Identifying the Worst
In the end, though, what can you do? As CPA Al Giovetti noted, We love problem clients because in most cases we bill them more to solve the problems. We learned years ago that if you have a worst-type client, you simply double the bill until you like working with them. .
Heres a look at some of the most popular (or unpopular, as the case may be) types, courtesy of members of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Society of Accountants and the National Association of Tax Professionals
The Price Shopper
Added Enrolled Agent Jeffrey Schneider, If someone says to me, I can have that done for $X, I tell them, Thanks but no thanks and escort them out.
And of all people to beseech for a price break by pleading lack of money, why would anyone pick their tax preparer? They forget that I see their investment statements, said EA Twila Midwood.
The Shoeboxer
Half of it has nothing to do with their tax, added prep administrative assistant Mandy Seymer.
The Disorganized
Added RIA Morris Armstrong, When you go through all the records and mark what look like specific spending records, that info still needs to be verified with the client. And this client is a magician: They know how to turn a $350 [expense] into $1,000!
The Second Chancer
The Confessor
The Outright Liar
A client who wants to lie to the IRS will likely lie to us as well, added CPA Al Giovetti.
And remember, lies are like infesting pests: For every one you see .
The DIYer
Added EA Natasha Riley-Noah, They gather the most absurd suggestions off the Internet or in get-rich-quick books about what should be a business expense oh, and then they cant prove a thing!
The Procrastinator
They forget the mortgage interest statement, charitable donation receipt, equipment purchase documentation and so on, added EA Helen Jackson, then they call two weeks later pissed off because were taking so long to finish the return.
The Gamer
The Know-It-All
The one that tells me, the Enrolled Agent, how to do taxes, marvelled EA Kerry Freeman, before we parted ways.