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And if you require an interview method presented by an animated cartoon character? I wonder whose idea Maxwell was. Probably Glynn's.

I asked my mom and she can't recall what I was doing that day, but she recalls what I was doing on JFK's inauguration day.....she was giving birth to me!!! 1/20/1961.

In my opinion if a Tax preparer has to use an interview method, they are not competent enough to do tax returns for others. Anyone competent can do them much faster using direct input.

I have always used direct input. I have seen the interview questions and that is modeled after Turbo Tax for folks who are not tax preparers. It takes longer because you have to read it and then answer the question, then move to the next question and so on. Not a very productive use of time, when you are paying an hourly wage?? In my opinion if a Tax preparer has to use an interview method, they might as well use turbo tax.

Wonder what would have been the result if they had offered a simple, straightforward discount policy across the board, treating everyone equally. Perhaps something along the lines of 1% for every year you've been a customer, plus 1% for every month you renew early, with a maximum discount of 10% (or 8%, or 12% - whatever they felt they could live with). Retention would probably have been higher and all customers would have known they were on a level playing field. Long-term customers would feel that their loyalty was being rewarded, shorter-term customers would still get some recognition, and everyone would have control over some aspect of their discount by taking the early renewal. Discounts are a shell game, because you cant discount below your target price and stay in business very long. So all companies set their prices taking into account the discounts they know they are going to have to offer to some customers, while being unfair to those who are too timid to ask and thus feel treated unfairly. A discount policy based on loyalty, coupled with a second appreciation for their being willing to commit early and part with their money, makes sense to anyone and empowers the customer. That last part (empowering the customer) is the most important thing you can do in business.

I just kept waiting and waiting for them to give the real thing. What cruelty - and then to make and circulate a video is beyond comprehension... How can people be so heartless?

I was at home, in Pasadena, TX, we did not own a TV, but I had the radio on, and when the news came on I walked to the store where Don was working. None of us wanted to believe it could happen here in the USA. Nothing much happened the rest of that day, because everyone was in shock and just watching TV and talking to each other.

Just under 3 years old, but that day is my earliest memory. The TV, my sibs trickling home from school and dropping to the floor in front of the TV, no one moving, no one getting up to turn on lights as it got dark. Too young to appreciate the horror of what had happened, of course, but I remember how stunning it was to me that no one was moving or talking or turning on lights, that dinner time came and went and no one cared.

You're right. The cost of retaining an existing good customer is pennies when compared to the cost of gaining new customers of unknown loyalty & reliability. Even when you gain new customers, there is still the aggravation of figuring out whether they are worth keeping. ETA - The above comment by John and those replies below have been moved here from another thread because these points are important and should have their own topic and title. - Judy

If I had recently hired this person I would be seriously second guessing my decision? Not a good sign first week!

Do you still have the other resumes that were sent in?

I always got the Tax Book along with the Express Answers because I've found that the books have different stuff in them. For example, I couldn't find the table to figure out an RMD in Express Answers. That said last year I needed an All States in a hurry, and the only company that had a downloadable version was Quickfinder through Thompson-Reuters ProReview - which put the book on my iPad. I like it so much I ordered all my reference materials in ProReview. One nice thing is that it gives me another screen/computer to work through, and is as portable as the print version if I need to look up something for a client (my main computer is in a different room than where I meet with clients). Plus it does justify some biz use of the iPad!

Also before you refer one of your clients to a local payroll company, do some checking around and find out if they are indirectly owned by another CPA firm or have a marketing arrangement. I learned the hard way when, I lost a small business client after 2 years of referring to such a company.

Agree with KC

I agree, but I did one small change on that. I always showed everyone the "current" charge, then showed their "discount". I don't think you can just assume that they know they are getting a preference unless you show them that on your bill. Plus, if they do make a referral I don't want to have to explain to the new client why he's being charged more than the person who sent him, if his situation is similar. It also makes it easier to gradually increase the fees for longtime clients, while you still give them the same percentage discount.

I just go straight to the MTG when it is a question of being allowed or not. Saves much time speculating about what is or is not allowed. For tables and numbers, QuickFinder or TaxBook is faster.

