I used Gary’s services to file my 2012 income tax return. This was my first year having an accountant do my return, as I have always done it myself using TurboTax. However, this year I had cancelled debt from my old primary residence which I was forced to convert to a rental property after relocating out of state.

While it didn’t cost me anything to do the short sale, the income tax consequence from the cancelled debt, roughly $50,000 in my case, was enough to move me from the 15% tax bracket to the 25% tax bracket. Needless to say, I was concerned about that.

Finances were already tight and my husband and I are expecting our first child this fall. So the possibility of owing income tax was stressing me out. However, Gary was great at relieving my fears.

He is extremely knowledgeable, answered all my questions and was very thorough. I knew I was in good hands. He kept in constant contact with me throughout the process, keeping me updated on the progress of my return and letting me know what paperwork he needed to complete my filing.

In my mind, best case scenario would have been to not owe any taxes. Second best would be to only owe a little. Well, you can imagine my surprise and delight when Gary told me I was actually due a refund of a little over $2,700.00!

To top it all off, I found Gary’s fee for service to be fair, competitive and affordable; especially given the complexity of this type of return. I am so glad I did not try and go it alone this year. I am extremely pleased with Gary’s service and would recommend him highly to anyone, in fact I already have. If you have cancelled debt from a short sale or foreclosure, don’t freak out. Take a deep breath and call or email Gary. I am grateful I did.

Angie Falke of Holiday, FL

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Tax CPA takes a poke at H&R Block | Batman needs a CPA

Tax CPAs don’t really hate H&R Block. And the “error” H&R Block made, might not even be a true error. But they sure are catching flack over it. Plus they’ve endangered Batman. And exposed him to another villain, the IRS! Why’d you do it H&R Block? Batman needs a CPA.

OK, H&R Block tries to cash in on comic book movies by presenting the super hero’s imaginary tax returns on line. But H&R Block now unwittingly joins Gotham’s pantheon of super villains. I hope Marvel sues them (I love Batman so much!)

So, with the new Batman movie opening (the legend ends in IMAX according to the movie posters – please don’t kill Batman), H&R Block posted Bruce Wayne’s tax return online. Shame, shame for revealing Batman’s secret identity. I hope the IRS nails them on confidentiality issues.

But H&R Block appears to make a basic mistake. Something no tax CPA would ever do. Yes son, I’ll help Batman. They note that Bruce Wayne gives a huge amount to charities. And then deducts it on his tax return. But charitable contributions are only 30-50% deductible. H&R Block appears to deduct it all. This will certainly result in an IRS tax audit of Batman, I mean Bruce Wayne. Why? The error is so basic and the amount is so high. How come you hate the Batman, H&R Block?

Pursuant to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service Circular 230, we inform you that, to the extent any advice relating to a Federal tax issue is contained in this communication, including in any attachments, it was not written or intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (a) avoiding any tax related penalties that may be imposed on you or any other person under the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed in this communication. You can't reasonably rely on this website for tax preparation advice. The posts are an overview of the topic at a particular point in time. Tax code changes. Your specific fact pattern affects application of any tax issue. Reading this website does not constitute a CPA-client relationship.

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