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Two weeks ago a plate of chocolate chip cookies, Monday a plate of variety cookies and shortbread, and today a fresh from the oven a home made chicken pot pie (client acknowledged how busy I seemed). I love (most of) my clients.

No food this year, but a very nicely drawn picture of Mickey Mouse and a 6 year old written note of thanks! (Priceless). I also received a beautiful bouquet of roses from one of my older clients because I didn't charge her anything (Her husband recently passed away unexpectedly and she is having some financial issues). The price on the vase was more than I would have charged her. It's the simple act of kindness that makes our day!

HUGE bald eagle flew at low altitude over my car and then landed in front of me (I was going slowly to start with, and stopped). First time I've seen one live and in person. This was in Lexington MA, barely a 1/2 mile from a major interstate highway. Wow. Just wow.

I guess I need to find different clients...

A couple of weeks ago a client brought a large pizza from his shop when he picked up his payroll. The timing could not have been better. That one little act of kindness will carry me through to the end. Did I mention this guy makes the best pizza for miles and miles around?

Yes, none of that side hug crap. Make it count.

Excellent! We have a fair number of them around Blackwater Refuge in MD. I used to see one every morning sitting in a tree. Awesome creatures.

That's how I've always considered it... not! lol another hug candidate for you - perhaps YOU need to buy a couple of lots from him. especially if we all start sending you our "hug" clients, you're gonna need the space!

So, I document everything cause I've seen a thing or two. Guy comes in 1/30/17 and asks me what to do about a lot he sold. You report it. Well, I bought another lot. Refer to my first advice. So, I think I'm all done with his return this morning, which includes payback of all the APTC for which he did not qualify, and I warned him he didn't. Yeah, I put it in writing last year. Attached a copy to his stuff 2016, and I'll attach it to 2017, too. And I see my note from 1/30/17 about the lot. I text him: Did you sell lot in 2016 or 2017? 2016, but I bought another lot. I guess taxes are easier when you just make up your own code. Cause IRC is more like guidelines, really.

I don't get much in the way of gifts. But, this year two retired teachers who drive in together from some distance researched toys for my 17-month-old granddaughter and showed up at their appointment with this great walking/ride-on car with lots of bells and whistles that she will love. Avery visits next week, so we'll take off the ribbons, open the box together, and let her toddle around the living room. Those two women were really excited telling me all the features!

This year is one of my strangest every. Many of my April filers came in February, quite a few of my February came in March, but dollar wise I am still about 10% ahead of last year at this time. So I'm still sitting pretty good. I'm pretty sure that I lost a few clients that normally come in early February probably to the do it yourself software available, but I bet in a year or two they will be back. It seems that they always come back.

Well, there ya go! I can expense the lots (just section 179 land, who cares??), and he can just not report the income. I mean, come on, win / win! Patrick Cox is his Realtor anyway. I write off all Patrick's clothes and lunches cause Realtors do that, you know. It's in the Hairdresser's Tax Guide.

Yesterday a client dropped by Pecan Pie Muffins. I felt guilty, because I've had her information for 2 weeks and still haven't finished her return. Her situation is complicated with a 1041 needed and a 1040 for a deceased parent, but still . . .

Yeah, I lost it with an S-corp client yesterday. Not the main reason, but they deduct the $400 boots his wife needs for their RADIO program. And, the kids travel with them to expensive resorts; he says they're employees, but not on the payroll. I charge them almost enough. But, they don't listen to me anymore. I won't miss clients that don't trust me. And, that I can't trust anymore.

A song from the 60's by the Outsiders titled "Time Won't Let Me" comes to mind on this thread, I'm sure most of you remember it. For those of you who don't it goes something like this: Google it if you want to hear a great song. I, can't wait, forever, Even though, you want, me to, I, can't wait, forever, To know, if you'll, be true, Time won't let me, oh no, time won't let me, time won't let meeee, Can't you see, I've waited, too long, To love you, to hold you, in my arms, Time won't let meeeee, oh no, time won't let meeee

No, it does not. Taxpayer has failed to repay it, so it's a withdrawal. But basis (contributions) in ROTHs are withdrawn first, so that will affect things.

Well, I've been reminded many times by clients that it's a "voluntary" tax system. Apparently he has the same philosophy.

Wow! And two of the fixed assets somehow got linked to the Schedule A instead of the Schedule E . . . That's part of the reason I was having so much trouble matching the entry mess to the returns. Tight hugs.

Rather than amending the return, use a 3115 to return to the correct methods. If any tax is due you get a 4 year forward spread.

New client has been self-preparing returns. Can't figure out how to print out a depreciation schedule from the DIY software, and all I've got are the 4562 forms and a pile of screen shot entry summary disasters. (He brought his laptop, and I tried looking, too. No dice.) I really can't sort it out in any way that makes sense. An asset on the 2013 4562 changed in value by 2015. No idea why. The best thing that I see is that in 2014, there was a $60,000 remodel on one of the properties, and client took a 179 deduction for the entire thing. Client makes too much money to utilize the passive loss, so piling up suspended losses that will probably never be used, including 179 deduction. Needs a hug, for sure. I've been working on this for 3 hours, and I've got nuttin', except obviously a 2014 amendment, if I decide I can stand it.

That's exactly what I did. B of A told me they don't send emails like that and then I forwarded the email to [email protected], so they can try to track it back to it's origin.

My policy is that I must be the one to initiate contact. For what you received this morning, I would telephone my bank using a known and valid phone number from either my bank statement or back of my credit card. It's pretty much the same policy for the telephone fundraising calls and for sales and marketing calls too. If the initial contact is made by someone else telling me that I should do something, it's not happening.

I truly think they forget about us. All their docs are out of the house, so out of sight out of mind. Then it hits them...."oh ship, I forgot to call Bill with that, er...now what did he want? I'll call tomorrow and find out, I don't feel like working right now...oh, there's my keys."

Drastically increase your income stream from him, file an extension and ignore him till AFTER your summer vacation. I grow weary of having tax experience and knowledge and being reduced to a baby sitter for incompetent adults. It is a reason I love being in this group because I am one of the least experienced people here and am among people who do NOT NEED tended to like little children.