2021 Opener
Dear Client:
I'm now booking appointments for the upcoming filing season. Please use my new scheduling site to book yours on a day and time that works for you. Feedback on this new feature is appreciated!
Document Transmission. All tax documents should be submitted in advance of your appointment. This allows us to focus more meaningfully on your tax return during your appointment, as opposed to focusing on data entry/verification. There are three ways to get your tax documents to me:
1) DROP-OFF is available without an appointment, via a locking mailbox at the front of my home (I’m still working from my home office). Please bundle documents and identify them with your name.
2) SECURE UPLOAD of all documents is available via Drake Portal (formerly Secure File Pro, see below).
3) MAIL original or photocopies of your tax documents to me. If you submit hard copy originals (rather than submitting electronic copies or photocopies), a small administrative fee will apply to document packages exceeding 10 pages, to account for my time in making my copies, which I’m required to keep.
Appointments. You can select your appointment format when booking on my scheduling site. Options this season will include:
1) VIDEO OR PHONE appointments via Zoom/Google/Facetime.
2) DRIVEWAY appointments if you’d like to take care of everything in one sitting. You remain in your vehicle during our phone/video appointment. Your returns will be prepared while you wait and you’ll avoid the hassle of signatures and document return.
My Website. I continue to encourage you to refer people to my website, and to check it out yourself. Feedback is appreciated!
Portal. Secure File Pro has transitioned to Drake Portal, now featuring a more user-friendly interface and prominent messaging feature. Please prioritize using the portal to submit your documents. If you can’t access your account, email me to request a new activation email and instructions.
Tax Return Copies. A full copy of your tax return will be uploaded to your portal account when it’s filed. Abbreviated hard copies (classic portfolio) will be sent by request only, via USPS standard post (free of charge) or by Certified Mail (additional fee applies). Requests for mailed hard copies must be in writing (email or signed letter).
Office Hours. I’ll be scheduling office hours in February as a pilot program. During office hours I’ll follow up on outstanding correspondence and will also be available for impromptu videoconferences on a first come, first served basis. Outside of office hours, my availability will be limited. Office hours will be made available as a blog post on February 1.
As you are likely aware, there were many significant events and issues in 2020 that will impact tax returns – PPP, stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, and more. It feels at times the tax laws are a moving target. Sweeping and/or retroactive legislation has created even more chaos in the past few years. The IRS is still opening the mail they received in August, and presumably is not well-equipped to handle the upcoming tax season. They will, most likely, not be very available to us. This is all to say, I hope you can bear with me through what promises to be a very frustrating and confusing tax season. I spend many hours each year in classes to keep up with it all, but I’ve only got so much time and room in this head! If there’s something you’ve been wondering about, or would like me to research the applicability of, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m confident that, with a focus on efficiency and a little patience, we will make it through the tax season in one piece.
Sincerely,
Rose Disney, EA