has anyone used H& R Block for their Property Investment Accounting ? They charge around $284 they told me but im unsure of their knowledge as I thought they were just PAYG income tax specialists ?
I don't think they are specialists at all. Ask them if the person you deal with would be a licenced tax agent?
the majority of people working on your returns are nurses, teachers, part time employees, etc who have done a basic course that runs for a few weeks. my masters of tax took 3 years part time to complete and was a difficult course. a couple of weeks course is a joke.
If you had no investments or no deductions they would be fine. The ATO effectively produces these tax returns automatically so H&R Block would be adequate to download the return, print it out and show it to you. We have employed a few university graduates who have done the H&R Block Course to add something to their CV before they got their first job. The course gave them an initial introduction into the layout of the most commonly used sections of the tax form and how to get the form through the ATO checks. I know a couple of life insurance guys who are looking at the H&R Block type market as an excuse to get salary and wage earners in the door and promote the life insurance and superannuation products. I don't know if that has worked.
Mike - You understate yourself. The Masters happened after you did Uni, had 5+ years work experience and also completed your post grad CPA and while your worked. Not a 6 week night school for newbs who want some extra cash like a Domino's pizza driver would. And a Masters isnt just "difficult". Its as hard as a challenge can be. I reckon franchised tax preparers who have done a short course should be outlawed. How would a person feel if they learned their dentist was a nurse or a receptionist, how would you feel if your legal advice was given by a settlements clerk ? So how do you tell if the person doing your work is qualified, experienced or even if their work is reviewed before they open their mouth ? Their argument is that they review all the work. Ahem. Really ? I have had to correct some shockers from franchised firms. I havent seen a non-franchised firm with similar issue. We dont even employ unqualified staff without a personal tax agent registration as a minimum. I could likely produce more output if I used a $50 a hour staffer but I shudder to think what they may say and someone thinks is the views of a qualified person.
H&R Block tax course must be the equipment of teal estate registration course - a serious commitment, not.
the problem is @D.T. they are claiming to be specialists in property investors which is certainly not their area of expertise. they are great for a simple PAYG with a few simple deductions.
Loads of tax advisers say they know about real estate and property taxes. Some individuals do. Some dont. I dont think a firm size etc reflects capability. Some franchises firms are great and the individuals are guru's. (Look at Julia Hartman). Others make me cringe when they adopt models that will always be questioned using P/T courses and shopping centres as a place to do work. I like how PC sorts the wheat from the hay.
@Terrychris it doesnt matter these days. sure a face to face is nice but it doesn't add any extra value. Now @Paul@PFI has been told he looks similar to George Clooney but i beg to differ. With the moustache I think more Magnum PI. Skype, Phone, Emails, Templates, Docusign, Viber. Really no need to waste your time travelling for the EXACT same advice and service. better still stay home, grab a glass of wine and discuss the issues over Skype. Give him a chance no harm
I have not been to HR Block but I know people who have. According to the people I spoke to they missed basic deductions. I wouldn't trust them to complete any tax return correctly.
Good analogy. Imagine going in for an operation done under the supervision of a doctor, but performed by a non-doctor.
I dont look good enough for face to face anyway. Wait till you see our new YouTube tools....You wont have to come here to see them
Its a comment a lawyer I know uses about conveyancers The mo went ages ago. The day after the photo on the website And I dont do tinder, grinder or facelooktubebook. ..I also give clients my personal mobile. I dont get a lot but do get calls on weekends before auctions that can help too!! .. We also offer a personalised client portal that help us log work and exchange files (NOTHING gets missed) that helps secure client confidential data that also allows clients to sign using their device - Any !. Days of printing and signing tax return or getting a confusing adobe signature are old. Real signatures are a identity security risk we have bypassed. 99% of work we receive is out of hours too. We receive work 24/7
