Average Cost for Tax Prep

babyzilla

Like I said before, I'm not too competent with the tax world, but she threw every excuse/reason at us. None of it sounded right to us. She bragged about all her degrees and how low her rates are (the rates we didn't even see). Honestly I feel so stupid about this whole thing. I should have known better and I usually make calculated decisions...I supposed I was due for a bump in the road. Mind you, she complained to us about having about 7 turn overs because the admins she would hire to help all sucked apparently. She even made fun of someone for being fat. I can't even believe I'm saying that and complaining about doing business with her. However, I make note of the turnovers because the admins were getting confused with out paperwork. They reached out to us at least twice asking for the same thing that we had already submitted, and one time I even dropped in to make sure they had our stuff and didn't lose it - you will see her response to this below. She probably had no idea about her admins reaching out to us in redundancy.
Anyways, you asked about her "reasons:"

Before I close your account, I feel the need to respond to some of your comments below . . .

You mention that you “aren’t feeling good about this at all and we are very concerned.” I’m not clear on what you are “concerned” about.
I don’t know why you were expecting to pay $300 for your returns. I never quoted you this amount. Nor did I tell you that your return would be somewhere between my minimum of “$150 and 1000s”.
Me, “as the expert in this field,” could not have given you an appropriate estimate for your return at our first meeting, as you neglected to bring all required documents, including things you were specifically instructed to bring with you. When you unexpectedly showed up at my office on another day with additional documents, I was meeting with another taxpayer and couldn’t review anything with you. There was still information missing that was important and relevant which we only found out after subsequently e-mailing you on several occasions. As I recall, I never did receive the health insurance forms we asked you for. I can only give an accurate cost estimate if I have all required information.
May I remind you that you signed a legally binding contract to have me prepare your returns. My obligation to you is to prepare the returns accurately. Your obligation to me is to pay me for the work completed. How the billing is determined is detailed in the engagement letter and is based on the time and complexity involved in the preparation of complete and accurate tax returns. Taxpayers are not invoiced based on their ability to pay, what they think they should pay, or what they want to pay.
This same engagement letter also specifies that you are allowed 15 minutes of my time to answer any questions about your return. I have spent way more than that amount of time trying to explain to you what is involved with your returns and why I charged what I did. Maybe when you get the package you will better understand what is involved.
And finally, I recall you telling me you gave me your business because you read my good reviews online. Those are reflective of my professional services. I feel I need to share with you that you are the ONLY client that has complained about my invoice this year.

That being said, I will mail your package out to you in the morning. I will transmit your federal return today. And I will write off $450, the balance of your invoice, as a bad debt.

This will be my last e-mail as I can’t incur any more time on your behalf. Good luck to you both.

Rusty

Sounds like she charges by the second, not by the hour. Plus she can't spend anymore time with you because she can't charge you. A real class act.

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MZ DAIZY

Is this Shark a lawyer too? She sure bills like one...

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Zoren 370

Dont pay her dude... just give her $20 for her time. Then get all your documents and file at turbo tax free.

Zoren 370

BabyZilla please tell me the truth did she do a Monica Lewinsky on you why she charged you that much!!!

Dude pay up you got your load as refund!

JARblue

That 15 minutes is for explaining the contents of your return. Her explaining why she overcharged you is not part of that time. What a cvnt

The situation with her administrative help is very telling as well.

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cv129

One way to get a quick idea on amount of work done is to see the forms that needed to be filed. However, assuming you’ve accurately summarize your 2019 info, I don’t see a $950 amount of work.

The only thing that hasn’t been asked is, did this CPA ask for your prior years’ returns? Did she file amended returns for your previous DIY ones? Highly unlikely I would think.

If she gives a detail breakdown, please post it, would love to see the reasoning.

FYI, you are entitled to get your paper work back without paying a cent. And the engagement letter doesn’t handcuff you to fraudulent charges.

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Memphis370Z

@babyzilla - Given that she took the time to provide you with the arrogant and long-winded response you posted, has she provided you with an itemized invoice of the services she performed? I ask because in her message to you, she states, "How the billing is determined is detailed in the engagement letter and is based on the time and complexity involved in the preparation of complete and accurate tax returns." That is, as I like to say, "specifically vague." Meaning it's a way for her to charge whatever she wants without having to be accountable for the actual work she will do before she even does it.

I skimmed over this thread, but haven't read every word, so my apologies if you already mentioned she gave you an invoice. If she did, please post it, if you don't mind sharing.

As far as the "bad debt" that she's "writing off", tell her to kick rocks and get fvcked.

Zoren 370

I tell my self never mess with a banker!

Memphis has spoken! You cant get any better advise than what he said.

Walk out and tear up that engagement letter like Pelosi did in the house of Senate!

babyzilla

babyzilla

This is good to know - thank you.
Yes, she asked to see our 2018 returns, but she did not amend anything, at least not that I'm aware of. The only reason why I wanted to complete the service with her is because I wanted to finish in a professional manner and I wasn't sure what she was/is capable of. Life lesson learned for sure. Last thing I need is the IRS after me.
Her first detailed invoice was basically "2019 tax return" and cost of $950 LOL so I asked for a more detailed one and this what she provided:

Attached Images

Capture123.PNG (68.5 KB, 12 views)

babyzilla

Just posted it as an attachment in a previous response! Totally agree with your comment regarding the contract is her way to charge whatever she wants. I'm truly curious who her client base is. There's no way she's charging rates like this to everyone and getting away with it and I'm the only f***er complaining.

cv129

Ah I see. I am in Texas and no state income tax. I am unsure what typical additional costs are for state tax filing.

I highly suggest for you to consult another local CPA on approximate pricing. Or, go to a CPA forum and provide the same details, should receive honest opinions there.

The “Married filing separately” caught my eyes. Although one is still entering the same amount of info into the system, it may be possible that she is charging your and your wife returns full price for each, as if it’s for two separate person.

$400 for the joint federal is higher than I’ve seen tho....based on what you’ve said

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Rusty

I'm in Pa. with a state income tax. I've never paid over $250 for any tax prep.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

Memphis370Z

Thanks for posting the attachment. She was nickel-and-diming you, in my opinion. That said, you did get the bill down, so that's a win. I'd imagine you shouldn't have any trouble finding a CPA to prepare your returns next year for a lot less.

One other thing - I'm big in to relationships and always suggest that my clients interview three or four (or more) CPAs to find just the right one. It's worth investing your time to do this and, if a CPA isn't willing to have a 30-60 minute conversation during their off season, they're the wrong one anyway and you can easily weed them out. The goal is to find a CPA whom you trust, enjoy their personality, has a great support staff, and that actually asks YOU questions. You don't want an order taker. Think of your CPA as a member of your household's Board of Directors, which also includes a good attorney, a good financial adviser, and even a good doctor. All of these should be experts, add value to your life, and be there to shepherd you and your family when making some of life's biggest decisions.

Lastly, a good CPA shows their real value for any work they do for you other than preparing and filing your returns. That, quite frankly, is the easiest part of their job.

Sorry for my ramblings, but thanks for reading.