Discussion:Work at Home as a Tax Preparer
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| + | {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Inagpurwala|Date=19 November 2007|Text=Lynette: I also do from my home. So far I do not have any problem. I make the appointment first, then see new clients. | ||
| + | Repeat clients either call me first or e-mail me to setup the appointments. | ||
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| + | Ishaq[[User:Inagpurwala|Inagpurwala]] 17:56, 19 November 2007 (CST)}} | ||
Revision as of 23:56, 19 November 2007
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Work at Home as a Tax Preparer
| 19 November 2007 | |
| Hello everyone!
I'm new to the TaxAlmanac discussion forum. I've been preparing tax returns for approximately 3 years for family and friends, but I'm ready to expand my horizons. I'm in the process of having a website developed for my tax preparation services. My issue is that I'll be working from my home and I don't like the idea of strangers coming to my home. I thought about going to pick up their tax returns, but just as I'm hesistant about strangers coming to my home, I'm sure that they'll be reluctant to have a tax preparer that they don't know, coming to their home as well. Do any of you have any suggestions on how I can increase my clientele? I thought about them emailing, mailing, or faxing their info to me, but what is the best way for me to receive payments for services? | |
| 19 November 2007 | |
| I have prepared taxes out of my home for at least 15 years. Strangers coming into my home has been a concern but I went ahead with it anyway. I only do drop offs. When a potential client calls I just tell them that I offer a drop off service. I tell them what I would need and they just drop it off. I have a drop box on my front porch during tax season and most my regular clients just drop it off. They actually seem relieved that all they have to do is run up and drop it off. I have several who just mail their stuff to me. However, they do come in to pick it up. The new clients usually prefer to meet me rather than just drop it off. If for any reason after talking to the potential client on the phone I feel uncomfortable I make sure my husband is around when they come. Also, my office is right inside the front door so there is no need for them to go to far into the house. That helps. Also you can limit the drop off to day light hours. After you are established you many of your clients will be referrals so you wouldn't have to worry about those folks. You just have to be carefull. | |
| 19 November 2007 | |
| Thanks for the advice, Gscarfino. Having a drop off service sounds like a good idea. What tax software do you use? | |
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| Hey Lynette!
I am out in Las Vegas and I work out of my home as a tax preparer and enrolled agent. Back in 1993 when I started I was living off the beaten path and was actually going to client's homes and setting up and doing returns in their home out of not having a place to meet. When I moved out to Vegas I set up an office in my home and slowly but surely the clients started to come by that weren't out of state of course. My situation is a little different as I mostly do out of state returns, having carved a niche for myself as a tax professional specializing in the entertainment industry from being a player myself, so I am a little more sought out in a specific industry moreso than someone just thumbing through the yellow pages and coming to me with a return that is pretty general. Every single client that comes by my home office is very reputable and friendly, so I don't worry much about getting paid or having strangers in my home that might try to scam me. Out of almost 300 clients I have generally 10-15 that are late pays and 3 that don't get around to paying me at all, but I'm pretty happy with my 275 that are no problem at all. When you have a home office, you definitely need a specific place to go to with your clients that you can shut the rest of the house off including spouse and screaming kids, and have a place that is very neat and comfortable, no spreading out on the kitchen table to try and do returns. My office is 11*13 and when my tax business doubles (it has from 2006-2007) a few more times, we'll be moving to a bigger house where my ideal home office space will be 20*15. Anyway, things to do early is to get your named listed in online yellow pages and get a website going if you don't have one already, and, also know your limitations and be stand-up enough to be able to send a client somewhere else if you get in over your head. That being said, you should do all you can to start learning and adding new services up each year. One year I added a website, then an organizer, then efile, the next I made logos, the next became an enrolled agent, the next I designed my presentation of returns with specialized folders, and etc. You should never be comfortable with where you are, as I'm sure that even Riley takes steps to improve each year and he is one of the best and brightest on this site. A lot of this is rambling but I hope that you got a little bit out of what I've put here. Know that a home office can definitely work without having a storefront and where people used to shy away from business owners working out of their home, now it's not that big a deal. Let me know if you have specific questions by emailing me at musiciantax@yahoo.com, and know that you can also post questions on here and literally have thousands of people see your question, out of which 50 or so