RitaB

Dealing with this right now: Clergy member calls, says existing client recommended me, his tax pro of 14 years retired. Me: Well, I'm really slammed, not really taking new clients. Are you well organized, or please forgive me for saying this, will you need a lot of hand holding? (Yeah, really, I said that.) Clergy: Oh, I'm organized! We have this down to a science. Been doing this for 14 years. It'll be a cake walk. Shows up with a computer summary of EVERY expenditure, personal and business, for the year. I'm serious. Has a category for "health and beauty supplies". The list is four pages, single spaced. Category titles do not necessarily give me any clue as to whether business or personal. Me: (stunned is not a strong enough word) Uh, this is not necessary. I just want to know your business expenses. Clergy: Well, this is how I've done it for 14 years. Me: (Looking at his W-2 from church) The W-2 preparer should not enter your wages in box 3 or box 5. Just pass that along. Clergy: Well, this is how it's been done for 14 years. THEN he started gripping about the amount of taxes he pays. Me: You know, you get a nice break on your housing costs that I don't get. I'd like to deduct my housing costs. Clergy: Well, you know I have to pay SS/MC tax on that housing allowance. Me: Yes, I'm aware. Started gripping about Obama. Wondering when he'll rip away his deduction for housing allowance. Me: (say what?!) Well, you know, I didn't vote for him, but I believe we are instructed by your boss in Romans 13 to respect him and pray for him... Blank stare. The good news is, the other tax pro charged him $50 more than I normally would, so he gets my new rate...

That's it!

Haha! Actually, when I got home, I fixed snow cream with my kids AND had cookies! They (the kids, not the cookies), are 20, 17, and 15. They were so excited about the snow cream you would swear they were preschoolers. Wow. Great reminder of what's important!

I agree. I've seen some crap that was really unnecessary. One preparer always attaches Sch R, 6251, 8582 even if they're completely unnecessary, and so far that's every one of his I've seen. (I agree with KC about necessary stuff. For example, I always attach the "Tax Classification Report" for the 4562. I think that's it. The one that shows everything, even property that has been disposed of.)

I agree that I have some really inconsiderate folks of all ages and incomes. But, it does seem to me that PITA issues (like impatience) are more prevalent from the EIC crowd. The sense of entitlement with many (certainly not all) in this group amazes me. It carries over to the preparer. I mean, we are supposed to drop everything to take care of some people. One young lady, single with two kids, came in Friday with only unemployment income. She always get huge EIC. I told her there would be no EIC if no "earnings." She says, "Well, I wish I had known that. I would have worked." I think she was mad at ME about it! Thankfully, I have some really awesome clients who are VERY appreciative and patient. It helps when one of them comes in. Makes my day!

I have soooo had it with people who, when you call and leave them a message that their tax return is done, call you right back and ask "what's the amount of my refund?" (OK, it's technically not a "refund" since YOU didn't pay in.) Anyway, when that happens, I'm going to put them on hold, go check the mail, brush my teeth, do someone else's return, etc. before I tell them the refund amount. They ARE COMING in 15 minutes anyway to sign the e-file form and pick up their copy of the return. Geez... Just now, I had a caller to ask me if I had had a chance to do his return (another EIC person). He JUST brought it Friday. There it goes, to the bottom of the pile.

Right click 1040, line 40, choose the line 40 option (first option) and complete the little worksheet. If I know they can't itemize, I override line 7a of the worksheet rather than go to the Sch A. Edit: Sorry, taxbilly already answered.

Anybody else getting this message when they try to transmit?

Amen, John! I started to tell my father-in-law to retire already cause other people would like to have his job and pay his taxes! Then, I thought about Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and decided to just smile and nod.

Speaking of SS, I AM SO TIRED of clients thinking that I'm making an error when they have taxable benefits. Among other things, people don't understand that repaying benefits and paying taxes on benefits are two different issues. My FATHER-IN-LAW kept arguing with me yesterday (when he picked up his free return): "But I'm too old to be paying on SS. Bob said his preparer doesn't do anything with his SS." This is the SECOND year I have turned over his SSA and completed the worksheet explaining as I go. I also told him Bob may be married and/or may not earn as much as you do, etc. Next year, when he says his SS shouldn't be taxable, I'm gonna say, "You're right. Let's just leave that off." Nah, I won't do that. But, I DID tell him maybe he should be talking to Bob's preparer, haha. I shouldn't have done that, I know, but it really felt good.

I just remembered this, and had to call two early bird clients this morning to get the RE tax amounts. Thank goodness I'm only having to re-do two returns that hadn't gotten out the door yet. Thought I'd mention this and possibly save some of you some aggravation. Last thing we need is to be amending returns in February because client heard about the deduction from their mechanic who uses another preparer.

