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Shoot - if they'd just audit all the self-prepared HOH filers in Crossville, TN, we could expand that "Effects of Leaf Blowers on Lizards Study" to include wooly worms.

Judy, you absolutely nailed it.

^ This! Fwiw, I almost never take a client back that has left when the relationship has soured. If they left me over fees that they thought were too high when that was caused by something like lousy records, inefficiencies or disorganization, procrastination, and if I feel the charge is reasonable and know that I'm usually below the going rate around here, then it's pretty clear that the client doesn't respect me, appreciate my efforts, or the product or services I've provided. The client's extreme need or pressure from the IRS usually doesn't cure their bad habits or the sour attitude; they only need you as long as you can "save" them, then you're back to the reason they left you in the first place. Unless the fee is so lucrative to put up with those headaches and take on the added risk, why take them back?

IRS probably DOES love SOME of them for money left on the table, but I believe, overall, that many filers are making more money using TT rather than us. They list as many kids with SSNs as they can birth, borrow, or buy for EIC, etc. and no preparer is asking about residence, relation, or anything that might derail the gravy train (as an applicant once put it to me: "I don't see why you won't let me use these two kids-they're my sister's, she's got 5, said she only needs 3, and that I could have these.") Also, we won't do 'em for 40 bucks, people love a bargain, and there's lots of cheapskates out there. I've only had a few refugees from TT - here's one memorable case: Client: Upper-middle couple - DIYers/salaried medical professionals/one kid. T/P: "I've used TurboTax three years, but I'm not sure I did it right. Will you check these?" BB: "Sure. Call me tomorrow." T/P (next day)"Anything?" BB: "They owe you $1,200." T/P: "WHAT!?..... (calms down slowly).... What's your fee?" BB: "$300". T/P: "WHAAATTTTTT!!!? (calms down much more slowly). Well...three hundred, twelve hundred...three hundred, twelve hundred....well, um, ah, yeah...okay, go ahead I guess." He quit me later - guess I broke his heart.

Now that I think about this, I would not touch it. If that offer goes into default, and you agree to prepare the 2017 return late....man, I don't know if they can get to your E&O, probably not...but I would not chance it. Let the guy who took on the engagement for 2017 have his E&O hanging in the wind. He knew or should have known that they needed to complete the returns to keep the offer in effect. That is negligence on his part. You have a clean break from the client. Don't muddy the waters by getting back into it. I change my stance and I would definitely do the Jack mantra "Run Forrest Run!". Tom Modesto, CA

"Run Forest Run" He will always be the PIA clients he currently is.

Also don't PWD (pickle while driving - you'll get brine all over your car; ick)!

Some great points have been made on both sides. As I see it, it comes down to your second sentence: "This client has issues anyway." What would make it worth, to YOU, to deal with those issues again? How much is it worth, to YOU, NOT to be dealing with those issues? Simple return, grovelling before the IRS on the OIC, OK... it can all be done. How much would you have to charge him, up front and in cash, to deal? Feel free to say $10,000 if you were that glad to see the back side of him walk away. $500? $750? More? Less? If he'll pay that, up front, in cash, happily - or at least without verbal grumbling anywhere you can hear him, take him back. But he gets ONE chance to accept, and ONE opportunity to pay in full up front - or out he goes. If he doesn't kiss your boots (metaphorically) and happily hand over full cash right away, then he'll be nothing but trouble from the minute the cash hits your hand. Should you take him back, what you want is a happy compliant client who does what you tell him to do and who never fusses about your fee. You do not want the client equivalent of chronic lower back pain!

You are so goofy. I am sure there is something you should be doing. Tom Modesto, CA

Well, the cow is already out of the barn, right? 2017 was not timely filed. That would bother me some. More issues. Depending on how much I enjoy the client, I'd either: 1) Decline their kind offer to return (eye roll) as there are plenty of tax pros sitting around wanting something to do, and I charge too much. /s or 2) Accept their kind offer to return because I like money as much as the next girl, and really, I'm goofing off quite a bit right now. Seriously, this decision would be strictly based upon how this client treats me and respects my time. That's where I am. If he is contrite and apologetic, I'm forgiving and helpful. If he is unpleasant, uncooperative, wants free handholding, blames me for anything, and I do mean anything, etc., I'm really too busy goofing off for that. As John says I'd just as soon have the time off.

