Leaderboard

It's time for everybody to smile. And you should know that my recommendation is essentially a guarantee.

Immediately following what seemed like a flawless update, my cat threw up a hairball onto my least favorite client's folder....coincidence or awesome new feature?

You have cat to be kitten me right meow. Cats know. They just know.

I was working on a spreadsheet in that new, sexy office stupid thing today, and thought I'd never find the button for "header". I haven't seen so much crap since all three of my kids got sick at the same time in 1998.

Hey, it works! And it's easier to use than any of the later versions if you aren't doing pivot tables and fancy formatting. All the functions are exactly the same, and a formula in a cell does its job the same way no matter what version you're using. It's a SPREADSHEET for goodness sakes - looking at the current versions you'd think Microsoft is trying to design an overly fancy tax program or something else with too many bells & whistles.

I always enjoyed the time I spent with most of my clients, and once the practice grew to the point that our time was full, we ''fired' the ones we did not like. Sure that took a few years, but not all that long, because when you do spend a little time "yapping" with clients, often your referrals go up dramatically. At least that was my experience. And it builds a lot of loyalty when clients know YOU, rather than being just a name to them.

Kea: Thanks for the info on Open Office. But I already paid the full price. I had to get Excel up & running, and seamlessly switchable between the Mac and PC via a flash drive. And I needed it immediately. It does work great, but I sure detest all the nonsense at the top of the screen. There's enough stuff up there to write a tax program... When I get a minute, I'm going to look into the "Ribbon" that Carolbeck mentioned. I think it may be what I was hoping to find. That may help me cull the herd a little.

I used to hold certain clients checks until the refunds clear their account as a courtesy, but it quickly became expected of me even with clients with six figure income. The year I started charging an extra $25 for this service, the clients who really needed the service didn't mind a bit and it was still cheaper than getting a rapid refund or"payday" loan. Then there were those clients who while once needed the service, their income has increased over the years to where they could easily afford to pay their fee without my holding their checks. However, once I started charging the fee, they would tell me to go ahead and deposit their checks by all means! My fee is going up to $35 next year as it is a lot of work and stress thinking I might deposit their checks too soon. I tried fee collect last year but it's not worth the extra work plus record keeping....then it costs me rather than my getting paid for my time and trouble. Then there are those few that seem to think it's their right to mail me a check "as soon as they get home." They are the ones who forget to bring their checkbook, debit card and/or credit card each year, and, without fail until I mail them a second notice, I don't get paid. Won't happen this hear because when I e-file a return I sign the return based on being the PAID preparer, and cannot do so until I have been paid,.....and will cite being reminded of such at an IRS seminar this past year......sounds logical anyway! I've had a sign posted in my office for years that states in an effort to keep my fees at a minimum, no returns will be released until my fees are paid. Guess I need to hold a reading comprehension class prior to tax season.

OK, I feel better. You really didn't act on my advice - I just happened to remind you of something you already knew. Now I can rest well tonight.

I'm still using Office 2003; with the converter I can open newer versions. No one sends me spreadsheets with complex, multi-page formulations! I've just never seen the need to shell out the $$ for an "upgrade" that (from everyone I know who uses more recent versions) has a huge learning curve and NO extra utility.

Was it someone on this board that said, "If I'm going to work for free, I'll take the time off instead."?

FWIW, I updated and have had no problems. I'm a one man shop so no server issues. An update or two ago, my sluggish performance issues diminished considerably. Hope it continues. Now, if I could just get a similar update for me!

With e-filing, my rule is, "If at first you don't succeed, give up!" Very few get rejected, but if there is not a quick and easy fix for a reject, I paper-file.

It is important to spend time with our clients, as we offer other services in addition to tax prep - bookkeeping, QuickBooks setup and training, insurance and investments, payroll, credit card processing. Spending that time is part of the relationship building, leads to referrals as KC points out, and leads to greater engagements with our clients. Many have become friends and that little 30 minutes is something we all look forward to. For us, this business is about relationships; we are not merely processing transactions. That's our approach anyway!

Update needs done now!!! All my e files have to be re created in order to e file. This is a pain!!! I thought I could e file some today and not have to individually update each client...wrong!!!

Follow the SSN.

Clicked through on Upworthiest the other day and enjoyed it then, too. Smiles!

wow that was a LOUD comment.

George, try line 32. And when you right click on line 32, the program takes you to the Summary tab (which is really stupid). Go down to the bottom tabs and click "Contributions".

I am with you on that. I am also with you. Let's get coffee and flap our yaks about it.

I make 5-10 times as much working at home. I have cut back my hours working at the firm. In a couple more seasons, I will have a large enough personal practice to stop driving 26 miles one way to the firm 5 days a week.

I usually get the Student / Teacher version that is usually under $100. I hung on to Office 2003 as I hated 2007 because you could not find anything on the menu bar unless you setup your personal "Ribbon" and still had to drill down looking for stuff.. Unfortunately it no longer comes with Outlook. I like Outlook for my email. I don't want me email sitting in a cloud somewhere. We had to upgrade to Office 2010 at work, like it much better than 2007, but still has some quirks. Though I do notice that the spreadsheets are smaller file size for the same WS of 1997-2003 vs 2010. With my Daughter's new laptop for college, I was able to purchase Office 2013 with 4 year use of "University" with all the bells and Whistles of PRO on 2 PC's. Cost $79 for the 4 years. A lot better than the 360 Live, but 2013 has terrible color themes, Gray, Dark Gray, or black background. Everything else is intensely white. Hurts the eyes. But I am learning to live with it. Just be sure to setup the "Ribbon" for those quick functions you use all the time. (Save, Print, Insert Column, Row, Redo (a lot), etc so that you are not constantly drilling down on the menu toolbar looking for your apps. Just a suggestion....

