Unfiltered Story #389252

I feel that all high schools should have a class that teaches a class in life skills as this story will show.
I have an accounting practice and prepare income tax returns, individual, partnerships, trusts and corporations.
I had a parent send in his college child ( I won’t mention gender) to have the tax return done, with the parents scheduling later for their return. I computed the return and told the 20 year old what the refund was on both federal and state.
Taxpayer: Is that all I get. I added up all the taxes on the W-2 and its a lot more than that.
Me: First the FICA and Medicare is not refundable. Secondly you made enough money that you had some tax on both so the amount of federal and state withholding is not all a refund.
Taxpayer: Well, that sucks. I don’t this that is right. I should get back all those taxes they took from me. My friends go all of theirs back.
Me: I am certain they didn’t get that all refunded.
Taxpayer: I am going to take this to (National tax preparers) and get this done right.
Me: I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. Good luck.
Later the parents apologized for the kids attitude and told me the kid admitted, after paying over $100 for a one W-2 return that the refund was exactly what I had computed.
This kid is not the only one who has no idea how to read a W-2.