Possi

I raise my prices a little every year, on most clients. I usually keep the simple returns pretty cheap, or I lose the easy money. The more detailed returns always go up every year. It's better than skipping a year or 2 then hitting them noticeably hard. All prices go up. Social Security benefits are the only thing that remains the same. So, my prices increase.

Still, couldn't this be fraud, an attempt to get information? I have never heard of forms not flying with the efiled return.

All I do are tax returns. No accounting, no payroll. I'm not ready to retire yet, but at 61 I am still thinking about how many more years I want to work. "WANT" being the operative word. This year I did clean up my client list by sending several clients away, for a better fit. We all know what that means. I don't want to work forever. I am getting less and less enamored with being locked to my computer for 4 months, having over 40 extensions, and having the tax season drag on until October 15th. I want to play. I want to go outside and play in the sun. Without any work hanging over my head. I love my clients, love my work, love the challenge. But most of all, I love the "seasonality" of the business. And that season is spreading out too much. The responsibilities and complexities of being a tax professional might be what actually has me whipped. It's almost like I have to stay sober all year long. Geez...

My financial planner doesn't want me to sell the business. I don't think he understands how much I want it. I would love to sell the business and work for whoever buys it, for a few years. To get this business out of my house and be able to be off, truly off, after April 15th would be a dream come true. The older I get, the harder it is for me to deal with late filers, extensions, and just plain WORK in the off season. So, he would rather I just keep working, a lighter load, and keep the business. Yes.

I am crying! OMG... let me make a copy of that! LOL LOL

I was approached by HRB a couple of years ago, and I followed up on the call. They offered me the price of one year's gross receipts paid over 3 years. I was to work with them through the transition. I didn't ask any more questions because I wasn't going to sell right then. My financial advisor told me that when I'm ready to retire, I should keep my Top 20 clients and bring that income to the retirement equation. So, there are a couple of quick thoughts just off the top of my head. Not a book!

I am in VA, and not a CPA, and I think your price is very fair. When I am questioned about prices, I tell the client that I don't aspire to be the cheapest, I aspire to be the best. I don't sell numbers and forms, I sell service. Your price is good. And go up every year. Every. Year.

I always order The TaxBook federal deluxe and all states. I also order the online library. Really, the online library is all I need. I gets updated regularly, unlike the book. I don't always need it, but I like the written words when I do.

Thanks. I think I'll change to Square. It sounds like the cost will be about the same without the threat of slamming me with added fees for programs I didn't want.

iTransact has a deal with TaxWise, and it is incorporated through the software. Very easy to use, and affordable until this year. Apparently, there in the fine print, it says that they can add fees for services I don't sign up for, but must opt out of, and I was getting slammed from November 2016 until I found it after the season ended. So, does anyone use a better company?

I still try to go to a live seminar, and you are right. I wonder what will happen when we are all retired and the next batter is up. There won't be anyone. The government is holding us up as auditors, and while we have moved into this position (not willingly) who in their right mind would choose to step into this minefield?

That blog really is spot on. The simple ones have gone away and left us with problem children. And the threat of IRS fining us just kills all of us. Add to that, things like your credit card company (iTransact) has been slamming added fees since November (and WHO CHECKS this before April 20?), our own accounting, and if you have even one person helping you, even a family member, you must be cheerleader and encourager, team leader and teacher, mentor and counselor... all done with grace. I do love this gig, and I love all my clients... who show up before March 15th.

Thanks! I'll go to those instructions, like I should have before I posted, and get this done. This "after tax season" work is so hard when there's a new grandson waiting for his MiMi to get back. It's so hard to focus. He was born in March, so this whole season was hard for me. I know, no excuses, but thanks for helping me! =)

Back in the office after spending a couple of weeks with my new grandson, and right off the bat, the wonderful Marketplace is in my eye. Dad got Marketplace insurance for himself and his 21 yr old not-a-student, and working-full-time-son. Dad was umemployed when he got the insurance, and he included son as a household member needing insurance. I can't say whether or not he included Son's income as household income, but I can say that Marketplace paid 90% of the premiums. Now, son's mother did his tax return, and got a letter saying they need the 1095A. Mom and Dad are divorced, and she is asking for his (Dad, my client's) 1095A. I think if I was doing son's return, I would have said he had insurance, not through the marketplace. After all, kiddo didn't get it through the marketplace, DAD did. Then, the 1095A would not affect the son's return. How is this handled? All tax season, I never had this happen on any of my returns. My client, Dad, eventually found employment (1099 income) and I'm sure he will be paying back some, of not all, of those premiums. Since his premiums are for him and his son, and he is not claiming his son, can I allocate the premiums on the 8962 between him and his son? I don't see how I can do that, since son is not on Dad's tax return. Has anyone had this problem?

This doesn't answer your question, but the balance of my client's debt will be released after paying on it for 10 years, filing and paying timely tax returns for all the 10 years.

No, I'd be afraid it would blow back at me.

We were in Gatlinburg and found a nice 2 BR condo very reasonable, but it was in January. You can spit and hit Pigeon Forge from there, so when you are looking, look all around. This is the condo where we stayed. Straight up a mountain, the view was great. I've stayed in cleaner places, but it was very comfortable. http://www.ourplaceinthesmokies.com/great-escape.html

I use TW, and I have not had that issue.

TaxWise doesn't have a site like this, but the software isn't really a problem for me. I have loved this message board SO MUCH. Everyone is so helpful and KIND. Thanks, Rita, for the invite, and for loving and not hugging me. I would certainly donate to keep this board up and running.

My clients have a PIN assigned because of a fraudulent return last year. They are on vacation and I need to file the extension and get it off my desk. Does anyone think it will cause a problem if I e-file the extension without the assigned PIN?

I have them sign the bottom of the actual 8867, both pages, and keep it in their file.

2 options I see. Pop $1 in box 1 or delete the W2 (which is what I would do).

I pressed my client, and here was his response... you nailed it... "Oceans has rental income from various things like offices, cabanas, and the rooms on the Club Level. I'm not sure why they give us those statements every year but I guess it's because the money goes to reduce our condo fees. But how they figure the amount as income I do not know. We are not actually handed any money."

I filed a NY Non-resident return and zero out the NY income. Mine is a VA resident. We have done that for 2 years.

Honestly, this is an old man and that gal will likely never be found. If she is found, who knows if she will agree to the sale? It's really sticky, and I too would want an contract with a contingency in case he never gains proper title.