Q: As an income tax preparer in which I run my own business, I am being asked by a client of mine to cover the additional
property taxes that are being assessed for the past 3 years since the state denied his homestead exemption on his residence. He is married and his wife and he have lived in separate homes the past 3 years. He claims that I should have known to file them each "married filing separately" in order to keep the homestead exemption on each home legal. I filed them jointly as I was unaware they had claimed a homestead exemption on 2 homes. I knew they lived at different addresses. If it goes to court could I be ordered to pay those additional property taxes for the past years for the client?
A: Doubtful, but you should really check with your insurance carrier and any ethics or licensing board to whom you have reporting obligations. Now if the client told you he specifically wanted to file married filing separately, and you didn't do that, that may lead to a different outcome.
1 user found this answer helpful
A:
Probably not.
I would go back and review your documentation to see what filing status the client requested.
Respectfully deny the client's request to pay their taxes and if they proceed with a suit lawyer up.
1 user found this answer helpful
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