Patti in Upstate NY

You are speaking directly to me. As a warning. And I thank you because I needed to be reminded. I've been doing taxes since 1986 or 1987. On my own since I think 1990? I have brain fog right now but it's close. Many, many of my clients are about to be "fired." It's best for all of us. After almost 40 years? Time to put myself first.

This is me but with a bottle of Chardonnay and wearing my flannel pants and I'm never coming out.

No one else does today so I thank you

Almost all of my (rare) posts start with "I don't often chime in, but I appreciate your knowledge." At least once a day during tax season, I tell myself that I have no business doing taxes because I'm no longer qualified. Times have changed. Laws have changed and I took the wrong classes to try to stay up to date. I've done this for 38 years and I'm good at it. Until the weird thing hits my desk and I wonder if I'm smart enough to figure it out. It's April 14 and I'm on the edge. But you're not alone and you're not stupid. If you are? Then so am I. I can't wait for this time tomorrow.....

I notified two on 3/15 their returns were done. Radio silence. Since I no longer have a filter, today I sent a text to each "24 hours and counting." It's on them but I want the files out of my office. One replied "Oh. Sorry. I'm in France." The other called and said "what does that mean? I need to come pay you?" Then, I had another come to pick up and I wish I could show you all his check. Pay to the order of said one hundred fifty and zero. The next line was blank. It wasn't signed. I said "give me your checkbook! Here's how you write a check!" I wish my IRA didn't tank last week. I wish I was full retirement age. It's time to be done with all of this.

I printed my client list in January. Because it's all a blur by April, anytime someone left my office and I wanted to scream, I highlighted their name. They will get a letter at the end of April saying I am no longer able to assist them. My problem is I have several families. I love Mom/Dad. I love sister/brother. But one family member is ridiculously difficult to deal with. It's been hard to figure out how to fire one and not all. My go to in the past has been to say "I no longer have the time to dedicate to a return as complicated as yours and since I want you to get the best service, please look for someone else." In my head, I'm saying "you are insufferable, and I don't like you. There is no amount of money that makes it worth it to have you sit across from me ever again and good luck finding someone like me who will put up with your $h1t." Sure. They may go out into the community and tell people I couldn't handle it. I don't care. My reputation speaks for itself and I'm not taking new clients anyway.

I had someone last week with this. His father worked at a paper mill named Westvaco and received stock through employment. Father died, stock went to Mom and at some point, it became Westrock. My client inherited when his mother died six years ago. I looked up the closing price on DOD and used that as basis. Right or wrong, that was how I handled it. He still showed a significant gain and owed around $10K if I recall.

I received a text from the Bitcoin client early this morning "I'm a little terrified about how this will work out." Unprofessional, tired me replied "you should be." It's done but I'm letting him sweat until tomorrow.

First, I'll say I'm over this tax season and I'm hoping it's my last. I have clients whose parents died in 2020. Part of what they left was an IRA a little over $200K which their financial advisor put into a "Beneficiary Designated IRA" in the name of the Trust. He told me today that was to mitigate tax impact to the beneficiaries - my clients. They need to take it within 10 years which has started. There are two 1099Rs for 2024, one for each child/beneficiary. The recipient on the form is the Trust. But the Trust was closed in 2022. The financial advisor and I disagree on this. He told me to just put it on their individual returns. I think IRS will be looking for a Trust return even though it was final in 2022. What say you? Then, just for fun, I'll tell you someone dropped off their documents today. $398K early distribution from IRA with NO tax withheld. They bought Bitcoin with the proceeds. You can't fix stupid.

I have the utmost respect for everyone here and I thank you for sharing your day to day and making me feel less alone. Sincerely. My plan was for this to be my last year but I looked at the numbers and I think I have to do at least one more. Here's hoping I'm just exhausted and maybe I can call it a day? Congratulations to those who are done. My best to those who will continue.

No one scared me into dumping them and I won't be replacing them with anyone new. I've already refused about 10 prospective clients this year and I've fired four others since February 1. It's highly likely this will be my last tax season because I'm just done. There's no joy in solving the puzzles anymore. The reason I read this board every day is because there is always something to learn. There's always a warning to heed. And thank God, there's always another preparer on the verge of losing their mind and so I've felt less alone. I'm glad my asking about this fiasco returned the favor

I am declining preparation of both returns. Perhaps they'll end up in one of your offices........ Thank you all for your comments/advice.

Thanks, Tom. I agree with you but I think (hope) I'll be okay. I anticipate ex wife asking if I heard he died. I'll say yes and ask how the kids are doing. It should end there. If it doesn't, I'll ask her how many days he spent with each parent during 2023 and list the dependent accordingly. I don't believe I have an obligation to say "hey, I heard your ex is dead and that means you can probably claim your son." That's not my job. Or if it is? I'm out to lunch. I'm not getting involved that deeply.

As always, I appreciate your input and knowledge. These clients represent the ONE AND ONLY time I did MFJ then kept both as separate clients after they divorced. It's been many years and there's never been a problem. He never mentioned her, and she never mentioned him. It's one of the most amicable divorces I've ever seen. His Mom called me last week and I will be doing his final return. The former wife comes in next week. Based on the history, I don't expect an issue but over the years I've learned that death can bring out the worst in people. Especially when money is involved and, in this case, that is true. I'm leaning towards leaving the son on Dad's return so the refund will go to the trust that was set up for the kids. Mom is now getting substantial SS benefits for both children and has a very good job so she doesn't need the money. However, if she questions me, I'll have to move the son to her return because Dad did not have him 183 days. Thank you all. 61 days left in tax season but who's counting?

I suspect I'm overthinking this but I could use some input. I have a client with two children who was divorced many years ago. As per their agreement, the children lived one week with their father and one week with their mother. Dad claimed their son and Mom claimed their daughter. Dad died in August 2023. The children continued alternating weeks, staying one with their mom and the other with their paternal grandmother through the end of the year. Can the son still be claimed as a dependent on Dad's final return?