Posted by Barbara Zito on 3/30/06 4:40pm
Msg #109868

STIFFED

Has anyone done signings for Signatures Plus out of Irvine, CA? They owe me hundreds of dollars and have not provided me with a 1099 for 2005. I have called them on a continuous basis since October to get paid and get one lie after another from the staff. The owner has yet to get on the phone with me. I'm to the point of filing a action against them. Anyone have any ideas as to how I may get them to pay me and provide the 1099?

Reply by Roger_OH on 3/30/06 5:09pm
Msg #109880

Do a search. Signatures Plus is part of Sign on The X, far and away the most discussed (and disgusting) company on these boards. You'll get plenty of information from people in the same boat. Just say NO to them!

Reply by Barbara Zito on 3/30/06 5:12pm
Msg #109882

Needless to say... I have not done anything for them since last Fall. They are the most unethical company I have ever worked with. Thanks for the info

Reply by Barbara Zito on 3/30/06 5:17pm
Msg #109889

I have done 100's of signings for Sign on the X and have gotten paid. I didn't know they were a part of them. Perhaps I'll give them a call to see what I can find out. THanks.

Reply by John_NorCal on 3/30/06 5:12pm
Msg #109884

I can't tell you how to get paid other than getting a collection agency. But I will tell you not to wait for them to send you a 1099 before doing your taxes. Even though they're obligated to provide the 1099, your records should show how much you need to report. And don't forget to put your notary fees on your SE work sheet so that you are taxed for self employment tax on that portion. Good luck!

Reply by Barbara Zito on 3/30/06 5:14pm
Msg #109885

Thanks a bunch.

Reply by Tess/ME on 3/30/06 5:16pm
Msg #109888

If you didn't get paid last year you won't need the 1099 to do your taxes. Why pay taxes on money you've been "cheated" out of. IF you are fortunate enough to get the money this year but no 1099 by tax time in 2007 just add it to your total amount of earnings with that explanation. Then the IRS knows you are trying hard to stay honest. I've never been questioned when that has happened. I was told (back in the day) to just estimate the amount I made and add it in with the explanation. However, I knew the exact dollar amount so it was easy to do. And no one has audited me for that

Reply by Barbara Zito on 3/30/06 5:18pm
Msg #109891

Thanks for the info.

Reply by John_NorCal on 3/30/06 5:18pm
Msg #109892

Good point, that flew right by me Tess. Assuming that a person isn't on an accrual basis as most service businesses are, income is not reported if it hasn't been received.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/30/06 5:51pm
Msg #109900

You can claim part of it as a bad debt on the Schedule C...

if you think it will be uncollectable. If you do get paid then add it back to your 2006 income. If you've never done this before maybe have a tax service do this year's so you will know how in the future. You can email me for collection suggestions. Good luck with it...

Reply by Sign/SealCO on 3/30/06 6:53pm
Msg #109906

Re: don't take FlaMac's collection suggestions

anyone reading for any length of time know it is best to ignore her collection advice which includes contacting borrower for payment

Reply by Cherilyn_CO on 3/30/06 7:03pm
Msg #109907

Uh, no she can't

if she's on a cash basis, she just doesn't include the amount they owe her as income. If you're on an accrual basis (meaning you record income when it's earned, not paid) then yes, she would record the income and then deduct it as a bad debt.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/30/06 7:28pm
Msg #109912

Yes. She can deduct as expense her cost for the signings..

and her out-of-pocket cost for collections ie. sending notices/long distance phone calls, etc.

Reply by Cherilyn_CO on 3/30/06 8:02pm
Msg #109927

But that's not what you said...

You said she could claim the amount that she deems uncollectible as bad debt, then if she did collect to add that amount to her 2006 taxes. Again, this is for an accrual based accounting system.

Yes, she could claim her collection costs as expenses, but not the actual amount or any part of what they owe her (assuming that she's cash basis).

Reply by John_NorCal on 3/30/06 11:38pm
Msg #109975

Re: But that's not what you said...

Take it from Cherilyn the former IRS worker and accountant, FlaMac is wrong again! As Cherilyn said, the uncollectible amount can not be claimed unless the tax paper is on an accrual basis.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/31/06 7:30am
Msg #110003

Post's like this one is why we tell folk's...

to "Ignore the Nonsense and keep smiling". Further, she should go to a tax service if she's never filed her own return. The tax law's have become more complicated over the past several years and professional tax preparer's depend on the computer to calculate the tax return. Which is great as it eliminates human error. They will tell her if she should be on a cash basis or an accrual basis.

Reply by Cherilyn_CO on 3/31/06 9:35am
Msg #110030

Who exactly is "we"?

Your 2nd personality?

John, fyi, is a professional tax preparer. The only nonsense posted in this thread is your unsolicited tax advice.