Did you find the US tax court exam process, content and community worth your while to be a better practictioner? Like you mentioned. CPA wouldnt give you anything besides the credentials.
Also is there a link to purchase 1:1 time with you
Hi Scott, absolutely. Completing the course and passing the exam were game changers for my career. I do not offer 1-1 consults anymore due to schedule constraints.
Sounds good and thanks for the reply. Would you mind elaborating on the benefit? I am in the process of getting my cpa. I have read about the exam but unsure if its something valuable that i should bolt on or my time is better spent elsewhere. I appreciate you walking me through this.
To compliment your statement that someone says they have been doing it that way for 40 years, at Rockwell Automation, we would encounter experienced engineers who were not very good at what they did: We would say they have 1 year of experience 10 times rather than 10 years of experience.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I know you will need time to grieve.
I, too, got my start at H&R Block, and I believe many of our EA colleagues did as well.
You and your colleagues at Compass Tax have contributed so much to my success in the tax industry. I am forever grateful that I found Compass Tax and for the tax education you have provided to our entire EA community.
I am still working toward full retirement—I'm semi-retired for now—and my daughter, Stephanie, is taking on more responsibility.
Thank you again for all you have done for me and for our EA community.
Today is my birthday (I know, it's the same as Kevin's LOL) and your inspiration through your writing was a Gift. I really want to thank you for sharing your story.
My deepest condolences to your loss as well, as you are going through this difficult time... When my father passed away back in 2021, I think that was when I also looked back at my life, my successes and failures. At the time, I was also involved in a huge car accident and being on a lot of medication just kind of threw me off track. I really wish I could have continued my USTCP journey,, don't count me to it, but I may start again one day :)
I can't thank you enough for the contributions you have made to the tax pro community. I can always hear your sincerity in your teachings, always looking out for all of us that attend class. You inspire all of us so much and I hope you know that! Again, Thank You & God Bless you always! Denise Han
I am so sorry for your loss dear Tom. Thanks for sharing your story, I have been following your journey over the years and it is indeed inspiring. I love how you support the EA community and I am grateful for our connection! 💜
Thank you for sharing your story. I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers to you and your family. I enjoy taking your classes at Compass. I have great respect for what you have accomplished.
First, my credit card was declined and that does not make any sense. I put in a new number because the bank cancelled the other number.
Secondly, Your father sounds like he was quite the man. I'm glad he had such an influence over you. In many ways it mimics my own advancement. Because I had a full time tax and representation practice with well over 200 clients, it took me 12 years of study to pass the USTCP exam as I barely had time to study and at the same time I was going through Graduate School at Suffolk University for my MST. I graduated in 1994 and got my USTCP in 2006 when I could finally put attention on it.
I began with Tax Man, a local tax office with six locations. Before that I was CEO of a publishing company. I had an auto accident and did not work for a whole year. When I went to go back to work, no one would hire an accountant with a bad back. I saw a small employment ad where they were looking to train tax preparers and give them a job. I accepted a job for $5.00 an hour while I was in training. I needed a job. After one season at Tax Man, I was in love with the profession. I took the EA exam when there was a massive overhaul of the tax code, under Regan. Finally in 1987 I passed the total exam. I just don't test well. I have been diagnosed with Autism and that does affect how I learn. It takes me longer but I do learn. Now I'm an EA; MST and USTCP. I am 83 years old and have trouble deciding to stop working entirely. I sold 75% of my practice in 2018 but kept a few clients and all my representation clients as they were not complete by the time of the sale. I guess you could say I'm looking for another degree....PHD in Couch Potato; but I still love what I do. I started Small Business Accounting Services in 1983 and have been going strong. I've relocated my office to smaller and smaller quarters so that now I work from home. My current case load is nine rep clients with over 5 years of tax returns to file. I still do tax returns for about 17 clients but Oct 2027 will definitely be my last season. I will be hanging up the pencils then. I would like to tell you that I need the money, but I don't my income aside from that is good enough that I would never have to work another day in my life. But, the catch is that I have retainers on all these delinquent clients and I'm not anxious to refund any of it. However, I am refusing any more tax prep work. I will work with taxpayers who have serious issues as the existence of qualified help is rare in my city.
