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I don't think so, I think they are required to store their common sense in the SS Lockbox while they are in office.

The problem is that congress or the IRS will not require the institutions to report on a calendar year. What they let them get away with is amazing. It is the equivalent of letting a corporation on a fiscal year report their 1099's for the company's year rather than the calendar year. I don't get that one. Is there anyone who knows a congressman with an ounce of common sense? Tom Newark, CA

Too cute, indeed! I could watch those things for hours and accomplish nothing but affixing a permanent smile on my face. Thanks for sharing!

On another board, a couple of years ago, one tax pro wrote in with his story: He'd always heard the "double their fee every year until you like them OR they go away" and decided to try it in his main PITA client. Bookkeeping, tax, tons of long-winded questions, the same mistakes every month - we all know the type. Was charging him $1,250/year. Doubled it to $2,500/year and they STILL drove him nuts. Doubled the next year to $5,000 and he still could not stand them. Doubled it *again* to $10,000 - and they are now some of his favorite clients! They pay on time, make the same mistakes and call with the same long-winded questions -- but now that he is getting compensated fairly, (as my older daughter says) "it's all shiny!" One key is the "paying on time" part. I doubt they would be his favorite clients if he had to hound them to pay his bills. Maybe, Sara, it's time to double their fee.

As a few of you know, on June 2, I had breast cancer surgery. All is going very well. No margin invasion and no lymph node invasion. Prognosis couldn't be better. I wouldn't normally be writing this other than to remind all of you gals to have your mammograms. Early detection is SO key and that is what saved me. My tumor was only 7 cm. It is gone. I will have no radiation or chemo....only meds. This has been a pretty hectic time for us as my husband and I were both diagnosed with cancer about two weeks apart. Also, my cousin, who became my new assistant this year, was diagnosed before me and had her surgery exactly 4 weeks to the day ahead of me. We are all doing just fine. Am not asking for any sympathy here; just want to make sure that all the gals and wives of guys out there get the message and are as fortunate as I have been.

Prayers on the way. Happy for the good news so far.

Regarding that 1098-T, KC.... yes, you will want to see it. Just don't believe anything ON it! I have seen SO many frimping mistakes on those things they really do resemble fairy tales more than cash flow statements. There's a hint of truth in there somewhere - if you can find it.

I NEVER, EVER click on links.

The text is generic and could apply to any one of the thousands of emails that were sent out. It doesn't address Catherine by name. It says 'my clients are new in town", which would imply his town. It also says "in your state" instead of MA. I would hit the Spam button on this one.

I received two of these, I think, in the last several weeks. I viewed them as spam though I did respond suggesting his clients contact me directly. Never heard any more ..... Lynn

Personally, I wouldn't respond. He is supposedly giving you a referral, but yet in the same letter is asking you for referrals! We don't need to feed fourth party organizations.

It is a scam. I researched it when I got the same letter. Stay away from it. Do not respond to it, either. That response will validate your email address to the scammers.

Margaret, I personally don't see how you could be held responsible for the lack of responsibility on the part of your client. I agree you can't act unless you have the information to act. I don't understand Jack's comment either. How could anyone have known the amounts you were waiting for. I take the same position with an S-Corp client of mine who is notoriously late and has escaped late filing penalties for the last four years. I have just completed 2013 & 2014 for him. Sure, I knew these returns were due but how could I possibly be penalized when I never received any of the books. As I stated to this client, I make no assumptions for anyone. Remember, it is the client who is ultimately responsible for an accurate and timely filed tax return regardless of the vehicle he/she used to file it. JMHO.

He rode up on his unicorn and told the truth...

Regarding the 1099 penalties, I have a client with scads of rental properties in a partnership. (The majority partner is a grantor trust, so it all ends up on his return anyway.) He pays people to manage some of the properties and also hires contractors to do repairs/renovations to some of them. Every single year I warn him that the IRS can disallow any payments for which he did not issue a 1099. Every single year I add the warning to the notes in our electronic file cabinet (so he can't blame me). Every single year I check yes for the box "were you required to issue 1099s?" and check no for the box "did you issue them?" Not a peep from the IRS yet. Maybe with the bigger bucks they can collect now their enforcement efforts will change. Think I'll email the client the relevant paragraphs from the original post. The irony is that if these properties weren't in a partnership, 1099s wouldn't be required. Oh, this guy also has a big Sch C business that pays lots of subcontractors (total $200k or so). He makes sure to get me the info to issue the 1099s on these folks. Guess he can't say he didn't know.... Another thing, this guy always goes on extension and even then is sometimes late. Last year he got around to filing Oct 20, and the IRS fined him all the way back to April 15. The fine is per partner (him and his trust, in other words him and himself), so he paid big time. Some people will never learn. I'd fire him except that we charge him megabucks so it's worth the aggravation. Still, I wish he'd go away.

