Discussion:Providing old returns
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Providing old returns
| 23 April 2008 | |
| I had a former client call to get copies of 2003 & 2004 tax returns. The IRS had finally caught up with her. I prepared the returns in 2004 & 2005 and let her go because she didn't file 2003 when I busted my rump to get it done timely. She didn't make the estimates I gave her and then complained about my bill, etc.
Anyhow....Now she's lost the returns I prepared years ago and needs them for the IRS. My question is do I sign the returns? Do I date them today? Do I date them when I think I prepared them? Do I just make copies and stamp them copies and don't sign them? | |
TheTinCook (talk|edits) said: | 23 April 2008 |
| If I'm understanding you correctly, you already gave her orginal filing copies and she didn't bother to file them?
If she needs to file them, I would go ahead and print a filing copy and sign with the current date. If she just needs a copy, I would direct her to call the IRS and get a copy of her transcript. Otherwise, I would make a copy either stamped, scribbled, or watermarked "COPY." I would not sign or date the copy. I'd be less inclined to help her if she stiffed me, but I would give her copies of the years she paid for. | |
| 23 April 2008 | |
| Charge her plenty. Let her know what it will cost and then ask if she wants them. Tell her to get copies from the IRS. | |
| 23 April 2008 | |
| Give her a copy, sign them, date them today. Keep it simple. She might give you some referrals. Your practice will not grow if always looking to make another buck or having an ego by asking the client to go ask IRS for a copy when you have easy access to it. | |
| April 23, 2008 | |
| I agree with DZCPA.
I wouldn't hesitate to sign them today even if she didn't file what you prepared years ago. The IRS is not going to give her "extra credit" for having the returns prepared on time if she chose not to file them on time. | |
| 24 April 2008 | |
| Thanks everyone. She never filed the originals I gave her years ago. So she needs to file originals with the IRS. I was leaning to just giving her copies, stamping them copies and not signing them. | |
