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I have one client that always drags me down. I've put off working on this business as long as I could. I've had the bank activity entered and reconciled for days now, but now can only stand to work on it in small doses. I still have all of the expenditures through his credit card to deal with. I even changed my answering machine message to say that I'd be out the entire day so that I don't have to talk with him until next week, if he calls before then. I'm staring at the pile of credit card statements and receipts now .... Maybe in a few minutes I'll turn a page of this . Oh, first I'll grab some coffee and come back to it, and so it goes.

I'm going to let my 9 year old bring in his bow and arrow. "Ooops, sorry . . . he wasn't aiming at you . . . he's only 9". Won't mention that he's been shooting for 3 years and is a pretty good mark.

Why am I procrastinating? Why do I answer the phone when caller ID tells me not to? Why do I spend so much time replying to emails? Why didn't I put on the Catherine/Rita auto respond before I had two dozen emails from the same family and dozens more from other multi-return families? Why can't I proofread this return I need to get to FedEx today? I'm going to make a cup of tea now.

I took my two staffers to lunch last Saturday. We called the order in, so it was ready when we walked in. (Don't have much time, we are working right...) We sit down to eat, and are enjoying ours selves, and the PITA Client comes in to pick up a pizza. Now, this guy has been a client for 5 years, and this past year he started grumbling about the bill. I did the corp work, and YE Payroll. Usually did the 1040, but the quote of $400 seems "too high" this year. So, said PITA client ambles over and asks: "Can I ask you a few questions about...." Rich: "Sure!, call my office for an appointment!" PITA Client: Blank stare... "But...?" Rich: Yep, call the office for an appointment and we can discuss whatever you need...." And arrow would not be good enough... Rich

I need some staff and a gun.

I just treated my office to Sub sandwiches (hot, cheesy ones made at a local shop with homemade/made daily bread). I at an entire sandwich and a bag of nacho cheese doritos (I'm kind of a health nut, so this was a big deal). We celebrated firing a couple of clients. I need a nap!

I don't get this comment. I've been a long time user of ATX. It's slow but I think that's the type of programming it uses. I haven't had the problems others have had, returns not opening or whatever. Something must be going on unique with them.

Maybe Jas will contract out the 9-year old. Or maybe you two could borrow my gun. Or, and true story, client, just told me this week, he knows people that can "take care of things" - or for the right price, he is that person. I can send you his name. I love my clients. I have often thought of starting a new venture called 1-800-break-a-knee. I am becoming more and more convinced it would fly.

Never had to use it, but it worked for me, just knowing it was there, and, with a few clients, MENTALLY pulling it out and shooting them on the spot. Wonder if they ever guessed why I went from irritated to smiling?

Nope. You are responsible to keep your own records of your income, regardless. And this is the wrong board for such questions, it's for tax PROFESSIONALS so I'm going to lock this thread now.

A client I had for years just brought me a huge box of homemade peanut brittle. I mean huge.....must be at least seven pounds. It's delicious...they must use a lot of butter...It's Yummy! I finished their taxes back in February, they were really happy with results. Didn't expect such a pleasant turn of events today. Wish I could Skype ya all a piece or two.

I think he can do grenades! He's still in BB guns, and he has to progress through air rifles before he gets to anything serious, but grenades I think he can do. He works cheap - a frosted sugar cookie ought to do it.

The wife just showed up with a check for last year! She claims that she had to stop payment on the check today because she left one here last April. Funny, how all of my statement's must have been lost in the mail so she didn't know that she still owed me. She was lying like a rug.

But even though I don't want or need cookies, it is always nice to be appreciated and to know that SOME of our clients actually see us as people who are working as hard as we can for them!

I have been slammed with picker-uppers all day. Of course, they have to blow my phone up first asking me if I'm here. Yep, time for coffee. Thank you, Judy. You are fabulous.

You should check your office policies, maybe single people wait too long when they come to have their taxes prepared and they end up talking to other singles while they wait for you. I have a policy to schedule: single, MFJ, retired, student, MFJ, single, etc. Maybe you should do the same. lol.