We require a copy of the account statement from the college. You can only claim amounts PAID in any given year. 1098-T information is worthless.

Great minds run in the same direction, that was my first thought. Although with a large Mars comb it's not too bad. Spoken from experience, having Saints and Irish Wolfhounds, the Mars combs are absolutely essential.

It would take a WEEK to brush out one of those big dogs - at which point it's time to go back to the beginning and start over! Job security?

Just keep raising his fees until he either speeds up or decides to go elsewhere, Cat. I think I'd have to see it, given that it is going to be so critical going forward.

For him, you are way too cheap!! Add an aggravation factor.

Tempting.... I usually charge $15 per 1099, which includes paper copies to recipients and for records, and e-filing of originals. The year I got his stuff in frimping *November* I charged the $15, plus a $45 late fee for each. So he paid quadruple my normal rate. The next year, I got stuff in *August*; so I only charged him a $30 late fee per form. He is definitely one of the "war stories" clients we all have!

Cancer should have known better than to pick a fight with Marilyn!!

MCB: Congrats on your good prognosis! My wife is a one year survivor, two years from diagnosis. Hope that everything stays well. Have those mammo's, ladies... Although the mammo in my wife's case was clean.... What did they diagnosis your husband with? Rich

How about making your fees for filing them late the same as the IRS penalties?

How about that phrase? Frankly, I couldn't find it just now in my quick review of Circular 230 but, in 182 pages, I could have missed it easily. What is you interpretation of that phrase? Should I have known the amount of interest without having the data in hand to prepare Form 1099? I'm not sure of the meaning of your response and would appreciate some clarification. This client's returns have been completed for over 6 weeks now and they have not yet scheduled a review and pick up time. They emailed last week that Mondays and Fridays are good but, when offered last Friday or yesterday, I received no reply at all. Their identity was compromised in February so one might think they would like to get this out of the way. I certainly want it off my desk.

Goodness, what an update. I'm glad you, your husband, and cousin are all doing well and are getting back to good health.

I wouldn't do it again after 2013. You know the issues that I had. Even if I had the time. New clients every few days; who messed up preparing their own returns.

It is a phishing e-mail. Delete. Do not respond. We have 7 different company e-mails here at the firm and all have received the same e-mail. If you wish to incur another computer cleanup and virus removal, then click on the link.

Ooooo. Double returns for married couples. Works for me!

Thanks to you both... my take was that it was soliciting referrals to them.

The plot thickens. A man in Montana who practices polygamy applied for a marriage license to enable him to legally marry one of his "sister wives". So if that additional bit of idiocy flies, then why not get a license for the 3rd, 4th, and so on? Eventually the "spouse" line could just say "see attached statement", with a listing of everyone who legally qualifies as a spouse. The possiblities are endless.

Feel free. A few of us from my small church in my small town go with a large church in a large town that's been doing this for 30+ years. The national organization is 40+ years old. So, they do have it down pat. I'm told that the centers love to have a Jesse Lee group because we are well trained. Safety, Stewardship, and Sensitivity. Lots of training. The wheelchair ramp modules are free to handicapped people and nonprofits in our area, so we help before we even leave home. The organizers are both adults and teens. Amazing program. Here's the national site: http://www.asphome.org/

I just looked at the website for your church's ASP volunteers. Wow. You guys sound so organized and I love all of the training before you go in using tools, and actually having a practice work day where you build wheelchair ramps. I don't know if this is ASP required, or something that your church does, but I think it is a great idea. Our church just usually sends a list of what to bring with you and goes, with no training for anyone until they are on site. I hope that you won't mind if I share that web page with some of our leaders - I think it is a great practice to follow!