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Or here! Anytime, if you like snow! I actually prepared one return today, went to lunch with hubby and took a nap with the phone unplugged. I feel like a zombie, but a happy one. Yes, for now, one a day is just about right! Hair appt tomorrow, a little shopping.....oh, such bliss! Tomorrow, my license plate will tell the true story, though I won't be driving my Jeep if we get the possible snowstorm that is predicted for tonight. No salty roads for my baby. I may just be one of very few Great-Grandmas who drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with all the toys.; many of which have never been used. This has been an unforgettable tax season. Even after all these months, I still love what I do and who I deal with either in this office or on this board. However, the relief from the pressure is awesome.

Once again, this board has been an invaluable treasure to my practice. I appreciate all of you. Eric, you are the absolute bomb. I can't thank you enough for doing this for us. Sorry to be a problem sometimes with my comments, and I really try to be good, but sometimes I can't help myself. I hope you forgive me and let me stay here forever. KC, you are one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. Catherine, we are common souls. I love reading your posts. Jack in OH, thanks for everything on the techie side that I don't understand. Appreciate all your posts. Linda - I hope you have had a good season. I have enjoyed meeting you and working with you this year. Patty just loves you. Hope you all had a successful season and I will be seeing you again next year. Tom Hollister, CA

Client sends an email the morning of 4/14 with all the detailed information (2 pages when printed) he has been missing since initial appointment late February. He closes his email with I look forward to coming by around 5p (on 4/14) to pick up my completed return. I am willing to bet he had no idea the email response he got back was going to look like what it did!!!

He learned to write that way in his "assertiveness training" course. Sometimes that style works, but usually it just ticks people off.

Is it just me or is there an increase in this type of ridiculousness this season? I had a client drop partial info in mid February. I emailed and called several times requesting the missing documents. They were delivered to me on 4/14. She stated she was sorry but things have been so hectic because her unmarried 21 yo became pregnant. This makes me assume the client is carrying the baby for the daughter? Husband is W2 and spouse works from home and made <$1500.

"My pricing has been far below what it should have been for years. My fees are still very reasonable." Never a second question.

This about what my situation is. I have approx 136 clients that I file Federal and State for, down to 1 Partnership. Some of these are quite complex Farm Returns and Stock Sales. Most of the Farm Returns require quite a bit of bookkeeping (Say No to Shoe Box Accounting). Sometimes some people who use Quickbooks should not be allowed. Takes longer to correct. I no longer do Payroll as I can't compete with what ADP does and is not worth the hassle. I also work full time in a Tax Department at a large global company that usually requires a 60 to 70 hour work week. I complete approx (With 1 other Co worker) 25 (Large) Corporation Consolidated Federal Returns along with numerous State returns that are either Separate, combined, or unitary. The Massachusetts Unitary return is the most difficult. At least these returns are on Extension until September 15th. But I never get to see the Summer Sun because of it. I just am not able to complete more returns than I do for Individuals as there is not enough time during the filing period. I wish I could! It seems like this year there was not 1 simple easy return to do. All seemed to either be missing info or more teeth pulling. This part time work does help with the Finances greatly! My husband is disabled and it helps pay for college expenses for my 2 daughters.

Silly Gail! If one of my clients ever gets me THAT riled (impossible; I would fire their ass and toss 'em bodily out the door long before) I would want the pleasure of using all the nasty things I learned in 15 years of martial arts study. Hands. Elbows. Feet. Knees. Joint-locking. Fan. Flute. Spear. Tee hee. (Can you see the results here of someone who was always really tiny and who got beaten up by the bullies at school far too often, and who decided, "Ain't gonna happen again, no way, no how!" -- Haven't had to defend my self since about 8th grade but if I ever do *I* will be the one walking away at the end.)