I have two done for days, and I've put off calling them because they both think they're my only client, and they require so much hand-holding. OK, I call one. Voice mail not set up. Really????? I call the other. Lots of hem-hawing. “What do I owe? Oh, well, finally, the farm loss helped me. Oh, and the financial advisor’s fee of $20,000 helped me, and how late will you be there today? And will you be there tomorrow? OK, well, I may come tomorrow rather than today because I’m still cutting tree limbs. It will be interesting to see what tax bracket I’m in going forward...” This is the guy donating underwear. And taking pictures of same. Let’s not downplay the significance of the tax savings THERE...

Thanks, I stole that, but I'm not as sophisticated as you, so I'm adding: P. S. This means stop checking in. Bitch.

Me too. I am eating a box of do-si-dos right now with my coffee. Does lunch get any better than that? Wait, lunch? OK - I missed lunch. Isn't this a great supper?

Judy, I just ate a GS peanut butter cookie because I was on the phone so long talking to someone. I love peanut butter cookies! My client absolutely knew that she didn't pay, because I just looked at the check and it had the added finance charges on it.

"Please send me the charge statement from the bank for the stop payment charge, including the check number and the date it was written. I will refund you that charge." See how THAT goes up her ...... ...... nose....

Isn't it a great feeling when you fire a PITA client? Like you just had a huge weight removed from your back.

DITTO!! Do not try to fix it yourself!!

Sounds like the update caused your program to miss read your database file. To not lead you into other errors with my solution, I suggest you contact ATX support.

I got a call at 3:55 from my 4 PM appointment, that I squeezed in even though I told her that I didn't want to see her because she was going on extension. She was running late and didn't have everything ready to see me today, could she come next week? I said absolutely not, just fax me what you think I need tomorrow and I'll tell you what to write the check for to go with your extension. WTH is wrong with people? They have one stinking return to pull together and then wonder why we don't jump for them. I try to be nice, but it is getting so much more difficult.

I had a client come in today to pick up his payroll. He has a habit of migrating to my desk anytime he comes in and takes up some time. He was heading toward my desk and says, "Ron, ya got a minute?" I chuckled and said "hardly". He proceeded to my desk, asked his question in just a few words, I answered in fewer, and he was gone - in under a minute. I love my clients that can sense my mood. Another client came in today to drop off her monthly check and says, "You look calm enough. I need to call you but I will wait until after the 15th". I said "after the 20th because we will not be in until then". She said "it's a date." Total distraction - 20 seconds. A third client came in today to get some W-4's for her new employees. This does not even hit my radar because my staff handles all of that. But then she says, "Ask Ron if we get penalized for paying our estimated payments late. Me and my husband are arguing about this and we need to know who is right." And the implication was "and I want a detailed explanation now". This one got my blood pressure up. My staff got her out the door before I could get my gun out of desk. 73 more that are promised. I am beginning to think I can pick up a few off the extension list on the 12th. We'll see.

I think that person that can 'take care of things' is Rita.

Update - I made it through the credit card statements without too much effort! I did reward myself with 2 Nutter Butter cookies and the last of the coffee. Just thought you all should know. Well darn it, I was going to put a smiley and then realized that I have a headache because it's after 4:30 and I forgot to eat lunch. I guess those 2 cookies were it. No, you guys get my smiley after all, because I can move on to this guy's return now. Hooray for that, anyway!

This guy deserves a grenade, not an arrow!

As a side, I don't update with the open program. I go to ATX and download, then run the update. I also close everything else. I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem. It's just that these programs seem to be sensitive and too many things going on at the same time makes me nervous.

Let's calm it down, please. This subject should be delayed until after the 15th, at least.

Yeah, gonna be like this all day, I see.

What WAS fabulous was the dutch crumb-topped doughnut I had with that coffee. It would have been even better if it was the chocolate version of that doughnut.

I believe you have it backwards. ATX will be offering a optional upgrade to the depreciation function that is part of the ATX standard tax software which will be available to current users of FAM for $ 179. Any other users that want the optional upgrade will pay a higher price ( don't know what that price will be).

At this point in time there are hardly any choices. Since you've said the student loan interest isn't deductible because of income level, that pretty much rules out any significant benefit of suggesting an IRA, if they can contribute at all, and especially if either is covered by a retirement plan through their employer. That would leave any HSA contribution they may be eligible to still make for 2014. It seems like spitting in the ocean, and the funds are probably needed for the tax bill anyway.

