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I also get them all the time -- using 8821 sometimes, instead of 2848, when I anticipate no future negotiation. Where it formerly took as little as two business days for the faxed-in authorization to have an effect, it's usually a full week now. (Gawd how I miss the days when one could apply and get access on-line immediately!) When it takes longer and I have the time, I call Practitioner Priority Hotline; once an agent answers, he or she will accept your faxed-in form within minutes and fax or snail-mail you back the transcript(s).

Yes! Both my laptop and desktop seemed to have stopped updating after last March, March 2016. My techie gave me an article to help with my laptop issue of being ready to install 10, already downloaded, upon reboot. I got through all the beginning stuff re removing three files. It remains on 7, thank goodness, even after shutting down, after rebooting, after everything I needed to do this week. But, I can't do the ending stuff in the article re making sure I get 7 updates but not install 10, because it still thinks it's ready to install 10 and won't search for new updates until I do that. Talk about a Catch 22. I'm sure I'm missing many important security updates. I need to get my techie over here. But, this week has been dental work, out-of-town concert for daughter, largest client having issues needing my time, etc. Soon.

I agree with BHoffman. Write a personal note to your favorite clients telling them you have time to take on a few new clients just like them. Give compliments. Get specific, such as family members, other investors, other truck drivers, if you're looking for a specific type. Offer them a discount on their fees for each new, paid client. Include several business cards. Also, if you're not buried under extensions, offer to speak at places that would attract your preferred clients. Retirement homes. Realtors, if you're looking for homeowners. Any of those networking groups, such as BNI as was mentioned, if you're looking for small business owners. Stop in at small businesses, if that's your target, that you think are slower in the summer; wait until after Labor Day for those busiest during the summer -- introduce yourself and leave a brochure re your services offered. Some around me in Fairfield County, CT, greet people at the train stations during the morning and evening commute to let people know they handle NY commuter/multi-state returns. PTA meeting to talk about kids and their part-time jobs and tax obligations and filing out Forms W-4. Decide your target, and then look for where to find them. Let everyone you know, know exactly what you do. Answer questions for people. Church, banker, lawyer, broker, parents at your kids' sports events. My broker has sent me multiple clients. Church has been a great source. Network at your local chapters of NATP, NAEA, etc. I've received biz clients from other preparers who do only 1040s. I know others who get the 1040 overflow from mid-sized CPA firms who handle mostly entity returns.

Basically it works like this: Joe needs $100,000 to start a business, let's say to buy a franchise. He sets up a C corp. which initially has no assets. The corp. sets up a 401(k) plan which specifically allows the plan to invest in employer stock. Joe rolls over $100,000 from his retirements account to the 401(k) plan. The 401 purchases 100 shares of the corp. stock with a par value of $1,000. The corp. now has $100,000 available to purchase the franchise. Then after several years of losses as in the case of David's client, the corp. dissolves leaving the plan with the worthless stock of the corp. They have been around for awhile and are legit as long they are properly structured and executed. There are tax court rulings against some who were not. I mentioned franchise because some work with promoters to encourage ROBS.

Yeah....whatever. Like I said, talkin' bout me right to my face now and laughing 'cause I don't get it. I am going to get my kids read this and tell me how to respond.... Tom Newark, CA

i have gotten a large number of new clients from thumbtack.. my profile: https://www.thumbtack.com/oh/medina/accounting/small-business-accounting-taxes

I have a sign in front of the building, and try to keep a friendly or funny message up. I currently have "Walk-Ins Welcome - Surprise Me" on it. I really feel like that sign was responsible for 15 new clients this year. People are not afraid to come in. I have heard, "Surprise!" about 100 times since January. (That's gettin old and tired, not gonna lie.) Below is a picture of what I had on there previously. My kids' friends got a kick out of it, but it caused some confusion, especially with one fella who was worried about me and my family issues. You win some, you learn some.

I ask my existing clients for referrals. Works out well because they will prequalify people and you don't get the bums and crooks

Get to know the partners at large accounting firms, so they will refer clients to you that are too small for them. Get to know tax preparers who specialize in businesses but do not have bookkeepers, so they will refer the accounting to you. Network at your local chapters of NATP, NAEA, etc., to let preparers know that you specialize in the day-to-day accounting/bookkeeping. Drop in on prospective businesses in their slow times to meet face-to-face and leave them a brochure of the services you offer. If you specialize in a certain industry, find their local trade organization and offer to speak.

I have been by her office. I know EXACTLY where it is. Maybe we could arrange a group surprise...

I would love that so much, Gail! All of you are welcome, even if we're fried good and proper.

If I am ever driving through Tennessee and see your sign, I am going to definitely stop in.

I have had this problem on several Windows 7 pro computers. I have fixed all but a laptop. I Googled until I came upon a fix from some website that worked on two desktops. I can't get the laptop to recover for anything. Fortunately, it only has some pictures, but they are important. I'm afraid to turn the darn thing on now long enough to back them up. My original update problem with my office computer was caused by the update to 10 that was not supposed to happen. After Microsoft took it back to Windows 7 for me, it would not update until I found the solution myself. They were no help with the endless circle up never finishing updating.

Just proves there are only 10 types of people in the world - those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Faxed. Always. And they always say "2-3 days to get in the system" and it has never taken less than two weeks. Usually much longer. And sometimes I have to submit two or three times before they get through. Three different fax machines from two different locations over the course of a decade - the one consistent thread is how LONG it takes to get them put in.