Darling, you have clearly been working too hard, for too long. When a 'quite day working" feels like a vacation, it's time for at least a couple of days of REAL vacation. At least a day at home, alone, doing nothing but resting and indulging yourself, long soak, decadent desert, phone turned off, etc. NOT CLEANING THE HOUSE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT NEEDS IT. [Yes, if the office is a wreck, I know the house probably is too.] Please take care of yourself. All those jobs will keep, you know. And you will be better able to do them after a little rest.

Ahem. That is more properly, rights as listed in the 5th Amendment. Our rights pre-date, transcend, and supersede the Constitution. They are a gift to us from our Creator.

We will not be making it to Boston this year. With MIT killing my son's dreams, there is no reason to go. But we will be in Washington DC on vacation after he graduates from High School. I will wave to you when I get there. Do you think the IRS would pull my PTIN and EA license if I took a selfie flipping off the IRS headquarters in DC? Tom Hollister, CA

My clients are the more complex individual returns and small businesses as well as a few that could do it themselves but like the "insurance" of using a professional who keeps of with the constantly changing tax laws. Or, they want someone to tell their financial story to, often to make sure we're doing the best we can in planning for their taxes or just because they don't want to talk personal finances with friends or coworkers. And, the intelligent ones who could do it themselves, but they make more money spending their time on their business than they would save with DIY tax prep. Or the wife said no more spreading out all over the dining room for two months while you work on taxes every weekend; give it all to our preparer and wait for the call to go in to sign. My business and my clients have changed very little in the 17+ years I've been preparing taxes. In fact, in almost every case, their financial lives have gotten more complex, so they need me even more now than 17 years ago. I have lost one or two over that time to a broker who also prepares taxes, but not enough for me to consider selling investments.

_Excellent_ response, Jack -- and one I can certainly learn from!

I had one come by at 5:30 on the 14th but he and his wife each only have 1 W-2 so not a big deal. I had a Sch. C not get me info till the 12th but did not get me his sch A deductions till about 5:00 on the 15th. He was charged $300 more then last year

Does that ever sound familiar. We sent out nastygrams on the 14th.

I called one Monday night, return was finished 3/17. Me: You need to pick up your return. She: Oh, yes, I've been so busy. Me: I'm here right now. (Her place of business is two miles from mine, she passes me twice a day going to and from work.) She: Oh, I'm off on Mondays. I'm at home.

On another board, someone has pointed out a couple of times that if you double your fees and lose half your clients you'll get the same money for half the work. I haven't had the courage to go *that* far. Then there was the story of the guy with the real, problem-PITA client. $1,250/year for a business return and they drove him nuts with calls and questions and more. So he followed the advice and doubled their rate. $2,500 and they still royally annoyed him. $5,000 and they irked him. $10,000/year and they're his favorite clients! And they pay - no questions asked, and timely.

As my part-time gig, I have approx. 120 unique clients...some more unique than others. As my part-time job along with my 8-5 accounting/shipping job, I just physically cannot handle more than that. State returns included OH, IN, KY, PA, MT, ND, CA, and CO. Lost a few clients due to my policy of not preparing a return that includes questionable deductions (i.e. the total cost of an unlinited data plan cell phone because she just HAD to have it to sell her Mary Kay)...and sadly lost several this year because they passed away in 2012 (I will especially miss Ivan the Mad Russian..."you will do my taxes right, so KGB not break you!". However, I obtained more than I lost via referrals. What I will NOT miss is the feeling of being a prisoner in my own home....never knowing when its safe to shower or poop for fear of un-scheduled client arrivals. Never being able to schedule anything for myself because my clients see appointments as a general goal rather than a time at which they need to arrive. I will miss the money...paid for my daughter's Spring Semester at college.

Yep. I miss the ones I lost to them, too. Evidently, though, if you know you got married, or had a baby, or packed your stuff in boxes, took them to a new place, and unpacked them, you know how to do taxes.

