Catherine

If the bills are very high, remember that old standby, the fundraiser. People are in general -very- generous.

AnnieR -- We are VERY glad to hear that you're OK!!! And thanks for the warning. There are two general kinds of pain/discomfort. Anything with joints or muscles tends to be OK to try "wait and see". But anything that involves sudden unexplained weakness and/or difficulty breathing or seeing is NOT. Catherine

Have a VERY :bday:

Wow. What a story. I hope your grand-daughter continues to improve and that she has -no- long-term effects from this. Separate notes: Some of the sites Google brings up lead directly to places that try to scan your computer -- be warned if you look! And, tangentially to Karen Lee's first post, there is an old saying: "If you're born to hang, you'll never drown". Obviously Michelle has some other (preferably much -better-) fate in store for her.

Have a VERY :bday:

Have a VERY :bday:

That was my thinking; thanks for the confirmation!

I did one NY nonresident return two years ago, one NY part-year return last year, and don't anticipate any this year. But I'll definitely keep and eye on the total because of that limit of 10 before fees. But I think I'd bump up my NY return price for -any- return going forward -- or that would be the year where I expect maybe one and get twelve, and the first three or four wouldn't have been charged. Thanks so much for the warning! We have our first fall EA meeting tonight and I'm going to warn everybody. I know folks who come in from western MA who do a number of NY returns. When I retire the venues will be the bike path, the shooting range, my garden, and contra dances! Plus my favorite chair with books piled high around it. Catherine

Client sold some rental property (in a trust) in 2007, but paid some residual bills (snow removal and utilities) in 2008. Take expenses on Schedule E as the only items on the E, or front page of 1041 (subject to 2% floor)? I can make a case either way, but can't find guidance. By posting here, I will now find the guidance when looking for something completely different. Thanks! Catherine

I have seen your Oregon question but know nothing about Oregon. I sympathize! It's tough to wait for an answer when you really need one. Thanks for the news about NY; now I want to get one of those "I (heart) NY" shirts and draw a big "X" over the heart. Grrr.

If only to pay for our valium prescriptions.... :spaz:

That one is nicely hidden and led me a very merry chase a last year -- but once you find it, it works.

Joel -- Just spent some time with your spreadsheet and compared my rates to the listed ones. It was really interesting. For the most part I'm on the higher side of the listed forms, but lots of the subordinate/auxiliary forms others charge for I don't charge for. But what really caught my eye were the corporate and partnership rates (only two listed). Wow, are they LOW for around here!! I charge way -under- what most folks around here charge for 1120-s and 1065, and my rates are way -higher- than the ones you list. For example, and accounting-only client of mine, a partnership, gets their 1065 done by the CPA who referred them to me for accounting work, and he charges about $1200 a year. I charge my partnerships around $550 - $600 -- but your spreadsheet shows $260 to $399 for a 1065. The partnerships I have would -not- be worth it to me at $400. Catherine

Every now and then I get asked (on the phone, by price-shoppers) if my rates are negotiable. My standard answer is, "Absolutely! -- Upwards only." That usually shuts them up real quick. If they don't hang up right then and there, the caller will frequently become a good client. Catherine

Thanks, Joel, for the spreadsheet. I'm going to take a good look at it later. I charge by form and discount as needed. Can't justify charging $50 for a Sch D when there's only one item on it, or one carryforward loss amount. Also discount for good clients, long-term, neatness/completeness of paperwork submitted to me (less work!), senior, military, family (mainly college-age kids of clients). I don't discount (nor do I give referral coupons to) PITA clients (they send more PITA folks; not what I want). Catherine

Thank you, KC, and good luck to all on the forum who enter!

I love the Engrish site; my daughter's violin teacher has a poster from them and it is just hysterically funny.

Have a VERY :bday:

Have a VERY :bday:

Have a VERY :bday:

Have a VERY :bday:

Have a VERY :bday:

Sounds great! I'll be checking that out right away. Thanks, KC!

Hope you have a VERY :bday:

Hope you have a VERY :bday: