Discussion:E-File issue
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Discussion Forum Index --> Basic Tax Questions --> E-File issue
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> E-File issue
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 7 May 2008 |
| Client called and is in dire straights financially, he has a large refund due and wants to get it via RIA loan which I don't do. I know that his wife is out of town for about three months (in Russia). So since he can't find someone to file the return and provide the RIA, he now wants to E-File. When I spoke with him yesterday, I told him his wife needs to sign the return whether he e-files or sends hard copy. He said that wasn't a problem, he could get it signed. At that point he wanted to file hard copy, and what he does after I give him the return with signing instructions, is out of my control. Now I just had a call from his secretary saying he changed his mind and wants me to E-file the return without signatures. Said I can't do that and since I know the wife is not around, I'm not crazy about the idea of getting back the 8879 with her "signature" on it. Right now I've left the conversation on that note. I really don't think I can e-file this return without the possibility of problems coming back to me. Any thoughts? Any suggestions for the client? I'm thinking maybe he can FAX the 8879 to her and get it back, but haven't approached that with him yet. | |
| 7 May 2008 | |
| I'd see if I could either fax it to her or e-mail it to her, she can sign it & fax or e-mail it back to you. Shouldn't be a big deal, I have clients sign that way all the time. | |
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 7 May 2008 |
| Yep, sign it and scan it and put it in the file, I would definitely make contact with his wife to make sure she is aware that she has to sign the 8879, at least do your due diligence part and document it in case he's pulling all the strings, just to cover your own butt. There's been a few times where I've efiled a return before the 8879 is received but they are long-time clients that pay and sign on time year after year, but I don't make a habit of it, and never with a newbie. | |
| May 7, 2008 | |
| Yep, any sign. will do, either fax or email. But Fed law requires it. I've violated it once, and it bit me! Lucky, I know, but the client was headed to the airport for Italy, sent the fax at the airport, which didn't come in properly. I knew it was an 8879, and was certain it was his...but couldn't contact him again since he was headed for the plane and wouldn't return in time. So I filed. A month later, this very long time client whose butt I'd rescued in the past proceeds to tell me that he got another opinion and the other guy increased his refund! I never got paid...dirtbag. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 7 May 2008 |
| I really dislike the "wink-wink-nudge is as good as a nod" nonsense. I've worked with couple of people that got the wife is in the car routine. One client even had his girlfriend pose as his wife. Too bad his wife answered the phone when we called to let them know that the RAC check was ready to pick up.
Anyway, I would rather have a POA over a FAX. As noted by the others, a fax is okay. If the client is still wants a RAL, he can go to HRB as an Express Filer (HRB e-files the return but doesn't prepare it) and get a RAL if he does it before May 31, 08. Of course he will have to pay HRB a fee as well as yours, but the Express fee is less then the prep fee. | |
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 7 May 2008 |
| Good comments. I called the client to see if the wife would have access to a FAX, he said yes and wants the 8879 to FAX to her. Donnie, the wife is in Russia or Ukraine somewhere and I have no ability to contact her. This is a long time clien, but I don't think that precludes the "wink wink nudge nudge" TinCook mentions. So I will provide it, but then I'm wondering about the signature when it comes back. She has a very distinctive signature that we have copies of in the file. What if it is really different? Am I expect to be a writing analyst as well as a tax preparer? BTW TinCook, do all HRB offices do the RAL? What do they charge? He has significant refund (about $19,000), would they really do one in this amount? | |
| May 8, 2008 | |
| HRB generally does RAL's up to $9999 so I'm not sure how a refund above that amount would be handled... it could be that such a large refund is ineligible for a RAL. (Sorry I just don't remember that detail.) Most HRB offices close after 4/15 but in most areas at least one office per district is open for very limited hours during the offseason. Usually calling any HRB office during the offseason will result in the call being routed to the nearest open office. | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 8 May 2008 |
| RAL fees are $29.95 for the bank charge, finance charges very, but max out at ~$107 for the largest possible RAL based on interest of ~36% per year. There is also a $20 to have it printed on a paper check. They really are pushing the pre-paid debit cards for the float.
The only way I know of around the $9,999 limit is to shunt off the excess money into one of the IRA or savings account products. Earlier this year, they were rebating the 29.95 charge if you opened up an account. Last time I checked, those accounts were only paying out at 2.25% so YMMV. Otherwise you can't split the refund and the RAL would be denied. Unfortunatly, a RAC, the RAL's cousin, would offer no benefit other then not having to pay the fees for e-filing upfront. It's not the best deal in the world, but if he needs the money... There should be at least one HRB office open in Hawaii. | |
| May 8, 2008 | |
| Action, a lot of faxes print the fax number at the top of the page. That would be one way to tell at least if the fax went to Russia. You could tell your client that you'll need to have the transmittal page from the return fax to make your records complete. | |
| 8 May 2008 | |
| Something that I do for some clients with financial dificulties is to file the return and let them pay me after they get the money. Needless to say I got burn once (only once so far!). In some cases I have to remind them, since it's easy to forget when tax season is over... | |
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