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Had ten dropped this morning and most wanted to know why they had to go on extension (or pay double the fee to expedite). A new client came to pick up and was upset that my bill was $300 (1040, Sch A, 2 Sch C's, Sch E), when the last preparer only charged $125. I asked why they didn't go back to their old preparer and they said because they got a letter from the IRS and had to pay back taxes, interest and penalties because she "messed' up. And they could not understand why they owed this year when they always got money back before. Well, maybe it was because she "messed" up in the other years and understated your income and the $300 bill is for doing your taxes right! The15th can't come early enough this year. Rant over... feel a little better.

Most of my clients have been with me a long time, so I just include a bill when I mail their return to them. I'm not keen on sitting on returns and then having to deal with a last-minute scramble rear the deadline. When the return is finished, I want it in the mail and on the way to the client so they can sign & file it. That keeps things simple and keeps them out of my office so I can get some work done. But even in those rare situations when I take on a new client, I still send their return with the bill. I'd like to know if I can trust them in the future. I've lost a few over the years (very few), but I think its a good way to weed out the ones I don't want to do busines with going forward. If they cheat me out of a couple of hundred dollars, they will never get the chance to cheat me out of a thousand. Of course, if i had lots of turnover I'd have to follow a different collections model.

Had one in the mailbox this morning with a note: "Rita, I know this is a little unorthodox, but I didn't have any other time to drop off..." 1) My mailbox has been out there for eleven years. 2) And USPS has been in business longer than that, even. 3) (My daughter said this): He can spell the world unorthodox and can't find a way to get this to you before today?

I have a client (retired pastor) who sends in his stuff every year and every year I tell him he doesn't need to file. I go on to tell him that if there is no change next year, he won't have to file then either. I told him to just call me and let me know know what he got (It is always one 1099-R for about $5k and a SS statement). I keep telling him he is not even close to the filing threshold. Every year he sends a $25 gift card to a local restaurant. I've begged him to not do that but he insists. Some people are just unapologetically happy, generous souls. I want to be like that when I grow up.

My desk is always clean. Yes, I'm one of those. I have a hard and fast rule: only one client's file on my desk at a time. I don't want clients records ending up in another clients file. I've seen this happen at other firms where I've worked.

Oh, yeah, he knows. And the boot-up-your-ass extraction device is also a medical expense.

Is a fire extinguisher then deductible as a medical expense? Tom Newark, CA

I'm getting complaints and telephone calls and demands of callbacks demanding explanations from me from the clients I completed over the weekend. They're not going on extension. If they're uncomfortable filing so late, how do they think I feel with tax laws changing retroactively through 20 February and corrected brokerage statements arriving every day?! Why am I spending my Monday explaining that yes your refund is smaller because you earned $9,000 more, instead of working on the stack I still hope to finish today?! It's 2:30 p.m., and I haven't had a block of time to complete a single return today. Three more emails just popped up, but one of them is an alert that I have signed paperwork on FileShare. So, at least, I'll e-file some of these hanging. But, I have untouched returns to prepare!!! OK, I think I feel better now. Hubby just came home from the store with more Easter candy on sale; going to see if he found dark chocolate.

Client dropped off at 8:30 this morning and told my assistant he needed the return by 1:00 today. i just flat out said "not going to happen", and my staff called and conveyed the same. Message back was 'if she can get it done at all, I'll give her a hug'. I'll get it done, and collect my hug, a fee, and hopefully some of his wife's cookies, but if I start down that 'need it at X time' road, it will get uglier every year.

I'll bet he knows how to spell the word "extension". If not, I assume you're going to teach him.

Yeah! Sometimes I open the setup folder and find a check in there. So many of my clients pay when they bring it in and I don't like to cash the checks until their returns are finished. There are some really good people in this world. (and on this board)!

Best thing I ever found was a client's check that got buried for three weeks.

I am doing an amended return for a client for 2012. God this software is awful.....I remember why I almost dumped it. ATX is a lot better now, but that 2012 package sucked badly. Tom Newark, CA

Rita, I just LOVE you!!!! [Parenthetically, if you ARE on fire with a stick in your eye, don't call us either. Go to the hospital, after you doused yourself with a fire extinguisher.]

No kidding -- MY fee for that return would have been between $375 - $450 (possibly more), depending on how convoluted the C's and E were.

Wow $ 300 is an incredible bargain !

Yes, and they are the best. And, I'm pretty sure you're already one of them.

