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I do. Good! It's all a scam at this point anyway, just like the evictions moratorium that does nothing to stop evictions.

I tell them I don't aspire to be the cheapest, I aspire to be the BEST. I also don't sell tax returns like tax-in-a-box. I sell service.

It turns out that the second voucher was missed. It was uploaded with everything else into the portal but just missed. I believe they will go electronic from now on and are going to pay online this balance due. I always discourage mailing payments (though I DO support the postal service) and encourage direct deposit.

And tax pros can expect millions of phone calls about this. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/13-point-9-million-americans-to-receive-irs-tax-refund-interest-taxable-payments-to-average-18-dollars

Let them go. If the only thing they are looking at, is your fees, they will find someone cheaper next year. 21 years in this business, and I have a long file drawer full of "looking for cheap" folders. "If you are looking for the cheapest, I am not the person to talk to. If you want the best in the area (Mention any credentials) then we can talk. When a person asks "What do you charge?", I ask them to send me a complete copy of their previous return, then I can give them a more accurate quote. (subject to change, if situations arise). Also, if people start complaining about my price, next season there will be an increase. I find out, if they come to me for my professionalism, or just a price.

We have some trusts where the fiduciary is an institution, and the people actually handling the trust are NOT the official fiduciary, and don't have the ability/authority to set up electronic payments. Heck, this year we even had one trust where everyone at the institutional fiduciary was working from home and they could generate payments to go out, but could not match those with payment coupons! They called us to beg if they could mail payments to us, early, and have us send in to agencies with the vouchers.

Apparently the Treasury Secretary has been receiving heavy pressure from businesses to resolve this SNAFU, because he was quoted today as saying, that business participation in the payroll tax deferral would be optional! I don't even know what to say ?

I am glad this turned out as well as it did. I have always had my share of mistakes, but it seems like it is getting harder for me to accept that. And I don't want to stay in this business past the time that I can keep up with the changes. As fast as they are coming these days, I don't know how much longer that will be.

These are the penalties that can be abated- Penalties eligible for penalty relief include: Failing to file a tax return (this is the late filing penalty) Failing to pay on time Failing to deposit certain taxes as required Other penalties as applicable. I've had to do this 3 times and the best and fastest way is to call PPL and they will check the taxpayers record looking back 3 years. If there are no penalties from those years, it will normally be granted, but even a small late payment penalty could sink it. If it is denied, it can be appealed. You will get a letter of denial and where to send the appeal. The reasonable clause standard is pretty hard to meet. Unless, one of the spouses died or became incapacitated, their house burned down, or the records got swept away in tornado, there is little chance. There is a fourth standard, but it only applies to businesses and it is one of those nebulous things that could be hard to prove. BTW, you don't need to file form 4868 to get an extension - IF the client makes an Electronic estimated tax payment in time for the extension. It's right in the instructions in the 1st paragraph on the upper right. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

ABE Always Be Extending

I've seen this a lot with trusts, this year. I always take it as an opportunity to remind clients of the many benefits of electronic payments.

Well, God is really looking out for me. If only I would trust more and be less fearful. My client never received his initial refund (grace) because the IRS was missing those forms. After splitting the PTC with the daughter, they went from a refund of about $4k to owing $155. My client extended every grace and thanked me for getting him through this practically unscathed. I'm still pulling back on my business. My ration of errors to home runs is small, but it still makes my stomach hurt when they surface. I love y'all. Honestly, I do.

Welp, I just got an email from clients very likely affected by this very situation. They are not happy campers. Thanks, Judy, for the link to the article which I promptly shared with them. There is, however, the chance that one of the spouses (filing MFS) didn't mail in the voucher as directed. They are both 80+ but pretty sharp but one never knows.

Hope the IRS corrects its statement because we all should know that code sec 7502 that says that the postmark date is the date payment is considered to have been made, not the date IRS receives it.