So, not only do clients keep calling, crying about their lives being on hold, but we can't charge them more money. Nothing's happening.

How are we supposed to make a living?

Frankly, I like to look for win-win situations. One of the biggest source of income I know is -- our existing client base. Just as tax pros talk to me, so do clients, maybe even yours?

What are clients' biggest complaints?

• My tax pro didn't tell me that!
• I didn't know I could do that?
• Wow, you saved me so much money, how come s/he didn't?

Let me tell you -- I don't know anything more than anyone else. I'm not telling them anything you can't.  What am I doing differently? I am taking the time to look at their tax returns, their financial conditions AND listening to their concerns.

Anyone can do that! Why do so many tax pros avoid calling their clients to give them advice? The general misconception this industry seems to have is that we should be waiting for clients to call us if/when they have a problem. Or, some pros are afraid that clients won't want to pay if we initiate the call.

So wrong! Your clients will be happy to pay you for helping them out. They rely on your guidance, experience and wisdom.

The truth is -- they don't know they're having a problem. Often, they think they've done something clever -- until they come to us and we bring them back down to earth. Then, it's too late.

So, why don't you take a moment and who you can help? They will not only love you for it -- but your referrals will skyrocket.

1) SIMPLEs  http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/pubs/p5900501.htm --  need to be set up before Sept. 30. This is often misunderstood. Some people think they're useless. But, since they are not tied to a percentage of wages or income, they can be a powerful savings tool.  A full $6,000 can be deposited, per employee.

The employer does not have to fund it - it comes from the employee's own wages (or, owner employee's). And that little extra 3% that the employer can match? It isn't 3% of the $6,000 - it's 3% of the earnings. (Earnings are either wages, tips and related income. Or if Self-employed - net profits on Schedule C.S-Corp net profits are not 'earnings.')

2) If your clients are underwithheld or haven't made estimated payments, there's still time to fix the damage. For tips on quick calculations: http://www.taxmama.com/Articles-cur/w-4prsnl.htm

How many times have your clients come to you during tax season and made your life miserable because they owe too much money?  Call them in and have them bring in their year-to-date paystubs and income information. If you can change their withholding, help them save money, help them plan extra deductions before the end of the year - you'll be a hero.

3) Call in clients who have not taken advantage of their 401ks, IRAs, SEPs and other deferred income resources -- do some planning, even though, some of them can be funded until the last extension next year.
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/pubs/p560toc.htm
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/pubs/p590toc.htm
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/pubs/p571toc.htm

If you think you're confused about retirement plans, think of your poor clients! If you're not really clear on the rules, find someone who is  and set up appointments so you can both meet with your clients. They need to know the alternatives and how to use them. When a ROTH is good for them -- and when it's just so much tripe. But, if you don't meet with them, some financial planner or broker, referred by someone in grocery line will. Get there first and protect your clients from strangers.

4) If they had really high Self Employment taxes, you might want to help them form S-Corps to reduce those.

My rule of thumb is - if Schedule C profit is above $40,000, it's time to take a look at an S-Corp. Why S, not LLC or LLP? Because the other 2 alternatives don't solve the SE tax problem.  If this move only saves them $5,000 per year -- isn't that a nice start? And you can charge them 1-4 hours to set them up and teach them to operate a corporation. You might even
pick up their payroll and bookkeeping.

5) Clients with corporations -- review their books and records to make sure they have the officer's payroll, proper minutes, etc. Nice time to reinforce the fact they need books, verify that they do have a separate bank account. On the larger corporations, make sure all their decisions and compensation are reflected in the minutes and doesn't conflict with pension rules....

6) Clients in business who have been showing losses. It's time to have them come in and review their P & L to see how to make them profitable. You have lots more business  experience -- you can probably help them cut costs -- make contacts with other clients. If it can't become profitable, you must discuss the hobby loss issues with them. In fact, if they really believe it's a business, but there's no hope for it to turn a profit, you'd be doing them a big favor if you convinced them to cut their losses and close down.

7) Clients with employees -- Sit down with them and help them set up some employee benefit plans -- Making 125 plans, 401k's, SIMPLEs all save the employer money as well. Cafeteria plans can help the employees save a substantial amount of tax dollars if they pay for medical insurance, braces, visual care or laser surgery, have child care. And every time the emloyee saves money, so does the employer -- all those pre-tax wages reduce the employer's FICA/Medicare, Futa/Suta, Worker's Compensation insurance. Even after administration costs for these plans, the employer makes a profit! And often, the employer can particpate, too.

8) Look at clients with high earnings and no savings -- help them start building savings and retirement monies. Sometimes, they have reasons for not having savings. Generally, it's a matter of not having discipline. This is the time to help them define some financial goals. Do they want to own a home? Be able to take a specific trip? Retire without worries? Pay for long-term medical care because they have some family history? It's not that hard to help them set up automatic transfers from their bank account to a savings or brokerage account. And in increments of $50 - $100 per month - they could be worth a million dollars when they retire. There's some great information about this in Bottom Line/Personal https://secure.bottomlinesecrets.com/sub_blp_cj000628.html It will validate everything you tell them -- and more.

9) Look at clients with no Schedule A's -- if there's a way to help them buy a home, take the time to help. Do you know how many clients of mine own homes they never expected to own? Sometimes, due to tax or credit problems, low self-esteem, ignorance, laziness ... they don't believe they can really afford a home of their own. Once you sit down with them and work out some numbers, you can usually help them work out a budget to save for that down payment; adjust their with-holding to free up cash; show them how to borrow against their 401k or 403b retirement plans. Those clients never leave you.

10) Stay in touch -- If you can't think of anything that will help, just call and say, "Hi!" They'll find it refreshing that you are not calling with bad news for a change. Remind them you're their friend and open to their ideas. You'll also find out if they bought/sold any property, moved, changed  addresses or jobs, had babies, got married, divorced, died ... made any changes to their lives you need  to know about.

I know, I only promised you 10 reasons. But, here's one more. And it's a doozy!

11) Taking their business online -- your clients are hearing the same news reports, seeing the same films, the same business magazines. They know they have to take their businesses on line -- even if they don't need to do this. Be there for them. Stop them if it's inappropriate. Guide them if it is a good decision.  If you're not sure how to guide them, pick up a free subscription to the Internet's HelpDesk -- where your questions are always welcome. http://adventive.com/lists/ihelpdesk/summary.html

When you're all done -- you'll get paid lots of fees for all your trouble. Your client will get some powerful tax reductions and find themselves either saving money or building equity or building a successful business.

You'll be a hero! A richer hero.

(And you didn't have to be a stockbroker or Certified Finanacial Planner
to do any of this.)