Discussion:Taxpayers questions during tax season
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Taxpayers questions during tax season
| 28 November 2006 | |
| I would like to find out how TDoyle proposes the handing of TaxAlmanac during tax season. I am just surprised to see the amount of traffic is being received from taxpayers. I know that the questions seem interesting, but it seems to me that there is a limit. I have spent the last 35 years gaining the knowledge that I charge for and now through the internet it goes for free! I had the feeling when I join the TaxAlmanac family that it would be all tax professionals? | |
Truthseeker (talk|edits) said: | 28 November 2006 |
| 1040man - Taxes/Accounting like any profession still requires skill and experience to properly implement. Just because a person has access to this forum, or can read/buy a book does not make him/her an expert. The internet is a great source for information. However, a person must be careful not to become information overloaded. As a professional, I'm thrilled to be able to share my knowledge with others. Yes, I know you still need to make a living, but I always found that whatever good deed done, the good always returns back to me.
ps: I think this topic has already been discussed without a resolution. Take Care. | |
| 28 November 2006 | |
| I think that for those who do their own taxes, this can be helpful for the easier questions. Hopefully, the forum can also help people realize when they are getting in over their heads and need a professional. Maybe it can also give the taxpayer some idea of who to go to for help, some basis for evaluating services.
Just my two cents. | |
| November 28, 2006 | |
| I also don't mind seeing and reading the discussions generated by non-tax preparers--to a point. However, "Tax Questions" is the title of one section, and due to the discussions, that creates a high ranking in the search engines for those who type in "tax questions". I think we can expect lots more tax questions during tax season from nonprofessionals as a result.
The most valuable aspects of this site for me is the ease of getting to the discussions, and the peer input, during tax season especially. If the site gets bogged down with too many questions from nonprofessionals, then the site will lose its appeal to many of us. Intuit will have to decide if they want to target tax pros on this site, or be all things to all. | |
| 28 November 2006 | |
| What bugs me more is questions from tax preparers who expect others to provide the answers & don't do any research before asking. It feels like helping other professionals conduct their business. | |
| November 28, 2006 | |
| Hello everyone. I've been watching the various discussions on this subject. As a first step, I have changed the 'tagline' on the main page to indicate that the site is for tax professionals. I have also changed the description at the top of the Tax Questions discussion forum as well. I'll be looking for other steps to take and am open to suggestions. Keep in mind that you, the community, can opt not to reply to questions that are from non-professionals.
We really do appreciate the feedback!
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| 28 November 2006 | |
| For those who resent the self-preparers posting here, what more can Tim do? I do not grasp the idea of not helping a self-preparer with a question. It is unlikely it is taking money out of anybody's pocket on the board. As Tim said, don't answer them. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 28 November 2006 |
| I have no problem either; whether I will have the time is another matter. Lhhess makes an excellent point; I've said the same thing once or twice, though I think many of those with 'clients' are people who are financial advisors, insurance agents or the like who do a few returns each year. | |
Michaelstar (talk|edits) said: | 28 November 2006 |
| We all learn from this site. None of are paid for our time and that is fine by me. I only post to questions I believe I have the answer to and when I have time. If a newbe posts a really long question - I just pass. If the question has really no grasp behind it - I will pass on those as well. One can selectively post to any questions they like. That is what is nice about this site. But best of all - it is a learning tool for all of us. I'll bet that even Riley2, Dennis and WesR learn from some of the content as well. Thanks Tim for job well done! | |
| 28 November 2006 | |
| By the by.....what is the definition of a "non-professional"? What is the definition of a "dense" question? I have practiced in this business for 17 years and absolutely do not profess to know everything (probably "little" by some people's defintion). This business is ever changing and is difficult, to say the least, to keep abreast of. I am the sole owner/operator and truly appreciate the exchange from this forum. Even if I know the answer, sometimes it helps to just have some other person confer. And if I can help someone else, tax preparer or non, I'm happy to do so. The almighty dollar and the almighty minute is not my motive. No one is twisting my arm to do so. If the site is meant for "professionals" only, then perhaps a license # requirement, or some such elimination process, would settle some of those concerned. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the way this site works. :) | |
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