Discussion:If client does not pay for work performed

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Revision as of 03:28, 26 May 2006
Michaelstar (Talk | contribs)
(If it is not muc)
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Revision as of 13:09, 26 May 2006
Martineo (Talk | contribs)
(May I get a samp)
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{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Michaelstar|Date=26 May 2006|Text=If it is not much money - just walk away from it and forget it. Accept this as part of the learning curve. Number 1 - always get a signed engagement letter - Warren is on point. If you ever have any questions about collecting - ask for a retainer before you start the work. It happens to all of us. The more time you spend chasing nothing - the lower your effective billing rate ends up and the more upset you will end up. Remember - it is part of the learning curve but it still hurts. }} {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Michaelstar|Date=26 May 2006|Text=If it is not much money - just walk away from it and forget it. Accept this as part of the learning curve. Number 1 - always get a signed engagement letter - Warren is on point. If you ever have any questions about collecting - ask for a retainer before you start the work. It happens to all of us. The more time you spend chasing nothing - the lower your effective billing rate ends up and the more upset you will end up. Remember - it is part of the learning curve but it still hurts. }}
 +
 +{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Martineo|Date=26 May 2006|Text=May I get a sample of a single engagement letter?
 +It happens that after we spend, lets say, 40 minutes entering the info to file a 1040, client says:
 +"Too expensive- I don't take it"
 +My boss want clients sign a $15.00 fee form- to get reimbursements for estimates- to get some $ if that happen. Cumbersome..
 +
 +}}

Revision as of 13:09, 26 May 2006

Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> If client does not pay for work performed

Www.cpa1.biz (talk|edits) said:

25 May 2006
Almanacers,

When you prepare a return for someone, do you ask for the money up front? And after preparing the return and spending all this time doing it, what if the client does not want to pay for it. Can you sue this person because they already signed an engagement letter. Also, what if they didn't sign an engagement letter and all you have is the organizer that they wrote stuff in. It is still implied. Has this ever happened to any of you all?

Please inform.

Thanks,

www.cpa1.biz

Sea-tax (talk|edits) said:

25 May 2006
I personally try to get the money when the return is picked up. With certain clients like bookkeeping or writeup clients I will float money until the next billing cycle. I bill them once a month.

Those that dont pay or forget or what ever, well I give them some time say 6 months to a year with continued letters and statements once a month. If they don't contact me to try to pay or setup some sort of agreement, then off to collections. Yeah I get less money and sure the client might not like me no more but who wants a client like that anyways.

Clients who don't pay really tick me off.

Warren (talk|edits) said:

25 May 2006
I don't think that a filled in organizer is enough to sue someone for fees over. If you had a verbal agreement as to the amount of the fee and the client admitted that in court then that might be enough. A signed engagment letter is your best bet.

Michaelstar (talk|edits) said:

26 May 2006
If it is not much money - just walk away from it and forget it. Accept this as part of the learning curve. Number 1 - always get a signed engagement letter - Warren is on point. If you ever have any questions about collecting - ask for a retainer before you start the work. It happens to all of us. The more time you spend chasing nothing - the lower your effective billing rate ends up and the more upset you will end up. Remember - it is part of the learning curve but it still hurts.

Martineo (talk|edits) said:

26 May 2006
May I get a sample of a single engagement letter?

It happens that after we spend, lets say, 40 minutes entering the info to file a 1040, client says: "Too expensive- I don't take it" My boss want clients sign a $15.00 fee form- to get reimbursements for estimates- to get some $ if that happen. Cumbersome..