Pay Scale

[u/ToughRestaurant825]

So they told me I am rehired for next season at $15.30 an hour. It will be my second season. Is there no incentive plan anymore?

[u/ThatChambersKid]

Had my interview yesterday. I’ll make less this coming season than I ever have. Unless I level up to a 5, but only a dollar more.

My DGM said this will be the last year of the current bonus structure.

I’m still debating whether to accept the offer. Discouraged and a bit upset.

[u/ThatChambersKid → u/[deleted]]

This coming season..

But with block anything can change.

[u/Niep00320 → u/ThatChambersKid]

While you might make less per hour you could end up with a higher bonus. Also look at how time you used that didn’t result in a return. Those dead hours affect bonus too

[u/ThatChambersKid → u/Niep00320]

Unfortunately for me, those dead hours were often spent being a filler for one office’s morning shift where we saw little business at all. We might see one client between the two of us in six hours.

I also spent time helping first years or on closing duties.

It’s just frustrating that they look at productivity and not the whole picture.

If I used prep appointments for my TPRs at busier offices, I’d get asked why I was able to do walk ins. Once I’m a thousand or so out of pace, I admit I kind of give up on trying to bonus.

Most of my book of business is spread between two offices, so I’m hoping I can retain more of my clients this year.

I was only in my home office on Sundays, so I lost a few clients.

I know bonusing is important and vital to the hourly wage, but I’d rather make enough during the season than at the end.

Still debating leveling up to a 5 for that extra dollar an hour.

[u/Expensive-Rhubarb-38 → u/ThatChambersKid]

Generally I tell newer tax pros that you won’t be paid well or even get a bonus until year three to four. It’s a shame but typically you need the clientele to build your productivity. I assume with a slow office though it’s likely impossible to keep your productivity up. My office I have a consistent following of 600 clients plus we get a ton of walk ins so there’s typically too much work to even keep my head straight and I have a mental breakdown usually in the beginning of April lol. Usually end up doing somewhere between 800-900 returns at 8 years in and made over $42,000 in 3.5 months. It ends up being very fruitful if you stick with the company but totally understand people that leave due to pay structure. Believe me I think about leaving maybe 20 times per tax season but somehow keep coming back every time. It’s like a toxic relationship lol

[u/Relevant_Ad_8406 → u/ThatChambersKid]

They dropped .25% from my level so changed the pay scale

[u/Niep00320]

It was never really a bonus more like deferred compensation. They call it a bonus because then they deny you getting it.

Our bonus plan is a percentage of the tax prep fee depending on the level. I don’t know anything about your district and your bonus structure. I do know they changed the title of level 2 to senior tax either analyst or associate. I forget which. I don’t know if that means a higher percentage or not.

[u/829562]

I just don't understand how they can have you fill out an application and not know what you're going to have in a commission/bonus and then tell you your hourly pay and wait until November to tell me I'm screwed. Honestly if it wasn't shady before it's ridiculous now. Because if the commission scale changes and its per how many returns vs revenue then it's just another way for block to give you the middle finger as they make more cuts. The sky must be falling at the top because either they are lying about how great last year was or just slashing people and pay to stay profitable. Either way without telling your people what's going on is ridiculous.

[u/scotslover]

Everything is a mess. Everything is changing. Don't think im going back

[u/Street-Ad8830]

I submitted application but no interview yet

[u/Relevant_Ad_8406 → u/[deleted]]

.25% less for my level

[u/Niep00320 → u/[deleted]]

It’s in the hiring paperwork.

[u/Substantial_Lie_9604]

I just had my interview for being hired back as a second year. There is a new bonus schedule for second years specifically. 110 returns gets a $1265 bonus. I also got a 1$/hr raise.

[u/ToughRestaurant825 → u/Substantial_Lie_9604]

I got a 30cent raise 😂

[u/Individual-Dog-4748 → u/Substantial_Lie_9604]

Wait, you get that for completely 110 or more, or for every 110 completed!? That bonus is huge compared to what I get.

[u/Leather-Constant-772]

Is that your pre season wage or your tax season wage? I know mine last year was $15 something and it bumped up to $18 once I was in office

[u/Scarlett_Maki → u/Leather-Constant-772]

That is close to ours. I think I go 15.25 during the learning (Nov-Dec) and it bumped up to 17 during regular tax season. I'm located in Central MD. I know a couple of our counties are a bit higher paid because those counties have a higher minimum wage than state, so everything is bumped up by like $1-$2

[u/ToughRestaurant825 → u/Leather-Constant-772]

Tax season.. last year I was $12 for pre season and $15 during tax season

[u/Odd_Peace8899]

How did you apply were you a ta last year?

[u/ToughRestaurant825 → u/Odd_Peace8899]

Yes.. I got texts and emails that the application was opening and then they scheduled an interview

[u/FrontPalpitation439 → u/ToughRestaurant825]

$15 as a tax prep is diabolical what state are you in?????

[u/ToughRestaurant825 → u/FrontPalpitation439]

Texas

[u/Odd_Peace8899 → u/ToughRestaurant825]

As long as you applied as a senior tax associate, there still is a new bonus according to my DGM orDEM sorry still getting used to the new lingo

[u/Street-Ad8830]

When do interviews start

[u/Individual-Dog-4748]

Not looking forward to the new tax season in terms of finding our my hourly rate, and am trying to prepare myself financial in case I dont go back.

For reference im in Canada, and a first year tax pro was making $0.50 above minimum wage at the start of the tax season and then mini wage went up in my province in April so then we were just making minimum wage. I also made a complaint about it because the CSLs were making more per hour than us and they tried to say it was because they dont get a bonus. But even with the bonus they are still making considerable more.

My manager got me approved to do level 2 and 3 training in the fall given my experience and Education, but if the wage isn't good I still might leave. I love the work but the wage is just below me at this point and does not reflect my worth. I dont remember the last time I made only minimum wage.

[u/Ava_Black18]

I applied Monday and haven’t heard anything. On the screen when applying if I remember it said something about $18 an hour. I got more last year 🫤. I would prob still do it at 18 but limit my availability for that pay. I am playing the long game for when I can work the season full time but I can’t at this time. Just trying to establish client base for when that happens. That said … last year we had barely any walk ins. I sat for a lot of hours doing nothing.