Carolbeck

I do the same thing. I believe they are paying me for a Signed Complete Finished Professional Package. I only have a few that I prepare the estimates for. If I did not cut, Paperclip each voucher to the Pre Addressed Envelopes, Highlighting the Due Date, Payable to, What to write on memo line, the estimates would never be made. Same goes if there is a balance due for Fed or State. Though this year I am setting up a great deal more with Auto ACH Debit to pay small balances due if I have their bank info and permission. Some of my clients do not even use checks anymore, so this saves them a great deal of stress. Just some random thoughts.

Love the 80's! When Music was Music! And it did not all sound the same. (Though I will bet my teenage daughter's think it does.) (I am officially too old to go to todays music concerts. Avenged 7Fold with youngest 3 years ago was and WILL be my last).

I guess I am doomed! That is how I survive Tax Season. That Car's song: "Dance all Night, Play all Day, Go to Work" I live for weekends when I can sleep in on Sunday to get caught up. It just is not as easy as when I was in my teens and twenties. Some nights I fall asleep when I get home from my day job. Thank goodness my husband is so supportive. Here I thought it was just "Blonde" Moments.. I am so doomed!

The only time I have set a deadline was when I was pregnant with my youngest as was due on April 15th. I knew if I did not set a cut off date, I would be still receiving return info on April 14th. I set a cut off date of March 20th as I could be in labor at any time. Almost all complied, had a few that went to extension. I had 1 Irate client that dropped off tax info (with my husband) on April 14th wanting to have return done and at least an extension filed and why was I not there. I had given birth that day via Csec and still in the hospital. Mind you I put this in my Annual letter that year and called all my stragglers. Unbelievable!

Isn't just great being #1? I live in Upstate NY, just south of Syracuse - It IS on the map, though Albany does not seem to think so...I get arguments from the County Clerk for my Notary License. Hello, see my property tax statement - YES I do live in this county. Happy to take taxes, but not provide any services. Good Luck with the rest of your tax season... Carol

New York has been ranked the “Worst State to be a Taxpayer” by the website WalletHub. WalletHub analyzed how state and local tax rates compare to the national median. The website said New York State’s average annual state and local taxes were $9,718, which is 39 percent higher than the national median. Rounding out the five worst states according to Wallet Hub were California, Nebraska, Connecticut and Illinois. The best state to be a taxpayer was Wyoming, followed by Alaska, Nevada, Florida, and South Dakota. Gee, I could have told them that.

This sounds just like New York! One Step foot in and you have Nexus so we can tax the hell out you. Sales Tax is the first step they use to get their foot in the door for other taxes they can justify to balance the budget. Don't get me started on Property Taxes...

Especially if they had done it repeatedly over a couple years. And they completely forget about the State wanting their cut too...But hey it is always our fault for being the messenger.

I totally agree about the regulations! but it just annoys the HE%% out of me that the presumption is that ALL Tax Preparers are bad, all commit Identity theft. Almost putting us in the category of "Used Car Salesman"

