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Degrading other tax pros because of their fee structures doesn't happen here thankfully. Occasionally someone will mention a fee and others will encourage them to up it because no matter where they live, they are giving their talent and work away. $75 for a 1040 with SCHs A and B--no way! Of course those who live in expensive areas have to charge more because their rent, property and state taxes, utilities, personnel, etc. cost way more. What matters is what's left over for you. Someone who charges $750 for a return may end up with $400, the same as someone who lives in a less costly area but charges $500 for the same return. I wonder if HRB fees vary from place to place. Anyone know? Specialized knowledge warrants premium prices above and beyond the expected hourly rate. Many preparers do not do estates, trusts, partnerships, corps, returns with foreign income, etc. Those who do should feel no guilt charging for the effort and expense they put into acquiring those skills. Some preparers have developed niches in cryptocurrency. I bet they charge a lot--and they should. Increase your fees at least enough to cover your increased expenses. Bear in mind that office supplies have gone way up and postage keeps increasing. Hopefully there will be enough to cover some pro bono work for clients who truly need but truly can't afford you.

I DO use it when the mud gets deep. It has given me the answer that I couldn't find anywhere else, every once in a while. That being said, I think 5 should be sufficient. We have an outdoor wood-burner; so mine are starting to turn to ashes. How much reference material can we keep for our heirs to throw out?

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 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've never seen a minimum - you just need to pay the fee and do the CE. As I recall from my training, professors and attorneys sometimes become EAs just to show they have the knowledge without ever following through and doing tax returns.

I wish there was a button for this post. Of course, Margaret and I understand that we no longer have families to support. We both enjoy working and are able to feed our personal pleasures and pay it forward at the same time. After years and years of hard work, we are able to treat ourselves and not suffer financially. I love to read and during tax season, I stock the "to be read" pile and my husband cannot say a word either.

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.

I would probably keep the guides for the open years. I currently only have one, from 2011. Guess I can free up some shelf space. . . .

"Business MeF Production Shutdown Schedule Shutdown for "Send Submissions" only is scheduled to begin at 11:59 a.m. (noon) Eastern time, Monday, December 26, 2022. Transmitters can continue to use the other service requests except "Send Submissions" until 11:59 p.m. (midnight) Eastern time, Monday, December 26, 2022."

Thanks for the "attaboy" smile, Marg. You're a gentlewoman and a scholar. That makes two I've gotten this morning (counting the senior lady at McDonald's).

I kept the previous six for decades (long enough, I think). Cut down to three this year. I've only had one poor soul on whom they ever went back six years. His precedent was unprecedented. A preacher, for heaven's (and his) sake.

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

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 .

I can't quote an across the board increase because it depends on the individual return and what the client has added or removed. I charge by the client and the work entailed. I take into consideration the circumstances of the client as well. Everyone will throw their hands in the air and say "Poor, silly girl should know better", but that doesn't change my way of thinking. If I have learned anything in my 80 years; it is that what goes around, truly does come around. I have never considered this business to be all about money. Not to say that money isn't great. It is! And sharing it is even more wonderful as long as you don't go without something yourself. I will raise some; keep some the same and charge most new clients more than I normally would. Each set of circumstances is different in this office.

I'm thinking 10% across the board. I may send out an email in December saying a 10% increase over 2021 return PLUS an additional cost for any new forms. I might go higher, in hopes of a few leaving me.