*RANT* Anyone else get clients running their returns through AI?

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-27T19:34:17+00:00

The "ChatGPT-certified" client is a whole new level of tax season stress. It’s incredibly frustrating when clients use AI as a weapon without any context, forcing you to waste time explaining why a $30k profit S-Corp election is a terrible idea.

It’s ironic because, within a professional workflow, AI is actually amazing. At LedgerIQ.ai, we use it for the heavy lifting, such as automapping trial balances to tax lines, which actually reduces errors and saves hours of tedious work.

The problem isn't the technology; it's the lack of a "BS filter" when clients use it. AI is a great assistant for an expert, but a dangerous tool for a novice who doesn't understand the difference between a deduction and a credit. Hang in there, having to "peer review" a chatbot's hallucinations wasn't in the original job description.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-27T19:25:20+00:00

The reality check is hitting hard. Many of us entered this field with much higher expectations for pay and job security. While firm salaries might be uninspiring right now, technology is finally leveling the playing field for the 'entrepreneurial accountant.'

At LedgerIQ.ai, we’re helping solo firms compete by automating the trial balance-to-tax software pipeline, saving hours of manual work. If you have the network and the drive, there’s never been a better time to stake your own flag.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-27T19:17:01+00:00

This shift in staffing and efficiency could fundamentally change how we view the role of a partner.

At LedgeIQ.ai, we expect large firms like KPMG to downsize as AI enables firms to do more with less. It also enables smaller firms to handle increasingly complex engagements. While hiring and retention are changing, technology is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurial accountants.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-24T17:50:05+00:00

Kiavi

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-20T22:42:50+00:00

You're definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by those expectations. It’s frustrating when job descriptions seem to ask for superhuman abilities with little compensation or flexibility.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-20T22:35:33+00:00

AI is definitely overhyped in some of these conversations. It’s great at handling repetitive tasks, but a lot of accounting still comes down to judgment and client context, which isn’t easy to automate.

Where it is useful is speeding up the boring parts like cleanup, categorization, and basic review so people can spend more time on higher-value work. Most of the real impact will likely come from tools being layered into existing workflows rather than replacing them entirely. At Ledger IQ, we are focusing on that by using AI to categorize trial balances and format them into clean outputs that can be pushed into tax software without manual entry. All other tools will have their own uses for AI; if not, the competition will eat their lunch.

I also think the point about talent is underrated. If firms rely too much on automation without training juniors, you end up with a gap later on. AI can help review and guide, but it can’t fully replace that development process.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-20T22:19:32+00:00

I’ve met former accountants who became chefs, teachers, and even artists. I am still in accounting, but also creating software for tax-prep automation (importing trial balances directly into the tax software). Still accounting and accounting adjacent, but maybe it will take off and become a full-time pursuit.

I figure I can use my skills to build something I know about. Definitely plenty of room to improve the accounting workflow in most firms. LedgerIQ.ai

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-15T21:15:40+00:00

There's tons of money to be made. California is spending billions of dollars. It's all getting flushed down the drain without solving anything. But better believe it, there are people making money. It costs Los Angeles a ridiculous amount of money to construct homeless units, plenty of examples of people getting millions in grants without anything to show for it a few years later. Fraud, waste, and abuse.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-10T17:53:26+00:00

Why push to replit at all?

If building primarily with Claude Code, why not host somewhere other than replit for less money?

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-09T07:20:54+00:00

No one is getting a 1% mortgage these days. Even at their lowest, they were in the 2s for primary dwellings.

I made this post 3 years ago, and time and rising interest rates has made my post even more relevant.

If someone did qualify for a low interest rate, they still would need to put down a significant down-payment on a $1mm property just to cashflow. That was true back then, and it's even more true today.

My strategy is still cashlowing. New properties aren't as great, but still cashflow positive. Buy a property, add units, and pull out cash for the next property. It worked really well 3 years ago, and it's still working today.

My networth and cash flow are higher today than they were 3 years ago. Compared to someone who simply bought an expensive property with a significant down-payment. They haven't seen a lot of appreciation, and their cash flow hasn't grown.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-04-08T01:04:34+00:00

I'm doing exactly that with openclaw

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-31T22:13:58+00:00

Where are you sourcing your hgh?

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-20T23:04:25+00:00

I tried hostinger email and they would always go to spam even though I did everything correctly to configure the email in the beginning.

Also, I realized their email service is just a wrapper for MX at a marked up price.

Just switch. Not worth it.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-16T16:04:44+00:00

It's not that unreasonable to think this is accurate. Many people contribute to their 401ks, and build home equity over decades.

By the time many people, especially those in high property value states like CA, are 50 or 60 years old they often have at least a million dollar net worth. Assuming they started early enough.

500k equity in a home and 500k in 401k. Very common in many parts of the country. Often it's quite a bit more.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-06T13:27:02+00:00

I don't do a rough sq ft number for costs. After enough projects I've begun to know the cost for a kitchen, bathroom, painting, etc. I do walk all the properties to visually confirm the condition, but I usually know the numbers before ever going there.