will write and give you great advice, sort of like an online tax family! Talk to you soon, get started now getting ready for tax season so you'll have your listings and website in place, good luck! Donnie Castleman Home-office-based Tax Professional Las Vegas | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| I have used ProSeries for over 10 years and have been happy with it. Others use Drake and also seem to like it. I do bookkeeping in addition to taxes and started out working from my house. Since I lived in a condo, there were restrictions about running the business from my home. I went to them and the clients never seemed to have any problems with it. (Being female is less threatening.) They considered it an additional service. The challenge I have is breaking the habit of going to them. If you do go to them, I recommend using a laptop and getting a portable printer. This will save you a lot of headaches when you present the completed return and they tell you that they forgot to mention something. If you have to go back to your office to change one number, there goes your profit margin. I had to move my business out of my home because I had too much husband. He's a fireman and is home two out three days. He never got used to the idea that just because I was home, it didn't mean that I wasn't working. | |
Oldeastsidr (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| Taxes07 - you did not mention if you are doing the tax prep fulltime or part-time. If part-time (nites and weekends), then it would be a bit difficult not having clients walk in your door at home. But, if you are doing it fulltime (so almost fulltime) and can afford the extra cost, there is another way. Many preparers rent a desk at a local accountant's or lawyer's office on an as-needed basis. This way you can also put that address on your cards and letterhead. Many times you get referrals from that accountant or lawyer too and can expand your business. Another alternative is (I can't remember the exact terminology) is the "office suite". There are some businesses set up to rent you a desk for only the times you need it. You simply make an appointment with the client and meet at the "office suite" for that appointment. You are given an address that you can use (e.g. 123 Main St, Suite 101) and mail can either be forwarded to you from there or you use your home as the mailing address (the "office suite" is used only when necessary and your cost is only for the time used). I believe there are a number of them in the larger cities. Maybe someone here remembers the exact name for this type of business. | |
| 19 November 2007 | |
| My wife & I began our practice out of our home as well. It worked fine for 10 years. Although a few clients did come to our home office, most simply dropped their information in the mail (or fax or email).
In 2002 we moved our office 200 miles...and retained 98% of our clients, partly because they were used to simply mailing us their info. The service mattered, not the address they mailed their stuff to. At the time of our move, we also decided to lease office space. I can say I do like it better, as it provides more separate between home & work. That's especially important for those of us who live and work together. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| I hear radio ads in the Tampa area for "Intelligent Office". Most executive suites can do this kind of service. | |
Tonymontana (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| Consider the Virtual Office as Oldeastsidr and Bottom Line mentioned. That way you have the option on wether to meet them at your home or an office. I use them, and it works out great. They answer my calls with my business name and forward them to my cell phone or voice mail. I use their maling address address and I have access to an office or conference room. I get a certain amount of hours per month depending on the package I choose. After that, it's an hourly rate. I tend to upgrade my package during tax season so that I get more office time and downgrade after tax season. Good luck. | |
| 19 November 2007 | |
| You can buy Pro-Series on a pay per return basis. Since your new you may not initially generate enough cashflow to pay for the program. | |
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| I use Drake, costs about a grand and does everything you need to do, I used ATX for a while for a little less but I like the customer service at Drake as opposed to dealing with overseas with ATX. I need to so something american since I drive a japanese car and use japanese equipment. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| I used ProSeries pay per return option for my first couple of years. Really helped keep costs under control since I only paid for what I used. I believe there is a "license fee" (or something similar) for around $75 but then you only pay for what you need. I believe the cost for a 1040 is around $25 each. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| The only clients I would prepare without meeting them first would be those recommended by good clients. When newbies call to see if I am taking on new clients, I will talk for 15-30 minutes and usually suggest we meet so both sides can be comfortable with the other.
What software are you using now? | |
Inagpurwala (talk|edits) said: | 19 November 2007 |
| Lynette: I also do from my home. So far I do not have any problem. I make the appointment first, then see new clients.
Repeat clients either call me first or e-mail me to setup the appointments. IshaqInagpurwala 17:56, 19 November 2007 (CST) | |
