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I won't do the FBAR filing anymore; preparer penalties are too high. All I'll do is given the fincen site for online filing. Of course, I also make sure no totals are high enough to warrant the 8938, and I include any foreign interest on Sch B and other foreign income on whatever form or schedule is appropriate. Were I to do one for a client, minimum would be $150 and maybe more like $200, even for a "simple" FBAR, considering I'm opening myself up to penalties if the info the client gives me is wrong (let alone if I make a mistake).

Sounds like the client (father) is ok. It's the son who's a pia. Tell the son he can advise his father to use someone else.

But before you do, raise the fee!

Sounds like a good candidate for firing.

Has the father signed an 2848 or an 8821 authorizing his son to receive information and/or act for his father? If not, just tell the son you are not authorized to discuss the father's tax return with him. Unfortunately, no matter what you do, this is going to continue to be a PITA.

The wages he receives as a shareholder/employee do not count as gross income from farming and therefore do not count towards the special estimated tax payment rules of section 6654(i) for farmers. Even if he met the estimated tax exception for farmers, he would have to either make his estimated payment by January 15th; or file and pay by March 1st.

I don't think so, it will some months down the road.

You don’t. Amending a Louisiana return involves a checkbox for amended, and then preparing the return as it should be, per amended info. The state takes that amendment, pulls it for review comparing with the original return. I put a sticky note on top so the client understands what they owe, or the new refund amount.

150-250 sound about right, just wondered what HRB would charge. Catherine, I think you worry too much about these penalties. We have had clients face the loss of 50% penalty and another facing jail time but never once were we questioned once we showed the documentation presented to us.

No idea what HRB would charge. I would charge at least $150, more when I have to do the currency conversions. You may also have to determine interest, convert it, and add to Sch B or Form 8938, which is another charge. Get paid for your work.

Time to part ways. Life is too short. There are plenty of decent clients out there clamoring for help. IMO

I have few like that before and my answer to them is go to IRS website and all answers are there.

Aww, thank you! ::blushes::

@Patrick Michael You just got a PA master class for free. Lucky you. @jklcpa You are the bomb! Tom Longview, TX

@Catherine we are in the same boat. I open up the task manager and I have no idea if I can end a process or not. And I know if I do some techie type will tell me (after giving me their bill to fix it) how stupid I am for closing an important process. Tom Longview, TX

One issue with using the Task Manager is that there are so many items listed where one really has not idea of what they are and what they do. It's not good to shut down required processes and how does one know what is required? License server, mgmt server, shceduler, hotkey uwp service, qbidpservice, secomnservice - there's no good way to tell from these cryptic names what is crucial, and what is discardable bloatware.

If he's married, check if this might be a situation where MFS has better results.

I have had this problem 2 or 3 times when the student filed their own tax return and claimed themselves. There is nothing you can do until the superseded students tax return is processed which might take months. unless you want to try paper filing the parents return with an attached copy of the student's superseded return which will also take many months.