User talk:DublinTax

From TaxAlmanac

Not enough...

I think you will be undercharging, based on your post in "New to the Field" I have an old (at least three years) price list from HRB that I've shared with many on this board. Back then, they charge $ 56 for a 1040.... If you'd like a copy, give me your email. Good luck with tax season. Belle 12:20, 8 December 2009 (CST)

Hang in there

Hang in there Dublin. You can't think of everything in advance. Clients will bother you more than you think, but you'll make it, and I hope you make a lot of money, and if not, you will learn something for next year. Just be careful with them in your home. Take care. CrowJD 17:17, 11 December 2009 (CST)

Mentor

Dublin, I don't think I would be a good mentor because I did not like the tax business, and I do not prepare taxes anymore.

You are better prepared than I was. I was not an EA, and I didn't know enough about taxes before I started.

Remember, you can always come to Taxalmanac to ask tax questions. People will help you. How old are you (approximately)? Is this your first business? It's ok.

No one can be perfect their first year in business. Taxalmanac can help you with tax questions, do not hesitate to ask questions! You will learn from your mistakes.

Send me a note here if I can help you.CrowJD 16:55, 16 December 2009 (CST)

First Year

Main thing is whether you enjoy taxes. If you enjoy tax, then somehow you will make it work. I did not really enjoy tax, so I was not willing to work for it.

You probably won't make as much money the first year as you think. But, you never know until you try.CrowJD 20:18, 16 December 2009 (CST)

Home

Dublin- Working the full time job and running the tax practice on the side is tough. I am still doing this but hope to quit the other job by the end of 2010. I am quite busy now, so I am working 3-4 nights a week until 11pm. I also work 6-7 hours on Saturday and 3-4 hours on Sunday. During tax season I work 5 days a week until 11pm, and 8-9 hours on Saturday and Sunday. My husband also helps me out on evenings and weekends.

The home office is also tough. Many potential clients walk away when you tell them you work from a home office. This is true of all types of clients- low income and business owners. You also have to be careful not to get in trouble with your association. I tried to meet clients outside of my home (their home, coffee shops, etc) or encourage them to drop off/pick up their documents or let me come to them to pick up/drop off. Very few actually came into my house and waited for me to prepare their return.

I now have a rented office close to my house and it seems like that alone is bringing business to me. I could have quit my other job sooner if I did not take on this overhead but I felt it was vital to my growth and professional image.

Florida Taxes

Looks good

It looks good to me. Simple and to the point.

Remember what NMex said..."This idea bothered me so I spent part of last night curled up in fornt of the gas log with my hard copy of Cir. 230. Any price list an enrolled agent publishes must remain in effect for a minimum of 30 days following the last publication."

So, I would replace your wording, with this wording, on your Price page, "Prices subject to change according to law". This lets them know that your prices can change, but you will only change them according to law.

Crow

TaxBook

I would buy The TaxBook. JK Lasser's is good, but you can usually find one that's just a year old at the local library. So, if I was choosing between the two, I'd probably buy The TaxBook. If I could afford it, I'd buy the most recent edition of JK Lasser also. Crow.

Website

I have a website from CPA Site Solutions. I pay $70 a month but they have great content which is constantly updated, a newsletter that goes out via email, fast support, and many extras like the client portal, online incorporation and QB sales, etc.

I tried adwords and didn't care for it. I think that works well for businesses that sell something online directly. I am listed (free listings) on Google local listings, Superpages.com, yahoo.com, and bing.com. I also have a paid premium ad on Yellowpages.com which gives me lots of features and great placement on the page.

I do have a lot of SEO built into my website, so it's easy to find us on search engines.

FloridaTaxes

Congrats Dublin

Congrats. on the 28 returns! I don't consider that too bad considering how many poeple are out there doing returns. Crow.

Not a member

Dublin, I am not a member of the Tax Court bar. Even if the Tax Court did not require me to be a member, I would not feel right about recommending anyone (even my own family) unless I was a member of that bar, and I had personal knowledge of the court.