User talk:Taocpa
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Welcome
Hello, and welcome to TaxAlmanac! My name is Tim Doyle and I serve here in the role of TaxAlmanac Moderator. If you haven't done so already, you might want to review our Quick Start Guide to help you get oriented.
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- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator 16:11, 11 March 2006 (CST)
Manly hugs
And...didn't want to post this in public, but grab a Bible and read Romans 8:1. Over and over and over. Quit beating yourself up. It's over. YOu made decisions...they didn't go as planned. Stuff happens. There is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. If that second part doesn't apply yet, it can. Full restoration comes when we know that we are loved no matter what...I've been there. And we've all been addicted to something, believe me.
I appreciate your transparency...receive some healing from another brother. Jeff
International nonprofit & Controllership
- 1 I'm curious what your client does.
- 2 I noticed you list "controllership" as one of your services. Do you use engagement letters? And do you have a hard time renewing your insurance when it comes time to complete the percentage of revenue categories?Natalie 14:51, 12 September 2007 (CDT)Natalie
The reason I asked the controllership questions was that I was hoping to be able to bounce some ideas off of you. I provide controllership services to several clients, and every year when I renew my insurance, I have to figure out how to categorize that income. The insurance company has their own ideas of what constitutes controllership service, and it usually means a higher premium. Since I do not make management decisions for my client, however, the risk is lower, and I don't want to include the income in that category. My services do not neatly fit in as bookkeeping, however, because I do much more than that.
The other thing is the engagement letters. They are always a challenge because of the variety of things that I do.Natalie 18:17, 12 September 2007 (CDT)Natalie
Don't all insurance companies use basically the same categories -- tax, audit, bookkeeping, review/compilation, consulting, other? Bookkeeping/write up really doesn't fit because during the course of an engagement, which can be up to a year or more, I get to understand the client's accounting procedures and make recommendations accordingly. I attend board and finance committee meetings for one client. I provide a lot of compliance information to my nonprofit clients. I analyze financial statements in order to help point out areas the client might want to look into. (This analysis is not as in depth as reviewed financial statements, however, and I am careful to keep those services separate.) These services are quite a chunk of my revenue, so it does make a difference how I report them.
I'd appreciate seeing the sample engagement letter you have. Mine is very detailed. I saw one from another CPA that basically said, "We will provide the services customarily done by a controller." What does that mean?
My boys are 8 and 4, so I can relate to you on that level.
As far as my user page goes, I was a guinea pig. Tim was looking for people to try it out. If you're interested, let him know.Natalie 22:09, 12 September 2007 (CDT)Natalie
Sample engagement letter
Eewww. I hope there wasn't too much of a mess!
No rush on the engagement letter.Natalie 16:36, 14 September 2007 (CDT)Natalie
Your questions
Infamous? Have you ever done a Google check on yourself? It might be interesting.
There are two challenges I've faced being a sole practitioner -- technology and fees. In the situation you mentioned, you said the client will "probably" write the checks. I think you should get that nailed down before you propose your fee. Since you are going to go to their office to do the statements, have you considered the travel time? Have you adequately covered your out-of-pocket costs? Your rate sounds reasonable to me. Have you thought of making travel time and out-of-pocket costs separate fees?
For clients that require more than 20 minutes' travel time, I usually include a separate fee of 1/2 of my hourly rate. That way, the client can choose to save money by coming to me or doing things electronically.
It sounds like the reason you think you are short-changing yourself is because you under estimate the time for a job. (I do that, too.) What you might want to try is an hourly billing for the first several months and then switch to a flat rate per month. That way you'll have a better idea of the actual time for this particular client.
I had forgotten all about the controller letter, but now that you brought it up, I'd be interested in seeing it. One thing about these boards is that we miss a lot of the body language available when we are speaking face to face. I am glad to hear you are feeling better. Aloha, Natalie 11:56, 16 January 2008 (CST)Natalie
No complaints about the weather? It's been COLD! Okay, actually, it's been a little on the mild side (winter time), but I won't complain. I can ride my bike almost any day I choose. I'm glad the suggestions were useful. Natalie 12:21, 16 January 2008 (CST)Natalie
General chat
Make sure you check out the chat today. 
