Don't Make Me Your Accomplice

Dear Client

I really appreciate your business and enjoy visiting with you when you bring in your taxes to be prepared. But I have a favor to ask of you. Please, Don't Make Me Your Accomplice!

With the exception of some income, all the numbers on your return are supposed to be backed by supporting documents. That means checks, receipts or logs. I don't have to see them. My job is not to audit you but to prepare your taxes. All I need to see are the totals. Here is the problem, there are no magic numbers, no amount the IRS will allow you to deduct. Your deduction is what you actually spent. So please don't ask me how much you can deduct or what you deducted last year. If you are going to fudge the numbers, do your own work and come in prepared with a figure. If it is out of a normal range, I might ask a question or two like do you have receipts/checks or how you came up with the number. But if you are sure you can document your figures, I will except them.

As for income, just because you did not get a W-2G or 1099 for an amount does not mean that income is not reportable. Yes, there are mimimums for all the 1099s and W-2Gs. But these are for the payers not for the receipents of the income. That $400 you won on slots may not generate a W-2G but it is reportable. And if you tell me about it, it goes on your return.

I really what you to pay the least amount you can in taxes, legally. If you want to play with Uncle Sam and cheat, be willing to pay the consequences if you get caught. And don't expect me to bless the cheating by helping you. You are not paying me enough to cover the fines and possible sanctions.

I appreciate your business and I want to keep us both out of trouble.

Thank you, Trish

P.S. By the way, your deduction and expense numbers are not on my ceiling!

Comments

[Jerry Gordon]

Excellent blog, I know how you feel