Back to the normal

[bill_schubert]

Weather trauma is over here.  The high today is forecast to be 77 (25) degrees.  

So back to the norm, AKA middle of a pandemic, working day.  I've got a very few hours on the job today.  Only 10 to 14:30 with half an hour off in the middle.  I committed to 10 hours a week but sign up for 15-18 ish.  Not at all arduous but enough so I don't forget too much between shifts.  The shifts are call to call to call.  I block out a few mins between calls to catch up notes and such but soon as I click available the phone rings and the next case pops up.  

The tax product is really good.  It is amazingly sophisticated software with exceptional security and assistance availability build in.  And most of the people who I get (lower level helper here) have the free version and are getting help at no cost.  Doesn't make them any more appreciative but I do wonder how the company makes money when so many are using their product for free.  And on their phones.  Tons of people doing their taxes on their phones!  Some with more than just a W-2 but really, what a PIA!

To give you an idea of the level of software sophistication I was on with a guy yesterday who called me on the same phone he was using to run the tax software (they can use phone app or web site).  I was able to remote in on that same phone and help him walk through fixing a problem with his return.  While on their we electronically filed the return.  And he could see the stream of my face in the software as I was helping.  Just amazing.  And he was bitching about this crappy phone and this crappy Internet connection all the while.  Oh, yeah, and it was the free version so it was costing him nothing.  I was just laughing and telling him he had a miracle in his hand if he took a moment to think about it.  He did and agreed.

I'm frequently a facilitator to people getting thousands of dollars back.  Never mind they've basically given the government an interest free loan for a year, I don't tell them that.  They are really appreciative as I smooth their way to get their refund.  And I'm the calming voice since there is no anxiety for me other than, as I told howlin_wolf_66, I hate talking on the phone.  I'm good at it but would never do it again if I could manage.  But I've got all the back up I need and can solve nearly any problem and give personal advice I've learned from filing my taxes for the past 50 consecutive years.   

And it is good for me.  I'd soon do nothing but having to learn the ins and outs of a new system and apply it on the fly dealing with PEOPLE all the time is good for my little gray cells.  And it won't last forever.  

One lady said that Stubb Hubb, one of their clients whose business fell through the floor last year, is even a better gig so maybe I'll move onto something else in the spring.  When it is warm.  Not this frigid 80 degree weather we have now!

Comments

[howlin-wolf-66.livejournal.com]

It's good to be able to help people, and keep the mind working (although sometimes, it would be nice if those people were a little more appreciative!) :-)

I hope you go on to an even better opportunity, in the future.

[susandennis]

Perfect. It sounds so perfect for you. I'm tickled to bits. I cannot imagine doing taxes on the phone. I placed an amazon order on the phone the other day because I was out and in a hurry and I totally fucked it up. And, it's not like I don't have a little experience placing Amazon orders...

[susandennis]

Also YES on Stubb Hubb. I use them to sell my Mariners parking passes. I may have questions. Wouldn't that be hilarouis?

[stainsteelrat.livejournal.com]

Wow, big change in temp! Much more gradual here.

[stainsteelrat.livejournal.com]

Interesting article here about the free-ness of TurboTax https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-just-tricked-you-into-paying-to-file-your-taxes

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

I suppose for very many people now a phone is the only computer they have. Ugh. I love my desktop, my ergonomic keyboard and my 27 inch monitor.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

When I first started my computer support company in 2005 everyone had a computer. By 2010 a lot of people had a PC 'just in case' but spend most of their time on their phone or tablet. I saw the shift and focused more on businesses letting residential come and go as it pleased. At the same time I saw a cell phone company start up next door slowly. Now they are very busy. So I think the demographics have shifted. I'll do email and some stuff on my phone but I'm old and a PC person. I've even got a Pixel 3 XL with a screen big enough to watch movies and I'd rather use a PC. Generational.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

When everyone started using PCs, there was tons of concern about people getting repetitive strain injury. We had people coming to the office measuring everything and giving us footrests and stuff. Now people spend all day hunched over peering at a laptop screen that's far too low. Phones, of course, are even worse, hence "text neck". I'm not sure why people are willing to put up with that, but then they probably have never known any different. PCs are just so much more comfortable to use.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We're at 40 degrees here in Minneapolis, so above normal for the time of year. I'm glad you're back to pre-storm normal in Leander.

I've never done my income taxes. I've been in trouble (meaning having to pay) each year since the tax reform law in 2018. My main dilemma is in MN all retirement income is taxed ... federal and state. Since Medicare is taken out of my Social Security, the net amount leaves me close each month. MN also wants federal and state tax taken from my pension ... I'm caught in a bind because of this.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

Lots I do not like about Texas. And Florida. But since I established residency in the later in 1989 and the former in 2005 I've not paid state taxes. It would make a huge difference to my income. I'd have to work even more than I do now.

I find that doing my own income taxes helps me understand my position better. I did it for all my life until I started a business then it became too complicated and I overpaid a series of CPAs to screw it up for me. Now I've got a couple of wrinkles but the tax software is pretty sophisticated and I can work through it. I had to pay CPA $900 last year. The last he'll get from me.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You're fortunate that you can do your taxes yourself and you understand it. I know quite a bit about a lot of things, but taxes have always confused. I've used the same prep guy in Tennessee for 25 years. He used to do my parents' taxes.

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

Well, that's a good deal then. Taxes are easy. "How much did you make?". "Send it in."