Tom, thanks for all you do for the community; you are worthy of great praises.
After reading your journey I am forever grateful that you step out on that road. Your knowledge and the williness to share that with us has given me the bravery I have to attempt the USTCP exam. Compass Tax Educators education has been my best investment in myself and my practice. I wish there would have been a platform for new EAs when I started this practice. I just jumped into the dark with my credentials, knofwledge from working at H&R Block and faith. I am so sorry for your loss. May your father's memory bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. thank you again Tom for all you do to better this profession.
Tom you have my sincerest condolences 💐 losing a parent is always difficult. I really enjoyed reading your story about becoming an EA and more. My Uncle was my mentor and I understand how influential a relative can be, they are cherished memories. Looking forward to the next class we have with you.
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My thoughts are with you. I can tell from your story that he was a big influence in your life.
I also want to thank you for all the knowledge you have shared with all of the tax groups. When our office group would discuss different situations, the comment I kept hearing was "Ask Tom" he knows the answer. That was so true. I am now subscribed to most of your programs and find them very helpful. Hopefully you can keep providing these answers for some time to come.
I love this edition's topic: "What my father showed me" Mine taught me to approach whatever I have to do with humor and good intentions. My condolences to you Tom. Loosing a parent can be difficult. It does help to look at the gifts they gave us.
Sorry for your loss.
Did you find the US tax court exam process, content and community worth your while to be a better practictioner? Like you mentioned. CPA wouldnt give you anything besides the credentials.
Also is there a link to purchase 1:1 time with you
Thanks!
Hi Scott, absolutely. Completing the course and passing the exam were game changers for my career. I do not offer 1-1 consults anymore due to schedule constraints.
Sounds good and thanks for the reply. Would you mind elaborating on the benefit? I am in the process of getting my cpa. I have read about the exam but unsure if its something valuable that i should bolt on or my time is better spent elsewhere. I appreciate you walking me through this.
Able to do Tax court work; prestige of credential - you have to make a decision if it works for you
thanks
To compliment your statement that someone says they have been doing it that way for 40 years, at Rockwell Automation, we would encounter experienced engineers who were not very good at what they did: We would say they have 1 year of experience 10 times rather than 10 years of experience.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I know you will need time to grieve.
I, too, got my start at H&R Block, and I believe many of our EA colleagues did as well.
You and your colleagues at Compass Tax have contributed so much to my success in the tax industry. I am forever grateful that I found Compass Tax and for the tax education you have provided to our entire EA community.
I am still working toward full retirement—I'm semi-retired for now—and my daughter, Stephanie, is taking on more responsibility.
Thank you again for all you have done for me and for our EA community.
Thank you!
Dear Tom,
Today is my birthday (I know, it's the same as Kevin's LOL) and your inspiration through your writing was a Gift. I really want to thank you for sharing your story.
My deepest condolences to your loss as well, as you are going through this difficult time... When my father passed away back in 2021, I think that was when I also looked back at my life, my successes and failures. At the time, I was also involved in a huge car accident and being on a lot of medication just kind of threw me off track. I really wish I could have continued my USTCP journey,, don't count me to it, but I may start again one day :)
I can't thank you enough for the contributions you have made to the tax pro community. I can always hear your sincerity in your teachings, always looking out for all of us that attend class. You inspire all of us so much and I hope you know that! Again, Thank You & God Bless you always! Denise Han
Thank you!
I am so sorry for your loss dear Tom. Thanks for sharing your story, I have been following your journey over the years and it is indeed inspiring. I love how you support the EA community and I am grateful for our connection! 💜
Thank you for sharing your story. I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers to you and your family. I enjoy taking your classes at Compass. I have great respect for what you have accomplished.
