Catherine

My cousin sends me stuff ALL the time, and it used to be just a link. I have taught her to include *words* to me such as "Hi Catherine yes I've been to this link it's OK - Norma" and then I'll trust it.

Years ago, the Readers Digest published a list of funny doctors' names. Surgeons named Dr. Botchit, gerontologists named Dr. Eld, and such like. It was *very* funny - and apparently there are lots of these folks out there!

I will also chime in on stairs. In our house, we needed to replace the existing wall-to-wall carpet on the basement stairs as it was utterly worn out. Once it was off, though, we found that ten of the twelve steps had cracks running the entire length of the step. So that turned into a replace the treads and level the risers first, then paint it all. and *then* put down the new runner. If Eric's stairs are needed to get into the house and/or up to the home office, then the original scenario would be maintenance/repair (new runner) and what actually happened would be improvement (new treads, leveled risers, paint, then finally the carpet runner). Luckily, I neither take a home office deduction nor commonly use those stairs to get clients to the office - so it's a moot point for me.

A friend of mine used to have a phone number that was two-digits-reversed from the local pizza joint. Folks would call for delivery and she'd tell them they had mis-dialed. But some who called - usually late - and drunk (because it was late) refused to believe her. So she would take the order.... they never called back. If they called an hour later to gripe about the non-arrival of their pizza, the pizza place got the call.

Oh, @BHoffman my sympathies! It's SO hard to lose a pet at any time; even worse now.

True but they were changing the value of the coins. $20/oz to $35/oz. But if you're worried, buy hi-carat jewelry. Jewelry was exempt; they went after coins.

What amuses (and annoys!) me is that our letter clearly states ALL documents in-house by 3/20 or extension -- and yet every year we get a slew of people desperate to get ONE document in by 3/20 as if that will magically give me all the time needed to finish. READ IT. It's clear! ALL does not mean "some" or "one" it means all. Sheesh!

Very true -- but they are deluded and do NOT believe this fact!

There are also splitting issues where you can expense the portion that - for example - fixes holes and leaks, and then capitalize the rest. Of course, figuring out where those costs split is left as an exercise for the accountant. The IRS does *not* provide the dart board for making that determination! (Hey, IRS - that last sentence was a JOKE. We don't actually use dart boards.)

The first thing to find out is separation agreement or not. If not, then they either have to file MFJ or MFS (or MFS and HOH). I have had divorcing clients willing to work together on a joint return once they are told that filing separately is likely to cost them thousands of dollars extra tax. Always the last thing either needs with lawyer bills to pay! If they really are legally separated, you will almost invariably have to pick (or be picked by) one or the other.

If all else fails, a hammer does a GREAT job. It is rather permanent, though.

Definitely show full price and discount! Clients should always know what "full freight" value of your work is.

I agree completely on needing the "mute" button! (For some clients' *mouths* too, please!)

I usually do the kids' returns for a tiny amount (~$20-$30) if they are students. If they have a history of using a "free" filing service and screwing up the parents' return(s), then I do it for free. In those cases I tell the parents "I will do this for free to avoid a repeat of the problem they caused last year" and the parents are usually very eager to avoid a repeat!

click emoticons and search "all"

Maybe one of the ones NOT answering phones at the IRS!

He tried that - in the first post. Doing it again cannot hurt, though.

Maybe this is a case for the "change of address" form 8822? In case any notices are sent out because those would go to CA.

Or it is applying for/planning for accreditation and compliance with reg's like these will be expected? So they jumped the gun?

I don't have an Uber driver but I have a Turo renter. I used Schedule C for income and expenses. Yes, client got a 1099-MISC equivalent from Turo. (Not the form itself, but all the info on paper with a "we are reporting this to the IRS and treat this like a 1099.")

And he's got a bigger problem than the tax due if his wife cannot comprehend that a larger income - without extra tax paid in - leads to a large balance due.

The only piece I would add is to go over the "compare" sheet. If you can show the client how much more income, sometimes that pacifies them.

i actually feel fine (except for a niggly headache caused by lack of time to visit my chiropractor - I can always tell because I start making specific typing mistakes). It was the *idea* that I loved. We have all been contagious at some point or other in our lives, so it's not a lie to say you don't think you are contagious. Especially if any family member is under the weather and you've been exposed (Gwen had mono for a month, poor baby, late Jan to late Feb; Doug is slowly getting over a cold). Today it's about 60 degrees here and I had a guy come to give me an estimate on pruning my fruit trees (needs to be done before 4/15 and I just can't anymore; too busy) and it was gorgeous walking around the yard. Made me want to play hooky today but I was a good do-bee and came in.

Hey @mcb39 -- the boys are fighting over you! How cool is that?! It's like being back in junior high school or something.

yes BUT include ALL the headers so the source can be tracked back. Most email programs hide the long list of headers, but there is almost always an option (somewhere) to show all headers.