Yes, or other qualifying income. (I think that's what you meant, but someone else might not.)

Peachtree prints four of same size W-2 for the EE copy. (I would like that large-sized copy C, too). New this year is the option to print the boilerplate info for the back. I had already purchased the perforated forms with the back side info preprinted, so I'll look at using PT to print that next time. If I live that long. Good grief, I have been here five hours today and accomplished nothing. People are coming in and out, bringing four years of business tax returns, wanting to discuss world events, one planning for 2009, etc.

What is the Uni-Form layout? With a recent (to me) upgrade, I am able to view the W-2 info for an entire company, and make changes before printing. I used to have to reprint sometimes cause I couldn't see the info before printing, and of course I didn't always catch things that needed correcting. THAT was frustrating. Is that what happens with QB?

Yes, I was wondering about that, too. I also use Peachtree, and I print W-2's and 1099's using it. Is there some better way? Sometimes, I have to change alignments (especially that "x" marking the box for type of form - arrggh), but otherwise I think it's pretty smooth. Well, it does seem like upgrades slow things down, which is irritating... I don't upgrade very often, and that's one of the reasons. Thanks! Rita

Me, too. I have one in particular who will throw a fit. Her very well paid financial advisor kept telling her all year, "Look on the bright side - there won't be any capital gains to pay taxes on." I looked up an article that warned readers that capital gains distributions are likely and mailed her a copy right before Christmas. (My gift to her.) Hopefully, she won't be shocked (shocked!) when she gets the 1099's. I know my own pathetic investments had virtually the same capital gains distributions in 2008 as 2007.

I'm just glad you posted cause I would have done 'em all wrong if you hadn't! Thank you, and a very happy and prosperous New Year to you! My brother-in-law and his wife had their first baby late last night, so he shares your son's birthday! My kids got home from Christmas tournaments out of state, so I can tell you, my day wasn't ruined for long!

I was having fun till I read the post about the paid preparer having to sign the dang 941's. Now I'm flipping out wondering how many I've sent out unsigned cause I was all over it and gonna get a jump on it all... (Go me!) Who needs to read directions? I don't need no stinking directions. Will IRS even know there was a paid preparer? Or will they send "Your idiot preparer didn't sign this" letters round about mid-February when we're all like hummingbirds on twelve cups of coffee and people are coming in and out asking stupid questions (how's my return coming along?) and/or chit-chatting while we sit there behind our mountain of papers thinking, "Please leave. Please leave. Please leave."?

Ok, really off topic, but I received this today. I was so touched I just wanted to share: SOMETIMES Sometimes, when you cry... no one sees your tears. Sometimes, when you are in pain... no one sees your hurt. Sometimes, when you are worried... no one sees your stress. Sometimes, when you are happy... no one sees your smile. But FART!! just one time... and EVERYBODY knows!

I also wait till the deadline to give people time to call me with corrections. Also, I use certified mail, return receipt requested, which has saved penalties for late filing more than once. In 2006, I had three clients come in with notices saying they filed 2004 1099's late. Well, I had the dated receipts. Mailed letters to IRS with copies of receipts, and that took care of the problem. I guess a lot of you make the clients mail the transmittals and IRS/SS copies. I don't trust my clients that much! One of these days I'll try the e-filing... It is REALLY a pain to be in line at the post office at the end of February!

C'mon guys, you know that five out of four people don't understand fractions. (I said that in front of my three kids once. The boys grinned. The daughter goes, "Whaaa?")

From an e-mail I received years ago that still makes me laugh: Church Bulletin Bloopers Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: 1. Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa. 2. Announcement in a church bulletin for a national PRAYER & FASTING Conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. 3. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." 4. Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall - Come out and watch us kill Christ the King. 5. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands. 6. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a conflict. 7. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you. 8. Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. 9. Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. 10. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. 11. Next Thursday there will be try outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get. 12. Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons. 13. The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy." 14. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. 15. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. 16. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice. 17. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. 18. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. 19. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. 20. Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch. 21. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. 22. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. 23. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. 24. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. 25. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done. 26. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. 27. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. 28. The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. 29. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. 30. The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge ! - Up Yours!"

I made the page one of my two home pages so I am constantly reminded to stretch. Otherwise, I completely lose track of time, and I've worked all day all tensed up.

Reminds me of a joke I heard: Q: Why do men die before women? A: Because they want to. John, thanks for your input, too. I am feeling better just thinking there is some help out there for me!

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Thanks for editing the title, KC. Here's an observation: from these responses, this appears to be a problem that women experience more than men. Not a scientific study here, mind you, but I wonder if maybe women work differently, or have less muscle tone and that contributes to this, or what?