Discussion:Why are the clients crawling out of the woodwork?
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Why are the clients crawling out of the woodwork?
Chris2lane (talk|edits) said: | April 10, 2008 |
| I just need to vent a little. Like everyone else on this board right now, we are overworked, and are at the boiling point. A client just called. Conversation goes a little like this.
Client: I did the dumbest thing last year? Me: What did you do? C: I put $40k into an annuity. M: OK C: It's lost $2k already and if I try to take it out I'll lose another $3k in surrender charges. M: What would you like me to do? Everybody is losing money in the market. And if I remember correctly, I advised you not to put the money into an annuity, but into savings bonds. C: I know, I should have listened. M: Can we discuss this further after April 15. C: (begrudingly) OK Are you kidding me? You're calling me on April 10 to tell me that your annuity has lost money. I don't care. Leave me alone. Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations. Anyone else getting absolutely useless phone calls lately? | |
Scottycoyote (talk|edits) said: | 10 April 2008 |
| lol thats all i get
what i love is when someone "has" to see me.......or "has" to talk to me then they will say........."i know you must be terribly busy, probably exhuasted aint ya?" then they proceed to give me their stuff and want to know if i can have it done before the deadline because they really need it lol | |
| 10 April 2008 | |
| I have one client that is trying to sign me up for some members-buy-in for bulk purchase discount something. I'll admit, at this point of the season I'm not really paying attention when she's on the phone. She's called me at least 3 times during season to tell me how great this program is. I had to call her last night with questions to finish her return, and when I could get a word into the conversation, it didn't make any sense to her because she wasn't even thinking of her return, but rather how she thinks this program would be great for me to sign up.
Her cell phone battery ran out before I got all of the questions answered, so now I have to call back again. I'm thinking of just putting her on the extension-to-be-filed list and saving my precious time for the next few days for people a little more focused on the topic at hand. Also have had about 20 (so far) people just dropping by this week and expecting an appointment this late. To sit down, go over their information, chat, and they say they're sorry it's so late, and how I must be busy, but do I think I will get to them by Saturday morning, because they are leaving to go out of town? | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 10 April 2008 |
| have a couple with a couple of nasty, screaming sick toddlers.....if they can't see Nancy they are taking their business elsewhere....of course the kids aren't at daycare because they are sick.....
well....guess what.....let them! | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 10 April 2008 |
| The K-1 had not come for the 10am phone appointment this morning. It is a business which client has 10% interest but is in the family. So I had everything else done, told them I needed a K-1, so then they went on a riff about retiring and when to collect Social Security and about selling their house, dadadadadadadada for an hour. I needed this like I need hemorrhoids. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Her: Hello, I got my returns from you and I want to let you know I'm very disappointed.
Me: Okay , what's the problem? Her: I just don't think it right what you're doing to me and probably others as well with the bill you sent me. Me: What, like making a living? Her: No, taking advantage of me when my situation is down. You know, I don't even need to file, but I thought I let you do it because you said you would be giving me a break. Me: Well, I haven't raised you fee for four years, yes you do need to file. Her: They're all telling me over at the senior center that they'll do it for free. Me: Look, I'm not going to change your mind. It's your choice where you go next year, send me what you think it worth and we'll part friends. Nothing else here to argue about. Her: I just think you're wrong and I'm very dissapointed in you. Me: Okay. Her: Click
One PITA off my list = Priceless ;) 4 Days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Is anyone else noticing an unusual number of clients waiting until the last minute? We always have a chunk of these, but this year the number of them has more than doubled. We're still getting calls for appointments! | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Felt the need to add, long time client. Received today, 5 k-1's, 1099
No expense schedule, no 401k contribution, nothing else. Quote "I'll try to get these to you by tomorrow" | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 11 April 2008 |
| My favorite globetrotting hotelier caught up with me yesterday after many email exchanges. I told him what I need to clarify certain things, including a 1099R for money withdrawn from a variable annuity. I spotted this when I went thru 20 fax pages of crap from the insurance company...only on one did they say it was an IRA account. You'll get everything, he promises, and today he faxes the same 20 pages. | |
| April 11, 2008 | |
| Mike, you need to respond, "I'll try to get the returns done by the 15th." Try is one of those words that really doesn't mean much as far as commitments go. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| At least you get paid, hopefully. I have been receiving calls from "fiends" who "just have a quick question" about their self-prepared returns. They even leave me messages wanting me to call them back, which I am not doing until after next Tuesday. Because of my tardiness in returning her call, one of them sent me an email inviting me to "a hot pot dinner" in her home tonight. I have declined the invitation because I am afraid of a long question list awaiting and maybe bumping into other "mutual fiends" who are ready to nail me with their questions. I am going to eat my canned chicken soup for dinner and watch tv instead. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Sunny - was the "mutual fiends" a freudian slip???
