Hi everyone, my partner and I brought our w2 documents to a CPA in February. We heard nothing the whole time. The two weeks leading up to tax day he said he was working on the returns and on tax day he said the returns were done but since we are getting refunds on all returns there is no deadline for us. So they’re filing the clients returns that owe first prior to the refunded returns.
This cannot be normal right? I’ve used H&R Block in the past who did our taxes in a timely manner and had to sign my taxes when they were filed. We didn’t sign anything with this guy. He didn’t say anything about filing an extension for us either.
Obv we will be finding a new accountant next year. Im just wondering what steps we need to take or do in the meantime to prevent any headaches.
Appreciate your help.
Posted by medgirl100
17 Comments
It’s completely normal, especially for small practices with a lot of clients. Now obviously you want to get your taxes done sooner since you want that refund, but it is true that there is no penalty even if you file after April 15 when you’re getting a refund. You should’ve probably trying to get in contact every week or 2, considering how busy the tax season gets.
Totally normal. There’s a higher degree of attention CPAs put into prep compared to H&R Block. Year to year comparison analysis, reading and adding notes for current year and carryover notes, current year forward looking projections, other partners reviewing the work, etc. So each client takes considerably more time than a return banged out by H&R Block. We try to get client returns done in the order that they come in but it can take weeks, and in some cases, even longer turn around time. Especially if clients have missing items and there’s back and forth with the client.
Not filing the extension on your behalf was a mistake. If you later discover income that was overlooked or deductions that are disallowed, you’ll face late filing penalties.
The rule is universal: if you dont file on time, you file an extension.
Yes it’s normal for a CPA firm but if the entirety of the return is just the 2 w2’s, this firm probably just isn’t the right fit for you. If you want the taxes done professionally, try to find an accountant with fewer business and complex clients and when you hire them, ask about the average turnaround time.
Why do you need a CPA for a couple W2s and a refund?
A CPA practice that can’t file a simple return before the deadline may not be a good match for you. When shopping for other options, ask when you can expect your return to be done and follow up.
If you’re just filing W2’s and getting a refund back, I would question why you’re paying a CPA to do your taxes at all.
What did your engagement letter say about turnaround?
I’m a small firm CPA (sole-practitioner). I don’t start working on 1040 returns until late March. I prepare C Corp, S Corp, Partnership, PTET extensions/estimates, Payroll Taxes, Sales Taxes, etc. They all have different due dates, and are all due before 4/15.
Then add: helping kids with homework, putting them to bed, family events, Passover/Easter holiday time, an occasional dinner with the spouse, CPE classes, walking the dog, etc.
I LOVE all my clients, but they all know me and I will give them all the proper attention at the proper time.
99% of the time, everything flows smoothly. Then comes the April 15 crunch when that drops to 50%. If you don’t like it, use someone that doesn’t care and only punches numbers into a computer
Everyone saying this is normal, but imo it’s unacceptable. At the firm I work at if you bring your stuff in and it’s everything needed, then you’ll be worked on as soon as we can. We do FIFO, first in first out. There is no reason you should have to wait that long.
Couple concerns right off the batt; the deadline part is partially correct. I will preface that if the return(s) are not filed by 04.15 you very well could get hit with a failure to file penalty. Yes, you could file an extension to file but I don’t see why that would be needed given a W-2 return is very simple to complete. Especially if you’ve already supplied all the documentation.
Personally, I would be looking for new CPA that has the ability to get the W-2’s done no later than April 15th.
If you have only W-2 income, look for a volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) in your area. Its free and you can get your return prepared and e-filed same day.
I agree with others that this is normal.
From your fact pattern, I’d say that you should do it yourselves: cheaper and you can get it done on a timeline of your wishes.
Demand your documents back and file elsewhere immediately, because while the IRS doesn t penalize late returns when a refund is due your CPA is being unprofessional by letting the deadline pass without your signature or a filed extension.
Do you have digital copies of your W 2s ready so you can finish this yourself via a simple online portal today?
Do them yourself on freetaxusa. So easy.
If you only have W2s maybe you don’t need a CPA. The CPA firms have a lot of deadlines. March 15 there is an entity deadline or extension deadline for entities. Then on 4/15 there is the personal tax return deadline. A lot of people don’t even receive their documents until March which doesn’t give us a lot of time to complete tax returns. Then we have to go through a lot of the tax returns and prioritize who owes because if the owe the payment is due on 4/15 as well as the first quarter estimate. So unfortunately if you only have 2 W2s you may not be a priority to a CPA firm. You should find somewhere else to go.
The only part that isn’t normal is that you got them there in February and they weren’t done.