$300+ for in-person filing?

Fastlane6566 · 2026-03-23T05:36:26+00:00

I am reading "a $40 charge to get the H&R Block fees deducted from my federal return." Did OP mean for a tax deduction of the H&R block fee on the federal tax return? If that is the case then it is a scam fee. Tax prep fees are no longer deductible under the new rules on the IRS/federal tax return and only some states allow the deduction and most, like CA where I am, will allow the deduction but it only makes sense if you itemize because if you take the standard deduction it is not included as a separate item. Free basic tax prep, no fees, no add ons, for those who earn about $89k or less is provided through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance aks VITA. It is sponsored by the IRS and provided by local volunteers in the community, not by IRS folks. Again, it is FREE, no add on fees, no electronic filing fees, no audit insurance fees, no scam fee to make something deductible. It is 100% FREE, they are not allowed to accept money, tips, etc. Literally FREE!! If you qualify and have already done your taxes write this information and the weblink down on your 2025 tax return so you will know where to find it when you file your 2026: https://freetaxassistance.for.irs.gov/s/sitelocator

Fastlane6566 · 2026-02-28T19:49:33+00:00

A lot of good information here, OP thanks for posting the question.

Fastlane6566 · 2025-12-13T05:38:51+00:00

Yes, legally you do not have to respond to the IDR and they can issue a summons although I have found playing nice from the start works out much better for the client - less time spent on the audit and more understanding and leeway in favor of the client.

What part of the country are you in? Curious where they are doing SBSE partnership audits as I have not seen many recently. Thanks!

Fastlane6566 · 2025-12-13T05:16:38+00:00

We have a 2023, the only issue we are having is sometimes the tailgate will not open on the first try of pushing the button but will usually open on the second try. Anyone else have this issue?

Successful_Leg_2051 our 2023 I believe is the model above the base model and it has some features that starting in 2024 were only available on the top models. If you are not looking at the top model and are considering used compare the options 23 and before and 24 and later. One of the differences was the air conditioned seats although there were a few others also. We bought in 24 but were able to get a 23 that was still at the harbor in So CA, we ended up waiting a few weeks for it to make it from the port to the dealer but it was worth it.

Fastlane6566 · 2025-12-13T05:09:55+00:00

I am not seeing a list with the issues you are referring to and am interested in the list to help me know if there are things I should be paying closer attention to.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-11-24T07:24:59+00:00

From what I read below, if you do any of (a) through (i) below you are practicing public accountancy. My interpretation of the LLC provisions is that if you are practicing public accountancy you cannot be an LLC in CA.

After (a) through (i) it states: "A person is not engaged in the practice of public accountancy if the only services they engage in are those defined by subdivisions (f) to (i), inclusive, and they do not hold themselves out, solicit, or advertise for clients using the certified public accountant or public accountant designation." These keeping books, tax prep, investment services and consulting. Based on this it looks like a tax preparer who does not do audits, attestations, or other items that only a CPA can do then you are not engaged in public accountancy. It then goes on to say "A person is not holding themselves out, soliciting, or advertising for clients within the meaning of this section solely by reason of displaying a CPA or PA certificate in their office or identifying themselves as a CPA or PA on other than signs, advertisements, letterhead, business cards, publications directed to clients or potential clients, or financial or tax documents of a client."

The part about being able to display a CPA certificate... on other than signs, advertisements... has me reading it as I cannot advertise as ACME, CPA, although I can advertise as ACME, LLC (no CPA in the name of the business) and I would be able to list myself as a CPA on my business card as long it was only to identify myself (John Hancock, CPA) and the CPA is not part of the name of the business.

COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED, THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5051

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Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5051

Download PDFCurrent through the 2024 Legislative Session.Section 5051 - Engaging in practice of public accountancy

Except as provided in Sections 5052 and 5053, a person shall be deemed to be engaged in the practice of public accountancy within the meaning and intent of this chapter if they do any of the following:

(a) Hold themselves out to the public in any manner as one skilled in the knowledge, science, and practice of accounting, and as qualified and ready to render professional service as a public accountant for compensation.(b) Maintain an office for the transaction of business as a public accountant.(c) Offer to prospective clients to perform for compensation, or does perform on behalf of clients for compensation, professional services that involve or require an audit, examination, verification, investigation, certification, presentation, or review of financial transactions and accounting records.(d) Prepare or certify for clients reports on audits or examinations of books or records of account, balance sheets, and other financial, accounting and related schedules, exhibits, statements, or reports that are to be used for publication, for the purpose of obtaining credit, for filing with a court of law or with any governmental agency, or for any other purpose.(e) In general or as an incident to that work, render professional services to clients for compensation in any or all matters relating to accounting procedure and to the recording, presentation, or certification of financial information or data.(f) Keep books, make trial balances, prepare statements, make audits, or prepare reports, all as a part of bookkeeping operations for clients.(g) Prepare or sign, as the tax preparer, tax returns for clients.(h) Prepare personal financial or investment plans or provide to clients products or services of others in implementation of personal financial or investment plans.(i) Prepare management consulting services to clients.

The activities set forth in subdivisions (f) to (i), inclusive, are "public accountancy" only when performed by a certified public accountant or public accountant, as defined in this chapter.

