Comments on: SURVEY RESULTS: Tax Season 2009 – Feeling lucky it wasn’t worse

By: reina

reina — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:20:05 +0000

Since we also are financial planners, we felt our clients’ STRESS about the drop in their portfolios and income. There was NOT enough public notice about the allowed delay in 1099s and people were angry and unsettled about getting these things later. We basically lost a month for preparation without any extension beyond 4-15. We did more returns and got an influx of self-preparers that felt they couldn’t do it anymore – with all the last minute tax changes.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:33:55 +0000

This was by far my best tax season ever (32nd). I came out of january down 31% from last year & wound up 8.6% ahead of last year by the end of the season. That translated into a record cash balance. I’m a sole pract. so 100k in the bank is VERY unusual, with 170k collected by April 15.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:30:35 +0000

I am retired and do tax returns for VITA. Most of our clients are on the low end of the income scale. We did fewer returns this year than last because last year required a tax return to get the stimulus payment. However, I expect the changes I have seen so far for the next tax season to cause a lot more people to file — and a lot of people being surprised because they will pay in rather than get a refund.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:36:33 +0000

We had a great season, but there were some internal factors that definitely played a part. This was my 5th tax season, so my confidence level and experience were both far higher this year.

That said, I believe we’re up about 25% from this point last year, so business is definitely up rather than down. We did do more returns, so our busy-ness this year was productive rather than frustrating. We had a few issues last year that we worked hard this winter to resolve, and succeeded.

I spent the 15th cleaning up my desk, tying up loose ends and getting ready for the rest of the year. It was still light out when we locked up!

I’m glad it’s over, and am really enjoying a few days off!

By: Jan Dillaha

Jan Dillaha — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:51:08 +0000

Have to agree with Mark. This was my 19th tax season and there were points where I wondered if we would make it.

We prepared more returns, we dealt with some big messes. I worked rougher seasons early on in my career, but this one….I am glad it’s over.

By: ANDREW J. YADAMIEC, CPA

ANDREW J. YADAMIEC, CPA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:07:35 +0000

SURVEY’S OR NOT
I’M HEADED TO THE BORGATA TO PLAY SOME POKER

By: Katrina Geety

Katrina Geety — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:01:28 +0000

Agree with Mark Vitek, most grueling season in 25 years. I am the managing partner with supporting staff with an average of 12 years of experience and it was a bear of a season. But we made it!