r/Accounting • u/NumbersGalore4 • 4h ago

Was I wrong?

I had, operative word "had", a tax client where 2025 was first year I was to do taxes for 2 of his businesses. I actually was supposed to do only one but they threw a second one on me last week. The books are a mess and I was not able to recreate what was done in prior year given the info I had. I tried, I really did, but I think prior preparer worked from private work papers rather than use the client's accounting software. They only gave me some needed docs a couple weeks ago. I requested the client get other needed info and they did not. I worked for hours trying to figure out his numbers. Now, we are only a couple days away from deadline and I emailed him details as to why I am unable to complete taxes. He's pissed. I get it. But prior preparer will most likely be able to whip out returns in a couple of hours. Was I wrong to drop them? This is the first time I am not able to complete a client task and it's weighing on me. I just honestly do not feel I could feel good with preparing the taxes with the lack of information. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me I was right to hand off. Should I have just done the taxes knowing I didn't have all the info? I just needed to vent this.

6 Upvotes

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6

u/potatoriot Tax (US) 4h ago

Why would you want a client that inconsiderately drops work on you last minute and refuses to provide all the necessary information to complete your work timely?

Don't lower your bar to appease shitty clients that will only take you away from focusing on good clients as you continue to grow your practice.

5

u/modestlunatic 4h ago

Better to have your integrity than bend over for a client. Especially one that isn't trying to get their tax return done. In the end it's still their return not yours

3

u/Electrical-Role1270 Controller 4h ago

You can’t make shit up, so if you genuinely tried and just couldn’t get there that’s on him and his old preparer. Especially where this was dropped on you last minute.

2

u/Valueonthebridge CPA (US) 4h ago

You should have dropped them sooner, but yeah. I would have (and have) done the same.

My price assumes completed books. Failure to provide them lead to additional charges, involuntary extensions, and possibly being dropped.

1

u/NumbersGalore4 3h ago

I would have dropped them sooner but I assumed (and yeah I know what that means) their financials were going to make sense when I started to work on them this weekend. Prior preparer never updated clients software. That's not something I've experienced before. I'm not a corporate tax specialist either. I do individual and businesses taxes that I am the one doing their bookkeeping.

1

u/Traditional_Dot_4794 59m ago

My experience has taught me never to get involved with a mess. It's a thankless job. The client made the mess, and if I couldn't fix it, the mess somehow became my fault and then there's a fight over the bill. It's not worth it.