Annoyed with My Accountant
Last week, I dropped off our tax information at our accountant’s offfice for him to do our taxes. I didn’t think it would take him long since he has done our taxes before.
The next day I received a call from his secretary letting me know he was done and the stuff was ready to pick up. I asked her how much refund we were getting and how much the preparation was. I was shocked when she told me that he was charging us $220 for tax preparation fees.
The next day I went to pick up my taxes. I asked had they been e-filed and she again told me no. She said that they couldn’t be e-filed because my husband has housing expenses since he is a minister. Huh???? That doesn’t sound right to me, how about you?
Then I asked why the preparation cost $60 more than last year. She went to check. When she came back, she told me that it was because we had a very complicated return and it took him a long time. If it really took a lot of time, that is fine, but how could it possibly take more time than last year? He already has all of our names, social security numbers, address, places of employment, and all that stuff in his computer. AND this year, we also had less forms (we had more for 2005 because we had moved and switched jobs), plus we had a 1099 last year and deductions for it.
Is it just me, or do you feel like I’ve been lied to? I have a friend that told me the place where she gets her taxes done charges a flat rate of $80. I really doubt my husband will use the same guy next year.
I am stuck wondering why I was charged $60 more, why my taxes weren’t e-filed, waiting longer now to get my return, and probably finding a new CPA. Ugh!
What do you think about all this?
Image from rediff.com.
Later on 4/16/07
My pastor said that he has e-filed for the last 5 years and he has housing expenses that he claims. I called my CPA to clarify his reasons and he said once again that my taxes could not be e-filed because of the housing.
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POSTED IN: financial matters
6 opinions for Annoyed with My Accountant
allena
Apr 16, 2007 at 4:38 pm
i would be upset also! everyone can efile! i think you guys got hosed. here’s what i was thinking.. if it took him longer than most then why was he done the next day?
if you go to turbo tax.com you can do it on line from home and efile it. i think it costs aroung 15 bucks. if you want the deduction maximizer and special checky thing it’s more but not much like maybe 20 to 40 still a heck of a lot cheaper than what you paid. that’s just something to keep in mind. maybe someone at your church is an accountant and would be willing to do them for you..
ugh taxes stink!
Karen
Apr 16, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I know. I’m so annoyed! I didn’t use Turbo Tax b/c last year I just played around with it some to see what kind of refund we would get. Then I took my taxes to have them done professionally, and I ended up getting back about $1400 more than Turbo Tax said I would. I think next year I might have my dad’s accountant do my taxes. He isn’t local, but my dad said he only charged him $110.
isabel
Apr 18, 2007 at 8:16 am
I would double check into that housing/e-filing thing then send a letter of complaint. Because cpas are certified there is a board somewhere you can send the complaint to.
Karen
Apr 26, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Another interesting bit of information: Last year my accountant did not ask for my checking information. I forgot to mention it, so last year I had to wait for a check rather than getting the money electronically deposited into my account.
This year I made sure I gave his office my checking information. The information was not included on my tax return, so I will be waiting for a check again this year. How annoying!
kellys
Apr 27, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Find a new accountant! We love ours, but that is becuase he does ours for next to free since my DH does his network and bails him out on a regular basis. Those computers can get you into a jam if you don’t watch it.
Karen
Apr 27, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Don’t worry. We’re not going back to him.
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