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Q: Why do I even get the Organizer?
A: The Organizer booklet is a tool. It includes information from last year's Federal and State returns and provides space to enter this year's applicable data. It helps make you aware of the many issues to consider when preparing your tax returns. Thus, the booklet may bring to your attention some opportunities to lower your taxes and serve as a guide to meet your reporting responsibilities.
Q: Do I have to fill out the booklet and give you the documents too?
A: The Organizer is sent to help you gather your information. We usually prefer to see the documents (W-2 forms, 1099's, etc.) to ensure that no tax-related items are missed. If you attach the documents to the Organizer, there is no need to fill in the boxes that ask for those amounts. Of course, you should read through the booklet to make sure you've considered all the possible items from last year, as well as new ones for the current year.
Q: If you handle my business, why is there space to provide my business income?
A: The booklet completely reflects the items that appeared on last year's return. Since your business income was on the return for the prior year, it will show up in the appropriate section of the Organizer. If our office is handling the accounting for your business, we will have the data that we need and you will not be required to provide this part. If you're not sure, call the Partner who is in charge of your account.
Q: I'm a new client this year. You won't have my data from last year. What should I do?
A: We can do one of two things to accomodate you. We can send you a blank Organizer booklet, and you can use your prior year's tax returns as a guide. Better yet, if you send us your tax returns from the prior year, we can enter the data and create a custom-made Organizer for you.
Q: Why are there so many Miscellaneous Questions in the Organizer?
A: The questions are designed to raise issues that may not be on last year's return. In our experience, it is better to ask as many questions as can possibly get answered for the returns. We're certain that several of them will be inapplicable to your situation. In those cases, simply put a line through the question or mark it "NA" to show us. If we get just one answer that will help us lower your taxes or avoid government inquiry, we haven't wasted your time.
Q: Should I remove the pages that don't apply to me?
A: We would prefer that you didn't. By leaving them in, we can assume that you considered them. If not, we will have to ask you about the items on the missing pages.
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