Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

I almost thought of titling this "A Window Into My Life" because that is really what it is.

Yesterday was an IRS Audit. I like representing clients before the IRS. For some reason the IRS just doesn't scare me, women yes, the IRS no. I guess one of the reasons that I like representing clients before the IRS is that I am fairly good at it and have never really "lost" an audit. The reason there is a picture on my profile is that is how I was dressed yesterday when I represented a client, J.T., before the IRS. I'm not happy with the picture, still 18 pounds from my goal and the resolution of the picture is terrible but I promised the client that she could take my picture and I would put it on my profile if we won her audit. There is no magic to my success it is just that I win the civility challenge when it comes to the IRS auditors. The IRS auditors are just normal people, like you and I, just doing their job. You can disagree with them in a tactful manner and if you and the auditor hit a wall you can move the audit up to the supervisor in a way that doesn't punnish the auditor. What happened with J.T. is that she was being audited for deducting investment advisor fees. When we prepared her 2006 return while she was sitting at my desk(my kitchen table) we called her broker for the amount that she paid for investment advise. They gave us a number, we deducted that number. Then when she got the audit notice we called the broker to have him write a letter verifying the amount that he previously gave us and found out that he had given us the wrong amount. We deducted six thousand bucks more than she paid. We then got a letter from the broker admitting that he gave us the wrong amount. I warned the client that she might owe about two grand.

Before the audit J.T. and I went to lunch. I always meet with my clients the day of the audit, give them a little speach to settle them down, and tell them what to expect. Some of the questions the IRS ask during an audit are, Did you do any bartering? Did you have any cash transactions in excess of ten thousand dollars? After telling J.T. what she would be asked I gave my little speach, be honest, don't volunteer information, don't lie, be yourself, be nice, don't ever raise your voice. The auditor was actually a very pretty, very nice young woman. She asked every question that I told J.T. she would ask and J.T. passed with flying colors. Then we got down to numbers. I admitted to the mistake, gave her the letter from the broker admitting he screwed up, and told the auditor that J.T. would pay whatever she owed today if she had an adjustment. Auditors are not rated by how much money they collect, they are rated by how many audits they close. If the auditor closed the audit yesterday she would get brownie points and because we had a letter showing the adjustment wasn't our fault there would be no penalties if the auditor accepted the letter. The auditor made the six grand adjustment, ran the numbers on the computer and because of a quirk in the law involving alternative minimum tax J.T. ended up not owing a penny. Wow, were angels watching over J.T. and I are what?

Today Mom and I are going to lunch with the son of a long time friend, C.R. Those that have been with the blog since the beginning probably remember a post that I did about a long time friend that had passed away, http://thedahnreport.blogspot.com/2008/01/in-memory-of-carrie-richardson.html , Carrie. One of the things that came out of her passing is me reconnecting with her son. He is an amazing guy and one thing I didn't realize is that he was the global marketing vice president for TIVO up until a month ago. I had a connection that I didn't know! He starts a new job with a new company Monday. Board of Director appointment and a v.p. position. I've been emailing with C.R. and saw him at the memorial. Mom hasn't seen him for years and C.R. really wants to see Mom so we are heading out to have lunch with him. Turns out C.R.'s wife owns a restaurant in the Cedar Hills area and that is where we will meet him. Should be a fun day.

Tomorrow is the start of a big week for yours truly. Sister is arriving here from Utah to start the process of Mom moving to Chehalem Springs for respite care. Sis is going to help her pack and decorate her apartment. Mom moves the 30th. When Sis visits, Mom, Sis, her husband, and I always take a day and go to Spirit Mountain Casino. They have great food and I will indulge in my favorite, sweet potato fries. I will also indulge in some gambling. Last time I was there I won nineteen hundred bucks, I hope history repeats itself. OK, folks need your help here. Please pray and send good thoughts that the next few days will be easy for Mom, Sis, and myself. That the move will be easy and that Mom's life will get better once she is in her new digs.

Have a great weekend everyone!