RitaB

She'll pay. She is just used to paying next to nothing, and that's what she was getting, too. And, some clients really don't know the difference. I don't love my hourly rate on this first job for her, but I can see doing fine once I get her books under control. I don't know but what she would find another bad but cheap bookkeeper if I charged what I really felt like. So, I'm ok with it. Her husband picked up the W-2's today and said, "We are so happy. Last year the accountant got them done in March." (Handwritten).

My dilemma, and you know I have one, is that I want her business, but I don't want a PITA. There is a balance there somewhere, and I want to hit it. I am the sole provider for myself and two college students. The business owner is the original El Cheapo. The bookkeeper she just fired wasn't charging much at all. She wasn't doing a good job, but El Cheapos just look at the fee, not the quality of work. "You don't need her," you say. Well, I kinda DO need her until things pick up and people start opening businesses again. I've lost some people due to retirement and business closings. Tennessee Tech does not care about that. Sorry to hijack your thread, cientax.

I'm sorry, this is so serious, but I love that last line. I died. Twice.

I gotta say, your $1.50 per W-2 almost made me cry. I felt like a total thief for about five seconds, then I remembered ordering perforated forms, envelopes, ink, band-aids for the paper cuts, etc. LOL.

I wasn't clear. I know what I charged her. $300 for the W-2's, $10 for the W-3. Plus $60 for the reports. I think that was merciful. I was asking what YOU charged for comparison purposes. If she flips out, I can say, "Well, my virtual office buddies would charge you $XXX." Now, if $XXX turns out to be less than I charged, I'm outta luck. (And that XXX just looks wrong, doesn't it?)

So, here's a current situation I have, how would y'all charge? Restaurant fires bookkeeper in December, brings info for me to do 60 W-2's. I get EE names and addresses off one set of documents, SSN's and quarterly wage totals off another. No particular order for anything. Fired bookkeepers' 4th qtr reports are all incorrect, but haven't been mailed. So, I am starting at ground zero, entering quarterly totals, and preparing 60 W-2's and 4th qtr 941, State Unemployment, and annual 940.

I was thinking last night that I'm not sure anybody can tell that this is NOT the official board at first blush. Kinda understand the mistake. I really want to do some tax returns. I am about done with W-2's and payroll reports. Just like all of you, I'm sure. Would love to wake up and the software problems were just a bad dream.

Glad you asked, and I hope others answer. If I do the quarterly reports, I charge $5 each for the W-2, $10 for the W-3. Generally, $5 per 1099 and $10 for the 1096. If I don't do any other bookkeeping, I charge a minimum of $25. I use Peachtree, and I still mail the government copies. I am in TN. I find that W-2, 1099 prep is my least profitable endeavor. Well, aside from trying to educate irresponsible clients, which is, of course, the biggest drain on my energy, I think. A little of that goes a long way...

Recently, I heard a news story describing how a single parent with two kids in PA is better off financially making $29,000 a year than a single parent making $69,000. You can search "In Pennsylvania it is better to make $29,000" and get some articles about it. (And, I know 29,000 is more than 18,000, but I had to take the opportunity.) Here's a video: http://video.foxnews.com/v/2017186123001/single-moms-do-better-with-welfare/

The equipment is an ice vending machine. The owner provides no services.

That's actually what I was wondering, if would all be considered rent, but I was too chicken to say it.

Hoping someone knows this one right off the old cuff. If not, I'll research more. Much obliged. I have a Sch C filer, rents equipment from AND also pays a % of gross sales to equipment owner. I know that the rent paid belongs in Box 1. I THINK the commission paid belongs in Box 3. Is that correct?

It will probably have a few reasonable and easily verified requirements, like the cat has to have expended two of the past five lives in the line of duty and be a full time student at an accredited obedience school. Probably attach coroner's reports to Form 8453. Piece of cake, much like EIC has been.

Pawsibly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpCPBCnfnmo&feature=youtu.be

Yeah, I think we all sound like that after a while, Jack. Then, we become accountants so nobody will argue with us anymore about math. You get an A, too, BTW.

See, this is why John got a A. Grouping symbols are inserted to CHANGE the order of operations. Rules are in place to tell you what the crap to do in the absence of grouping symbols. Sorry to speak in an manner unbecoming of a true school marm, but c'mon, people. If you need to brush up, and still don't believe the links that have been posted, here are some activities from "Math is fun". Now get in there and experience the %^&* joy. http://www.mathsisfu...der-pemdas.html

A little off track, but since we are talking about math, and Jack is from Ohio, I want to insert here that I am really tired of hearing that Ohio is absolutely going to determine this election. The media really takes us all for fools, like we can't figure out that there are ways to get 270 votes without having those 18. And, I am not playing the Golden Buckeye Card. Ok, I feel better about it now. And, Kea, I have the same pet peeve on the dollar sign being used with the cents symbol. I love the way the store "corrected" the problem. lol :scratch_head:

Clarence and Mable had just celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends, and were relaxing in their front porch rockers after everyone left. Clarence looked over at Mable and said, "I'm proud of you." Mable: "What?" Clarence (louder): "I'm proud of you!" Mable: "WHAT?" Clarence: "I'M PROUD OF YOU!" Mable: "I'M TIRED OF YOU, TOO."

The correct answer is 20. I was an algebra teacher for eight years. Unless there are grouping symbols, you perform multiplication and division, from left to right, before addition and subtraction. Do one operation per step. JohnH showed all the steps. He was one of my best students back in the day. Wait til you see him on the slide rule. http://www.math.com/...s/S2U1L2GL.html

I am also praying for your family, KC. God bless you all.

I must admit, for a second there, I thought we got BOTH. 10% off AND deferred payment. Then, I thought, "Not so fast, Skippy." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLDzPH-cBhw

We can renew TODAY for 10% off OR deferred payment till Dec 5, I think it said. OK, wouldn't ORDERING on Dec 5 accomplish the second option? I'm not gettin that particular marketing tool.

Yes, add my congratulations! Glad to know we do not have to invest a lot of time studying. I don't have it. Going thru a lengthy divorce and having problems with a herniated disc. Was not sure when I was going to study while juggling my pain in the neck and pain in the @$$.