Evidently client got what they paid for with new preparer. Now they are coming to you with hat in hand to save them from the pickle they got themselves into. So they are probably relying on your good nature to take them back as they know they screwed up. Tough decision, you'll have to decide if larger fee is worth it, but they may balk and give you grief on price increase. On second thought, I would run on this one.

Had a similar issue before, PITA TP every year, never failed, that my fees were too high for 1 hour work etc.... For 2016 he called me to let me know he was going to prepare them himself, I said great, he fired himself and I was happy. A couple of months later he called me non-stop, he needed help responding to an IRS letter and even offered to pay me to sort things out, I said no thank you, I am busy and don’t have time, he even had since aunt call me to convince me to help him and I still said no.

@Terry DOne of the requirements of the offer is that all tax returns must be filed for the next 5 years or the acceptance can be withdrawn. I assume you have POA for these clients. You better get with the Service quickly to stave off a default. They may have messed this up big time. Tom Modesto, CA

Thanks for all the replies. All of them are very good suggestions. Just to clean things up a bit, the parting of this client was not unfriendly. I completed and filed the OIC and it was accepted. When they wanted me to start the State OIC, they found someone cheaper to prepare the State offer. I thought I was dirt cheap anyway but guess not. Apparently they retained the same person to file their taxes for TY 2017 and that's where it goes south for them. Yes, they are unorganized which is the major issue with me. I agree dealing with the IRS for the late return filing may not be a major issue but it will cost them. I don't know if they got any correspondence from the IRS regarding the lateness of the return yet. So, I guess we'll see. I will help them with the 2017 return completion. They always paid when their returns were finalized.

To all my friends here, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year 2019. And Happy any other holidays you celebrate (Hanukkah is complete, so in that case I hope it WAS good).

I am so sick of the smell of pickle brine and all of the other fermented stuff that my hubby makes. I wish that my clients would quit encouraging him to make them and sauerkraut.

Sometimes, these situations turn out to be the best for you in the long run. I have had a couple of clients leave me over price. When they get what they paid for, they come back and never leave again and never complain about the price. On the other hand, if the client is a sleaze bucket....do you really want to deal with them again. I have no problem taking back a client when they come back after shopping and decide I still provide value and service they are looking for. Tom Modesto, CA

I would raise the fee plus charge extra for time involved to speak to IRS to keep OIC enforce. All money would have to be paid up front.

I would decide based on how much time and effort I want to spend on this person that left me already. How much extra liability and stress will it impose on me and will I be able to prepare the return without falling behind on something else. Can you get paid for a PITA fee without them leaving again? Obviously, they don't value your services or they would not have left just based on price.

Lots of things to consider, but only you know the nuances of this situation. You were comfortable with them leaving, so what has changed other than THEIR wants, needs, circumstances, desperation, etc? Your last sentence of the first paragraph may be the key to your decision.

There will be some clients who will want to get pickled after they hear the bad news. Those that have adjusted withholdings lower and will not benefit from the tax bill. I have a few on my radar that will not be happy. So happy new year, enjoy the time off while it lasts, and remember, don't DWP (Driving While Pickled).

I got an email from TT today. It said hours were flexible. They actually called my home a couple of years ago during tax season. I told them that I didn't have any spare time and if I did I would spend it sleeping.

I've been getting that solicitation for at least 3 years. Saw a company on Facebook advertising that they were looking for EAs and CPAs to do expat tax returns and some offer in compromise work from home. They wanted only full-time type workers and they paid you a portion of what they collected (something like 30%). It was a good hourly rate that they "predicted".