Well here is what the Governor of New York States is doing: Governor Cuomo Announces New Regulations to Protect Consumers Who Hire Tax Preparers Warns New Yorkers to use caution when selecting a preparer File a complaint about an unethical tax preparer by calling 518-530-HELP [1] Albany, NY (March 3, 2014) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced historic new regulations that will better protect New York consumers who hire a tax preparer. The regulations make New York one of only four states that regulate the tax preparer industry. The comprehensive rules - covering 40,000 paid tax preparers throughout the state - will reduce errors and omissions on tax returns, reduce fraud and increase the level of competence and ethics among preparers. "With 70% of New York taxpayers depending on a tax preparer to file their taxes, we need to ensure clear standards exist to prevent fraud and protect consumers,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new regulations will better protect New Yorkers who use tax preparers by requiring minimum qualifications and professional practices within the industry. In addition to these changes, I urge those putting their trust in a preparer to also do their homework: check the internet, get a referral, and make sure the person you hire is legally registered with the State Tax Department.” Preparer scams to avoid Governor Cuomo warned New Yorkers to be on guard for unethical actions by tax preparers, such as: Advertising or promising in-person to do an income tax return for a low price, but then billing the client for a much higher fee, arguing the return was more complicated than originally anticipated. Convincing a client to have their refund deposited into the preparer’s account instead of the client’s, and then the preparer covertly steals a portion of the refund. High-interest loans – often with unclear terms - offered by preparers prior to refunds being received. Taxpayers should also avoid hiring tax preparers who offer to use illegal means to increase the amount of a refund. “What unsuspecting taxpayers don’t realize when they agree to file false information on a return, is that they, in the end, will end up paying – perhaps steeply - for these fraudulent filings,” warned Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox. “They are paying hard-earned money for advice that jeopardizes their future financial stability.” Identifying and stopping fraud The Tax Department continually investigates and arrests preparers for criminal activity. In addition, a new Fraud Analysis and Selection Team (FAST) detects large-scale tax preparer schemes. In just the past year alone, FAST has identified and stopped more than $26 million in improper refund payments. Recent examples of tax preparer arrests include: Joseph Barrios, Jr., [2] 50, Mahwah, NJ, who will serve 6 months in Riker’s Island Susan Pemberton, [3] 43, Rockville Center, sentenced to up to 3 years in prison Crystal Sweet, [4] 38, Gloversville, sentenced to up to 6 years in prison Christopher Curry, [5] 40, Westbury, sentenced to up to 3 years in prison John Berry, [6] 42, Dunkirk, charged for filing returns using the names of 42 deceased people Chiara Hudson, [7] 24, Bronx, sentenced to up to 4 ½ years probation New York’s first tax preparer regulations Since 2011, the majority of tax preparers have been required to register annually with the Tax Department. Building on the registration, for the first time in New York State, most individuals who are paid to prepare at least ten New York State tax returns in a year will be required to: Pass a State competency examination Be at least 18 years of age and be a high school graduate, or possess the equivalent of a high school degree Meet applicable IRS requirements Take four hours of annual continuing education Beginning tax return preparers (with less than three years of experience preparing New York State tax returns) must take a 16-hour basic tax course Violation of the new standards could result in a range of disciplinary actions, from remedial education to suspension or cancellation of a preparer’s registration. Attorneys, certified public accountants, public accountants and enrolled agents are exempt from the regulations, but are required to meet specific professional standards set forth by their licensing agencies - and may be subject to formal sanctioning if they fail to meet those standards - as part of their professional certification.

Tax Preparers Assaulted, Shot at This Season March 14, 2014 By Jeff Stimpson This season is turning dangerous for tax preparers, according to published reports. Chicago Heights, Ill.: In mid-February a Liberty Tax preparer pulled a gun on a customer’s boyfriend who police said threatened to beat him up during a dispute over fees. The boyfriend, 34, has reportedly been charged with assault after confronting the preparer over $500 in additional fees that the girlfriend was charged for her return. Police told reporters the preparer, 45, had a valid firearm owner’s ID. Kirkwood, Mo.: A 53-year-old local man is accused of choking an H&R Block worker earlier this month after reportedly becoming enraged about his “tax situation.” Police told news outlets that the assailant knocked the Block employee to the ground and is now charged with misdemeanor assault. The Block worker reported minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment. Understanding the Net Investment Income Tax Getting Started on the CPA/PFS Credential Pathway The CPA's Guide to Financial and Estate Planning Leverage AICPA Financial Planning Resources Now The value of an AICPA PFP Section Membership Deerfield Beach, Fla.: A bullet narrowly missed the ear of preparer Michelle Merced as she sat in the office of Dixie Fast Tax in late February. “I wanted [tax season] to be busy with people, not bullets, coming in,” she told news outlets. The shooting was connected to a dispute outside her office and police confirmed that Merced and her staff were not intended targets. The incidents come on the heels of reports of gunfire and the beating of a preparer in the Detroit office of Tax City Tax Service on February 28 by a 19-year-old local man after the woman he was in the office with couldn’t get her refund in cash. Four people were shot in the scuffle and the preparer told news outlets that she plans tighter security when she re-opens her office. This is hardly the first season refunds and taxes turned clients and their companions violent. Two years ago, according to reports, a Toledo, Ohio, woman and her son robbed and threatened to shoot their Liberty Tax preparer using a curling iron wrapped in a towel.

This exact same thing happened with one of my clients. 1st the oldest dropped out of college, then the youngest turned 17. They were claiming 8 exemptions! Not a problem when you have 3 under 17 children. I kept warning them about the Child credit. Did not listen. "I can't believe they consider a 17yr old not a child" I agree, but take it up with Congress. That senior year can be the most expensive. Now they are not able to take their yearly cruise because they owe over $4K. Of course it is my fault...

I totally agree! I have face time with most of my clients, but preparing the return live with them there is not worth the aggravation or the stress. I have clients I have been doing their returns since 1984 (Sorry to show my age). I have many referrals and because of my full time position elsewhere, I really am not able to take on any additional complex returns. I also do the bookkeeping for a few clients, stopped payroll because the time involved to prepare the weekly payroll, quarterly and annual reports was not worth the stress either. Then of course ADP can do it for a lot less. I love doing taxes, but the "Live Performance" not so much!!!

