Its tax season again

[judas_priest]

I am repeating my offer and discussion from last year. The new business lost money last year (fortunately there was none of my money it it) but we are now doing much better - as of last January 31 we had had 27 returns fully completed and accepted by the IRS - we're avoer 70 so far this season. But I still do a bit on the side. (One of my private customers from last year just e-mailed me and wants to get started on this year).

Also, if anybody would like a general discussion, not too detailed - on a particular general topic - if I have something already written I'll post it, and since I'm also working on a book, if what you want discussed is a potential part of that book, I'd welcome the chance to see what I can do. But I won't do specifics on a return without a retainer agreement and a fee arrangement.
******************************
TAX WORK
I do it. Obviously I'm a long way off, but with e-mail, faxes and scanners, that's much less of a problem than in the past. The deal is, I've got two businesses. One is the major one during tax season, in which I manage a 5 (now 6) office tax service. (It's brand new this season, so I'm not sure what is going to happen with it.)

I will be posting general tax advice from time to time. I am currently drafting materials for hand-outs to our clients - and I will post them here. For some of you it will be absurdly simpleminded but, I hope, they prove useful to some. I will use this forum unless somebody has a better idea (or unless the powers that be say no).

But I also have a side practice, which offers low prices. I have very low overhead, since I operate out of my house, I already have the equipment, and have ordered the software. The marginal cost is negligible - except for my time. And yes, I do offer e-filing - in fact I insist on it, unless somebody has one of those rare returns that must be paper filed. The IRS is gradually adding the capacity to accept scanned supplemental statements and special forms as attachments to an electronically filed return. (I need to check what my software company's technical capacity is on that.)

The problem is that, until after the tax season is over, I can only do a small number of returns. But I will offer a deal to Lair members. I charge by the form, with hourly for special services. If special services are required, I won't do it unless you are close by. Or perhaps by Skype. So if you have a return that can be done from documents with perhaps a little bit of additional information exchange, I can do it for prices well below the national services. On top of that, for Lair members I will offer an additional 15% discount and add a 10% donation to LoboLair.

My credentials (other than the brilliance my posts so often display - and the nitpicking, which is an asset in tax preparation):

1) Retired lawyer, formerly practiced in US Tax Court (although that was rare)
2) Enrolled Agent, which means I can represent taxpayers before the IRS
3) Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant. This won't mean a whole lot to most of you, but Oregon has the earliest and most comprehensive regulatory system in the country, and other states are beginning to copy our system. My license level is at the top of the heap in Oregon.

A few comments: If you are dealing with a tax professional you like, stay put, even if you think I might be cheaper. If you are pushing the limits of believability on your return, please don't use me - I tend to be a bit cautious. If you want hand holding throughout the process, use somebody close to home. If you need or expect quick service, don't use me - the new business has first call on my time.

But if despite all that, you still are considering what I can offer, PM me.

[txlobo95]

on a side note, tax season just ending yesterday, and I can now officially step off my hamster wheel!!!

working round the clock for 2 straight months is not good for your health...

[judas_priest]

on a side note, tax season just ending yesterday, and I can now officially step off my hamster wheel!!!

working round the clock for 2 straight months is not good for your health...

I'm almost feeling lost, with no place I have to be or things I have to do.

Actually, I do have lots to do - it's just that none of it has an immediate deadline.

My projects include (about 4th or 5th priority) starting my novel based loosely on the Gene Gilbert/ Teri Gilbert murder case from a number of years back. I knew both of them, the defense lawyer, Teri's uncle (who was something of a mentor to me) and a lot about the case, but the novel will not be a "here's what really happened" type - what I have outlined is strictly invented using that case as a factual starting point. As it were, the potato head upon which I will hang many other things. I may get to the point where I may need some factual research in ABQ, so I may be posting here on this topic, asking for help.

[txlobo95]

JP is your tax season not year round? I still have a lot of tax work that I'm working on now, just not 24/7 like before the extension deadline.

Once I get to mid-summer, I'll probably start explorer other options to generate revenue for the rest of the year, possibly some contracting work.