Client Letter: Raising Fees 2012

Dear [client name]:

Every year at this time we sit back and analyze what has happened during the past year in our office. We look at several things; clients, growth, employees, equipment, services and our quality of life. We highly suggest that every one of our clients also use this time of year to reflect on things that have happened in their lives during the past year; family, jobs, health, and homes, and to make changes where changes are needed.

One of the things that we examine at this time of the year is how our office has handled the previous busy season, what problems we encountered and what decisions we need to make to solve those problems. During the year we hope that you have not encountered problems with our office, but we also hope that is you have had problems that you have called them to our attention.

This year, after closely examining the hours we worked, the monies we invested in people and equipment, the time we invested in training ourselves and our employees, and the processes we used in preparing our tax returns, we found a problem. After looking at all of these related factors, we determined that we were not billing enough to compensate for our investments of time, money and people and that we needed more time to process the returns accurately and completely. After realizing this problem, we realized that this had been a growing issue for several years that we have failed to address. Although it is a difficult decision to make, we have determined that we must raise our fees and reduce the number of tax appointments we do for this coming tax season, both for our own quality of life and in order to more personally and professionally serve those clients who remain with us.

Based on our analysis, we have decided, without exception, to raise every client's fee and to base your tax return fee on a per form pricing structure (please see enclosed schedule) for the preparation of their 1040 tax return this coming year. The amount of the increase will be between 100% for returns under $250, and 50% for large, more difficult returns. We understand that this increase may cause a burden for some of you, but we feel that the increase must be made, and we will apply the increase across the board to all clients, without exception. For those of you who wish to consult with other tax professionals as a result of this increase we will be happy to assist your transition with a simple records release form.

We have also decided to reduce the days and times we will be available to do tax interviews. We know this may seem like a drastic change, but we feel we can serve you better by calling you while in the working process when we have an in-depth knowledge of your current year tax situation. We will let you know what days and times we will be available to do tax interviews when we send out the organizers in early January.

To help ease in the transition in the implementing of our new fee structure, we have decided to offer, for this first year only, a 20% discount on the fee increase if you drop off your return this year.

I wanted to inform you of this change, in advance, so that you will not be surprised when you pick up your return this year. We have always valued your business, and will continue to value it in the future. The best way that I know of to retain your trust and confidence is to inform you in advance of these and any other changes.

Please feel free to call me at any time to discuss this or any other problem you may have.

Thanks again for your past support, and thanks in advance for your future support.

Sincerely,

[Your Name, Your Firm]

Parker Tax Pro Library - An Affordable Professional Tax Research Solution. www.parkertaxpublishing.com

Prepared by: Bob Jennings CPA, CFP, CITP Jennings Advisory Group, LLC

Bob Jennings CPA, EA, CFP, CITP is a nationally renowned speaker, presenting continuing education classes to over 150,000 tax professionals over the last 20 years all over the world.

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