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And what a pleasure for all of us to have you with us for three more years; that is if we all last that long!

I wish I had the same faith in our government institutions that you do, but I just don't see the IRS taking on HRB and Meta. I guess I am just jaded at this point. However, I did contact both my Senators via their website and let them know about this. Tom Longview, TX

Trader Joe's 1lb bag of frozen Brussels sprouts were $1 a year ago. Today they were $1.50. So I'm guessing a 50% increase would be fair.

I just looked at my bookshelf out of curiosity and I have 2015 to 2021. I probably should get rid of a couple years. Every once in a blue moon you get a non-filer who might have some situation that you need to look up the rules for that year. Tom Longview, TX

Not that it has happened here but I love threads about how much people charge on other boards. Guy in Manhattan charging a massive sum and declaring it to all as if it is representative of the rest of the country. Another degrading people for how little they charge in Pine Bluff Arkansas compared to San Francisco. Another guy declaring their minimum is $750 because they are "experts" which implies everyone else is less than. Again, this hasn't happened in this thread but I find it hilarious on other boards.

I had an email from a client who had read the article and demanded to know what software we use to file returns. The article didn't make clear that it seemed to be DIY software that was passing along info. The IRS does take violations of taxpayer privacy seriously. It may take time to investigate and it will be difficult to impossible to identify the responsible parties, but I fully expect IRS to shut down these services and fine them more money than they have.

Marilyn, we are so alike. I nominally say I charge by the hour/time involved in my client cover letter but I am the timekeeper. Sometimes all the time isn't recorded/remembered or charged. I am aware of the situations of most of my clients and am sensitive to those struggling. Although my engagement letter states payment must be received before returns are transmitted, I have held to that once. And I always remind folks that I know where they live . In over 25 years I have been outright cheated once. I'm okay with that. And the vast majority of my clients are really friends, too. I recall one who broke down in tears the first time she came to me as her prior preparer 'fired' her and she was bereft. We worked it all out and she never cried again. And, at 76, I still work because I really do enjoy the work and the money pays for my exotic dive trips and my husband cannot say a word .

After reading this, I did decide to up by $10, I charge by time. It has been 2 years since my last increase but I do charge extra for any tax credit work, i.e. Form 8867. The increase is small but my costs have hardly increased. The slight bit for the software but Verifyle is still the same as is my insurance. I make enough and work as much as I wish. It's been wonderful since relinquishing bookkeeping, payroll, and virtually all small businesses - just a couple of small SMLLC's and a couple with rentals. I'm okay and I know some of my clients don't have a lot extra. Gail, do work less. Your time and mental and physical health are so much more important. Charge more, work less with the remaining better clients. It seems to work with lots of folks.

How many years of prior Master Tax Guides or TaxBooks do you keep? I'm cleaning out the house & office and I have the last 25 MTG and a few TaxBooks on the shelf. 20 years ago I actually used the current or previous year a few times but now I rarely even use the current version. I feel I should keep the most recent 3 or possibly 7 years. Doubt I'll even use those but can't imagine too many scenarios where I'd use anything past that.

Mine go back to 1985. Lotta history there.

I have purchased a new pc. I downloaded ATX 2021 from the website. I exported my clients from my old PC I imported my clients to the new PC. I have no assets in my returns. I am very grumpy now. As much as people complain about apple, apple upgrades to new devices is so much easier. I've been frogging around all morning.

Thanks, Terry. Over the years I have had several employees but I have been the single return preparer. I was asking about this just for education as the terminology (domain vs network) was new to me. No, I do not and never did need a network setup, just my single desktop! And with my license renewal last week, just 3 more years