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Gail, I am so sorry for your loss. I do hope you managed to go see him knowing family is always, always first. And now you must take care of yourself and other loved ones in your family. No client or tax return is ever more important than family.

I am trying to keep it shorter, because I think they lose all letters over three or four sentences. Dear (Ex) Client: It's me, not you. (It's you.) I am writing to inform you that my business is going in a new direction (away from you), and I be unable to provide services to you in the future. Good luck (with the next poor fool you make miserable)!

Very sorry for your loss Gail. And yes, always, some things are more important than others as we are reminded of so often. I lost my Dad in '12 and there is always something that happens that I know his presence is still there. I'm sure you'll feel that too. Take good care of yourself and those around you.

@Gail in Virginia - my deepest sympathies! Whether it's a surprise or long-expected - and even sometimes when it is a relief - losing someone so close is still and always a shock and sends turmoil throughout your life. We are here for you in ANY way you need us - take care of yourself, and your family. The clients can bleeping wait; compared to family they're just *not* important.

My sympathies Gail.

I wouldn't fire this lady yet. I'd be doing what Sara is doing: trying to figure out a way to help her. I am thinking of a client I have who's in this shape, too. I'm pretty sure he's having some dementia issues. It's sad - he has been such great client, and I'd be happy to sort thru his stuff if he'd just bring it.

@RitaB I just LOVE your sense of humor!

I am very sorry for your loss, Gail.

My condolences to you and family, Gail. Now is time to take care of yourself and let yourself grieve and heal from your loss.

Terry, My thoughts are with you and your mother.

Want to give us the link? Sometimes I think we're just all too nice and don't get rid of problem clients fast enough.

Yes, pretty much unchanged. I don't use it except for filing 1099s, W-2s, and the 940 series, and only because it is provided free with the tax program. I use QuickBooks with payroll set to manual for write-up. Drake was supposed to be working on a new accounting program to replace the current old CWU program, but I'm not sure of its status.

I don't believe there is individual ownership in a trust unless it is a REIT (real estate investment trust) which is a publicly traded investment. Do they really have a trust? Have you seen the trust document? Was the property titled to the trust? Assume there was a trust bank account which income was deposited to and expenses paid from. So if it truly is a trust, the purchase would be from the trust to the individual beneficiary. What happens next depends on the trust document. Most likely the trust will distribute the cash to the beneficiary's then income will be allocated on K-1. If the sole purpose of the trust was to hold the property until purchased by beneficiary, then trust language should call for termination at that point.

There are a ton of how to fire client video on YouTube, I was just watching a video and the presenter encourages accountants to bill for the 5 min call why: You can't do other work because your attention is on them Billing them will probably reduce calls from demanding clients @SaraEA don't stress yourself out

I need you to introduce your daughter to my son. He went through 5 years of college and never touched a loan or his college savings we put away for him. Wants to go on to get a masters degree but won't start until he has the funds saved. Sounds like the two of them had great parents teaching them about money. But don't let her hug him. Tom Newark, CA

I have no clue, but I would like to know how this works out, so please keep us updated. My first question is: how is the property titled? Assuming it is in the name of the trust, then I would look for basis in the trust (just like I would if it was a partnership). I think I would try to handle it just like a sale of a partnership. I know that is not much help, but see my first sentence. Tom Newark, CA

Review (them or the attorney they hire; not you) the trust docs to make sure whatever is done is in accordance with the original agreement. After that, I freely admit I am clueless.

I raised my fees about 2.5% this year...and still my average per return went down one dollar! Most of my clients have been with me 15-25 years and as more and more of them go into retirement, their returns are no longer as complex. I guess that's just the way it goes.

I recently had to have a brain MRI to see if it is contributing to a genetic cardiac issue they recently discovered I have. The neurologist told me my brain is in pretty good shape but he said (pointing at the picture), "As you can see, it's shrinking a little bit." Then he added, "Don't worry. That happens to everyone when they get old." To which I muttered (under my breath), "Thirty-something turkey!" I guess when I was in my 30s I thought 62 was old, too. Still....arrghhh!!!