I also have to put everything out of sight that has to do with clients when a client arrives; only his paperwork on my desk. That's one reason why I've been sending hubby out to make deliveries and get signatures, so I don't have to clean my office! And, getting more clients to use FileShare on my website.

Like I said the ones I let pay with the refund live across the street. I've also been doing their returns for over 10 years, and they've never failed to come over with cash in hand in about two weeks. I told them one of their now adult kids stiffed me the year before (for $60, an EZ) and I wouldn't have wanted to be in the room when that conversation ensued!

It licked ash trays, baby.

Long time client. Has a rental, royalties, detailed schedule A, 2106 etc. Because they are friends, we always gave them a discount. Last year, their son talked them into going to Liberty so he could get a $50 referral payment. They also got a very heavily discounted return. Like only $17. But the bill would have been over $550 without the discount. So this year they want to come back. Sure, send me over your 2013 return. Roll the return from my software and put in the numbers from last year so I can roll the return again. Guess what, they don't match up? Why? Well, the rental has NO DEPRECIATION on the 2013 return. I keep looking at the schedule E and I don't see the depreciation. So that $17 return that got your son $50 cost you $1400 in Federal and State Taxes paid in 2013. Now I get to do the amended and the 2014. I bet they never leave again. And there will not be a discount this year. Tom Newark, CA

I would back it out...but not with "fraudulently filed....." I'd say "Taxpayer claims she did not work for or receive funds from this company in 2014" Two sides to every story....you don't know the husband's side.

The problem I see with your statement is IRS might see his tax preparer responsible for knowingly using the bimbo's records, or rather lack of records, in preparing the return which very possibly will cause IRS to want to look at the returns of your other clients to see if you are aiding taxpayers in submitting less than honest tax returns in your practice. You are putting your honest clients at risk for audit for allowing this taxpayer to cheat on his return. It's not worth it! I'd tell him it's complete and accurate records or the highway! Just my 2 cents.

Some clients just have it all figured out. My elderly gentleman this week neither asked to dance nor gave me a CB gift certificate; but learned from my staff for the first time that I have a pacemaker. He immediately got up from the front desk where he was checking out , marched right back to my office, laid hands on me and proceeded to pray. When he was done he said, "you are going to make it, I have it from good authority that He's not ready for you yet". And with that, he left.

I do the same thing. I get much more work done when my phone is not blowing up from people wanting to know if their taxes are done. I'm pretty sure that I would let them know if they were, but we all know that they think they are our only client. It is so much easier for me to work late and then email everyone that I can with questions. One guy told me to call him anytime that I was working instead of emailing him. I just can't call someone in the middle of the night. This board is what keeps me from being so depressed. Knowing that I am not the only one with stacks of problems. We all need a laugh, too!

Gotta love it. Rita you have made this season so much more enjoyable keep it up!

Had a non-profit director call me: I just about have it all ready. Me: Congratulations, and please don't bring it in until Thursday or Friday. I don't know what it is about non-profit directors, but I don't care how cheerful you are, or how much you love being sweet and holding hands and talking, don't call an accountant on April 13th. About anything, actually. If you are not on fire with a stick in your eye, it can wait. Love, Rita

After 30 minutes on the phone, they determined that the website is either broken or they can't calculate the bronze or silver premium for 10 people in a family. I extended the return.

They catch the WEIRDEST things; ignore the folks who owe gazillions but send nasty-grams on a $50 "discrepancy" that resulted in $12 tax change in my taxpayers' favor....

I still have it on my computer and am half afraid to uninstall it in case it creates some sort of disaster in the process.

...some already available. http://distractify.com/matt-buco/these-things-should-be-everywhere/

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-xtreme-mobile-homeoffice-wall-surge-protector

TP is filing MFS and going through a separation and or divorce. Husband owns a SMLLC and issued his wife a 1099 because he says she benefited from the earnings from the business. She did not work for the business. The business is electrical services. I am planning to report the 1099 on her Sch C and back it out under other deductions with a description "Fraudulently filed 1099-MISC". Has anyone ever had this situation? Is this the best way to handle this or is there a better way? Thanks.

