Trying to convince client personal gifts not ded.

[Jesse]

Thanks Bart - great way to start out the morning - w/ a good laugh that only we would understand.

[Zee]

Several times I have had to show the customer in The TaxBook what it says about the deduction.

I had one the other day. His previous accountant was deducting mileage out of the S-Corp. Not doing a mileage reimbursement. Customer stated that the tax return had always been filed that way. Even the next accountant he moved on to did it that way. I told him they were wrong. I got "well they must not be that wrong she was a CPA and he was a EA". I then showed him in the taxbook where it states the standard mileage method can not be used by corporations.

And...after showing them the Tax Book what was their reaction? My guess is a simple shrug of the shoulders. Wouldn't it be nice if the client would say, "Well, obviously you're right. I'm sorry I questioned your expertise."

[ChEAr$]

mileage

Several times I have had to show the customer in The TaxBook what it says about the deduction.

I had one the other day. His previous accountant was deducting mileage out of the S-Corp. Not doing a mileage reimbursement. Customer stated that the tax return had always been filed that way. Even the next accountant he moved on to did it that way. I told him they were wrong. I got "well they must not be that wrong she was a CPA and he was a EA". I then showed him in the taxbook where it states the standard mileage method can not be used by corporations.

And this is why my S corporation has an accountable plan which pays me standard
mileage rate for miles I turn in.

[Jesse]

And...after showing them the Tax Book what was their reaction? My guess is a simple shrug of the shoulders. Wouldn't it be nice if the client would say, "Well, obviously you're right. I'm sorry I questioned your expertise."

I don't mind them questioning my expertise, I don't appreciate them not listening to what I am saying. Go through this sales tax issue every year w/ a client he wants to deduct his sales tax, but being from WI we have very high State income taxes but we'll do what ever is most beneficial.

Again he brings in last years bill of sale because the car saleman told him I did not do his taxes correct! He knows he can deduct this. I don't understand why these people keep comming back to me if I don't know the laws?

[geekgirldany]

I don't mind them questioning my expertise, I don't appreciate them not listening to what I am saying.

That is how it is with me. Some ask the same question every year. I actually had one that said "well I can't disagree with you anymore right there it is in writing".

I had one today say I make things "too complicated" and "I could do it myself I just don't have time". Well then do it if you think you can

[jeff501]

I've even had people bring in their self prepared taxes who later received a letter from the IRS correcting things and they can't understand why they cannot deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes.

The all time best I've encountered was a few years ago when several people came in who had their taxes prepared by someone who took all kinds of bogus deductions, never gave them client copies then left town and was never heard from again. Things like taking the SS and Medicare as tax paid, and schedule C deductions for mileage back and forth to work, apartment rent, clothing, etc (and no one was self employed). Huge refunds to say the least. Never could figure out if the other preparer was crooked or just didn't have a clue what they were doing. Plus most of these people who came in didn't have their W-2 forms. It took a while for everyone to gather all the information to get their taxes amended. At least it was well after filing season when this all came down, and I made sure each client signed a form stating I was not responsible for the past returns and would not be held responsible for any balances due the IRS or state as a result.