Why deal with stimulus issues?

[FEDUKE404]

In most cases - a non-charge inquiry

Most of my clients' questions have revolved around "Joe got his - where is mine?" and the most frequent confusion is the direct deposit folks vs the check folks.

At the time I prepared the original taxes, I attached an insert in their folder stating what the predicted amount would be. I also later cut/pasted IRS payment schedules and e-mailed them to my clients. Barring any "forgotten" debts, those numbers are generally holding true so far as I know.

I guess I just don't adhere to the "it takes a lot of my time and I'm going to charge them for it" mentality. (I get very upset when my attorney bills me $20 to send an e-mail that says "I got your letter" or something similar.) All questions I've received so far have been easily resolved by reviewing the frequently changing payment schedule, using the IRS "Where's my stimulus?" web site, or just telling folks some late-filled returns have to be processed. Also, per the IRS schedule, as of this date there still are some pending payments for the "paper check" folks. Until all scheduled payments have been processed, and the postal service has had sufficient time to deliver the checks, a prudent person should simply wait. It's not unlike filing a tax return on April 10th and then getting upset when the refund check is not in the mail box on April 16th.

As one poster stated, typing this little blurb has taken far longer than answering most stimulus inquiries I've had from my clients. Especially in the off-season, I consider this a client service and would never think of billing for it. In the long run most clients appreciate my approach to matters of this type.

FE

[DaveO]

I'll error on the side of customer service

I spent the time to educate myself about how the payment worked and explain that the majority of taxpayers will get a reduced amount or none at all. I also question the wisdom of borrowing $300 billion from China to send everyone to Walmart. I also explain that this, much like every other government program, is handled poorly and the public is given misleading or wrong information.

[ChEAr$]

Most definitely a matter of goodwill

it isn't a matter of goodwill with the client...I explain why my involvement in this issue after the return is filed is not in their best interest. I charge for additional work that is not due to an error on my part. Why should the client pay me to do the research for them when they can get clearer information by contacting the IRS directly?
It is time consuming...not 10 minutes..the initial call from the client, the research with the IRS, the return call to the client....and not cost effective...the expense me and the client

Perhaps I'm not as busy as some (I'm not, since I'm in a "retiring" frame of mind), but
people talk and clients tell others how response (or not) we are.
Even for some of the routine items that are not due to an error on my part, my time is
free. My father always said that people like to get something free every now and then,
and he was right. (About a LOT of things, actually!) One of his favorite books back in
the 1930's was Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People." Here is
one way we can do that, unlike the "big box" tax preparers.

[Lion]

Customer Service

I have the type of client that comes to me to save them time. They do call with questions, and expect a little hand-holding. I try to charge enough for returns that I can answer questions, deal with an IRS letter, etc., at no additional charge. I've tried to build in an "explanations" charge into my fees, whether we sit with the final tax return to discuss what to do in the coming year or whether I respond to their calls or e-mail over the summer. It's easier for me, too, if they feel free to call me with questions BEFORE they get deep into something with tax consequences. And, billing them for small amounts is time-consuming, especially if we deal via e-mail or phone. As long as I can charge enough that I don't feel put out when they call with a question, we're all happy. And, if the research or calculations do take longer and I feel they've had their share of "explanations," then I tell them my charges.