Planning Eases Stress

I would like to comment on statements made in the April 12 article, “Reform Adds to Stress of Accountants,” regarding accountants being overworked every year during the four months leading to April 15 and the effect this may have on their service to clients.

There is no question that accountants are very busy during tax season. However, I think it does the profession a disservice to imply that we are overworked to the point of deferring tax return preparation past the April 15 deadline.

I am the managing partner of an accounting firm that has less than 10% of its personal income tax returns on extension--and all of these extensions were client-generated, primarily because they did not have all of their tax information.

My point is that an accounting firm with good planning and a staff that is adequate for the workload can handle the tax season period sanely and still provide service to its clients in a timely manner.

MELVYN A. KOHN

Encino