Thank you for sharing your EA journey. My condolences on the loss of your father.
Sorry for your loss. Great articles and insights. Always glad to see an email from you.
Thanks for sharing your wealth of information and experiences.
Barry "Big Bear
My condolences on your loss Tom. I have a couple of family members that are cops.
Thank you for sharing your journey - I have always wondered.
(Also from the Garden State - Bergen County. Still miss the tomatoes and corn!)
First, my credit card was declined and that does not make any sense. I put in a new number because the bank cancelled the other number.
Secondly, Your father sounds like he was quite the man. I'm glad he had such an influence over you. In many ways it mimics my own advancement. Because I had a full time tax and representation practice with well over 200 clients, it took me 12 years of study to pass the USTCP exam as I barely had time to study and at the same time I was going through Graduate School at Suffolk University for my MST. I graduated in 1994 and got my USTCP in 2006 when I could finally put attention on it.
I began with Tax Man, a local tax office with six locations. Before that I was CEO of a publishing company. I had an auto accident and did not work for a whole year. When I went to go back to work, no one would hire an accountant with a bad back. I saw a small employment ad where they were looking to train tax preparers and give them a job. I accepted a job for $5.00 an hour while I was in training. I needed a job. After one season at Tax Man, I was in love with the profession. I took the EA exam when there was a massive overhaul of the tax code, under Regan. Finally in 1987 I passed the total exam. I just don't test well. I have been diagnosed with Autism and that does affect how I learn. It takes me longer but I do learn. Now I'm an EA; MST and USTCP. I am 83 years old and have trouble deciding to stop working entirely. I sold 75% of my practice in 2018 but kept a few clients and all my representation clients as they were not complete by the time of the sale. I guess you could say I'm looking for another degree....PHD in Couch Potato; but I still love what I do. I started Small Business Accounting Services in 1983 and have been going strong. I've relocated my office to smaller and smaller quarters so that now I work from home. My current case load is nine rep clients with over 5 years of tax returns to file. I still do tax returns for about 17 clients but Oct 2027 will definitely be my last season. I will be hanging up the pencils then. I would like to tell you that I need the money, but I don't my income aside from that is good enough that I would never have to work another day in my life. But, the catch is that I have retainers on all these delinquent clients and I'm not anxious to refund any of it. However, I am refusing any more tax prep work. I will work with taxpayers who have serious issues as the existence of qualified help is rare in my city.
Tom, thanks for all you do for the community; you are worthy of great praises.
After reading your journey I am forever grateful that you step out on that road. Your knowledge and the williness to share that with us has given me the bravery I have to attempt the USTCP exam. Compass Tax Educators education has been my best investment in myself and my practice. I wish there would have been a platform for new EAs when I started this practice. I just jumped into the dark with my credentials, knofwledge from working at H&R Block and faith. I am so sorry for your loss. May your father's memory bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. thank you again Tom for all you do to better this profession.
So sorry for your loss. Pray his soul rests in peace.
Thank you for sharing your EA journey and everything else that you do.
Take care!
Tom you have my sincerest condolences 💐 losing a parent is always difficult. I really enjoyed reading your story about becoming an EA and more. My Uncle was my mentor and I understand how influential a relative can be, they are cherished memories. Looking forward to the next class we have with you.
Hi, Tom .
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My thoughts are with you. I can tell from your story that he was a big influence in your life.
I also want to thank you for all the knowledge you have shared with all of the tax groups. When our office group would discuss different situations, the comment I kept hearing was "Ask Tom" he knows the answer. That was so true. I am now subscribed to most of your programs and find them very helpful. Hopefully you can keep providing these answers for some time to come.
Thank you!
What a great story Tom and a great career. I really enjoyed it and love learning from you. I look forward to that continuing into the future.
I love this edition's topic: "What my father showed me" Mine taught me to approach whatever I have to do with humor and good intentions. My condolences to you Tom. Loosing a parent can be difficult. It does help to look at the gifts they gave us.