Natalie 14:47, 29 January 2008 (CST)Natalie
your smiley
Check out your smiley Tom! I saw what you were trying to do, so I uploaded the file to this website. When I did that, the smiley was activated. Cool, huh? Natalie 14:28, 30 January 2008 (CST)Natalie
hot off the press
Check this out http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/COMPUB0701/801300342/1244/COMPUB0701
I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about what you and your wife are facing regarding her eye sight. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in her situation. Natalie 18:56, 31 January 2008 (CST)Natalie
Your musicians
Maybe I should give you some of my work. It looks like you have lots of time on your hands!! Natalie 18:07, 1 February 2008 (CST)Natalie
Tao
Taocpa, are you around at present?
Hi
Tao: Can you help me... I feel sorry for this poor Russian guy over there in Accounting that I was acting foolish with over there. He is really trying to learn. I'm not a CPA.
Anyway, sounds like he's on accrual, and he's had a client not pay the full amout of a bill. So, can you send him to a book for layman? Or does he need to have a "Bad Debt Allowance", or a simple way of posting "bad debt" to take it off accrued income. Last name is kostya or something over there. Dont want to waste your time, but if you feel like it. CrowJD 15:22, 9 February 2008 (CST)
Bull ! lol
You did not look like an idiot. Anything with a shadow of value, you never know what GAPP or you CPAs will do.
I took a stab at it myself, but the guy will need to get some help, even though he really seems to be trying hard. CrowJD 15:55, 9 February 2008 (CST)
Thanks Tom
I appreciate that. I was goofing around earlier on that post yesterday, and should not have been. He will get the picture someday and get a local accountant wherever he is. CrowJD 17:59, 9 February 2008 (CST)
reviewed tax return
Well, actually I don't know the answer to this. Have you checked Circular 230? There might be something in there. But if you feel the guy is just shopping around, why even bother with him? It sounds like he'd be a one-time client.
By the way, I wanted to "ditto" Crow's remark about your life insurance posting. I learned something new from you. Natalie 18:07, 9 February 2008 (CST)Natalie
Smileys
Oh my goodness Tom! Am I supposed to guess which one it is? Is this a test or something?Natalie 23:26, 12 February 2008 (CST)Natalie
Thanks Tom. I noticed after I left this message that you already had linked it.Natalie 13:49, 13 February 2008 (CST)Natalie
one more question from SPb :-)
Hello Tom, It's Konstantin again. (http://taxalmanac.com/index.php/Discussion:Volunteer_works_and_journal)
Can you telt me some words about principles of accounting of VAT in GAAP. (or tell where I can read usefull information about it)
I asked about some clarification in above mentioned branch of discussion. I repeat it here with some variations:
how to show the 20% of VAT. should I show all the amount of invoice(with VAT) in "Accounts Recievable"? Or I should write the VAT amount in other ledger account? or I can skip this 20% in my accounting?
Thank you. Konstantin
Toa, just having some fun
Tom: I'm just having some fun at the expense of some of these rascals that come on here, and I could not resist a take-off on the hooligan Capone theme! CrowJD 14:47, 29 February 2008 (CST)
another homework q?
If you were "had," so was JR. See "Discussion:C-corp purchased stock (small business) with loan". Maybe you should just avoid questions from first time posters until they have asked and answered a few questions.Natalie 00:38, 4 March 2008 (CST)Natalie
You're up very late! Given that you saw the posts by JR, I would definitely wait longer to post answers then. You'll save yourself some time and avoid those frustrations as well.Natalie 00:52, 4 March 2008 (CST)Natalie
Tom, it's 9 p.m. here. Make a mental list (or a physical one if that helps you more) of all the things running through your head. Leave it on your desk to handle tomorrow, and go to bed!Natalie 01:02, 4 March 2008 (CST)Natalie
Hey how are you? I was wondering if you can share with me any pros & cons on starting a tax prep business but just as a housecall service. Thnx
Bike news
Thank you for thinking of me! I think it went well. It will come out on tonight's news at 6 and 10 p.m. The reporter was very nice. She said she'd send it to me. I'll send you a link, too, after it comes out.Natalie 18:18, 9 March 2008 (CDT)Natalie
Homework Question??? Are you serious?
