Accountant issue - what would you do?

[ponyfitness]

So I hired an accountant in January to do my unfiled tax returns from 2005-2009. She has taken care of everything after quite some time and so far everything has been smooth although she has taken her sweet time getting anything done.

Her original quote to me in January was $810 and she asked for a retainer which I provided. Tonight she emails me to tell me everything is ready but she needs one more piece of info - and by the way, her fees went up from $810 to $1300 because she had to take care of some extra forms due to me being self-employed (which she knew about originally). She is also demanding payment suddenly by Monday or she can't courier my returns on time.

I'm extremely pissed and sent her back a polite but firm email telling her so. In my opinion it's like a moving company loading the truck and then telling you they won't unload unless you pay them more on the spot.

Any ideas on how to proceed? If I don't file one return then I'm going to pay some hefty penalties so she probably knows she has me screwed.

 

[nimbus]

piitb

seriously though good luck man, i'd talk to a lawyer if you haven't already

 

[75th]

Did you sign an agreement before starting? What did you sign when you gave her a retainer?

 

[lander2312]

I guess it would really depends on a few important matters....
1) how did you come out? If it was on the good then i would just take it for what she said...there was more work involved and she deserves the pay.
2) If you dont have a writen agreement then she does have you by the balls too

either way looks like you will pay

 

[ceo]

I guess you could take your chances with the IRS.

 

[nydj66]

He actions are unprofessional but she does have you by the balls. Consider it a $500 life lesson and never use her services again.

 

[trex74]

yeah that burns but hopefully she did a good job
i agree- life lesson and don't use her again

 

[billfred]

$325/yr sounds pretty cheap to me. I would pay the bill and move on.

Oh - and I would file annually from now on but you already know that.

 

[chewyxrage]

You said she gave you a quote.

That's just a quote.

Do you have a written, signed agreement?

 

[digimon7068]

So I hired an accountant in January to do my unfiled tax returns from 2005-2009. She has taken care of everything after quite some time and so far everything has been smooth although she has taken her sweet time getting anything done.

Her original quote to me in January was $810 and she asked for a retainer which I provided. Tonight she emails me to tell me everything is ready but she needs one more piece of info - and by the way, her fees went up from $810 to $1300 because she had to take care of some extra forms due to me being self-employed (which she knew about originally). She is also demanding payment suddenly by Monday or she can't courier my returns on time.

I'm extremely pissed and sent her back a polite but firm email telling her so. In my opinion it's like a moving company loading the truck and then telling you they won't unload unless you pay them more on the spot.

Any ideas on how to proceed? If I don't file one return then I'm going to pay some hefty penalties so she probably knows she has me screwed.

on time for what?? are you under a levy notice from the irs??

i'm a cpa/cva and i have a masters degree in taxation. . .i doubt that i could do 5 years worth of tax returns for a self-employed person for $810. . .at my hourly rate, that would be 1 hour per return. . .not likely. . .in fact, if your records were clean and easy to make tax returns out of AND you required me to give you a quote, i'd probably use at least 3 hours per return and quote you $2,400. . .i'm very good, but i'm not very cheap. . .however, i'm almost always cheaper than h&r block, and they're morons