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Like a lot of things, it'll take some time to train our clients. But I'm sure when W-2s were introduced there was a learning curve. And 1098s. Even last year, the 1098s that went out without the mortgage insurance figures? We dealt with it. I do train my clients, and train them well. If they aren't trainable, they pay for the time.

If everyone does not take advantage of the confusion and increase in regulations for this coming tax season to implement at least a 10% increase, you will miss the boat. I am actually considering 20% for my base price, and several larger increases for the other additionals and add-ons.

Is the use of available public information "spying ?"

It works for any phone number, because you are introducing calculations which cancel one another out. In the process, you are providing the relevant information in steps 2 and 6 + 7, (after netting out the sum of 6 +7 in step 9 by dividing by 2). Enter it all in a spreadsheet and you can get a visual of how it does its magic.

For SFA, you say you have CPAs on staff to handle the high-end work and year-round accounting. Are you looking for seasonal help now? Then, an EA or other non-CPA sounds like what you are really looking for. According to you, a CPA would expect year-round work -- and this one might want to grow his business and leave you. Even if not at your expense, not taking any clients with him, as has been said, clients might leave anyway when he does. And, you really can't expect to keep him forever if he's trying to build his own business, so you're back to hiring and training again.

I just printed labels the other day, I simply cut about .25 from the top they came out perfectly centered, however if you have clients with long names, it will overlap to the side label.

I use cubby (www.cubby.com) to keep data on my laptop and desktop synced. Every time a file in one of my designated folders changes, it automatically syncs it with both of my laptops. It works a lot like skydrive and dropbox and several others but has the advantage of being able to sync any folders I so designate, not just the default folders set up by the software. I have not tried it with ATX files . . . but I wonder if it would work. I'll check it out and let you know.

Do you give them a template of how you want their business expenses? I usually do that with my Sch C clients that are recordkeeping challenged. Also I offer the services of my assistant at a reasonable rate of $15/hr to help them get organised.

I was in the six item express lane at the store quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart piled high with Christmas presents. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, "So which six items would you like to buy?" Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?

If, after explaining all the reasons, I lose clients, it will only be for one season. The will be back which will mean an additional increase for them. I am priced very competitively, even with a 20% increase. I don't want clients that only come to be because I am the "cheapest" preparer. My value as a preparer has increased with all the additional classes and learning to cope with the new things, and I am a professional and expect to be paid. If I raise my prices 20%, and lose 20% of my clients, I make the same money and do 20% less work. I would also loose clients that do not appreciate a professional.

"It is extremely easy in MA provided the taxpayer give you a form called 1099-HC received from the insurance company." Taxed, you've got to be kidding! It's "extremely easy" provided you enter the correct number from the HC, which is about 164 digits long. I had to check about three boxes before the software stopped charging a penalty for not having insurance for an elderly client who not only had Medicare but was dead. Then there are the quirks that arise with part-year residents (who also get a very generous credit for being renters). I definitely charge extra for MA returns, not because I want to make a "big deal" out of it but because it IS a big deal! Do you also consider California returns "a breeze"? If so, can you please move to New England and work in my office? We could really use you.

I've never used more than one vehicle at a time ---- tried once but got to tired ---- drove one a block --- ran back for the other --- drove it two blocks --- ran back for the other and so on -------after running for eight blocks, I just wore out ----- Just learned to use smiley faces and couldn't resist...