I beg your pardon? It absolutely was not a homework question. It was a problem I was having concerning a client and I resolved it after taking your comments into consideration.
Perhaps you didn't read my bio where I stated I graduated in 2005. I'm so incredibly insulted right now I can't even think...Tdinter1 10:27, 10 March 2008 (CDT)
it's going
Yes, I saw the post. I have never heard of strata orgs, so I simply asked what they are. I make salmon, too, with garlic, lime juice and soy sauce. The boys actually like it. Unfortunately, we don't eat it very often because we don't know how much mercury is in it. Natalie 21:02, 15 March 2008 (CDT)Natalie
Kostya
Hi Tom: I had referred him to DsgLouise because she can actaully understand him. I'm not quite sure where he get's all these accounting questions from. He seems to be a very curious student-owner, as I don't think he's grossing that much at present. I'm not a CPA, and really am a self-taught accountant/bookkeeper (in spite of all my Tom Foolery) with a law degree (focus mainly tax), so I can't even understand some of his accounting questions! So, I would respond, but I would be tempted to go into the jokester mode, acting the silly Russian, and he seems so sincere...
I have given him the blanket referral lol
I gave him a general referral to dsglouise about three weeks ago. My gut feeling is that most of his problems are tempests in teapots, since at least at this point, he seems to have more accounting problems than he does money to worry about. But, you have to admire someone who is trying, and he'll probably end up owning the next Google....CrowJD 17:36, 17 March 2008 (CDT)
They blow my mind
These people are nuts. They get paid for their knowledge, they don't give it away; but they expect to come on here and insult us. I think I am starting to come over to Kevin's side, that we should not be giving away what we can sell. After all, these people don't pay for our books, research services, our insurance etc. etc. I am considering not answering any businessperson's question. I think I'll continue to help single mothers, and such, as I do think they have severe financial pressures. Besides that, have you noticed that TaxAlmanac is running advertisements for your locality later in the day? I just wondered if other people had noticed. Like in the afternoon, my computer puts up ads for Atlanta tax services. That kinda miffs me. But anyway, I'll survive lol.CrowJD 07:48, 19 March 2008 (CDT)
Thank You - the kittens were so happy to open a box and find
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!!!!!!
I laughed.
Actually,
They laughed when I sat down at the desk to do a tax return, but when I brought out the Girl Scout Cookies.....!
(my homage to direct marketers everywhere).
THANK YOU!!!
Kevin Kevinh5
Peep show
Hey Tom,
who is that a picture of? She's very attractive girl, but I didn't see anything humorous. Cold be i'm a bit hung over from last nights middle of tax season let off steam with friend/client who I don't see that often.
Pedantic snots
Tom, thanks for the heads up. You're right but there are so many jerks on here, it blows my mind.
Changing right now.
No, I think you sent me wrong thing. go to my page and click on what you sent me. It's a young attractive lady in a brown outfit. Didn't know if it was your wife or daughter and so I have been restraining from makins some of my usual comments.
I have seen the peep show photo. all the little candies. Peeps are my ex-wife's favorit candy this time of year.
I screwed up
I edited pedantic instead of my post.
Hi Tom, Just today I found the TaxAlmanac website when desparate to find an answer to a partnership accounting question. Not only am I new to this website, I admit I don't generally post on any website but do try to read to learn. When I read your previous comment to someone to do a profile, I scurried about to figure out how to do that and did so in hopes that I would get a reply from someone. Yet no one has responded. You have indicated in a thread that "we are getting too many do-it-yourselfers and college students", but I am not sure what that means related to me. I don't want to be posting on a website where I should not be but thought this website said simply "ask questions" or answer if you could. Am I in the wrong place? Thanks for your comments. But DustBut Dust 20:14, 26 March 2008 (CDT)
Would it be out of line...
