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I give all my clients a paper copy in a nice (but not extraordinarily nice) folder. I'll have about eight or so that "can't find" that copy at some point after the fact, and I make another copy free gratis for one time offenders. Clients who "lose" returns more than once get a fee increase next go round to make me feel better about having to be mom to people who do not share my DNA. I don't point it out - I'm the mom; I don't have to explain.

Client with EITC and SCH C? First, just with the due diligence requirements and risk involved, you should definitely be charging more than $200 (way more if the SCH C has more than a few lines). We fired all of our clients in this situation with the exception of a few we know well and know their businesses are legitimate. We referred then to HRB, where preparers are better trained in due diligence and what records to keep than we are. We take few new clients and none with EITC, SCH C or not. This year due diligence expands to ACTC and AOC. Again, we know our clients so will likely trust those with these credits. We haven't discussed yet whether to raise their fees.

I charge $20 for an additional copy of any return. You would be amazed how $20 will make some people actually look for the return. Others pay willingly. Since I store all returns in .pdf, it is less than 2 minutes to send one. Also, I do NOT send any information to ANY third party, no matter what. I send it to the client only. Keeps me out of any "situation."

Don't you have any clients who "don't do computers"? Some elderly ones to be sure, but I even have a bunch of younger ones you would rather not (although they are whizzes on their cell phones). And how do you handle the ones who call throughout the year because they need a copy of their return for the bank, attorney, whatever? We give all our clients a hard copy, and it amazes me how many of them can't find it. (Or are too lazy to look for it. Easier to call the accountant.) With a PDF copy or thumbdrive, they'll actually have to work for it. I can hear the calls now, can't find it, can't print, can you please just send a copy. When I worked for Block years ago, we charged $20 for a prior year copy. We never printed it until they showed up in the office because it was amazing how many looked under the car seat and found it when we mentioned the fee.

Yes, I would have helped them and yes I would take them back only because I know clients are not perfect. Once they return I would explain that they need to respond to your questions in a timely manner as tardiness interrupts the workflow process and could increase their price. Also I would definitely listen to your wife, they usually know better, just from their intuitive perspective, and it serves us well to obey, if we know what is good for us. I learned the hard way.

Thanks folks. I had not seen this before. It's a relief to know that it's only the client (and me) becoming hysterical rather than IRS. Also we did pay just the husband's and disregarded hers. This is kind of like the separate 2848 POA forms each must sign whereas previously both spouses could sign the same one. The thinking behind all this (either cynical or realistic - not sure which) must be that, just because you trusted somebody enough to marry them, doesn't mean you can trust them with money .

I like your attitude. We know that some practices must prepare EIC returns in order to survive, so this isn't a subtle attempt to slam them. But I decided I simply can't charge enough to compensate for the penalty risk of preparing a return claiming EIC, especially when there's a Schedule C involved. So for many years my solution has been to refer them to HRB, while explaining that they need a preparer who is comfortable with those type of returns, has the deep pockets to cover any surprises, and can give them the quick turnaround most of them are seeking. Maybe things are trending that way with ACTC and AOC, although my gut feeling is that this credit by and large involves a type of client whom we don't have to second-guess and interrogate on every response. Or a client who has already visited one or two other preparers and has been coached on what to reveal and what to leave unsaid. (or as my father-in-law Sam Cook used, to say - "Somebody who knows how to play fast and loose with the truth".)

To the original poster, if this happens frequently to you after your computer has been up and running for 30 minutes, buy a new computer.

I give everyone a paper copy AND a CD with password-protected pdf's of everything. Used to have a file named "opening instructions" with the algorithm for figuring out the password but after multiple calls I renamed it "Read me BEFORE calling Catherine" which people mainly do! Cut the calls down from 30 per year to about 2 or 3. Additional paper copies? Sure; mailed only to YOU, go to my web site and use the PayPal link to pay the $30 fee. Once it's paid I'll start. Amazing how many people want to try to look again after they "can't find" their return the first time. (Which I take to mean that it wasn't sitting on their desk at home in plain sight.) Additional pdf copy? Only by the file share portal. That one is free but only when I get around to it which might not be until tomorrow.

Good policy. I follow the same practice. No exceptions. I'll email a copy to the client - they can do whatever they wish with it.