I'm not advocating skipping out on your obligations, and I realize Jack's client has a special case. My daughter is in grad school, I am paying for it, along with the Nashville rent. She has classmates who owe 2 1/2 times what tuition and rent have cost me. They are paying living expenses and maybe living it up expenses with loans. My daughter says they should be whipped. She's a hugger too.

Many financial advisors sign off on a fiduciary agreement with the client. The lack of knowledge on the issue is silly. Comparing a professional advisor to a salesperson at Northwestern or Ameriprise is like comparing a professional tax planner to the person at Liberty Tax who took a 3 week class.

Has this happened to anyone? A man goes to see his doctor to complain about some knee pain he's been having, the doctor tells the him, your left knee hurts because of age, the man replies, BS my right knee is the same age as the left knee

My client brought me these cute little pictures that she had made from looking at our three cats. It made my day. She did tell me that I looked exhausted and my eyes were really puffy. I am really feeling my age these days. I do love most of my clients, some need to make a trip to Rita's yard.

Awwwww!!!!!

Love those. That was really sweet of her.

I cannot find ANY exclusion from income for student loan debt. However, any inclusion of income is dependent upon insolvency. So do that worksheet (balance sheet, really).

Unfortunately, without a Section 7216 disclosure, you cannot tell ANYONE (her kids, her lawyer, her minister) that she is even your client. The only thing I can think of is to ask her to have one of her kids drive her over for the next appointment "so that you have some help carrying those papers in" and the tacit approval of having brought her kid along might make it possible to talk to the kid. "Let's ask Mary's opinion since she's here" sort of thing. Nasty tightrope to walk.

Yep, Drake hasn't had a price increase in a long, long while. And the program, although excellent as it is, continues to get better and better. But as far as prince increases are concerned, I keep raising my fees each year. One purpose of being in business is not only to earn salary/wages, but also to make a PROFIT.

I am not even sure what you can do legally to reach out to the children unless their mother involves you. I have a situation like that where my client obviously has bad memory issues like coming on the wrong days and wrong times . I followed him driving one day and was petrified. His wife and only child are dead and I have no idea of anyone that I could reach or if I legally could anyway.

prayers to you and your family. my dad died from cancer 2 summers ago. the time, the grief, and worry - it all takes a toll. still does, 2 years later. take care and god's peace be with you and your mom.

I have had two clients who requested refunds this year and the IRS froze those refunds until they filed missing years. I loved it because a lady said: I haven't file 2014, 2015 and 2016. I prepared them and she was getting a refund because she had a daughter a nice withholding. Two years before the baby was born she didn't file and IRS said... hold your caballos, if you don't file those years, you will not see any of the three refunds totaling 15K. Thanks to the IRS, I have two more years to prepare and more dinero to make.

That seems to be the way with NC. You call them and they won't know either.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and continued prayers. My mother is doing good for the condition she has. Unfortunately, she will continue to deteriorate. She will be given quite a bit of physical therapy. Right now they are controlling blood pressure as it keeps spiking and going back down. She is now in a nursing home which is bittersweet for me. I know there will be eyes on her everyday and most of the day. On the other hand, I hate it but there is no choice. Believe this, I have just finished filing two extensions and waiting on one client to say hit the button. A few others already on extension thought I could get theirs in at the last minute including an S-Corp. of course my response was NO!! My thoughts "Are You KIDDING ME?" An S-Corp??? Sorry but I'm not good enough to get it done in one evening. God and I aren't communicating on miracles of this sort. Geez!!

We love you, @Gail in Virginia.

I'm sorry for you too, Gail. Prayers.

Praying for you and your Mom, Terry.

So sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers. (And your Mama, too, of course.)

I'm so sorry to hear this, Terry. Prayers to you and your family.

Prayers of comfort for your Mother and her family, Terry.

Take care of yourself, so you can take care of your mom. Prayers going your way.

Prayers for your mom and your whole family, Terry.

Terry - prayers said for you mom and for all your family. SO glad you are done; spend time with your family this weekend. Taxes, in the end, are just an annoying chore.

You're a good son TerryD. Being there for your Mom will be a great comfort to her. Take care.

Sorry to hear Terry D. Your mother and you are on my prayers.