Thanks for reading my question.
About me: full time employee with side business.
About a year and half ago I met with a CPA that I thought I was going to do business with. On the phone he said our initial consultation was free. When I met with him I decided to use his services and he said in that meeting there would be a little charge for this meeting which was an example of how he billed. He says, of course, his bill is all based on time. The meeting lasted about an hour. Again, on the phone initially when I first called him he said the first meeting is free from the best I remember.
Since that meeting I emailed him a few questions such as questions about SEP IRAs, need for attorney for my business, etc. I don't think he would have spent more than 15 minutes on the email.
He set me up with estimated taxes and says he did a projection. I don't think he did a projection really as we figured out estimates during the onsite meeting. It was a guess. So with this I can't imagine him spending more than 30 minutes.
I received a bill for $200 for the meeting and my email questions. He says this is a bargain since his normal rate is $250/hour.
Should I pay it and be done with it? If I rightfully owe him the full $200 then I'll pay it but it seems kind of sketchy.
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Next question -- I have a CPA that I really like now. We met initially and he said he could file my taxes for $350. I got the bill and it was $495. I can admit that I may have been a little more complicated than normal. I had a lot of deductions and wasn't the best organized. We did spend an hour initially and there was no charge for that meeting (supposedly). After the meeting we met an hour again to file the taxes.
Is this normal for the quote to be $350 and get a bill for $495. I emailed asking why but did not get a response. He ended up filing taxes for me and my wife as well as for my business. He also helped me convert to S-Corp although I am the one who did the paperwork with IRS.
I tell you I am extremely happy with his results. But other than being a little loose in my organization, we pulled all info together in an hour meeting and a few follow up emails. Other than that it was pretty simple.
Just curious if I should hold back and get more info or just pay and be done with it.
Thanks!
About me: full time employee with side business.
About a year and half ago I met with a CPA that I thought I was going to do business with. On the phone he said our initial consultation was free. When I met with him I decided to use his services and he said in that meeting there would be a little charge for this meeting which was an example of how he billed. He says, of course, his bill is all based on time. The meeting lasted about an hour. Again, on the phone initially when I first called him he said the first meeting is free from the best I remember.
Since that meeting I emailed him a few questions such as questions about SEP IRAs, need for attorney for my business, etc. I don't think he would have spent more than 15 minutes on the email.
He set me up with estimated taxes and says he did a projection. I don't think he did a projection really as we figured out estimates during the onsite meeting. It was a guess. So with this I can't imagine him spending more than 30 minutes.
I received a bill for $200 for the meeting and my email questions. He says this is a bargain since his normal rate is $250/hour.
Should I pay it and be done with it? If I rightfully owe him the full $200 then I'll pay it but it seems kind of sketchy.
----
Next question -- I have a CPA that I really like now. We met initially and he said he could file my taxes for $350. I got the bill and it was $495. I can admit that I may have been a little more complicated than normal. I had a lot of deductions and wasn't the best organized. We did spend an hour initially and there was no charge for that meeting (supposedly). After the meeting we met an hour again to file the taxes.
Is this normal for the quote to be $350 and get a bill for $495. I emailed asking why but did not get a response. He ended up filing taxes for me and my wife as well as for my business. He also helped me convert to S-Corp although I am the one who did the paperwork with IRS.
I tell you I am extremely happy with his results. But other than being a little loose in my organization, we pulled all info together in an hour meeting and a few follow up emails. Other than that it was pretty simple.
Just curious if I should hold back and get more info or just pay and be done with it.
Thanks!