long term clients are eager for an appt, where in years past, they state not ready. We are mostly prescheduled with confirmations.

So because of new computer system setup, etc, we are slightly behind in schedulling, and the phone calls are many!

Good news, is that I do a lot of out time on appts and have been able to convert to mail ins or office appts. Yea for me!! Thank goodness for technology!!

Down to 1 client on 1099 forms and W-2's so we have managed that "crunch"

Best Wishes to All for the 2006 filing Season!!

Sandy

[sea-tax]

is nobody can afford a home in or near Seattle. The commute is horrible. The taxes are obscene. The elected officials make up their own boxes of ballots.

This is all true my firend, but I get to wake up everyday and see the most beautiful part of our country . I look out my windows and get to see Mt Rainer and the puget sound and I get to breath clean air. I agree with all your comments but after having traveled throughout this great country I would not trade Seattle and PNW in for nothing. In fact I was once offered a job in Texas for twice what I made here , and without a thought I declined.

[jainen]

the most beautiful part of our country

>>the most beautiful part of our country<<

Actually, the most beautiful part of the country is the coast south of Carmel, California.

[SueBaby]

I can't believe that just a few days ago my wife and I were looking at each other saying "Is it just me or does it seem like it's starting slow this season" (although we say that every year)?

Somebody else here on the board said that earlier too, but if they're like me, they're eating their words -- it's been a quick and breezy rush here all day. We've had 45 cases (correction--better half says she did 30 of them) in the last two-three days. It's 4:45 and I've just now had a chance to look up, although I did manage to squeeze in a BLT sometime in the middle of the day.

How's your business?

Don't mind clients coming in Jan but, I have had to do 3 amendments because of them forgetting a W2 or 1099, or a little bitty job they seem to forget they worked last year.
Feb is swamped Mar is steady then April is swamped again.

In May we go to Branson to rest but do taxes all year of some sort. You really have to love this 'kind" of work with the stress, people, phones, problems, paperwork and deadlines.

[TaxBird]

I can't believe that just a few days ago my wife and I were looking at each other saying "Is it just me or does it seem like it's starting slow this season" (although we say that every year)?

Somebody else here on the board said that earlier too, but if they're like me, they're eating their words -- it's been a quick and breezy rush here all day. We've had 45 cases (correction--better half says she did 30 of them) in the last two-three days. It's 4:45 and I've just now had a chance to look up, although I did manage to squeeze in a BLT sometime in the middle of the day.

How's your business?

Business is good. My client base is primarily businesses so any 1040 work that I have is usually a by-product of having the business as a client. Keeps me busy year-round.

Usually I have a nice lull between Christmas and the 2nd week of January. No such lull this year. But my cash flow is better than ever.

My only complaint would be that I need a good helper person. Right now I handle everything by myself. It would be nice to find someone execellent who also gets and can deal with my SDOCD (self-diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder).