It seems like, I just had to pick this subject. For over 25 years that was my life. Preparing tax returns for others. I sold my business in 2008, took a few months off and then worked at another tax office for 2 1/2 years and then I hit the road as a full-time RV'er.
I enjoyed doing taxes, its like puzzle solving. I preferred taxes over accounting.
The stories I could tell. Most of my clients had basic tax returns, but of course there were those that had small businesses or always wanted to get away with some strange deductions.
Everyone wanted that same tax refund as their friend or neighbor, most people did not understand that it was your money that the IRS was holding to send back to you. Do you have the same amount withheld as your neighbor? What if you only pay $3000 a year in mortgage interest but your neighbor pays $9000 a year in mortgage interest? And you only have 2 kids and they have 6.
And then there were always the ones that said,
"My buddy says that I can deduct .............! Well then, have your buddy do your taxes, lol.
All in all, it was a great business. I am grateful for the clients and the growth of my business, but it got to be too much. There are a lot more rules and regulations placed on preparers now. The IRS wants us to police our clients.
Someday, I may decide to prepare tax returns for others again. But for now, I am enjoying the freedom I have from working for 12-18 hours a day for 4 months out of the year.
I love the advertisements that I hear this time of year regarding how to spend your amazing, windfall tax return!!! The ad I heard this morning suggested laser hair removal as a good "investment". I've always wondered why folks don't control their withholding a little more closely so that the gov't doesn't get to hold their money (interest free) for the year.
ReplyDeleteI remember the years I was in business I only had one tax audit by the State. The guy poured over the books for a whole week and found out the State owed me $50.00 A good accountant/tax person wan invaluable to a small business.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad #1 our taxes are done & #2 I don't have to make a living dressing up as the Statue of Liberty & wave a sign on busy corners trying to drum up business for tax preparers!
ReplyDeleteNope... taxes aren't done yet... our accountant will probably get an extension.... I sure don't envy tax service businesses this time of year... all those last minute folks like us needing help. The good thing is, the same CPA has done our taxes for 30 years so he knows all our little secrets ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust completed our taxes earlier this week. Seems like I wait longer and longer to do them each year. I like doing taxes, too, but I don't think I could do them professionally, especially if I had a customer who was like me with envelopes full of receipts. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
Hi Teri, we just mailed ours off.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh because your clients sounded just like the people who came into my counter. There were times when I couldn't believe that they would actually ask the IRS some of the questions they did. No that is illegal was a statement I made often.
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