I send them home with a list too, if they are missing items, including any kind of valuation for Goodwill, etc. donations. I also file a lot of extensions. One couple, I have most if not all of their stuff, but the final k1 came in very late. Contacted them about amounts due, and said: I could finish this, but yours is a very complex return (it is) and I'd rather be doing the final check when I have had ample rest and have a few more brain cells functioning. Answer: thank you for being so thorough. And we will be in Sacramento May 4, can we take you out to dinner and finally meet face to face?

MsTabbyKats -- there are locking mailboxes you could use for your drop-off clients. (see link) Label it "Tax Drop-Off" and attach it to the front of your house - perhaps off to the side of the door, where the mailman won't accidentally use it. Then folks can drop off whenever and not disturb YOU at your work (or in your slippers, or whatever). Sure, still charge the surcharge! http://www.homegardenandpatio.com/curb/mail_box.htm

Anyone that gets to SW Ohio, Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati be sure to contact me. I would love to meet any of you in person.

Feel free to add your personal flair to it and use it as you need!! Net loss of clients about 5%. Income increase 30%. With all the "ACA" stuff next year, there will be another increase in my fees and the "ACA" will be the reason given when asked. I did not institute the laws and regs requiring all the extra training, forms and general "junk stuff" that will be dealt with for tax year 2014. This is all about my personal practice, not the firm. The owner does not see things exactly the way I do.

Should have been $500 more!!

I agree that business is increasing rather than the opposite. Children are growing up and going off to college. The parents want to keep them as dependents so bring the students' returns in as well. (I do not charge for student children of my clients, for that reason) Nor do I charge for active military; or wounded in action military. However, older clients have more investments and want more help with financial planning. New clients are sending more new clients. Preparers are retiring and referring clients. Wherever they are coming from, this is the busiest year that I have ever had and the returns just keep becoming more complex. More extensions this year than in all the prior years combined. I am seeing more rentals, more small businesses, more college credits, etc. People who have lost jobs are trying to make a living in whatever way they can and have no idea how to handle the tax repercussions. They come for advice, they come for help and they bring their (sometimes very complex) tax returns as well. I am grateful; but I am also here to help. The foundation of my business is not "all about money"!

I've actually seen an increase in the number of younger clients who have come to me. People who I would classify as professionals and well educated who could easily use Turbo Tax to prepare their returns. Some only have a W2 and a 1099-INT. I'm very confident in the service I offer and while some may think it's foolish, I do let these individuals know that they could save money by filing themselves through a Turbo Tax or State Free File option. No one has ever asked for their paperwork back and I end completing their returns. I think much of that has to do with hearing the media discuss all of the tax changes that have occurred over the past year. I'm not complaining.

As in, "Pick up your stuff, this is not a storage shed!" The ones who pay up front will usually pick them up when they come in next year. Also, since extensions are filed, DEEP silence.

These people think the customer is always right. But they arent customers!

I am glad she considers me a friend. I would NOT want to be on the other side.....

His actions just define him as "clueless!"

Yeah, like those house swap deals for vacations. We could have office swaps. Knowing I could get up and leave those clients and never have to see them again would take a lot of the stress away!

I have trouble convincing my clients to keep the copies but send ME the ORIGINALS.

My husband won't move. Grrr.

By April 15th I understand why Catherine spends so much time on the shooting range. If one of her clients makes her mad enough, she wants to be sure she doesn't miss! Too bad we can't really, it would probably improve the breed.

Me, too! I spent most of the day yesterday with slackers I mean people picking up, double checking stuff, and I would have missed two extensions if I hadn't. Also filed some city and county business tax returns for my year-round bookkeeping folks. I left at 5:15 and thought, "What do I do? It's still light outside." I'm here now catching up on bookkeeping and payroll tax returns. My office is a wreck, but it sure is nice with that phone not ringing and that door not opening. It's like a cruise really. Except for the sun and oil.

The end of the RUSH!!

Haven't you learned never to go to the bathroom without the telephone? I sent my girl home this AM; just called to see if she can come back in for a few hours. Getting crazy around here. When I finally get to bed tonight, I want to be able to sleep.

