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"After further review of your situation in light of our recent discussions, we have determined that this office is not positioned to fulfill your requirements. We wish you the best in finding a firm with whom to work. Best Regards, " Nothing more.

Terry, I am impressed that you recognized and gave credit to the accuracy of the prior CPA's work. It seems that in this business when we get a new client, our approach is to look for what the prior jerk did wrong and then post all over the place about how many returns we've had to correct that were done by CPAs, EAs, chains, everybody but us. You gave credit where due, which attests to your professionalism. We had a client who left a year or so ago and came back because he was disgruntled with his new CPA. From what I could tell, their work was impeccable. I was really impressed that their notes and computations made it possible for me to determine where they had come up with different numbers. The guy has an amazingly complex return--big Sch C business, several rentals in an LLC, etc., yet I could follow their workpapers with ease. They even corrected something we had done wrong in a prior year (guess we didn't ask if one was a commercial or residential rental), and they knew some odd things that I first thought were mistakes but looked up the code and found they were right. They never did compare his QB with bank deposits, though, giving him a couple hundred grand more income than he really had. Also missed the domestic production credit, but I'm not sure they were done when he defected. So yes, we were able to add some value. We are always reluctant to take on a new client who is disgruntled with their old preparer. Like you, I don't automatically jump the gun and conclude the prior was incompetent. One of the first things I look for in their books and records is to see if the old person got paid. Some jump ship just because they have an outstanding bill they don't want to pay. Like the other posters, I say DO NOT take on this client. He doesn't listen to good advice and is determined to cheat his employees. Who's to say his accountant won't be next?

I too am greatly disappointed that Pub 17 will not be available in print this year. I always keep a copy on my desk. When a client seems uncomfortable when I say he can or can't do something, I pull out the pub and read the rules. This is the one place where they seem to be in plain English so the clients can understand the veracity of what I told them. Also very well indexed so it's easy to find what you want, and you can put stickies on the pages you use a lot. I will not print out 300 pages. Just like I won't print out my bank statements. Why spend my dime and time when I'm the customer? My taxes help pay the IRS budget; they should jump when I ask.

Yikes! There will be no paper copy of the Pub 17 this year. Bad news for me as I like to carry this with me and reference as needed. There is such a huge lack of available assistance from the IRS this year, it is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool and told to "sink or swim". They already told us at classes to expect little or no telephone assistance from them.

It's the principal of the thing. They keep wanting us to do more and then take away our tools. Nearly the entire RTRP Test was based on Pub 17. For what it cost me to take that test, they could furnish me with a printed copy of "the bible". I'm getting pretty disillusioned. Would you believe I had to print out my own AFSP certificate?

Yup....5 X 7 dinky. But, I put it in an awesome frame.

Yeah, and is that 5 x 7 dinky, or what? I feel like Rodney Dangerfield.

Look at it this way. You are doing them a favor. They will know a little bit better what to hide from the next CPA they talk with. And you re not charging them for that service.

I ditch EVERY client who I feel is not forthcoming with me. Being skittish in answering questions, "forgetting" papers (well, forgetting is fine; lots of folks don't understand what New Form X is anyway -- but hemming and hawing after the notice is way different), excuses, the quick shift of eyes as they are trying to come up with something plausible.... get RID of those folks. Not worth whatever they pay.

I download it and print out sections as needed. Incidentally, Marilyn I put my RTRP certificate in a large frame and now it's worthless. Guess who ain't hiding it ?

HP have been work horses for me. I still have my first 4L (3L?). Too slow for printing tax returns, but hubby uses it. My 2550n is still going strong, also a bit slow for tax returns but nice color. I use a slightly newer P2055dn for returns: fast, quiet, small footprint. And, an old L7780 for copying, faxing, printing, color, duplexing, some scanning when I need the flatbed (have a Fujitsu for scanning). The only repair I've ever needed was new rollers on the old 4L.

Run. You don't want to prepare returns that you know are incorrect. It looks like I'm going to be firing a long term client, because his insurance agent knows more than me and says that he can deduct his health insurance and the agent will write up a plan. (Based on the old rules. They don't have to listen to the new ones, because they will be taken away.) I'm hoping that maybe his agent will prepare his taxes.

I have it downloaded to the desktop; but it is nearly 300 pages; which does not make printing it user friendly.

