I wrote this “April Fools” letter to my Clients – but I think it went beyond prank and maybe into cruelty:
Dear _~client name here~_
I regret to inform you that i have recently received communication from the IRS regarding your personal tax return from 2004. They believe that you have under-reported your capital gains by $62,346. This will result in an additional tax due of approx $6700.
This is not as bad as it seems, the IRS is only going on the reported amounts from various form 1099′s. If we substantiate your basis in the assets, we could probably lower that tax bill.
Please collect all of your source materials for your 2004 personal income tax return and call me to schedule an appointment AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I have forwarded the IRS letter to you and you should be receiving it later this week. The IRS is asking for a response before April 30th.
I know this is inconvenient and expensive, but we will get through it.
See you soon,
Jim
Should I have sent it?