Hi Everyone, I am a small sole proprietor which operates nights and weekends and do about 200 returns give or take. (mixture of personal-small business-rentals-stock investors) Each return includes federal, state, and local filings. I work a full-time job (9 to 5) during the week which is my reason I do have to apologize that I don't participate much on the community site; however I do appreciate reading all of your professional input when I get the chance. I met with my last client for signature and e-filed it on a quick run home at lunch today and I'm so glad to be finished with the bulk of this year. About 12 on extension. Enjoy tomorrow everyone............I surely know I will be doing something unrelated to taxes............... A Happy and Blessed Easter to all !

Did Joan say "hell"? I really want to strangle whomever does the ad that implies that if you moved you have deductible moving expense. It's hard enough already to combat that wrong idea; don't pile on.

Me too.

Yes, I find that ad really stupid, but then, I find ALL the tax prep ads this year really stupid. I hate to think that this is the education level that their market dictates.

I have a small flame thrower sitting inside my door that was used many times over the winter to melt off my walk. I'll admit it's been tempting to use it to get rid of a few particularly annoying clients. I can send it over if you like.

I had one last night untill10PM and another coming this afternoon. I have more extensions this year than ever before. Part of it is my fault and bad year. Part of it is late comers. If they had come earlier Patty could have done them. I love you Patty and Tom. I sure hope next year goes smoother. BTW my mom has moved back to her apt. and doing pretty good.

I think nobody ever knows about most of the ones that screw up, and they are gone forever. You know, like putting mortgage interest on both Schedule A and Schedule E, valuing that yard sale crap nobody would buy at thousands of dollars, deducting church donations on Schedule C, deducting gifts to individuals, deducting all your meals, deducting both SMR and gasoline. And multiplying by ten. Ok, I'm depressed.

This guy is why you have a club. I forged ahead on a long-time client yesterday, dropped off 4/7. I knew he was going to owe. I also knew HE didn't know. I really don't understand why people don't know things about their own finances. He sold $24,000 in cattle. About 8,000 in expenses. Has a day job. "I sold how much? Are you sure? I have to pay what? Wow, if I had known that I woulda bought a tractor." Me: "OK, how did you not know you sold 24,000 in cattle? Do you NEED another tractor? (Wife is going, "NO!") And if not, do you think it's a good investment to spent $16,000 to save $4,800?" Crickets. I'm just stunned at how little people think.

I meant 304 unique clients, too. I wasn't clear about that. 304 federal returns. I think I made it less clear instead of more clear. I know most of you, if you have 300 tax clients, 300 of them have a state return. Only about 30 of mine do. So, you blew me out of the water. I should have said, "I have prepared the returns for 304 clients, but very few of those had state returns." Honestly, I'm not sure we can compare apples to apples here; if I were behind a concrete wall, not meeting with clients, not processing returns, not copying documents, not stapling my finger, not answering the phone, I could "do" a lot more returns. But, I'd have to pay somebody to do all the other stuff that has to be done, especially the stapling of fingers and ER care. I'm not sure "how many returns do you do" means the same thing to everybody. It takes longer for all the "not preparing" that has to be done than the actual preparing. At least that's my experience. Also, 300 1040's is not the same thing as 300 1040's with Schedules A,B,C,D,F and Forms 8949, 4592, 2441, etc. We might oughta give up on this one.

I am a one-person shop and this year I will do right at 300 returns which includes approximately 40 fiduciary and non-profit 990/990-PF returns. I'm not sure how many more I could do without some serious help. I tried hiring my 15 year old to do my filing but at this point I'm not convinced he knows his ABC's

THIS one I can answer: "Why are there interstate freeways in Hawaii?" It has nothing to do with travelling between states. It means the highway meets the specifications for the Eisenhower Insterstate Highway System in terms of grade, width, height of overpasses, tightness of curves -- -all so that they can be used to transport ICBM's (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles). It's a standards designation from the height of the Cold War.

I'm not going to Vegas or DisneyWorld or anywhere else. I'm going to bed!