For me it is also computer "screen" eye fatigue. However, the word search feature really helps to dial into the reference points of my subject. That's when I hit print!

Thanks I really prefer "the hard copy" when looking for information. (Am I showing my age?)

Most companies are getting away from providing hardcopy manuals etc. For example ATX 2011 gave you that nice blue hardcopy manual. Taxwise and Drake do not give you a hardcopy manual unless you want to pay extra. I am ok if it is pdf because i can print the sections I want and book mark the others as i see necessary.

I should add that my first source of reference is Pub 17; then Quickfinder 1040 and Business.; then Express Answers and the final authority is always the Master Tax Guide. They use that same book, MTG, at the local IRS office. I would really feel cheated if I lost that one.

As far as giving an incentive to renew early and a years of use discount seems logical. I don't charge the current rates to my longtime customers and they know that because when they refer a friend/family they can see the difference. I would rather retain a good customer than go hunting for a new one by advertising etc.

If you have not seen this, it's certain to give you a laugh. See why men shouldn’t do the grocery shopping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-YFRUSTiFUs

Good decision, Cat. I could only take it half way, wish I had not looked at it. The pictures are sad, but the sound track of his entire family yukking it up over his disappointment after they set him up to think he was getting his Christmas wish, is just plain disgusting.

Now I won't even watch it, after seeing the last few posts. Thanks for the warning and my heart goes out to the little boy even without knowing what sick "joke" was played on him.

In most homes nothing much happened for the next several days as entire families were glued to the TV and, as Jeanne said, mealtimes came and went. It was pretty much nonstop TV from the 22nd through the shooting of Osswald, through the lying in state and the funeral. I honestly think that anyone who lived through it and remembers it; has never felt the same. Regardless of political affiliation.

I was in class (high school sophomore). CS Lewis died on that same day in England, but it was hardly mentioned in the news anywhere.

This is why Amazon Prime is totally worth it. I avoid people whenever possible.

My parents were 6 and 8 years old... you old farts.

on hold for ATX support!

I love your new avatar. that is an original for sure! If they mess with you they will be jumping without a parachute

I've had good luck with the following for late filed partnerships and partnerships that didn't file extensions and even an S-corp once: ABC, LLC, 06-1111111, filed Form 7004 Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File on 3 April 2009. Therefore, its Form 1065 was timely filed 15 September 2009. Even if you did not record its Extension prior to the original due date, ABC qualifies for an exception to the penalty you charged under IRC Section 6698(a)(1), because all two (2) partners, X, 222-22-2222, and Y, 333-33-3333, reported all their shares of income and deductions timely on their joint 2008 income tax return Form 1040. Therefore, the partnership meets the criteria specified in Rev. Proc. 84-35, which says in part: “A domestic partnership composed of 10 or fewer partners and coming within the exception outlined in section 6231(a)(1)(B ) of the Code will be considered to have met the reasonable cause test and will not be subject to the penalty imposed by section 6698 for the failure to file a complete or timely partnership return, provided that the partnership, or any of the partners, establishes, if so required by the Internal Revenue Service, that all partners have fully reported their shares of the income, deductions, and credits of the partnership on their timely filed income tax returns.” We trust that you will remove the penalty due to reasonable cause for small companies.

Thank you for your service to our country! I was prevented from serving (medical denial) and I am acutely aware of the freedoms and liberty I enjoy because you and the rest of our military served as you did. THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Not me! I used to fly for the Navy (back seater on a carrier based jet). I never found a good reason to abandon a perfectly good airplane!! Twice I had occasion to have my hands on the ejection handle and once even had a little tension on it . . . but we were able to recover and land safely. Still, I have a ton of respect for what you did!

The secret is the instructor does all the heavy lifting and I was just along for the ride! I could see from Springfield, MA, to Long Island Sound. We flew over to greet my daughter in the air. Didn't see my son until we landed. If you jump, wear a stocking cap or ear plugs as the wind is whistling by at 115 miles/hour and cold at two miles up. And, I'm scared of heights too after being on a collapsing balcony, but I still love roller coasters. Skydiving was less scary than a roller coaster. I like the idea of playing the video for my clients.

Ditto, Gail. I admire her for doing it, but very much not for me..