New policy for next year

[IRonMaN]

I'm old fashioned and not afraid to admit it.  Other than a handful of returns that go out electronically to clients, I still operate primarily in paper copies of returns going to clients along with paper 8879s going out along with the returns..  Of course I am able to recognize that most of my client base couldn't figure out that I need their signature on the lines that say "signature", so I use "sign here" tabs for them to follow.  But once you sign the 8879 please remove the &%$###!!!! sign here tabs.  I am old and all of the work involved in removing all of those tabs is just too exhausting for me at the end of the day. (ok, maybe it is just a little irritating rather than exhausting but exhausting sounds better).  Starting next year I am considered giving a $10 discount for any client that can safely remove the tabs without injuring themselves.  But then again, maybe I should check with the more frugal members of this community before I go that route.  Anybody here interested in purchasing slightly used sign here tabs at a greatly reduced price compared to new ones? 💰

[dascpa]

I too used these Sign Here tabs (by RediTab) for a zillion years. Also had a note to remove. Last year I gave them up and spent $0.85 to buy a yellow highlighter. Now I highlight the taxpayer and spouse signature and date field and it's been a life-changer. I may even splurge and buy a 2nd highlighter.

Together we can sell cases of these tabs in stock.

Add to that I just reprinted 1,000 envelopes to the state for property tax returns (still not available yet) but I see they changed addresses. I have for sale cheap two unopened boxes of envelopes. Some people say to put stickers on top of the old address but that looks tacky.

[IRonMaN]

But I'm guessing 90% of my client base is color blind so I don't know how well that would work.  Maybe I will give it a test run at some point.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I just put a big red X where they need to sign, with a slip clipped to the top that says sign at the red X and return to me, in person, by mail, by fax, by carrier pigeon, I dont care how you get it to me, just get it to me!

[IRonMaN]

To put things in perspective, IronWoman was working with one of our Fire Relief Association clients back in December and had mailed the organization's treasurer some forms that needed be submitted to the State.  The treasurer received the packet in the mail with various forms that had addressed envelopes paper clipped to the forms and the forms had sign here tabs as needed.  IronWoman received a phone call from the treasurer and the treasurer just had one question - Do I sign my name next to where the sign here tabs are?  😬

[IRonMaN]

As a side note, I believe if I sent 8879s with big red X's, a portion of my client base would send back the form with a big red O's thinking I was engaging them in a game of tic-tac-toe.

[Skylane]

I don’t bother with stickies, highlighters or X’s and don’t really care if  sign on the wrong line.
We keep a dozen  unrecognizable (retired MD) signature stamps in the office just in case..

It always amazes me that preparers not only Pay fees for e-signatures but spend hours tracking chasing, and complaining about them… 

My clients have never requested e-signature …. My pricing lists e-sign as an option for a $75 additional fee.

[BobKamman]

Same here, although I use orange instead of yellow (too pastel, too difficult to spot in dim light).  Although nowadays I'm not sure if I'm making a political statement with orange.  Like the Canadian YouTuber with the cooking show who recently did a video on how to prepare Orange Fool, from a 1685 recipe.  Apparently an American who does colonial-era recipes got in trouble 10 years ago for the same item.  

[GodFather]

I'd raise your rate by at least $10 before giving the discount.  😉

[IRonMaN]

After a good night’s sleep I decided it was a stupid idea.  Fees will be doubled for anyone that can’t take the tabs off.

[Accountant-Man]

I stopped using the "Sign Here!" tabs years ago and just highlighted the Name and Date blocks. The colorblind were out of luck.

[TaxGuyBill]

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@IRonMaN wrote:

 any client that can safely remove the tabs without injuring themselves. 

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That is the tricky part.  They will likely injure themselves, then file a lawsuit against you for their injury.  😂

[IRonMaN]

As we speak I am putting together a safety video on how to take them off safely.  Clients will be required to watch the video when they drop off their information and I will add an additional section to our engagement letter that they acknowledge that they have watched the video and can't sue me for any damages occurring while taking off the darn things.