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For those who would like a chuckle, one of our very own Jack from Ohio's friends posted a picture on fb of him zonked out at an Ohio CPE class. He *claims* they were talking about worker's compensation issues, with an implication of it not being germane to his practice of taxation. I got a good chuckle out of the picture. And I wasn't spying - but possibly you, by reading this, are vicariously spying.

14 years really does not seem enough, given the scope of his operation, does it? I think he should be deported at the end of his sentence.

Could he be deported to the moon? Without a vacuum suit? Or maybe forced to work at prison wages until everyone gets paid back for at least the money he stole from them (I don't think he can restore their peace of mind.) Anymore, sending him to another country doesn't mean he can't do this again, it just means that it will be harder to arrest him if he does.

>>especially for the elderly<< Sadly, it is not only the elderly that seem to fall for it. I have had numerous calls from friends of varying ages call and ask me what to do. BUT, no clients!

I am attending this seminar with 4 lady tax preparers with smartphones. I am TOAST!

And you are obviously paying *rapt* attention to the cpe program!

Can't hide for a second on here!!!

I had a couple of panicked emails and calls from a client while I was on vacation -- fortunately she did an internet search *before* sending money. Then I got it's OK I figured it out and won't send them dough" email from her. I am SO glad she checked first.

Actually, I got a call Tuesday on my cell phone. While I was attending the IRS Tax Forum at National Harbor. I laughed. But it really isn't funny - people fall for this every day, which is why they keep doing it.

You're right! I had a message on my recorder just yesterday that unless I called the IRS agent back I would be arrested.....I laughed but it's not funny especially for the elderly as I have had to personally take one of my elderly client's checkbook and keep it for a couple of weeks to prevent him from sending in a $19,000 check that he didn't owe....and it was a legitimate letter from IRS, but they had just made an error. Because of the circumstances, I was able to get a no liability letter printed out pretty quickly to prove to him that he didn't owe the bill. That incident happened before the "let's aggravate the public so they will tell their Congressmen to restore our funds game" they are presently playing!

Considering the pain and fear - and the kind of threat used - I'd go for execution. But I'm mean and cannot abide those who terrorize others for fun and profit.

I actually grew up with nothing but Australian Shepherds. They are about the smartest dog I have ever seen. As puppies they are adorable as the video shows. Thanks for sharing.

Margaret, I personally don't see how you could be held responsible for the lack of responsibility on the part of your client. I agree you can't act unless you have the information to act. I don't understand Jack's comment either. How could anyone have known the amounts you were waiting for. I take the same position with an S-Corp client of mine who is notoriously late and has escaped late filing penalties for the last four years. I have just completed 2013 & 2014 for him. Sure, I knew these returns were due but how could I possibly be penalized when I never received any of the books. As I stated to this client, I make no assumptions for anyone. Remember, it is the client who is ultimately responsible for an accurate and timely filed tax return regardless of the vehicle he/she used to file it. JMHO.

On another board, a couple of years ago, one tax pro wrote in with his story: He'd always heard the "double their fee every year until you like them OR they go away" and decided to try it in his main PITA client. Bookkeeping, tax, tons of long-winded questions, the same mistakes every month - we all know the type. Was charging him $1,250/year. Doubled it to $2,500/year and they STILL drove him nuts. Doubled the next year to $5,000 and he still could not stand them. Doubled it *again* to $10,000 - and they are now some of his favorite clients! They pay on time, make the same mistakes and call with the same long-winded questions -- but now that he is getting compensated fairly, (as my older daughter says) "it's all shiny!" One key is the "paying on time" part. I doubt they would be his favorite clients if he had to hound them to pay his bills. Maybe, Sara, it's time to double their fee.

We require a copy of the account statement from the college. You can only claim amounts PAID in any given year. 1098-T information is worthless.