Assuming I were interested, I'd tell them the highest prices, including the warning that there will be annual increases, and let them take it or leave it. Who cares what H&R Block charges? They are already signaling that they want to play you off against the competition and beat you down on price. Maybe you should tell them that buying tax preparation services is like buying oats. For a fair price you can provide good quality oats. But if price is their only consideration, then for slightly less money they can risk getting oats that have already been through the horse. Most (not all, but most) people who own rental property are a royal pain. Their whole business model is built on getting everything done as cheaply as possible (plumbing, electrical, cleaning, general repairs - you name it) and that includes tax preparation. They expect to collect the highest rent possible on their property and pay the least amount possible to those who are their support & supply system. And they aren't bashful about constantly needling you on price or taking advantage of your time - they frequently take great pride in playing this little game. These attitudes are generally passed on to them by other landlords or the guy who sponsored the seminar that got them interested in rental property in the first place. Too much of an entitlement mentality to suit me.

I would've told them to call the state. Might've given them the number if it was at my fingertips. Taking them back would depend on how contrite they were on that second call (after showing attitude in the first call) and how much I did or did not like having them as clients in the past. IF I did take them back, I'd inform them that my prices increased in 2015 and will again in 2016, so a return comparable to their 2014 return is now $220 (name your price, but definitely over $200). With the due diligence for EIC, I'd charge a whole lot more than $200 for an EIC return that includes a Schedule C. In fact, I probably wouldn't let an EIC client return after leaving me and showing attitude!

Yes, I've seen the same (only last 2 or 3 years), and of course always a hysterical call when they arrive.

All my MFJ couples get two letters for everything now, one to tax payer and one to spouse. And, I get copied on both! IRS covering their butts?!

Taxpayers will never trust congress on this one. Everyone fears that a VAT or national sales tax would end up being "in addition to" instead of "in place of" income taxes. And the world is a smaller place now so there will be ways around it. When Brits arrive in the US on holiday, they bring empty suitcases so they can buy Nikes at $200 instead of $300 and a zillion other things for half price.

Client brought in two IRS letters yesterday. This is the same couple as in my post of 11-16-16 ("Unpaid Taxes for 2015") who e-filed and mailed a check (10-15-16) for the balance due which IRS promptly cashed, then billed them two weeks later for the same money. I sent front/back of the check plus explanation to IRS; nothing heard back, so guess (hope) that part is done with. But, they always owe about $300 penalty/interest and prefer to wait until IRS sends a bill. It (they) arrived yesterday -- two CP501 letters, same dollar amount on each, for this married filing joint return - one for HIM and one for HER. Further, although each bill has only one taxpayer's name on it, the husband's social security number is on both and the wife's is nowhere. I've never seen this happen before and wonder if it's the same nut/section that handled the first deal or is the system going haywire? I replied/explained, but it was somewhat awkward 'cause there's no nice way to say "You're crazy."

As originally filed. Do NOT put the current NOL from 2015 on line 29a of these copies. Also, I would NOT include an 1139 with the 1120X. Instead, I include a worksheet to show the loss incurred and how it is applied to other years, either by carryback or carryforward, and show any unused remaining balance available to carry forward to future years.

1. CPAperless' product "Signature Flow" (although they've changed the name and I can't remember if that is the new or old name) only charges per signature; NO monthly fees. 2. Most web sites will allow a PayPal link (client does not need a PayPal account). Drake (my software) for 2016 tax year now accepts credit cards inside the returns with no monthly fee; again just a per-transaction. 3. Adobe Acrobat but go to ebay and buy a license for Acrobat X (ten). It's a couple of years old, works perfectly, and will be cheap due to age. Get a registerable version. Alternatives would be Nuance's Power PDF or pdf995.

Just have them pay one and sleep well.

Why did Block charge $1 for a 1065???? Aren't they the ones who charge $400 for a one W2, EITC return? Must have been a promotion. I pity the preparer. Block pays its employees on commission, so that poor tax pro likely ended up paying Block for the time spent on the return. Definitely tell this client your real price and let him decide what he wants to do. I had a new client this year who always did her own complex return on TurboTax. I charged her $1,000 (15 PTPs, among other interesting items), and she paid without a complaint. We'll see if she returns next year.

