Good afternoon Tax Pros, let’s sharpen our game.
Today’s reminder is simple but powerful:
📌 Tax Tip:
Make sure every client understands the difference between a deduction and a credit.
Most taxpayers mix the two up and that confusion can cost them money and cost you time.
Break it down the Bully way:
- Deductions lower taxable income.
- Credits lower the actual tax owed.
- Refundable credits can put money in their pocket even if they owe nothing.
- Nonrefundable credits can reduce the tax to zero but won’t trigger a refund.
When your clients understand the basics, they’re easier to educate, easier to guide, and easier to retain.
🧠Pro-Level Insight:
New preparers: mastering credits (EITC, CTC, AOTC, HOH) is how you protect your PTIN/EFIN, stay compliant, and avoid risky returns.
Advanced preparers: document EVERYTHING. If you can’t prove it in writing, it never happened.
✏️Today’s Task:
Pick one credit — EITC, CTC, AOTC, or HOH — and write a simple, client-friendly explanation in your own words.
Post it in your community or in your notes.
Turn it into a script you can use this season.
❓Discussion Question:
What credit do YOU think clients misunderstand the most and why?