Tom, I'm relatively new to TA - but that one poster whose bugging you by answering questions without a profile is also irritating me. Would it be out of line to approach Tim about blocking? Belle 10:09, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
Concur
I agree completely, but being a newbie, wanted to defer to the more experienced on the board. I'll talk to Tim also. Belle 10:25, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
Stop It
Don't beat yourself up - I know you aren't mean/nasty. I've been lurking here for a while to learn the ropes.....and value all that I've learned from you, Kevin, Riley, Natelie, Fred, etc. And I hope I've started to contribute a little bit. He scares me too, and at this stage, lots of folks will grab at ANY answer just to get a return done, without verify accuracy. I also have a problem "giving away" our hard earned and valuable knowledge to DIY'ers. I do like helping others learn, but the ones who think they are "entitled" to answers make me crazy. Belle 10:55, 2 April 2008 (CDT)
DITTO
If that's of any consolation.... I think this site is helping maintain my sanity this year. Good luck for the next 13 days.
Puru (something like that)
Tom,
I very much agree.
Roy
Just
Just being my usual non-serious self.
Almost done. Almost done. Got a few promises to finish up before they arrive in 15 minutes and I have to tell them rut roh
Saw Interesting Trust Post
Tom: Saw the trust post of today with Riley and Dennis. I wanted to make you aware of this resource, which is not a tax resource, but a legal one: and it's hard sometimes to separate the legal from the tax in doing these fiduciary returns.
The American Law Institute publishes Restatements of the Law. The Restatements try to "restate" the various state laws to come to a consensus on a area of law. Law students use them as a "Quick-Study". Check the ones on Trusts, and the one on Property (Wills and other Donative Transfers). http://www.ali.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications.categories&parent_node=1 These are also available in paperback I think. Also probably available at a law school library if one is in your area. I pass this along because it looks like all of us will be doing more of these returns! CrowJD 22:34, 8 April 2008 (CDT)
Brutal
Puru's advice should not be taken? It is poor, incomplete and just not good.
Remind me to not burn your food there buddy. lol.
I'll have to go back and re-read his contributions.
And for the record, I'm big on calling people out, so, I'm with ya big guy.
Time for tequila
hey there
thanks for your note....love your picture.... are you a crazy man this time of the year?
It is nice to be reminded that this is a "good problem".
Prof. Courtesy
I have seen professional courtesy go down over the years, and it's a real shame. Where things have gone wrong is many professionals today (lawyers, CPA's, doctors, architects) don't see themselves as practicing a profession. They see themselves as engaged in a business. Very sad developement.
For the 1041's and 706's, you raise an interesting point...taking CPE. I think that's only part of the answer. I've seen several instances on the board where the tax preparer knew the tax law, but misapplied the law for lack of legal knowledge. You cannot always depend on the local lawyer for legal advice regarding the trust instrument or Will, because many lawyers have merely copied it from a book, and know little more than you do. That is why I recommend that tax practitioners build a mini-legal library in this area. I am extremely fortunate myself to be less than 10 minutes from a state Univ. with a great law library. Really cuts down on my overhead. lol.
With the population aging, this will be a huge growth area for tax preparers. At present, there are just not enough people that can really do the 1041s, 706s, including me. I have started this year trying to get up to speed. Take care. CrowJD 10:35, 9 April 2008 (CDT)
Not Brutal, Necessary!
Tom – in your efforts to get Puru sanctioned for trollish behavior, have you happened to check the user’s edit history? Puru signed up, asked a couple of DIY-type questions, and got skewered on the second one. Came back a week later, edited out every post from that second discussion (look at the history for “FICA Taxes” - does the user agreement give Puru the right to edit/delete posts of other users?) and soon started posting these “so-called” answers that, as you said, are incomplete or uninformed – or just all-out wrong…. That background might give you some additional ammunition for a sanction.
But I had this thought, too – say you succeed in getting the user kicked off. Well, if Puru’s just being vindictive, the problem will come back under another name. At least under this name, we know to ignore the posts. Maybe Tim would put something on Puru’s profile that indicates that advice from that poster should not be taken seriously?
Trillium 17:02, 9 April 2008 (CDT)
Your Comments
Tom:
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have looked into the FICA page issue and you're right - it was inappropriate for Puru to have removed that discussion. I have now reverted it and left a message for them.
As far as what to do about the incorrect answers, my thinking is that I can't ban someone for being wrong (unless we can prove they're doing it on purpose to sabotage the site, but that wouldn't be easy to prove). However, there ought to be a way that we can alert others about the previously incorrect answers. Since we don't currently have a ranking / rating system on TaxAlmanac, this will have to be a somewhat manual / community led process. I'm currently working on how we might be able to do this - stay tuned.