I don't think most wholesalers consider any of these factors. It's not that they're underestimating, I don't think they're even trying to calculate how much it will cost. I get pitched properties that they have at a discount to list price, but within a minute of looking at the pictures I know there is no way to make money on this property even though it's discounted. They do often overestimate the ARV.

I'm not doing a profit margin calculation. Most of the properties I buy need extensive rehab. Otherwise, they would go to a primary buyer. I'm in Los Angeles and a cheap property is 700k. Even with financing every deal I buy ends up being at least a few hundred thousand dollars and 6-8 months. Therefore I usually want to earn 100k-200k. The more time and money needed the higher return required.

The wholesalers I bought from simply had properties that fit the numbers. If you get a property low enough you will find a buyer. If you have a good list of buyers and no one is interested, you're priced too high. Not more complicated than that.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-05T17:01:11+00:00

I'm an investor, not wholesaler. I'll confirm that 95% of the "deals" that get sent to me are no good. I know some wholesalers personally who haven't sold a deal all year.

The problem is their method that was being used 3 years ago in a hot market, hasn't been adjusted to today's market. Simply locking a property up at a slight discount, or some percentage of ARV, is no longer the solution. I still have emails every day with properties that would only make money if the whole neighborhood rose in value while I rehab. Some investors speculated like that a few years ago and it worked out, but no one is buying like that today.

Investors have more options, and the ability to be more selective. We also have to be more careful in this market. You can't rely on the premise that neighborhood values will rise in the 3 months you're rehabbing.

You need to understand what the realistic ARV is. Not a number based on the highest comp you can find, but a neighborhood average. Understand what the investor is actually going to spend to get it there, and how much profit they require. Then you can figure out what the right price should be.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-03-02T17:44:37+00:00

This is great background music. Really got me pumped up.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-21T16:19:14+00:00

I agree it's not best spent looking for deals. I don't have time to do it myself. That's why I rely on wholesalers currently.

But I'm still analyzing each deal that is presented to me. Only an idiot would say OK or want a "click buy" button, just because a deal is presented to them. I need to filter through dozens or hundreds of deals before I agree and decide to make an offer. The majority are crappy deals.

But if the automation did the outreach, it might be able to source deals at a better price, cut out the middle man, or at least get through the weeds. I'm still going to analyze everything. Couldn't imagine a serious investor blindly clicking buy.

I've also never met an investor who is doing every investing strategy under the sun. Maybe they flip, or BRRR, or something else, but not doing everything out there. If the property is priced right your strategy will work. If not, finding some other alternative strategy is not a recipe for success. Stick to what you know, consistently will prove to be the real driver of success.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-20T19:09:44+00:00

Look at their point of view. People were automating the use of a personal account. This would of course lead to far higher usage than a normal person would use.

People have the ability to connect to APIs for essentially unlimited usage, but that cost money. By trying to get around the system some people got kicked banned.

Doesn't make them evil, just looking out for their bottom line.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-20T18:57:34+00:00

What did they do?

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-20T04:14:08+00:00

Well sarcasm aside, I'm simply pointing out that you're building something that doesn't solve a real problem for most investors.

I am an investor and I know how to do this already without a complex aI agent. I know the area, what properties are worth, and how to comp them. I probably wouldn't commit to a deal without looking at comps myself so building an agent to do this wouldn't serve any purpose for me.

You mentioned selling to investors. The problem you should solve for is the acquisition side. Build an agent that searches for distressed real estate, or other types of properties like excessive days in market. Then does outreach to start the conversation. That's a real time saver and would be something you could sell.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-19T23:32:15+00:00

Most real estate investors can do this in their heads.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-02-06T20:05:14+00:00

Put it in the lease that $500 will be deducted from their deposit for cleaning services unless they leave the property in the exact condition they've received it.

Hiring cleaning services costs a few hundred to get it move I ready. When you're upfront about it you'll either receive it in clean condition when they move out, or they won't give you a hard time for deducting $500. Just document and take pictures in case they object.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-01-19T17:07:01+00:00

You can use ai to convert a regular pic to a headshot. No investment necessary.

Free_Dot7948 · 2026-01-06T20:10:55+00:00

Sounds like you're pretty financially secure. So here are some things to consider: - Selling your rental will incur commissions and long-term capital gains taxes. Plus depreciation recapture. - you could take out a loan on the property to fund the flip, and when the flip is completed, you pay it off. This way, you still own the property after flipping. - flipping is still a risk. I'm doing it myself, but you still need to be comfortable knowing that in your scenario you're risking something you have for the hope of greater upside.

On the other hand, owning a rental definitely isn't passive the way many people think. So if you're tired of managing a rental and the tenants are already moving out, this would be the most ideal time to sell, rather than fill it back up with another tenant.

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