RSVP that you can't attend bc you are swamped...maybe they'll get the hint. Then again, if they're like mine, they won't. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| I have been telling people they will go on extension for the last 10 days. I'll try to figure out if you owe, and if so get an estimate. That's it.
Just got in a big envelope from a long time client I got an OIC for who moved, didn't contact me before Oct 15 (I even left a message with mutual friends that if they saw her at Burning Man, to tell her she HAD to call me, even if I was in Europe). Finally got a call back after doing a web search, getting a new phone number after getting the letter that the offer was going to default. I told her she HAD to pay something with the extension...and just a big pile of docs. Sch C lawyer with reciepts and checkbook register. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Oh, and I woke up yesterday with a nasty cold and sore throat. | |
| 11 April 2008 | |
| Natalie-
I work under a cpa. His words: "We will get these done for you and e-filed by Tuesday"
......... | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| It's now April 11th. I've already mailed out this client's tax return where she's getting 100% of her withholding back.
Tax return had a $ 5,000 IRA deduction, maximum education credits (twins), S Corp health insurance deduction for AGI. I've previously (just yesterday) explained to her that at this moment cannot put any more tax deferrals away because 1) Her S Corp doesn't have a pension plan set up yet (she's the only employee), 2)It's not going to save her any more tax money, 3) Paperwork has to be completed to set up a corporation pension plan (401(k), SIMPLE etc) 4)If doing a deferral - has to be part of the W-2 process. Don't you think she calls me 5:00 PM on 4/11 to ask again if there's anything she can do to put more money away into a pension type plan? Then - wants to know if we can increase her W-2 for 2007 so she can increase earnings for Social Security. She is presently 59. It's beautiful when these clients come up with this stuff AFTER you've busted your hump to get the returns done. Getting 100% of her withholding back isn't enough. | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Sunny, is that another freudian slip: "Hope they get the hit this time"? How much do you pay for that service? | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Followup to Jdugancpa-
More importantly, do you send them a 1099 after the deed is done? What would you call this? Bad debt expense? | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 12 April 2008 |
| It is April 11th and snowing in Minneapolis.... | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Tax Flake, that person is insane. A mechanic won't open your hood for $75.00, much less do anything. I won't mention the cost of a "quick trip" to the grocery store these days. | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| The phone and visits were non-stop today. I am walking away for the night. I am way behind, but at this point my sanity is more important. It's only 8:30pm here and I am frankly exhausted.
Tom | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Sorry Jim, it must be my keyboard that's making me write funny.
By the way, I checked your profile before this post because I wanted to be able to spell your name correctly and I proof read my post three times before hitting (not hinting) the "save" button. Have a great evening. | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Sunny - one better than freinds - Had a client call today ( I prepared his return last year for the first time ) to ask me a question?? I asked if he was bringing his return in - he said no but he had a question - he was doing his own return this year - now that takes balls !
Than the lady that questioned her price of her return - had to go through my speech of the plumber gets 95.00 per hour, so my 125.00 per hour does not seem that unreasonable blahaha 4 days left | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Client: I just received my tax information and your bill. It says, $185.00. Is that right? It goes from $125 last year to a $60 increase?
