was August 15, it was August 1st and now it's October 1st. Anyone who
doesn't have all their info to me by that date is not guaranteed they will
get their return on time. Anyone after April 1st is automatically on
extension. About September 1st I go through the files I have and send a
reminder letter telling them what I need and reminding them that if I don't
have the info by October 1st they will not get their return by the 15th. I
still have three or four returns in the draw that didn't get done. If they
don't care, I don 't either. If and when I get the info I will finish them
and I won't be responsible for any interest or penalties. I have one that
is going to owe a minimum of $30,000.00 just in an early withdrawal penalty
from an IRA. I don't have their itemized deductions and have sent them two
letters asking them to come in and set down with me to discuss their
situation. They are new clients who dropped off the information when I
wasn't here so I had no interview. On top of that, they dropped it off
after April 15th so there is no extension.
Debbie Wilson
-----Original Message-----
From: taxchat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:taxchat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Chuck Warman
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 11:21 AM
To: taxchat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [taxchat] "Drop dead" letter?
I had the same experience this year that several of you have already
mentioned...this was by far my worst year ever for clients not getting their
tax stuff to me until the last minute. The 10/15 deadline just about did me
in, and I am not kidding. I'm seriously concerned about my health if I have
to go through this bloody wringer again. I'm considering a method to solve
it, and I thought I'd run it past you all to see what you think.
I am thinking about sending out a letter, shortly after next April 15, to
*every* tax client that I extend because they didn't get their stuff to me
in time (there are always a few that are my fault). The letter would state,
as politely as possible, that if they don't have all their tax info to me by
August 1, they will have to find another preparer. Period.
I would prefer to limit this policy to only the most serious
procrastinators, except that I'm afraid that if I wait until, say, late
September to terminate a returning client, they might have a cause of action
against me if they incur a late filing penalty. But if I set the drop-dead
date at August 1, they'll have plenty of time to make another arrangement to
have their return prepared. I would also have to allow for some
circumstances beyond the client's control -- the most obvious case being
late-arriving K-1s.
I'm asking for a few of you put on client hats and let me know how you'd
feel if you got a letter like this. If you don't think it's a good idea,
what alternatives can you offer to help me avoid another 10/15 crunch like
this last one? I'm just too old for this crap anymore.
Chuck Warman, CPA
Wichita Falls, TX
-------------------------------
Thanks,
Chuck
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IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: Unless expressly stated otherwise in this transmission, any tax advice contained herein, forwarded with or attached to this message was not and is not intended to be used, nor may it be relied upon or used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of (1) the avoidance of any tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax transaction or tax-related matters that may be addressed herein.
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