Discussion:Is this ethical?
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| Revision as of 15:24, 7 August 2009 Pent-Up (Talk | contribs) (Is this as bad a) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 15:56, 7 August 2009 FLAcct (Talk | contribs) (Pent-Up - I have) Next diff → |
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| {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Pent-Up|Date=7 August 2009|Text=Is this as bad as you have seen Florida?}} | {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Pent-Up|Date=7 August 2009|Text=Is this as bad as you have seen Florida?}} | ||
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| + | {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=FLAcct|Date=7 August 2009|Text=Pent-Up - I have lived in Florida for 20 years, have had my own accounting office for 15 years, and have never experienced anything like this. It's really been a very depressing year. I cringe whenever someone walks in the door or calls because I'm tired of hearing all the bad financial news they have to tell me. It's a double whammy - I feel bad for them (most of whom I have known for a long time and know how hard they have worked over the years) and then get upset because I've lost more business. A few days ago a client called to tell me they won $5,000 in the lottery. I was so excited to hear some good news for a change}} | ||
Revision as of 15:56, 7 August 2009
Discussion Forum Index --> Basic Tax Questions --> Is this ethical?
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Is this ethical?
| 7 August 2009 | |
| I have quite a few long time clients who are in dire financial straights. I am trying to figure out ways to continue doing the tax/accounting work they need done and yet somehow make sure I get paid. The old "make them pay when they pick up" just isn't possible for some of these clients and yet I hate to abandon these clients when they really need my services. My latest situation is a client who has filed both corporate and personal bankruptcy. To complete both his 1120S and 1040 tax returns will generate a fee of $1,900. He absolutely has no way of coming up with this amount of money, yet he desperately needs his tax return done so that he can apply for state medical assistance. He has suggested that I complete the tax returns, he and his wife will come in, review the returns and sign the 8879. I will then efile his 1040 and have his refund direct deposited. When he gets his refund he will come in and pay me and at that time receive a copy of his tax return. So I will be holding his tax return (that he needs for state assistance) until I actually get paid. Is this ethical? | |
| 7 August 2009 | |
| More importantly, how is your engagement letter worded? If your written engagement letter or contract does not provide for advance payment, you could get into trouble with this type of arrangement. Otherwise, I see no problem with this arrangement. | |
| 7 August 2009 | |
| This has been a tough year for folks. I generally have clients sign the 8879 and give them their returns. They write me a check that I agree to hold and cash on a later day that they prefer. Some clients ask me to hold the check until their next pay day, and for others, I wait until refund arrives. I've never had a problem with the checks being bad, and the clients have been very appreciative of the understanding. | |
| 7 August 2009 | |
| Pent-Up - I have lived in Florida for 20 years, have had my own accounting office for 15 years, and have never experienced anything like this. It's really been a very depressing year. I cringe whenever someone walks in the door or calls because I'm tired of hearing all the bad financial news they have to tell me. It's a double whammy - I feel bad for them (most of whom I have known for a long time and know how hard they have worked over the years) and then get upset because I've lost more business. A few days ago a client called to tell me they won $5,000 in the lottery. I was so excited to hear some good news for a change | |