Me: %@&$@!&^#&^@*&%#$&* Are you kidding me??? You are already getting a bargain!! (Not really...) E-mail to client. You moved from California to Texas, so I needed to prepare a California part year resident return. Your income is not earned ratably so I must prepare a schedule of income for the dates you are in each state. This requires additional time to prepare your returns. In addition, because Texas has no income tax, I need to determine whether the sales tax deduction is more beneficial to you than the state income tax deduction. Plus, I need to research whether or not any local sales taxes are charged where you live in Texas. Client: Thank you. I will send your check tomorrow. Me: People pay decorators $50 to $75 per hour. There is something wrong with this picture. | |
Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 12 April 2008 |
| Tax Flake - you client got a bargain. I'd charge at least $125 for a return like that.
On a good note - I took a five hour nap from 3.30 to 8.30 today. I feel like a new person. I'm winding down and everything is on track. All of my straglers are picking up returns on Saturday. I have a client referral coming in tommorow and should have that done on Monday. I had to file one extension and that should be finished in late April. Only one person keeps hounding me for her return - my wife! "Honey, are our taxes done yet? They are due on the 15th". Like I don't know that. | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Client is mad because she owes $9K. I explain to her that her financial advisor (her ex-husband) moved her from tax exempt investments to investments with loads of taxable dividends. Her response.... Are you sure those are taxable? Her ex is my client too so I can't just blow her off. | |
| April 12, 2008 | |
| Mike, it's easy for people to make commitments when they don't have to actually do the work.
Nancy, it sounds like someone forgot to order the sunshine. Sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy. | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 12 April 2008 |
| The only good thing about this snow is that I am inside working....bring on the sun after 4/15 | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Client calls and says he is preparing his own taxes this year to save some money (I only charged him $125 last year for a return with form 2106) and he needs copy of last year's return. I say "great, good for you, I'm impressed, I'll fax it right away."
Message today on phone: "Can you give me a call and tell me how to take the home office deduction in Turbotax?" Unbelievable | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| Hey Nerdy :) I've found that these types come back in a year or two after realizing that we actually do earn our fee. Or course there is always the question of whether or not you want them back ;)
Nancy, I start watching the 15 day outlook on April 1st for my wish of 60s, 70s sunny forecast for the 16th. I always tell my clients to blame me if its cold, rainy, or otherwise dreary the first two weeks of April. | |
Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 12 April 2008 |
| I call those clients that are MIA for a season or two RETREADS. These are types that didn't like my fee or felt then could do it on their own. Retreads pays a 30% premium above the base fee. | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 12 April 2008 |
| Rick, I like it, I like it. They need to pay more! Usually I find I end up correcting their screw ups or responding to letters from the IRS because of their errors. | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| The best part is charging RETREADS a fee for amending their mistakes!
I'm ready to blow. Just got rid of the second client today that has problems with their property tax statement ("My realtor must not have filed for homestead status" -AND- "Was I supposed to notify the county of property ownership changes?"). I tell them the M1PR isn't due til August anyway, but they still want to sit and discuss this TODAY. Like I'd be able to fix it for them right now on the spot. And frankly my dear, I don't give a rip at this point anyway! Somebody make them go away!!!! | |
| 12 April 2008 | |
| We have never had so many clients wait until the last minute. So far we have 45 going on extension. We have been receiving calls on a daily basis for people (non-clients) wanting returns done by tuesday. Sorry the most we can do is have you come in fill out questionnaire, sign agreement, give us $25 and we'll file an extension for you. There are a couple of returns that only need one or two things and I'll be putting them in the extension drawer as well. I'm way too tired to deal with the procrastinators this year.
Loved the client that stopped by last week with a 1040X in her hand. We were going to do her dtrs return but she decided to do it herself. No problem, dtrs return will not make or break my business. Well she forgot to put the withholding from dtrs social secutiry on return and efiled it. Called IRS they told her to file 1040X. Could I just help her out it would only take me a second. My response was "No, it will take me more then a second and between now and the 15th I don't have a spare second". If you want me to do the 1040X, I'll have to charge you and I'll need a copy of the return you did but won't be able to get to it until sometime in May. Or you can call the IRS back and perhaps they can assist you. (Ya gets what ya pay for) For the most part, my clients are really great. But there are a couple that I think need to go. They suck the life right out of me and I'm at a point where I can pick and choose my clients. | |