- Tim Doyle, TaxAlmanac Moderator - Talk to me 18:52, 9 April 2008 (CDT)
Idi amin brutal
thought you were going to eat his rotting carcass after you did that to him. lol. Tom, you weren't bad. you just called him out. I agree with you. don't let it get to ya. I just thought you were impersonating Kevin.
All good man. Smack da bitch down.
Friday = late night
Yes, I admit I was up until about 3 a.m. Fridays I work really late because there are no interruptions, and I get to sleep in on Saturday.Natalie 17:05, 12 April 2008 (CDT)Natalie
Serious like a peak frean
Don't ever worry about offending me Tommy Boy, it will take a lot more than fun lovin abuse to hurt my feelings. I just find it funny that you say things that are just as bad as what I say, but the ladies don't bust on you for it at all. Teflon Tom you are.
And you are correct, we don't take ourselves serious, but the work we do is done seriously. that's one thing I make sure I stress to my employees, I love fun and joking around, but when it's time to be serious, let's get serious and then we go back to fun. I can be crackin on someone, then chastise them, then go back to bustin. Some can't understand switching back and forth between serious and non serious.
Tom, I envy you
I would have enjoyed attending that Mass. You are getting like me, the heat of these stadiums can get to you.
I have to plead guilty to being one of those liberal Catholics, except of course on matters concerning abortion. But, as I said, I'm pretty pleased with this Pope so far. CrowJD 10:36, 18 April 2008 (CDT)
You're Probably Aware of this
I'm sure you've heard of Opus Die. I hope I spelled that right. You know the guy that founded Domino's Pizza, I can't remember his name? He has steered that organization in a very, very conservative direction, and he's got some big money people with him as well. My understanding is that they have been able to exert quite a lot of influence on the Vatican due to their financial largesse. I've never actually investigated the truth of this or not. But, as you know, there are all kind of players on the back stairs... Take care. CrowJD 11:35, 18 April 2008 (CDT)
The Fred & Tom Venture
Is it just me, or does it sound like Fred is being a party pooper? Natalie 21:00, 18 April 2008 (CDT)Natalie
Today's picture
No, I didn't have anything to do with that picture. What makes you think I did? I'm not sure why someone would want to put up something like that, but I don't see anything wrong with it. (Maybe I don't understand what it is?)Natalie 17:09, 28 April 2008 (CDT)Natalie
Thanks for putting down the time of the change. Of course I did not give permission for anyone to use my picture in that way. I deleted it. The picture I saw was a black and white shot of computer code. I have no idea what it's for. Natalie 01:31, 29 April 2008 (CDT)Natalie
my edit to the new question page
Honestly. Can you believe it??? I put in my edit bc I was tired of reading "profile, please" on every other discussion. Apparently it was all in vain, since they all just blow it off anyway.
some ideas
First of all, that page needs to be reworked. It's been patched too many times, and needs an overhaul so that things don't get lost. Instead of "Profile, please", posters should be posting the link to your addition to that page. That way the user might actually click on it (thinking it's an answer!). I'm pretty tolerant of DIYers, and I don't want to be mean about it and from some of the questions, it is evident that some of the non-profilers are professionals. I'll be the first to admit that I've posted some bonehead things out here without thinking them through, but the latest barrage by CoolJoy just blew me away. I have to believe that they are not ignoring the rules, but not even reading them. Another idea would be to have a separate area where we could move these discussions. When I first joined I posted an article instead of a question by accident and Tim moved it for me. Maybe we need a place to move these questions until they decide to follow the rules - I guess that would be the DIY forum that's been bandied about.
Tom,
Hope things are going well with you. Was scrolling through the site and thought of you. If you would like a laugh, can send a picture/video of pig roping.
Yes, in addition to branding, we have pig roping, pig riding, pig sitting, and what have you. First year with pigs (4-H) and am amazed at how much fun they are.
Pierce ~~
Forgot how to sign off, but this is the girl in MT.
Pig Message
Looked at directions.
re: above message
Pierce 21:51, 23 July 2008 (CDT)