Well the entire key to this conversation is if we are reasonably sure the information presented is accurate or do we have reason to believe it is not. Hence the need for the additional questions and documentation. I guess I should have stated my feelings about the one notebook paper guy I had. He was always skiddish answering questions and if I read into everything he did make me feel his figures were inaccurate. Bingo, last time I seen this guy he was trying to answer why he forgot to give me a 1099R that cost him big time. Never felt comfortable but always had the engagement signed that stated as Catherine said that all receipts for expenses and income must be substantiated and that an independent verification wasn't being done. The was good enough but now with all the due diligence issues I think we need to further protect our selves. Now, if I smell a rat as in my other post, I tell them I can't help them or throw such a ridiculously high fee at them they leave. Not worth it.

I agree 100% with both.

I have one guy who brings me everything on notebook paper. At one point he offered me his paper tape calculator tapes for all his categories... I declined. His is a known business, he keeps everything (and thank heavens does not bring me every scrap), and can always answer any question I put to him (but usually starts with "I'll check my records when I get back into my office and get back to you). As with all clients, I emphasize that he will need to produce ALL his receipts and details should he get audited, so please keep them safe and filed by year. I think I can trust his figures.

They have already proven they will NOT listen to your advice. They have already proven they don't care about disregarding laws. And you might want these cretins for clients WHY?? There are plenty of honest and honorable folks who need help. Don't put YOUR reputation on the line for these people; when they are caught they will blame you and drag your good name through the mud.

That's why I don't want good printers. I like to replace my printers every few years to stay current with speeds and technologies. This isn't as important as it once was but I rarely pay more than $200 for a printer, and usually closer to $100. You can get really good deals when they're changing models.

I have used nothing but laser printers as well. I have a two drawer HP2015 that puts out 30PPM and toner from rapid refill costs approximately 118.00 per year. As others have stated, the IRS required everything printed on laser. Probably doesn't need to be said here but inkjet will bleed off the page if it gets wet for any reason. Inkjet is also easier to wash. I learned about check washing when I worked in one of my business client's office when some of their employee payroll checks had been stolen or given to someone who had the capability to do so, and the amounts paid were changed. Yep, never thought this could happen either but it did. So, for me it is all laser. Just my 2 cents worth.

I guess I am missing something here. Why aren't the preparers being trained that they will be held accountable with job loss if they alter a prior year return. And why, FredomTax, with multiple preparers in your firm haven't you placed password entry into a return and then at the start of a new tax season CHANGE THE PRIOR YEAR program passwords for EVERY EMPLOYEE? If you change the password and not tell the preparers the new one, I guarantee they will stop and ask what happened and why did you do this and you have another opportunity for quality control training. And then do not tell anyone what the password is for the prior year without a supervisor request? .Have each preparer MANUALLY enter the signature dates on the tax returns for clients AND preparer. Change the status of each return to complete when you receive the e-file acknowledgement. Use the "hide returns marked complete" option in the Returns manager. Print all returns to PDF BEFORE printing to a paper printer. Print the client paper copies from the PDF files, not from the tax program routine. And don't forget to pester ATX to add bookmarks to the PDFs printed like their nemesis Drake does. It would be helpful to not have to change each PDF to open in bookmarks index and bookmarks at least on the major stopping points in the PDF. Seems to me that ATX is simply lazy in not adding the bookmarking protocol to the program. Or in the organizers, too, for that matter. I like the idea of changing the colors of prior years to something other than the current year default as a means to remind you the prior year original return is etched in stone. For over 10 years I have rigorously followed the above steps inside my own office and have had several part time preparers see a light bulb light up over their head in tax season when they have to ask for the new password to open a prior year return and realize that the new password is a stop sign to allow for time to think before jumping irreversibly off a cliff with client return data and simply saving the return when they're done with it.. I have very little trust in ATX backup routines. I do use import and export frequently rather than relying on a backup routine from ATX. Especially when upgrading computers and moving datafiles, Last, but not least, take off the letter date field on the cover letter. ATX will always insert current date on your letter if you leave that pesky date field in the cover letter when you access the file and it is one of the reasons why the program asks if you want to save the changes you've made when you've accessed a return marked complete. Better to remove one more source of grief causers from the chain of events, IMO.