I do this every morning on the way to work. When you see 1 to 2 feet snow piles, you just put in the Beach Boys CD and pretend it is Summer (Or at least Spring). But watch out for those "Bambi's', they really love little red cars and the Beach Boys to jump out in front of.

On the subject matter at hand. No one should have to be forced to sacrifice their liberty for the illusion of security. I have seen similar situations in life and I did step in. Later on in the years, I would ask the woman. Why she did not change the situation? The reply was "I didnt know what to do" Fear does things to a person's mental structure and usually it is mental but sometimes it is physical. The look you mentioned he gave her. Well thats the one thing she endures every day. Some people just do not fight back cause they cant. If you believe you should step into this situation Janitor Bob, You will be in a fight. Make no beliefs otherwise. It wont be easy but contact the sheriff's department. They have homes for women that will be a great source of help. They will get her to a better place in her life.

Comments in this thread are really pushing me to reduce the number and time of face to face interaction I have with clients. That is my biggest problem! Most clients will drop off their info, we discuss over the phone and get more information if required and then they just pick up. However, I do have about 20% that insist on a drop off meeting to "explain and review tax documents" and then also want an "exit meeting" to review the final return. Each meeting eats up about an hour of my time which is non-productive and could be used to work on returns.

Yes.

I don't voluntarily provide any additional documentation with a tax return. I see no upside.

Yep, my clients with managed funds are the ones with the most trades too. JB, you were right to begin with. Those trades are on the 1099B and you need to report them.

Non-resident. That is what he is for tax purposes. Military privilege.

Well, yeah. I was actually thinking, good grief, why didn't I think of that? Duh. LOL.

The problem with the printer date is it is established by the info input in the computer or printer not the organization issueing the letter. To be honest, given the time available I would try to get a new statement property completed. I have not seen where the IRS has rejected a printer date, however, you are looking for a contemporaneous statement and the printer date does not confirm than.

Can't put the tax on the parents return. That only works for interest, dividends, and capital gain distributions - not stock sales. So child will need to file return. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2013_publink1000220709 Responsibility of parent. If a dependent child must file an income tax return but cannot file due to age or any other reason, a parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person must file it for the child. If the child cannot sign the return, the parent or guardian must sign the child's name followed by the words “By (your signature), parent for minor child.”

She was not "willing" to pay anything...this little old lady did not even know this activity in her investment account was happening....These gains increased her wealth on paper, but they also took her $227 refund and turned it into a $984 balance due. Sure, part of her is happy that her investments are worth more, but she did not anticipate nor does she have the funds to cover her $984 tax bill....regardless of how much of a fee I deserve...or think I deserve, I cannot and will not do that to her.

You are correct, there are tax laws that define the tax treatment, and part of the tax law says that if both parties to the divorce agree that it isn't alimony, then it isn't taxable to the recipient and isn't deductible by the payer. Divorce lawyers aren't writing tax law, they are merely utilizing it as a tool. I don't have a problem with that.

If the 2% threshold wipes it out, I put it on. No actual deduction, but the taxpayer thinks "I got to claim it." Usually, these same people end up with standard deductions. I print the Sch A and the taxpayer thinks they put one over on the IRS. None of those types ever look at the back of the 1040 to see the actual deduction, they just look to see if it is "claimed" on the return. I wish I could experience the sensation of living and being that clueless about everything.

Well, investment income is not earned income either, so if she had 30,960 in rental income, you'd have the same situation with the EIC. Of course, if she were a pastor and it was housing allowance... But I digress. I apologize for my smart remark, I wasn't judging your client, just seeing the silver lining in her financial situation. That is saving you and me tax dollars, BTW. I'm sure she's a fine person.

you feel uncortable because you have high ethical standards...that's what separates us from the "I'll claim anything to keep a client" preparer down the street that is a jerk with fake hair that does not clean up after his dog when it poops on your sidewalk.

I remember her sad story from last year's tax season. Think of them as roommates. He pays all the bills, she lives there rent free, except for the amount she pays in annual taxes because of this arrangement. Maybe she has some other "responsibilities." Who knows. Really, who cares. She has made her choice. She may enjoy the attention and time that you and others invest in commiserating with her about her miserable husband. Move on. My guess is, she'll be back next year, with the same sad story.

Refer to Publication 525 under "Repayments"....."Method 1 or Method 2". It lists the two options you have, depending on the amount of the repayment.

I ask my clients to get an CSV version from their broker for me, and then import it from the CSV into ATX. Works great! Takes only a couple of minutes and produces a very impressive tax return!!

This lady does not have that kind of money.....and while a nice fee it would make, I do not have that much time. She also smart enough to know that she could go elsewhere and find someone to do it the cheaper "summary" method I also do not want her to have a heart attack in my office. ...also she always brings me cookies

I am getting in a canoe and paddling for the islands right now. Tom Hollister, CA

Many do just that very thing.

ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE IN TAX OFFICES THIS TIME OF YEAR.

Yesterday we were talking about this with my partner. We had a client who paid about 40% and then said that he was going to pay us the rest on "Monday" (maybe he will come back). My partner said "We lost that money and we worked for nothing". I said, "not really", "we already covered our fixed and variable expenses so that 40% is enough and it is a profit". I explained to her that we already have the knowledge, the computer, the software and that 40% was plenty for the time we worked. I went on and said we have 10 clients who don't have money to pay us but they are smart enough to stick with us and not go to HR block and their fees deducted from their refunds (no RALs in my office). Even if 1 of them don't come back to pay us, we are still ahead on the game. Sometimes, you have to read between the lines!