FDNY

If it were socially acceptable I would work totally clad in fine velvet. Why not, no one can see me on the top floor of a townhouse. Great way to be productive, alone and comfortable.

A little sambuca or anisette in the espresso does have a calming effect but only for the "children" 18 and over.

I guess it is up to us to decide how much of a friend, confidant, and advisor we decide to be with our clients. Knowing so many for so long makes it difficult to not listen as they consider you more than a preparer. During tax season I'll limit the other than tax stuff talk and will gladly call them back after the season ends to "catch up." But you know the ones that you just can't resist hanging out on the phone with because you happen to like them and they are nice people. Something I've been doing for a few years is I will record their birthdays on a calendar and make about 50 Happy Birthday calls. I don't sing, but they are really impressed you remembered them. These are the people I can consider more than a client and the few minutes I spend on the phone is enjoyable for them and makes me feel good that I did it. And the little old ladies that have been around forever, believe me, that makes their day, I did a good thing, maybe I'll get a room with a view in tax heaven.

They are doing an upgrade today. Phone services are also impacted. Take the rest of the day off and try Monday.

Yes, we can only hope, and I thank the Tax Gods every year that I don't need a new computer for the program. So far, 2016 looks good for my 2 machines.

Could be, or then again there may be so many changes people will need us even more. This is the only business I can think of where things change on a regular basis. Other professions improve on policy and procedure, we do a 180 and need to re learn a whole lot of ship. This is why I consider us like firefighters, we're apt and daring, or we could get hurt if we're not careful and smart.

For me it's easy to be very productive with nearly all mail ins and drop offs, that for some reason come in on a fairly metered schedule making for a fast turn around. I used to do appointments and it got out of hand. New first time clients (I only accept a few now), I'll meet at their place if local where I can manage the time and escape on my schedule. I'll have some chit chat on the phone during tax season but limit it to only a minute or two. Off season, all of a sudden I have 300 friends as clients knowing they can call any morning with questions and concerns. Then they try to get away from me as I love hearing about their lives. They say friends are like therapy and I find being genuinely concerned about their lives is a form of showing my gratification to them. I heard there have been studies done that showing gratification is healthy, so I win all the way around.

Well at least the offer will bring in more customers to share the misery when the program acts up. Misery loves company.

Thankful for this forum, and everyone on it, where we get to "Talk Turkey" all year.

Recently I learned to look directly at my wife when she talks to me, no matter what I'm doing at the time. I think I've learned to read lips because she is a low talker, but she will blame me for not listening when I get it wrong, which I don't argue, I know better. If any of you have any advice I'm open to it and it is greatly appreciated in advance, could save a life.

Now that is funny! Glad it's over and I can continue to be amazed at all the side effects, from the drugs I mean.

When I think of the old days doing returns manually and charging such low prices I think the clients were really getting a bargain. But then again a slice of pizza was only a quarter at Salerno's. But today maybe you make exceptions for the little old ladies who love you, the low income clients, like postal retirees with very little, if any SS, or a HOH with a disabled adult child just making it by. These are some of my clients that have been paying un adjusted pricing for years. You get it back, the little old lady that says I love you and sends homemade cookies, the postal worker who always adds $10 to my bill, and the single parent who says she wishes she had a son like me. For all that, I'm happy what I charge them. But all the others, they pay full freight and like it or lump it, it is what it is, they mostly all stay because they realize the value in your work.

According to Tax Pro Today. What puzzles me in the article is non-credentialed individuals charge more than AFSPs. Unless they're doctors or MBAs working on the side to pay off student loans, it doesn't seem right to me. http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/tax-practice/average-tax-return-costs-114-to-prepare-79776-1.html?utm_campaign=tax pro today-nov 7 2016&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&taxpro=1&ET=webcpa:e8056594:2534650a:&st=email&eid=818634505c7b34839d109e7e6769651a

I chip away at this all year when not in the heat of the season. I need 34 CPEs/year. Not that I'm disciplined but one year I got caught doing it all in December and missed the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Shopping, a Christmas party, and Santa Claus. I vowed never to do that again. I just finished everything with my last ethics course yesterday. Now all I can think about is turkey and the parade. Never want to miss that, I catch up on all the Broadway show tunes, that's a lot better than choosing a, b, c, or d.

What is happening in Chicago today, is the same as it was in Boston, 2004, my first year here. People smiling at each other, holding open doors, making friendly talk, and just being super nice to each other. Congratulations Chicago Cubs, you worked hard for this! What a great gift to the city.

This is going to screw up a lot of people's Valentine's Day gift planning. Many guys (and gals) going to be in deep ship.

Keeping everything secure is going to be a never ending battle. I miss the 20th century. Things were either so simple or we were very innocent and naïve back then. Seems like yesterday.

Once he gets his ship together, the fun will begin.

That's how I get my incentive....someday I'll fit into those elephant bells with the 30" waist. Can only wear them on one day, Halloween. Better stop eating today...or last month.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Makes be want to give her a hug, then she'll probably bite me, been there, done that.

Then come back for a break and shoot the ship.

Holy ship! I can't believe we know so much ship!

Awww ship, today starts my CPEs. I hope some of this ship sticks for the shippy test.

Like a lot that we hear from so many, just full of ship.

Are the finches OK Margaret?