I would ask some more questions. Did the mother pay taxes each year, but leave the royalties with the working capital of the oil well? And her death did not trigger income, but a payout? Or is this income to her accrued prior to her death but not paid until after her death? Maybe you have answers, and maybe it is all income for this year, but is it income for her final return or for the fiduciary return? Does this mean there is a capital investment that the estate can sell that would maybe result in a capital loss to offset the income? If somebody left me oil royalties, I would smile while I paid the taxes.

It's currently $100,000 on 12/31...or $150,000 at anytime during the year if you live here. If you're abroad...it's $400,000 or 12/31...or $600,000 at any time during the year

I like the idea too, but I don't like the reality!!!! I have finished one and it is already 10 AM.

It is not foreign real estate. I think Judy must be right. It must be ADS. Maybe it was originally less than 50% business (strange for a residential rental, but who knows). Thanks much! When I first started preparing tax returns (and was new to this Board) I questioned the 19 year depreciation. Jainen and OldJack rightly let me know that I had better learn my tax history a bit better. When I think back to what I didn't know then (certainly don't know everything now, but at least I hope now that I know when I need to ask), it terrifies me that I was completing other people's returns!

DITTO!!!

Got. O answer for that, but why can't I find missing funds like that?

Client is late for appointment that THEY requested back at the beginning of March. I text asking if they are on their way. Answer, no we are in Mexico. Didn't hear back from you. Huh, I emailed them right back confirming the date. So I text back, we'll file an extension. get an email back 6 hours later, "I screwed up, we didn't hear back from you so we went to someone in Chico" I emailed them twice, on March 5 & on March 27. I guess that's why they wanted a copy of their 2013 return on the 27th. Oh well, PITA return. But a decent bill.

I like the idea of completing 10 returns before lunch!

We've been getting several calls a day from people looking for a new accountant. In April??? Even in January we aren't taking new clients except those referred by really good clients, financial advisors, attorneys, we don't want to disappoint. Oh, and several of the ones we agreed to take showed up with three years of returns to file. I don't think so. Where were you in January (or three years ago)? This week we have been blasted with corrected brokerage statements. Again, in April??? These have to at least be looked at to see if the client owes. Right now our thinking is that we can tackle them after the 15th because federal rates are so low the interest will be minimal. Our state rates are high but it will only be for a month. Many of our limbo returns are for indecisive clients. Should I pay estimates or increase withholding? Should I pay all that tax now or recharacterize that conversion? Will I owe as much next year if I move to another state? Which state? Each of these take 100 emails, phone calls, will you please make up your mind. Limbo returns have a plus side--suddenly all those last bits of info come in and you can complete 10 returns before lunch.

This has been a terrible tax season. With some health issues here at home and several brain-dead clients, I am nearly in tears at times. STOP! STOP! STOP! Calling me. I will call you. What part of that don't they understand? And, why are so many clients coming in so late? And, why are they not bringing all their info in at once? And, why do I still have 43 returns left to start in the box? Of course, most of them are businesses that will take an entire day to finish. AH! Now I feel better!

Max has had 3 users since 2012 at least. Do you have to buy all the modules separate? Where did you see the 2015 pricing?

True that homie! They are both worth their weight in gold.

I just fired a PITA client who still owed me for last year and only paid me for the previous 2 years because my staff wouldn't take the drop off of his 2013 information until he did. I feel great. He called and wanted his return done before the 15th even though he hasn't dropped off yet. I told him to go to H&R Block, and he did. Yay!

Can I push Like multiple times! I'm stealing that, Catherine. I did complete one that's hundreds of pages thick before I slept for a few hours, but I'd started it last weekend before my kids showed up from PA. Attempting a very organized one today, but they paper file and go over every single number after I FedEx it to them in FL. So, I will have to explain every number and probably make revisions. I need more than three per day, but am still about one every three days. Just had a bowl of soup while reading message boards and now back to work.

I just set up an auto-respond to my email - copy below - and I am considering adding Judy's "piecemeal means bottom of the pile" idea, we'll see how badly people tick me off today. Dear Client: Please be assured that you have *not* been forgotten, and your tax returns are in progress. However, if we took the time to respond to each email from clients "just checking in" we would be unable to finish anyone's returns. In order to expedite your own returns, if you receive an email from us with an information request, please read it carefully and respond only once with all the requested information. Piecemeal and/or incomplete responses slow down your returns considerably.