That is the question I get asked from time to time. You know that Bob and Shonna are both Enrolled Agents but what do I do?
I took my first H&R Block income tax preparation course back in 1969. Over the years, I’ve prepared hundreds of tax returns from simple returns to corporate ones (although I prefer to hand the corporate ones over to Bob.) And I do not necessarily like ‘fussing’ with the IRS. Bob and Shonna handle that with ease and I think it energizes them especially when they hear the IRS say ‘you were right’ in so many words, of course!
So, I handle things that I do more easily. But I do enjoy doing the tax returns. This year, with all the changes, we’ve taken extra education to be prepared!
Along with typical housekeeping duties running an office, I have three primary responsibilities.
- I do all of the scheduling except for local and virtual appointments, which Bob schedules. We usually prepare over 800 tax returns (all types) and about half of those are done on the tax trips! My challenge is wanting to accommodate all appointment time requests. It just doesn’t always work but I do my best. Shonna travels with us on our PA week and also Muncie. In Mifflinburg, we already have right at 50 returns scheduled for three days! So many of our clients have become great friends so it is sometimes hard to focus on the task at hand without becoming distracted. So, if you see me nudging Bob with ‘you have another one in 20 minutes’, please know it is simply to work everyone in. So far, I have scheduled well over 200 tax returns for the tax season and it is still January!
- I also do tax returns. While I am not an Enrolled Agent, I have about 50 years of experience preparing returns and taking courses that keep me up-to-date. (I have included one of the certificates of a recent online class about the new forms this year!!) I do not handle representation as both Bob and Shonna are qualified to do.
- And, last but definitely not least, I do all of the e-filing of returns. I wish I could say it is simple but it isn’t. All “I’s” must be dotted and all “T’s” crossed before I get a green light that all is ready. All source documents must match what the IRS has on file. My job is to make sure everything I have entered is correct as it will not allow e-filing if it is not. And state returns can be a huge challenge as every state is different. Last year, Ohio was one of the toughest ones and I’m anxious to see if it is different this year. All in all, though, I do enjoy this part and the learning process it presents.
So, there you have it … a look behind the scenes!
Linda