I’ve been using the same tax preparer for 20-some years. Even kept using him after he moved to a highly inconvenient location.
He always sends out goofy newsletters to his clients this time or year, full of jokes, tax tips and aphorisms. Well, this year’s included, and I quote, such gems as the suggested reading of several books on Islam so, “your eyes will be opened to the fact that Islamic terrorism . . . has actually been a Reign of Terror for over 1000 years,” complaints about Bill Clinton’s policies (what year is it, again?), “why is there ‘voter fraud’ only in the states Republicans win?” and “Christmas carols and Chistmas trees are forms of celebrating Christmas as a holiday and are not religious symbols . . .”
OK, I have never asked about this guy’s private life or opinions. I don’t care how he votes or what his religious beliefs are. But now that he’s seen it fit–for some unfathomable reason–to tell his clients that he’s a right-wing religious zealot . . . Well, any of you guys know a good tax preparer in NYC? This guy’s just lost my business.
Nice one, Miller. Actually, Democratic bosses used to commit a lot of voter fraud, and reform groups often were formed to throw them out and get honest votes. My thinking on why it’s only found in Republican states is that Democrats are motivated to look for it, and in general committed to an honest vote. Many Republicans are likewise committed to fair and honest elections – but there are venal party-above-probity Republicans today (as there were similar Democrats in the past). And for some reason Republicans have not unearthed examples of alleged voter fraud by Democrats to any serious degree – whether moral or prudential considerations are keeping any Democrats from committing it, they’re doing a better job of hiding it, or the Republicans are just plain unmotivated, is debatable. (I will not buy media cover-up – even allowing the [inaccurate] concept that most major media are so pro-liberal Democrat that they would suppress anti-Democratic news [a large number of them are somewhat pro-liberal Democrat, but most are committed to journalistic integrity, doing news “straight” and editorializing to promote their views] – even allowing for that theory, there are a lot of pro-conservative papers and media.)
As for the Christmas item, Eve, would you ask him for a cite on that? I’ll have to show it to our priests – we do Christmas carols as an act of worship between December 24 and January 6 inclusive, and I’m sure they’d want to know that they’re not religious! :rolleyes: )
I haven’t decided, I’ve always liked the guy. Mind you, I’m not dropping him because he’s a right-wing Christian Republican; I don’t care. I’m dropping him because he chose to be smug and obnoxious about the fact that he’s a right-wing Christian Republican in a mailing to his clients.
What the heck kind of idiot busnessman would intentionally bring up hot-button topics in a newsletter? “Hi, folks–it’s tax-time, I’m anti-abortion, I think blondes are stupid, I hate the Irish and Pepsi’s better than Coke!”
Not to mention that even if news stations were bought and paid for in the Democrats’ pocket, they’d still do anything to get a scoop on Democratic ticket diddling.
Eve:Mind you, I’m not dropping him because he’s a right-wing Christian Republican; I don’t care. I’m dropping him because he chose to be smug and obnoxious about the fact that he’s a right-wing Christian Republican in a mailing to his clients.
Then just tell him that you think it’s unprofessional to put his personal views about religion and politics into a tax-tips newsletter, and you’re going to take your business to someone with a little more professionalism.
Don’t get into the question of what you personally think of his religious and political views, 'cuz as you say, it’s irrelevant. But IMO it’s only fair to be honest with him about why he lost your custom, and it’s the only way you have a chance of influencing his behavior and possibly sparing his other clients the same sort of annoyance in the future.
Is it safe to incur the ire of someone who’s been doing my taxes for 20 years? Especially someone who’s made quite clear his distaste for left-wing, non-Christian liberals?
Absolutely. Look at the back of your 1040s – down there in the lower right. He’s signed that, vouching in his professional capacity that your taxes have been done honestly and accurately. He cannot possibly get you in tax trouble without destroying his own business in the process.
Eve wants to claim this is all about religion and politics. But the real reason she’s upset is his last line where he said, “and on a lighter note, a little movie trivia - did you know Theda Bara got her name from an anagram of Arab Death?”
I use a tax specialist CPA whom I honestly believe is the best income tax accountant in Las Vegas. I’d recommend him to you if you lived in Las Vegas or Southern California.
This is absolutely correct - my CPA carries a huge ($1m+) malpractice insurance policy that AFAIK he’s never had to use.
This is one reason I’ll always have a pro do my taxes - if the IRS comes after me, it’s not totally on me. (Excepting evasion, which Federal Judge Harry Claiborne found out, after he signed his return blank and his tax preparer completed it in pencil, IIRC).
In addition, a tax specialist can advise you on how to arrange your finances so as to pay the least tax. Were I to win the lottery[sup][/sup], I’d call him first.
[sup] Would be quite a feat, as I don’t gamble. I know better, as I make slot machines for a living[/sup]