<<<<That is a hard part of business but no one else let's them walk...>>>>>> I had to learn this as well and am still not good at saying pay me now. This does only apply to those long time clients who for some reason or other may be down on their luck. I am holding a check for one who has called me twice to ask me to hold it just a bit longer. That I really don't mind doing. What does irritate the heck out of me is when one of my PITA clients complains every time they get the invoice and they do have the ability to pay without question. About 6 years ago this same client told me she could get any CPA to do what I do for $25.00. I grabbed my work and handed her documents to her and told her to go find one and let me know how that works out. Well, you know the rest of the story, didn't happen and is still one of my best and largest PITA clients. I wonder if they negotiate with WalMart or the grocery store. Geez!

how cool was that!!

Well, my happy twist is that the client, who hadn't filed for four years, came in on Friday and requested an extension and was willing to send an ample check along with the extension. Filing quarterlies? Now, that is something we still have to work on. Baby steps!!!!!

So I finally got some detailed financial info today, IN THE FORM OF 20 SCREEN SHOTS. It appears she downloaded the quickbooks MOBAL APP. So she is keeping the books of a co the does 1.1 MILLION in gross sales on a mobile app.

My bedtime has gotten up to 6 a.m. I try to sleep at least four hours/night, well hours/day, because I use a CPAP machine and Medicare won't pay for it unless I'm 97% compliant. But, I'm slowing down and having to do things twice. Hubby's gone for the evening, so it's quiet. The reason I'm working all night and then sleeping in the morning is that I do get more done without the phone ringing and without retired hubby walking into my office. I have a guest room, Judy. But, I'll be almost as happy with you on here researching these odd ones that are our latecomers, or the ones we left for last since we really didn't like the looks of them. Thank you, Judy, for all you do. And, a huge THANK YOU to all who jump in with help, answers, cites, encouragement, short-cuts, laughs, and all the things that make up my favorite virtual water cooler.

Me too. Couple whose income was up $30K (incl $7K more SE income); tax went up too and they underwithheld. Want to know why, what's different, should they file MFS, blah blah blah -- all this when I still don't have brokerage docs and half a dozen other items!! I was a bit terse in my email reply. They ask EVERY year if MFS is better; one year I gave them the comparison (duh; WAY more tax MFS) yet *still* they ask and I am DONE with hearing the question.

I just got this in my email: IRS Reject F8962-043 The IRS recently confirmed a processing issue regarding reject F8962-043 and has indicated that the issue will not be resolved in the near future. The IRS's recommendation at this time is to paper-file any returns that receive this reject code in order to ensure they are timely filed. Reject F8962-043 states: “Form 8962, Line 28 'AdditionalTaxLimitationAmt' must be equal to the tax limitation amount from the Repayment Limitation table (see Form 8962 instructions) based on Line 5 'FederalPovertyLevelPct' and filingstatus 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' on Form 1040 or 1040A.”

Rita, If the Service didn't catch the farm losses i discussed in an earlier post do you really suppose they will notice his mistake ?

Tom, are you serious? That huge stapler I gave you would not go through it? OMG !!!!

I filed one without the 1095-A. The CSR from the market place read me all of the figures. The return was accepted and refund issued. Maybe it slipped through.

4 more 2011's plus 4 more to pu - ya I know 4/1 was to be the drop dead date but 3 were new clients this week and poorly returned returns - no expenses! about 65 to review by Wed 300 to rollover for extensions and ATX is working ssooo sssssllloowww on rollovers Then all the messing around on the extension - opening everyone up, lock it, etc... About 20 vouchers and get them all in here!! I am so tired - but have to call IRS 7 am for another 2 2011 transcripts an wage and income - can't find their 2011 and need wage and income for a 2014 - hope it came thru for someone who owes in another state in a nursing home I can no longer stay up all night. Read that a Muslim made a chair for the Pope and stayed up the whole week to make it - However, I doubt he was short the last 3 months of sleep. I need a really good professional tax preparer - for next year to help! yikes - get to work - 3 families and 1 s corp, 2 partnerships coming in at 7 and 2 individuals to finish yet - break over.

I want every one of those!

Thank you I needed that very much

Awww, that's so sweet. Thursday, I had an elderly gentleman come in with his forms to see if he had to file. I told him no, if that was all he had, he did not. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a $25 gift card from Cracker Barrel. He said, "That's what you said last year, too, and you're awful sweet to let me come in and ask. Have a big lunch on me." He got a hug.

I keep a can of Lysol and a large bottle of hand sanitizer at my desk at all times. The way my clients over-share sometimes seem communicable.

I agree with the other posts form 3115 and take all of the past depreciation as a 481 adjustment. Joan's suggestion is a very good one too.