Leaderboard

John G. is 63 years old and owns a small business. He's a life-long Republican and sees his dream of retiring next year has all but evaporated. With the stock market crashing and new taxes coming his way, John assumes now that he will work to his dying day. John has a granddaughter. Ashley is a recent college grad. She drives a flashy hybrid car, wears all the latest fashions, and loves to go out to nightclubs and restaurants. Ashley campaigned hard for Barack Obama. After the election she made sure her grandfather (and all other Republican family members) received a big I told-you-so earful on how the world is going to be a much better place now that her party is taking over. Having lost both roommates, Ashley recently ran short of cash and cannot pay the rent (again) on her 3-bedroom townhouse. Like she has done many times in the past, she e-mailed her grandfather asking for some financial help. Here is his reply: Sweetheart, I received your request for assistance. Ashley, you know I love you dearly and I'm sympathetic to your financial plight. Unfortunately, times have changed. With the election of President Obama, your grandmother and I have had to set forth a bold new economic plan of our own” The Ashley Economic Empowerment Plan." Let me explain. Your grandmother and I are life-long, wage-earning taxpayers. We have lived a comfortable life, as you know, but we have never had the fancier things like European vacations, luxury cars, etc. We have worked hard and were looking forward to retiring soon. But the plan has changed. Your president is raising our personal and business taxes significantly. He says it is so he can give our hard earned money to other people. Do you know what this means, Ashley? It means less for us, and we must cut back on many business and personal expenses. You know the wonderful receptionist who worked in my office for more than 23 years? The one who always gave you candy when you came over to visit? I had to let her go last week. I can't afford to pay her salary and all of the government mandated taxes that go with having employees. Your grandmother will now work 4 days a week to answer phones, take orders and handle the books. We will be closed on Fridays and will lose even more income. I'm also very sorry to report that your cousin Frank will no longer be working summers in the warehouse. I called him at school this morning. He already knows about it and he's upset because he will have to give up skydiving and his yearly trip to Greenland to survey the polar bears. That's just the business side of things. Some personal economic effects of Obama's new taxation policies include none other than you. You know very well that over the years your grandmother and I have given you thousands of dollars in cash, tuition assistance, food, housing, clothing, gifts, etc., etc. But by your vote, you have chosen to help others -- not at your expense -- but at our expense. If you need money now sweetheart, I recommend you call http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/; You yourself told me how foolish it is to vote Republican. You said Mr. Obama is going to be the People's President, and is going to help every American live a better life. Based on everything you've told me, along with all the promises we heard during the campaign, I'm sure Mr. Obama will be happy to transfer some stimulus money into your bank account. Have him call me for the account number, which I memorized years ago. Perhaps you can now understand what I've been saying all my life: Those who vote for a president should consider the impact on the nation as a whole, and not be just concerned with what they can get for themselves. What Obama supporters don't seem to realize is all of the money he is redistributing to illegal aliens and non-taxpaying Americans (the so-called "less fortunate") comes from tax-paying families. Remember how you told me, "Only the richest of the rich will be affected"? Well guess what, honey? Because we own a business, your grandmother and I are now considered to be the richest of the rich. On paper, it might look that way, but in the real world, we are far from it. As you said while campaigning for Obama, some people will have to carry more of the burden so all of America can prosper. You understand what that means, right? It means that raising taxes on productive people results in them having less money; less money for everything, including granddaughters. I'm sorry, Ashley, but the well has run dry. The free lunches are over. I have no money to give you now. So, congratulations on your choice for "change." For future reference, I encourage you to try and add up the total value of the gifts and cash you have received from us, just since you went off to college, and compare it to what you expect to get from Mr. Obama over the next 4 (or 8) years. I have not kept track of it, Ashley. It has all truly been the gift of our hearts. Remember, we love you dearly....but from now on you'll need to call the number mentioned above. Your "Savior" has the money we would have given to you. Just try and get it from him. Good luck, sweetheart. Love Grandpa

Thursday I got a call from a client I helped last year win a battle with his girl friend over who claims the one year old twins. The dollars were significant (for him) so I am thinking this guy is a lifer. The call went something like this: Client: I need you to do my return this year because I tried doing it on Turbo Tax and it kicked back because the kids social security numbers were used on someone else's return. I have a court order permitting me to claim them. So I am going to fax you my info - can you have my return done by tomorrow? Me: Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Really? You fired me now you want me to bust hump to get your return done? Why don't you just print it and send it in? Client: I don't know how to do that. Me: Put your stuff in the mail and I will add your name to the extension list.

I'm actually thinking about leaving the office for lunch . . . I almost feel guilty - like a child who is doing something wrong.

LOL - I voted for the other guy! :rolleyes:

He already knows I upcharge to push the "print" button. That's the one that needs to be pushed - he tried the "send" button and it rejected. Yep - he knows - and I do not normally charge for extensions - but I told HIM I do - so I am good.

Ok, so someone who does not know how to print thinks he knows how to prepare taxes?! At least it seems he's seen the light. Put him at the bottom of the pile and make sure you charge him more than before!

That partnership plus H/W, they put W-2s for their sons in their folder! I wasn't expecting two more returns. Darn. And, as many times as I told them NOT to have CT withholding for students, offered to help them fill out W-4s, there's CT W/H requiring CT returns too. Darn. And, the family with 13 returns, doesn't know when the wife will be home to sign, and another hasn't returned my calls. I took too many new clients this year, but February looked so empty until the last week when all my old clients dropped off in the same week!

Yes, a long three. We left town so I could get some serious work done without interruptions. Have my favorite Priest client spread all over my kitchen table. He's not a terribly organized guy, but devotes his life to service, so what can I say. He thinks that I am the peak of infallible. I ask him for a blessing every time he stops in. He brings me Pierogi and Polish Sausage. I advertise in his bulletin. (The only advertising that I do.) Have two more businesses that HAVE to be finished and several extensions including my own. Crazy world, crazy life, but I wonder what I would do without it........so am putting an addition on my home office. Blueprints came in last Thurs. By the way, wonder what I would do without all of you. Thanks for all the help and even thanks to Jainen for the subtle scoldings. Love you all.

Thanks, If you found the story interesting, then I'm halfway home free with the 5329 being used for the Doc's disability.....the reason she left her employment. Who wants a Doc practicing medcine on them with a highly aggressive brain cancer and one who also has to be supported in order to stand up straight. Lost my husband to lung cancer in 2010 which had spread to his bones and brain before we realized he was sick. Now I can look back and see instances where his judgement, etc had been failing for about a year before his dx. So I can completely why her Docs wouldn't let her work. I had the Code Sections already but didn't have the time to plan my defense when we get the CP2000 letter next year. Your quote from the Pub made me all warm and fuzzy inside in the interim. I know....more irrelevant stuff! Again, thanks!!!!! Cathy PS. I'm not really a moron....it's just this IPhone that makes it appear that way! :)

We are taught that we are not given more than we can handel and this to will pass and when we get to the other side we will be stronger, hang in there prayers for you and Don