Jack from Ohio Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Hi Jack - how did you communicate the 25% base fee increase? And when in the calendar did you communicate this? I transmitted it in the letter I send to all my clients at the end of January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I go up 3-5% every year, just because cost of living goes up then I adjust for complexity. Cost of living increase is not nearly as relevant as cost of being an informed and professional tax preparer cost increase every year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 You can still have a heart! When you do decide to offer a discount, show them the full rate and clearly identify the discount and the reason. Then if you ever pull the discount (maybe their finances have turned around and they are no longer struggling), it won't be a surprise and you won't hear, wow - your rates really went up. This is SO RIGHT. It can be a 'New client' discount, a 'Hard Knocks' discount, a 'Thanks for your service' discount [i gave that all the time at 100%], a 'Police' discount, etc, but do bill the return at full price, so that they know the full normal price. It's only fair, since they may refer friends to you, and those will be expecting the same deal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrichman333 Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Ok, this is what I did. I told the client there was no charge for their return as I only had to add their parents information, but for the parents I had to a actual return to get the new numbers. $125 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmars Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 You didn't just add parents, you had to possible, recalculate I&p, 2210, earned income credits, and estimate vouchers, You also had to reprint and collate, etc. I do a lot for free in special situations but never say "you just had to", its always more than "just" 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 The only time I do not charge for an amendment is when it is due to my error or omission. Otherwise, it is a paying situation. I am not shy to charge nearly regular price for reasons I have stated in my other posts. I get paid for much more than what I do! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Right, you get paid for much more than what you do, you get paid for what you KNOW. It's the knowing what to do, knowing how to do it, and knowing whether to do it, that is the value you are providing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrichman333 Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I just can't stop ripping myself off. I should have said since you have been a good client I will only charge for you parents return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I just can't stop ripping myself off. I should have said since you have been a good client I will only charge for you parents return. There is a twelve step plan.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGCHUCK1971 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 If you don't value your own work, How do you expect your clients to? Your clients follow your lead when it comes to your services and prices. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richcpaman Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Just to add: New Client calls me up on April 14th. Has not filed for 2012 and needs to do 2013... Referred to me by an existing client. This client was using VITA services in the past. So they we not paying anything for the returns. Until they got married. And they said, "Oops, sorry, income to HIGH!" However, since its the last year for you, here is how 2012 looks... You owe $4,000. So they do not file... Now, they are in my office. The VITA folks missed ALOT of potential deductions. I get the 2012 amount down under $2400, with additional deductions still to come to me that we discussed. Sounds good right? So I tell the client that I will charge her $300 for each years returns. Her eyes bugged out. She was getting it for free, before, right? Guess the fact that you paid $2000 more in tax doesn't count? We are worth it. So are you. If I don't get at least one angry client every year over fees, I am underpricing myself... Clients are going to get angry with you. Might as well be due to fees.... Rich 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HV Ken Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 We are worth it. So are you. If I don't get at least one angry client every year over fees, I am underpricing myself... Clients are going to get angry with you. Might as well be due to fees.... Rich Reminds me of a quote I once heard about pricing - if your clients aren't complaining about your price, you are not charging enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I can say one thing for certain about every client I ever lost over fees -> . . . . . they needed to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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