Discussion:Use Tax Organizers
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Tips --> Use Tax Organizers
| 24 January 2006 | |
| Send out tax organizers showing last year's dollar amounts in it to clients in early January. Suggest that they mail the completed organizer back with important tax documents in an enclosed large envelope. If the clients decide to come in instead, they will be more organized. If they do not come organized, charge them alot more. | |
| 26 January 2006 | |
| we have used organizers for several years and find it to be significant help. But there are still those who would rather sit down and "go thru the data" in a face to face. Most people today are rather savvy and with tax software available most anywhere we're facing stiff competition with all the auto cutbacks here in MI. Charging them more may cost clients! What do you plan on for this tax year? Thanks, bobbyd | |
| 23 February 2006 | |
| I agree with Bobbyd. I worked for a CPA for years and he always sent out generic organizers in early January. Very rarely were they completed when the client came in to meet with my accountant/boss. I personally think many clients are itimidated by some of those questionaire forms...at least the generic ones that don't carry forward a client's personal and specific data. They look more complicated to a client than an actual tax return! So many spaces to fill in....that's why they're coming to you in the first place. Fortunately, most of our clients were repeat clients so it wasn't too difficult to review their current tax data, and question any possible life changes that might apply to their current year's return.
I think the tax software available to any consumer today, and sold everywhere, is awesome and is so reasonable and easy to use. I used Turbo Tax for many years and have graduated to ProSeries. Thank goodness that there will always be those clients who simply don't want to do their own taxes. | |
| 23 February 2006 | |
| DO NOT use generic organizers! They intimidate the clients. Most top end tax programs create organizers limiting the pages to those that apply to individual client. Only about half of my clients use them. The ones that use them, love them. One third of my clients mail them in. Mail in returns is where you can make lots of money. As those can be prepared by temps. They take about 1/2 hour. I pay my temps $50 an hour so that makes $25 and I charge an average of $300. I then spend 10 minutes to look over and print. Over 90% profit margin. Not bad.There are always clients that will like to give you the data "their" way. I prepare over 1000 returns with lacerte using just 2 temps. Learn from the pros! | |
Chautauqua (talk|edits) said: | 1 March 2006 |
| I always mail tailored organizers in early January. Some clients use organizers, some don't. You should want to see all the underlying 1099s, W-2s, 1098s, etc even if the client completes the organizer. One of the most important features of an organizer is a questionnaire, which may bring out aspects of the client's situation that are not otherwise obvious. When I work with a new client, I will always have them complete the questionnaire. It can take only 2 or 3 minutes to complete. | |
| 5 June 2006 | |
| Those who use tailored organizers, do you create them yourselves or do you use your program to do it? I have ProSeries and the organizer is a bit much. | |
Sfhurrell@hotmail.com (talk|edits) said: | 8 June 2006 |
| I use the Pro Series and let the program do them. Having the questions on the front are vital to making sure you know what has changed. If they don't fill them out and something comes up later, you are covered. I print up a short blank generic one for new clients. When they come in we do it together so I am training them and showing them how I want the documents filed behind each page. My clients are trained and it makes my tax season so much easier. Even if they do not fill them in, the organizer is like our filing system so we know where all the documents are as we put them behind the correct page. | |
| 3 July 2006 | |
| I send out generic tax organizers and advise clients to use it as a guide when assembling their tax info for me. I found that barely 1% of my clients filed them out. I request all original documents and use other itemized info they provide either on their own summary sheets or my organizer. I prefer face to face contact so I can prove to them than I do more than the off the shelf tax preparation software can. I figure if they're going to pay more, they should get more. I also send my clients a two sided copy of a donation valuation guide to help them value their non cash gifts. I have clients tell me how their coworkers & neighbors ask them to share that info with them. Now how to get those folks to come see me........ | |
| 5 July 2006 | |
| Arleen, DO NOT use generic organizers! They intimidate the clients. Most top end tax programs create organizers limiting the pages to those that apply to individual client. 1% will raise over time to 40% - 50%. Some will come in for your face to face meeting with them filled out. | |
| 18 August 2006 | |
| I think it's important to try to get them, especially from business clients. Some business clients are resistent to having their write-up work done, or at least reviewed, by me, "QuickBooks is all I need". I insist that these clients fill out the questionaire and sign it. Rarely can you complete the return by relying just on the questionaire, but it's there to back me up if my work is questioned. | |
| 15 September 2006 | |
| If you can't produce personalized organizers from your tax software, you aren't using the right software | |
| October 19, 2006 | |
| I have used Lacerte for many years and send clients their customized (by the program) tax organizer in January. Some clients fill it out very well others not so well, but in either case, the organizer serves as the framework for the tax interview. I find it works very well and can lead me into areas where I can get the client to talk about the past year and help to find unlisted deductions or opportunities that can expand the discuss with the client. I think that the interview is where the tax-preparation work really is and, while I do have a number of mail-in clients, I believe that the interview is a critical element in the tax service that I provide to my clients. | |
| 25 November 2006 | |
| I mail out around 500 organizers(mainly for the appointment date) I go thru each one and remember most of them and then reduce the Lacerte Organizers even more. I have kept track of the people who fill them out and the ones that dont. I send the one that dont just the appointment sheet. Most of my customers are intimidated by putting down theier w-2s etc., I do not sent these sheets to any of my clients, I want to see for myself. I also make pre-appointments from the pryor year. When clients pick up their tax forms my secretary tell them about their next years appt. Works fine for me. | |
| 31 December 2007 | |
| I am glad that the suggestion in early January! I was nervous that I would be running late. I just hired a new assistant and that training will be done this week! I also agree with DZCPA not to send generic ones. I only do that for clients that are brand new and mostly for my benefit to make sure I ask all the right questions. I do however get a copy of their previous return before hand so I suppose I do customize them after all. I also use Pro Series and love it! So far, I haven't had any issues - well, except the issue we all had last tax season with any intuit tax software.