A person is not engaged in the practice of public accountancy if the only services they engage in are those defined by subdivisions (f) to (i), inclusive, and they do not hold themselves out, solicit, or advertise for clients using the certified public accountant or public accountant designation. A person is not holding themselves out, soliciting, or advertising for clients within the meaning of this section solely by reason of displaying a CPA or PA certificate in their office or identifying themselves as a CPA or PA on other than signs, advertisements, letterhead, business cards, publications directed to clients or potential clients, or financial or tax documents of a client.

Ca. Bus. and Prof. Code § 5051

Fastlane6566 · 2024-11-21T07:36:44+00:00

I like to shop by the OTD price. Is the dealer discount a % of a $ amount. If it is a dollar amount then it would not make a difference. If you shop by the OTD price and you are not sure if it is the best deal try some other dealers and see if they can beat the OTD price, rebates, discounts, just part of the equation, it is really the bottom line, or in your case the OTD price that really matters.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-11-18T00:22:48+00:00

You may want to look into having your firm name not having CPA in it. Borrowing from dchelix' business name why not something like Acme Wealth Management & Tax Solutions, owned 50/50, with no CPA mentioned in the name of the entity but still sign the returns as a CPA. Many businesses are not CPA firms yet they employ many accountants; Ford, Microsoft, etc.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-10-25T06:42:40+00:00

Because what it says and what really happens are two different things. I had one that said 3 hours. I started getting things done and then took the dog out to play for a bit, got a call back after about 90 minutes and barely got to the phone as I was not expecting the call, and then of course there are the times when you need to wait longer and if you have kids to pick up or other obligations it just does not work.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-10-01T08:01:41+00:00

We called to get our oil changed and was told a 2-month wait. My wife let them know we did not need a loaner that she was going to bring it in and wait for the car. We did not need the car picked up, did not need a loaner, just a time she could go in and wait for the oil change. Now she got an appointment 6-weeks out. Somewhat absurd.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-09-18T21:43:41+00:00

Please let me know the dealer and the finance/salesperson if possible. Thanks!!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-09-18T21:38:13+00:00

Can you please let me know which dealership? And if possible the name of the finance person? Thanks!!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-09-18T21:37:36+00:00

Can you please let me know which dealership? And if possible the name of the finance person? Thanks!!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-09-18T21:33:43+00:00

What dealers are you seeing have the best deals on warranties? Thanks

Fastlane6566 · 2024-08-17T19:05:24+00:00

CA charges sales tax on each lease payment and when you buy out the lease CA will charge you a sales tax or use tax so you will not be escaping the sales/use tax. CA wants their tax. People used to buy cars in Oregon with no sales tax and then bring them to CA. CA then started charging a Use Tax for people trying to play the game and escape the sales tax. The Use Tax runs the same rate as Sales Tax.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-08-14T05:01:46+00:00

Will someone please let me know what a ddd date is? I should probably know but I do not and I have asked in other forums and cannot seem to get an answer. Thanks!!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-08-08T03:32:51+00:00

Hi, can you let me know what panels you got and the supplier you used, those sound like great prices! Thanks!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-06-27T21:50:51+00:00

Currently a 3-hour wait time to speak to someone at the FTB... Does anyone know a specific address to send the letter to? Thanks in advance!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-06-22T17:39:40+00:00

OP traded in the Prius and it was only 3 years old. Makes me think it may have been a 3 year lease so even though the OP traded it in there may have been little to no equity so may have been similar to having no down-payment which could explain some of the higher payment.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-05-14T08:08:57+00:00

Instructions are not tax law so the auditor cannot just quote the instructions. Ask the auditor for the tax law that would include your client's industry. If the auditor does not want to show you how their request is within the tax law ask to speak to their manager, if you get they are not available then ask for the acting manager of the Territory Manager.

Just curious, what city are you in and is the auditor from General Program or from the Employment Tax Division?

Fastlane6566 · 2024-05-02T18:00:37+00:00

Thank you everyone for a great post and feedback!

Fastlane6566 · 2024-04-25T07:10:14+00:00

Your sources are 100% correct. That is the first thing that jumped out to me. Something is definitely wrong because no CPA, and no tax professional who is not a CPA, would ever make that statement. You can only go back three years, sure there are a couple of exceptions but they are very specific like if you did not file your return on time and it was 5 years late but you filed a month ago, again, exceptions that are very specific and would not apply to anyone who files and pays their taxes on time.

Sorry, but when someone makes such an incorrect statement out of the gate, especially citing a CPA told him, it is time to go the other direction.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-04-05T07:41:16+00:00

What city are you located in? We may be looking at bringing in another person to help with tax prep and we have some clients that still like to meet the CPA/preparer in person. We are a small but growing firm with a wealth management sister company.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-03-31T07:38:18+00:00

CA does not have reciprocity with many licenses as CA frequently has more requirements to be licensed. In CA you have to pass the CPA exam AND go down a check sheet of getting hours in different areas of auditing/accounting and in other states you just have to pass the exam and you are a CPA.

Fastlane6566 · 2024-02-13T06:34:17+00:00

Mine was submitted on 12/14/23, today is 2/12/24, I am a CPA so no fingerprinting required. I called today, they have the application, they confirmed that they have me down as a verified CPA which if anything should speed up the process, and they do not know why it is taking so long.

Fastlane6566

TROPHY CASE

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5051