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I have no idea what the guy down the street charges to prepare a return. And I really do not care. I have an idea what HRB/Liberty/chians charge, and in many respects, it is, and can be, much higher than my fees. But they are doing work I don't want to do, so it doesn't matter. My fees are too low, no matter what, becasue *I* want to make more money. And play more golf... But those fees listed in the first post would be below my averages. The low end for me would be at least $300-325 for a 1040/SchA/MD return. If you are selling a commodity, then you ARE sensitive to what others charge, because your product is no different from the chains/others. I do not sell a commodity. I sell myself, and my knowledge, and that is worth alot more than any of the chains. I happen to be a CPA, and started working for a CPA firm 20 some years ago, then I went to work with a Non-CPA firm, and have been stuck with lower pricing becasue of that... But it has not stopped me from raising my rates since. But if you are in this business, and in it for real, then get your EA, or your new RRTP when it comes back, (and it will!) and charge accordingly. The clients that leave because of cost? In 20 some years of doing this? Not that many in the first place, but most of them? Were gonna go anyway. And are not missed. And don't be afraid, and think that your clientele isn't that economically priviledged, and they can't "afford" it. THAT is not your problem. Rich

I edited the choices a bit.

This is really the problem. The IRS is having the largest problem not with "Paid" preparers, but with "unpaid" buy the TurboTax box and prepare as many returns as you can until TurboTax quits accepting them from that box, and go buy another one. I'm sorry, the problem isn't in those folks with a PTIN. Its in the folks who DON"T HAVE TO HAVE THEM, and are preparing fraudulent returns. And I am TIRED of being compared to CROOKS. Kim Hawkins can kiss my ass. She needs to use her resources to go against those who are commiting CRIMES, not searching around in my files for a missing birth certificate.... Which, I can tell you, I haven't a single one in my files. /rant off. Rich

No system will ever be fair for all. The one thing that holds true is that MY taxes are too high!

For anyone who loved Johhny Carson and Jack Webb, this one is still hilarious after all these years