Leaderboard

I had a massive heart attack 3 1/2 years ago. I have learned to do what I can and not worry about the rest. After all, worrying doesn't accomplish a thing. When I walk out of my office at night, I don't give any thought about what is on the other side of the door. I usually work from about 9:00 or 9:30 in the morning until about 7:00 or 8:00 at night SIX days a week during tax season. I love extensions. When I was younger, I would sometimes work all day and all night, and then go home and sleep until about noon and then go back and work until night. No more. IT ISN'T WORTH IT.

Extensions begin in 9 days in my office. Everyone has been forewarned - no exceptions. A couple of folks whose brokers said they wouldnt getbtheir statement until March 15 are whining, but I just tell them there's nothing I can do about it. (that's a nice way of saying I'm not responsible for your brokers' laziness) Although I did tell one client that the gain/loss statement the broker sent them with a sticky note saying this would " help the tax guy get started " just doesn't cut it. He's just being creative in trying to pass the buck...

I received notice today that I passed the RTRP test. Now as soon as a compliance check is done I will qualify for the designation.

Just found this again, and thought it might bring a laugh and help the day go better.... HOW TO ANNOY THE IRS (WITHOUT GETTING IN TROUBLE) 1. Always put staples in the right hand corner. Go ahead and put them down the whole right side. The extractors who remove the mail from the envelopes have to take out any staples on the right side. 2. Never arrange paperwork in the right order, or even facing the right way. Put a few upside down and backwards. That way they have to remove all your staples, rearrange your paperwork and re-staple it (on the left side). 3. Line the bottom of your envelope with Elmer's glue and let it dry before you put in your forms, so that the automated opener doesn't open it and the extractor has to open it by hand. 4. If you're very unfortunate and have to pay taxes, send a two or three party check. On top of paying with a third party check, pay one of the dollars you owe in cash. When an extractor receives cash, no matter how small an amount, he has to take it to a special desk and fill out a few nasty forms. 5. Write a little letter of appreciation. Any letter received has to be read and stamped regardless of what it is or what's it's on. 6. Write your letter on something misshapen and unconventional. Like on the back of a grocery store bag. 7. When you mail it, mail it in a big envelope (even if it's just a single EZ form). Big envelopes have to be torn and sorted differently than regular business size ones. An added bonus to the big envelope is that they take priority over other mail, so the workers can hurry up and deal with your mess. 8. If you send two checks, they have to staple your unsightly envelope to your half destroyed form. (MARILYN DOESN'T GET THIS ONE -- PLEASE EXPLAIN) 9. Always put extra paper clips on your forms. Any foreign fasteners or the like have to be removed and put away. 10. Sign your name in ink on every page. Any signature has to be verified and then date stamped. These are just a few of the fun and exciting things you can do with the IRS. These methods are ONLY recommended when you owe money.

I. Am. So. Tired. I just wanna sleep! :wacko:

I am so tired that I don't even sleep well when I do sleep. They just keep coming. Have appts booked halfway through March; a large box of returns waiting to be done and many clients I have not even heard from yet. I have made a firm commitment to make my office larger asap and have room to put a helper next year. At the moment I just have my little space to sit in and two chairs for clients. When I see them coming with children, I just have to block it out. I wonder why we do this to ourselves even though I know that most of us actually enjoy the challenges and friendships we have made over the years.

FIll out a dependency support worksheet. Ask her to go over it with you to get the most accurate numbers she can provide. Then you have it on paper, either over 50% or not. Save it in your files.

Thanks, JohnH, for this suggestion. I will use a modification of it. This person is also my insurance agent, her husband's S-corp is my client, and they have an LLC with rental property as my client. And she is my faith buddy and monthly Margarita pal. I know, I know, too incestuous but it is what it is. We've been through other trying times so will likely weather this one, too. She certainly isn't using me these past 15+ years but I know it will be a financial blow. Maybe she will try someone else and I really don't know everything (can you tell?) - her choice to make and I will offer. Thanks again!

I can understand the anxiety over possibly losing a friend, but let me make a suggestion. I've had to take this route a couple of times in the past few years. Tell her this is your understanding of the tax law, but you don't know everything and if she wants to take it to someone else it won't hurt your feelings. Her friendship is more important to you that having an unhappy client who has doubts about your advice. She may take it to someone who will give her the answer she wants to hear. If that happens and she comes back to see if you will reconsider, stand your ground. If she decides to have the other person prepare the return, then anything that happens is strictly between her and the other preparer. You;re off the hook professionally. She may consider what you've said and decide she trusts your judgement to do what's best for her even when the news isn't good. Regardless of the outcome, you've separated the business relationship from the friendship. Many of our clients are also personal friends, but there is a dividing line between business and personal. You've encountered a situation where this has to be acknowledged. What if she refuses to appreciate the integirty of your offer? Then I suggest that she's just using a facade of friendship to try and bully you into doing what she wants (regardless of the potential risk to you). That isn't a friend - that's a user.