FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
In 1972, H&R Block made some mistakes on my tax return; and I thought "I can do better than that." I studied first year accounting and tax law in college, was a preparer at Block the next tax season; and after the season I was hired as a Block manager and was teaching the Block course. Two years later I went out on my own.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
Based on a recommendation, a couple from California asked me to review their 2011 1040 return that was prepared by a CPA and already timely filed. I asked them if there was a particular issue or something out of the ordinary about their return, and they told me they had a cancellation of debt related to the short sale of a rental property. I asked if the CPA asked them a lot of questions, and they responded that they sat in front of him as he completed their return in thirty minutes and didn't ask a single question. Ding-ding - the warning bells were going off in my head. The bottom line was that the original returns filed OVERSTATED their tax liability by some $35,000 between the Federal and California returns; simply because the CPA was ignorant of the correct tax treatment for such a transaction, I prepared amended returns reflecting the correct tax treatment (along with a very detailed nineteen-page explanation of the compound changes), the IRS performed a full audit of the amendment, and the IRS accepted the amendment as filed. California followed suit. My clients received refunds of the full amount of tax overstated on their CPA-prepared returns, plus interest.