Wow! Next New York will be sending the Drones after you... Fort Drum is not far away. Here I thought PA was just the longest state to drive through to get to Virgina Beach... Scary! They do have the death penalty for speeding...

I usually get the Student / Teacher version that is usually under $100. I hung on to Office 2003 as I hated 2007 because you could not find anything on the menu bar unless you setup your personal "Ribbon" and still had to drill down looking for stuff.. Unfortunately it no longer comes with Outlook. I like Outlook for my email. I don't want me email sitting in a cloud somewhere. We had to upgrade to Office 2010 at work, like it much better than 2007, but still has some quirks. Though I do notice that the spreadsheets are smaller file size for the same WS of 1997-2003 vs 2010. With my Daughter's new laptop for college, I was able to purchase Office 2013 with 4 year use of "University" with all the bells and Whistles of PRO on 2 PC's. Cost $79 for the 4 years. A lot better than the 360 Live, but 2013 has terrible color themes, Gray, Dark Gray, or black background. Everything else is intensely white. Hurts the eyes. But I am learning to live with it. Just be sure to setup the "Ribbon" for those quick functions you use all the time. (Save, Print, Insert Column, Row, Redo (a lot), etc so that you are not constantly drilling down on the menu toolbar looking for your apps. Just a suggestion....

I do not understand how some of you guys can prepare a return live while the client is sitting in front of you? Besides my schedule prohibiting this practice as I am not at my home office location during the day. I work full time in a Tax Dept for a large corporation that really pays the bills and provides HC Ins. My husband is disabled and I have 2 daughter in College. How do you do it live? I used to have a few I would do on the weekends, but it took twice as long to prepare, with the "Chatting", "Children (Not my own)", and the interruptions. I found I made more mistakes that way and had to go over the return after they left twice (sometimes a redo), to be sure I had everything. Was not worth the small fees I was charging. I must have adult onset ADHD, but these "Live Performances" caused more stress than anything. I still go over the returns when they drop off, pick up or I email, call or email any questions, but most of my returns are Priority Mailed.

I do this every morning on the way to work. When you see 1 to 2 feet snow piles, you just put in the Beach Boys CD and pretend it is Summer (Or at least Spring). But watch out for those "Bambi's', they really love little red cars and the Beach Boys to jump out in front of.

"You might be a Redneck if..."

Me too. I have always done this for most of my clients. Except it seems this year I have been chasing a lot more. Some of these people make a great deal more $$$ than I ever will. Just very frustrating when I know I do not charge a lot. Then there is the expectation of a 1 to 2 day turn around when they know I work full time during the day elsewhere. The ones I have had to chase are the same ones that hound me to have the "next Day" delivery. So I feel obligated! I used to be able to do this when I only had 40 - 50 clients. At 166 and working 12 hour days elsewhere, there is no way I can turn the returns around that quickly. It is going to be very different next year, I am writing on each clients folder that I have to chase (again), "No Return Before Payment". I have had to do this only to a few in the past, next year there will be many!

I am so sick of winter! How much snow are we talking? It's still early for specifics, but I would put the odds of 6 inches of more of snow at 90% and a foot or more at 50%. This will shift slightly as we get an idea of the eventual track of the storm. Also, we need to figure out how much, if any sleet or freezing rain will mix in.

I tell them it is Mandatory also. NYS says so. So far the only paper return I have to file is when the ex claimed the dependents in error (or hoping no one would notice).

My sister is a hairdresser and I do prepare her taxes. I can so relate to this and agree. It is the people that appreciate all you do for them, not the ones that "KNOW" all about taxes and you "Just hit a Button" but still have you prepare their taxes. At least I can still get my hair done during tax season!

Our Unitary Corporate Return was accessed a penalty of $125 EACH for failure to pay the $456 minimum due Electronically (paid with Voucher and a check when return was filed on time - Separate entities did not have the ACH access to pay electronically), even though the Parent company was well overpaid with the extension and had a huge overpayment to the next year. Massachusetts would not renegotiate the penalty. It really ticked me off! This consolidated return is one of the most difficult one I do. At least now it is e-filed under the Parent Company only and not as in the past, Franchise separate return and Excise on the Unitary. What a nightmare getting them all accepted.

Did my one and only on the 27th just to be sure. Took awhile for ack, but received Saturday 03 01 2014. Thanks for the reminder!

I was going to say see Jack from Ohio his quote about poor planning too. Love it!