bookcrazychick
Initiate Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 22:48:42 GMT -5
Posts: 77
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Post by bookcrazychick on Mar 14, 2012 12:09:39 GMT -5
I have a 1040 client who indicated in his paperwork that he had married in 2011. I call to get more information from him and during the conversation find out that she had already filed. Okaaaaay, I'm confused now. Wondering why she filed on her own and of course curious as to what status she used. Per him she filed as "single".
Trying to determine what would be the best and cleanest way to fix this. Amend her to show MFJ with him added?
During my irritation as to WHY IN THE WORLD she filed withhout him he responded that he "asked around" and was told during your first year of marriage you can file however you want.
Guess it never occured to him to just call his CPA's office! Sheesh.....
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mwcpa
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 6:35:43 GMT -5
Posts: 2,425
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Post by mwcpa on Mar 14, 2012 16:55:48 GMT -5
I would do the following.. have him file married filing separate... ask they she amend her return to be married filing separate (before 4-17) then, review the possibility of amending, again, to join the returns...(after 4-17)
why people think they can do what they want is beyond me.... and you know it will be your fault or the IRS's fault, not their fault...I have a cousin who went to a charlatan who guaranteed big refunds... with no advise.... he had her file as a single person because the IRS would not know, even though she was married.... he did it to her for years... and she did not think to ask.... they got caught and paid dearly....
As an aside... once a client came to me complaining that the advise I gave resulted in a break even, and all his friends were getting big refunds.... I told him to write a check on December 31st to the US Treasury for 10,000 and that I would see that he got a 10,000 tax refund in April.... he then asked why would I have him do something like that... I replied, so you get a refund....
Bill them well....
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bookcrazychick
Initiate Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 22:48:42 GMT -5
Posts: 77
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Post by bookcrazychick on Mar 14, 2012 17:18:16 GMT -5
Thanks mwcpa, good idea. I was so frustrated when he told me what they had done I sort of blanked out. My biggest pet peeve is when clients think the plumber can give them better tax advice then the tax professional they ALREADY use. I just don't understand.
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TheOtherMe
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 14:40:52 GMT -5
Posts: 27,452
Mini-Profile Name Color: e619e6
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Post by TheOtherMe on Mar 14, 2012 18:20:22 GMT -5
I've never understood either why clients take the advice of anybody but their tax pro. Oh, forget that. I do get it. They like the beautician's advice better than that of the tax pro who is telling them the correct way to handle things.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 9:40:57 GMT -5
Posts: 7,461
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 14, 2012 18:51:31 GMT -5
I've never understood either why clients take the advice of anybody but their tax pro. Oh, forget that. I do get it. They like the beautician's advice better than that of the tax pro who is telling them the correct way to handle things. Then they get their CPA to style their hair! ;D
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rangerj
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 21, 2011 13:39:35 GMT -5
Posts: 242
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Post by rangerj on Mar 15, 2012 19:45:50 GMT -5
If you want to understand people that is a whole other degree and license. Did you folks see that a group of tax preparers who are not tax attorneys, CPAs, or Enrolled Agents, are suing the IRS over the testing requirement and CPE requirements. They feel that they are being unfairly required to actually have some knowledge, be it as minimal as it is, in order to prepare tax returns. GEE, I'll sue the state because they want me to get an education, practice, pass a test, and get a license, in order to do brain surgery. Go figure! Personally, I do not think that Treasury has set the bar high enough. Joe the plumber can hang up a shingle and file tax returns.
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wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,762
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Post by wvugurl26 on Mar 15, 2012 20:11:55 GMT -5
Yes, they are being punished so unfairly. All I have to say is that it is about time.
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