People should have to pay for that.
2006-09-26 09:09:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
No matter the motivations the advice given free from strangers is worth exactly what you pay for it. I've seen people who have identified themselves as accountants and CPAs give not only inaccurate, but sometimes downright ignorant advice. Could be they dole it out here looking for respect they cannot possibly get in the workplace.
My advice, free as it may be, is to never act on anything unless you can independently verify what was written.
2006-09-26 10:00:07 · answer #1 · answered by misslabeled 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an accountant, but I play on on T.V. No, seriously, I do taxes professionally and I answer tons of free questions here. Why?
1) I love taxes...that's why I do it professionally. When you love your job, it isn't a job.
2) Every question is a chance to learn, both as the asker and the answerer.
3) Even though the answer is free, some people who really like the answer will contact the answerer for more info and, eventually, possibly, become clients. It's another way to get your name out there and show your altruistic side.
Hope this helps :)
2006-09-26 10:03:34 · answer #2 · answered by TaxMan 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I feel that if I give an explanation that lets you know "You're in over your head" that you will actually seek and pay for literally the same advice BUT you will also have a CPA who has signed your return and will represent you in front of the IRS if they are incorrect. If you choose to go with what I've said on these boards and do it yourself you at least have a little more knowledge than that with which you started.
BTW - I also prepare taxes for free through VITA.
Contrary to Bethe's statement I have an MS in taxation so I am somewhat educated on taxes instead of GAAP.
2006-09-28 05:39:54 · answer #3 · answered by FlCpa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an Accountant would give free advice on taxation to feed his/her ego, since most "accountants" are primarily educated in the generally accepted accounting rules rather than individual or entity income taxation - at least in the US. Why does anyone give free advice? I have found personally, that people value everything on its cost, so free advice is worthless and isn't complied with as readily as the advice a person "pays" (a professional) for.
2006-09-27 08:35:17 · answer #4 · answered by ... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he's actually a tax attorney and will get TONS more money to defend you against a hostile IRS after you follow the booby-trapped advice.
Seriously - some people just like to help, and since they are answering a worldwide site, not shrinking their own customer base very much. Also, maybe they will win you or somebody as a customer. Also, most of these questions are pretty easy and one can research on the web anyway.
2006-09-26 12:40:11 · answer #5 · answered by larry n 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because some accountants like me aren't scumbags who feel the need to charge $80 to answer give a 10 second answer
2006-09-26 10:37:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is just general information. To obtain advice about your facts you need to contact them personally. Use this reel them in as clients.
2006-09-26 09:58:21 · answer #7 · answered by dillon Y 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they want to help. Knowledge should be shared.
2006-09-26 09:12:04 · answer #8 · answered by irongrama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't, and if they do they don't identify themselves as accountants because they can be sued if they mess up.
2006-09-27 02:24:46 · answer #9 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because he's not notorizing it and it is in your hands whether to take the advise..
2006-09-27 07:42:52 · answer #10 · answered by twinky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