What about sending out organizers to clients who you are not sure will be coming back? | |
| 31 December 2007 | |
| Shaunna, I wouldn't waste the postage if you're not sure they'll be back. Perhaps just send a letter with the appointment date (if you are pre-scheduling appointments).
Or send a condensed one (Lacerte has this option, altho I don't like it) I keep some organizers (rather than mailing)in the client file - for clients I know who will (1) never open the envelope until AFTER the appointment date or (2) always seem to lose them and call for a replacement. | |
| 1 January 2008 | |
| How do you know they are not coming back? Lacerte will not produce an organizer for a dead person. | |
| 1 January 2008 | |
| I view organizers as having a dual purpose.
1) Possible benefit in preparing the returns of those who do complete the forms. Especially the questionnaire. 2) Advertising for returning customers. I do use the Lacerte condensed organizers for those clients that don't normally complete the organizer. But I use the long questionnaire instead of the condensed. | |
Johnhuddleston (talk|edits) said: | 1 January 2008 |
| I figure the more contacts to potential clients this time of year the better. I send organizers to all clients who used me the previous year.
John Huddleston Seattle Bellevue Tax Accountant | |
| 1 January 2008 | |
| Well, I was thinking about just sending them out to be nice but one client in particular took me for a ride and I was thinking of not sending her one unless she requests it and then - she can come and pick it up. She made me mad can you tell? | |
| 1 January 2008 | |
| I am considering using the ProSeries tax organizer, but was wondering if anyone could tell me if the purchase price is a one time fee or an annual license fee. Also, does this tax organizer produce a face page or mailing labels? I am just beginning and have a rather small tax practice at this time. | |
| 1 January 2008 | |
| Shaunna, As a Newbie, your attitude will be your most limiting factor as to whether your business grows or stagnates. | |
| 2 January 2008 | |
| Guy, I used the ProSeries tax organizer last year and will again this year - since I use the program for taxes. I believe the program can give you both a face page and mailing labels. After using ProSystems with the previous employers, I find that ProSeries is very similar. I felt right at home with the program.
DZ, I am not certain to what you are referring. | |
| 2 January 2008 | |
| Lacerte uses a function called slip sheets; which shows your name address & client's name address situated to go into window envelopes (approx 9 1/2" by 12 1/2" - portrait or landscape settings. You can edit the client letter to the addresses fit into the window envelopes. I'm pretty sure ProSeries does the same - 'cuz when I've ordered my envelopes, they offer ones that work with other software/tax programs. Might be a bit costly to order quickly - when are you planning on sending out your organizers? Once I get to my office, I could give you the name of the company I ordered from... | |
| 2 January 2008 | |
| Shaunna - I ordered from a company called "Tax Aid"....they are out of Minneapolis. | |
| 2 January 2008 | |
| I always thought those organizers were for me to fill out. I have been asking them questions based on that organizer and i fill it out on their behalf while they are talking to me in person and keep it with their work papers along with notes =). Guess it should be the other way around eh? | |
| 2 January 2008 | |
| Pegoo - that's the theory anyway; to have the CLIENT fill it out. It's good to have numbers in the client's handwriting - makes it more difficult for them to argue or deny where the figures came from :-). I've done it your way too; that's still better than 28 pieces of paper with figures written in 4 different directions! And, you can compare current year with prior year to see if perhaps 'someone' forgot something. That really helps those of us with failing memory syndrome.... | |
| 3 January 2008 | |
| We order the double window envelopes with the Lacerte tax returns from:http://www.fallbrook.org/yellowpages/bus.asp?companyID=872&type=Printing&typeID=110 | |
| 3 January 2008 | |
| Shaunna, www.taxaid-inc.com
I've ordered from other places too; these guys had the best price last fall. I also ordered tax return folders from them. | |
| 6 January 2008 | |
| Hi, I am just wrapping up sending out tax organizers. I am using the Pro Series organizer for the first time and it is working great. I am doing this on a pay per return basis and ran into a slight issue I don't know how to resolve and am looking for a little insight. I authorized several clients in order to print the organizers and the proper funds were deducted from my account. However, when I went to print the respective organizers, it would not print because the program was indicating the client had not yet been authorized. Yet, when I look at the PPR audit log, it indicates the respective clients have been authorized. Has anybody else had this occur?
Thanks for your help!! | |
Lmcdon9822 (talk|edits) said: | 8 March 2008 |
| Clients like the personal, one on one interview. I use the client organizer, but I don't have the client fill it out. I sit with the clients and read off the organizer list. I say "Most of these questions may not pertain to you, but to be thorough, I will ask..." More than a few times, the client would say "ohh...I did not know I can use that!" or "my other accountant did not ask me that...". After that, strike up a small conversation, show them how to save more on taxes via deductions, etc...(when it applies) and get them out the door! ITs all about the presentation. I usually don't prepare in front of the client. I tell then I will call then in 2-3 days, let them know what the refund/damage is and e-file them. | |
| 12 March 2008 | |
| We think tax organizers not only help the client gather their documents, but it also is a great reference tool to look back on when analyzing client tax situations throughout the year.
We were disappointed in how few of our clients used the Organizer. So we did re-pricing two years ago and we now offer our flat rate for Tax Preparation, then you can receive a $10 discount if you submit a completed organizer, another $10 discount if you pay your retainer fee up front, etc. We now have 87% completed organizers. | |
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