Time To Fire My First Client

[Crank]

On Friday I received his return and told him it would most likely require an extension..He balked saying if I couldn't complete it by the 15th he would have to find alternative arrangements. The return is fairly complex. numerous stock trades, 4 states including an out of state rental, a k-1 investments, carry forward stock and rental losses,and to top it off Alternative minimum tax calculations for an additional $4k in tax which i think he is pissed about since its new this year. I forged ahead and completed it because he is my neighbor. I offered to send him a pdf for review and talk on the phone. Now he wants to file an extension probably because I wont meet with him and to buy time to drum up additional deductions/expenses. None of which would make a significant difference on the return, When you earn in excess of $260k you can expect to pay.

Ive been in business too long (and Im too tired at this point) to put up with this type of BS.

Im going to tell him the going forward he needs to find someone else to do his taxes. Thinking about referring him to local CPA office I know personally. They charge more than double what I do.

End rant

[RitaB]

This guy is why you have a club.

I forged ahead on a long-time client yesterday, dropped off 4/7. I knew he was going to owe. I also knew HE didn't know. I really don't understand why people don't know things about their own finances. He sold $24,000 in cattle. About 8,000 in expenses. Has a day job.

"I sold how much? Are you sure? I have to pay what? Wow, if I had known that I woulda bought a tractor."

Me: "OK, how did you not know you sold 24,000 in cattle? Do you NEED another tractor? (Wife is going, "NO!") And if not, do you think it's a good investment to spent $16,000 to save $4,800?"

Crickets. I'm just stunned at how little people think.

[JohnH]

Reminds me a bit of an acquaintance a few years back who bought his first house, then when tax time rolled around he started telling me how his tax guy was an idiot because he didn't get to deduct the mortgage interest on his return. At first I speculated that maybe his interest just wasn't high enough to get him over the Std Ded threshhold with it being a mid-year purchase.

Silly me. In a moment of weakness I agreed to take a look at the return, and it was prepared perfectly, including a deduction for points and property taxes allocated form the HUD-1. Nice job.

Turns out the thought he could deduct the interest paid on the mortgage against his tax LIABILITY, not against his TAXABLE INCOME. At least I never had to discuss taxes with him again, since I suppose after that I was as much of an idiot as the tax preparer.

[gfizer]

I have a small flame thrower sitting inside my door that was used many times over the winter to melt off my walk. I'll admit it's been tempting to use it to get rid of a few particularly annoying clients. I can send it over if you like.

[kcjenkins]

I had to give up years ago on the idea that there was ANY level of silliness too extreme for the normal citizen to believe, when it comes to taxes.

[Gail in Virginia]

By April 15th I understand why Catherine spends so much time on the shooting range. If one of her clients makes her mad enough, she wants to be sure she doesn't miss!

Too bad we can't really, it would probably improve the breed.

[Catherine]

By April 15th I understand why Catherine spends so much time on the shooting range. If one of her clients makes her mad enough, she wants to be sure she doesn't miss!

Too bad we can't really, it would probably improve the breed.

Silly Gail! If one of my clients ever gets me THAT riled (impossible; I would fire their ass and toss 'em bodily out the door long before) I would want the pleasure of using all the nasty things I learned in 15 years of martial arts study. Hands. Elbows. Feet. Knees. Joint-locking. Fan. Flute. Spear.

Tee hee.

(Can you see the results here of someone who was always really tiny and who got beaten up by the bullies at school far too often, and who decided, "Ain't gonna happen again, no way, no how!" -- Haven't had to defend my self since about 8th grade but if I ever do *I* will be the one walking away at the end.)

[kcjenkins]

Anyone who wants to see our warrior Cat in action, go to the Politics forum and watch her video.

[Jack from Ohio]

Silly Gail! If one of my clients ever gets me THAT riled (impossible; I would fire their ass and toss 'em bodily out the door long before) I would want the pleasure of using all the nasty things I learned in 15 years of martial arts study. Hands. Elbows. Feet. Knees. Joint-locking. Fan. Flute. Spear.

Tee hee.

(Can you see the results here of someone who was always really tiny and who got beaten up by the bullies at school far too often, and who decided, "Ain't gonna happen again, no way, no how!" -- Haven't had to defend my self since about 8th grade but if I ever do *I* will be the one walking away at the end.)

Anyone who wants to see our warrior Cat in action, go to the Politics forum and watch her video.

I am glad she considers me a friend. I would NOT want to be on the other side.....