Where do you find the USB Drives at that price? I have looked but all I find are $5 to $6 each

They were very nice in the returned voice mail and thanked me. They were never a problem to work with except they took a long while to return calls and usually finished it up just before the filing deadline even if they dropped off in Feb. Yes I do know my prices are too low and have been raising them slowly each year. Thats all I hear from my wife is that my pricing is to low for a CPA. Im betting if I take them back that upon reviewing the self filed returns for 2015 there will be amendments needed too.

I tend to tell them the higher price (that it takes for me to be willing to work with them) and let them decide to stay or to go.

If it were socially acceptable I would work totally clad in fine velvet. Why not, no one can see me on the top floor of a townhouse. Great way to be productive, alone and comfortable.

I work in my flannel jammies and fuzzy slippers unless I have to see people. Still stay in comfie shoes or slippers or just socks, flip flops in summer, even when I have to put clothes on. But, I'm in the land of two-acre zoning with no commercial area, so people are seldom "just in the neighborhood." They know I have a mail slot in my front door. My office is the back corner of the house, so I just hide! I have run after a couple of clients that I did want to see when they slipped their envelopes through my door -- and was in those aforementioned flannel jammies with a sweatshirt and slippers. Don't do that often, but both times were long-time clients and females.

At one of the "Gear-Up" Seminars, the instructor was from California. He said he was finally getting to the "perfect" practice. He spent all tax season in Lake Tahoe at his condo, all returns were dropped off at his office in LA, and other employee's scanned in the info, and inputted the returns, then he reviewed them. He wanted 1,000 like this, and he charged a very large fee. To each his own. If you turn your tax practice into a commodity, then your clients will treat it that way as well. I was just at one of the spin-off's from "Gear-Up", Bob Jennings seminar, and he said to raise your fees 30% and clear out the chaff. That will get rid of the commodity returns, the ones that have revenue but are not helping you in the long run. If I meet with someone for half an hour, and I get $250 for that return, and I meet with someone else, for half an hour, and get $500 for that return, why am I meeting with the one for $250? My idea for 2017 is this, as I am doing all my tax season planning, you pay more to meet with me. If you want to drop off the return, the starting rate is $280. If you want to meet with me, the rate starts at $375. If you want to meet with the CPA exam qualified person on my staff, you can meet with them for $300. Or some combination of fees that make sense for what I have traditionally charged them in the past, and what rate I want to charge them in the future. In my new office? I can not see who comes into the office. They do not walk by my front door anymore. It cuts down on the "drop-in's" considerably. Rich

Custodial parents have a right to revoke a previously signed 8332. Perhaps the mother did so. As far as the IRS is concerned she can claim the child. If your client wants to fight her refusal to sign, he will have to take her back to court. If he can't even afford to pay you, I'm sure he can't afford to do that. Speaking of payment, " The client cannot pay what I've billed to date and I will adjust." WHY????? You are now doing MORE work for him. If his attorney won't go back to court for free, why should his tax pro do extra work for free? I would charge for the work you've done after filing--it's not your fault this happened. If he can't pay you in full, ask for a payment plan or at least get an assurance that he'll pay when he is able. He sounds like a long-time client so you have to decide if he'll eventually come across. And don't be so quick to take his side. You say "he'll get skunked again" and just believe that the signature is hers. Just maybe it isn't, and she told the IRS she never signed. Maybe he badmouths the mom in front of his daughter, is late in child support, maybe he doesn't show up for his days with the child and habitually disappoints her. Face it, you don't have all the facts and don't know both sides of the story. Just charge your fee and help him as best you can with what is truly a legal matter. I have a client whose ex claimed their child even when it wasn't his year. She was afraid to fight it because he refused to visit his son if he couldn't claim him. This year she was awarded full custody and the jerk still claimed the kid. She fought this one and received her full refund. Bet he won't try that again.

A little sambuca or anisette in the espresso does have a calming effect but only for the "children" 18 and over.

No worries. Election results in 2012 gave us at least 15 years of job security. (bittersweet) Election results in 2016 just added 6-10 more years to the job security. A flat tax, fair tax etc., will never be enacted in our lifetime. Congress will NEVER relinquish the greatest power it has over the people of this country, the power to tax. There may be some "restructuring" or modifications, but our jobs are more secure than ever.