Dear Valued Clients and Friends:

Things change fast - consequently we continue to adapt our safety measures at Ohlmann & Associates in response to these concerns voiced by clients, staff and our loved ones.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY WE WILL BE CLOSING THE PUBLIC LOBBY OF OUR OFFICE.  Again, we mean no offence to anyone and apologize for inconvenience but upon further analysis we simply do not feel our previous measures are sufficient against the rise in this virus’ spread.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT CLIENTS GOING FORWARD THIS TAX SEASON?

1. DROPPING TAX RETURNS OFF

A. WE CONTINUE TO MOST STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ELECTRONIC DROP OFF OF TAXES.

• This is the healthiest alternative available and avoids parking congestion.
• This can be done by email, fax, or secure file upload on the bottom of our homepage at www.ohlmanncpa.com .
• Please call us at (250) 763-3066 if you would like guidance on this.

B. DROP OFF AT THE OHLMANN & ASSOCIATES OFFICE

• Please bring your cellphone. Please arrive at our door, knock on it and call (250) 763-3066.
• A Team Member will come to the lobby and speak to you on the phone.  They will ask you the usual questions we ask at tax drop off and allow you the opportunity to tell us anything specific that you would like us to know (and document your answers).
• You will then take a bag from inside the box to the left of our door and  place your documents and items into that bag.
• Place that bag into the box.
• Our team member will come out and retrieve the items as soon as you walk away.
  • We will bring your documents/items inside where we will quarantine them for 72 hours.  We can then get them into our system to work on your tax return.
    • We will call you for additional information as required.

 

2. PICKING UP/SIGNING OFF TAX RETURNS

A. Our lobby is not available for in-person signings until further notice.

• Please do not come down to the office to try to do so until matters with this virus allow us to change this policy.

B. When your tax return has been completed, our Team will call you.

• At that time we will discuss options for sign off that will lean heavily on electronic responses with authorizations and signings via email.
• Where this is not possible, we will discuss the other limited options with you to find solutions.

C. We will arrange payment of your invoice by credit card or Interac etransfer with you.

D. We will email your tax return to you. 

• If you wish a physical copy we will mail it to you (at your cost).
  • We will hold your documents/information here until an appropriate time to open the lobby and have clients come to retrieve such items.

 

We believe that these steps will better allow us to protect our clients and staff to an appropriate level during these unusual times, and continue productive work to serve our clients as best we can.

We ask you to understand that this situation is impacting our capacity and ability to work at times, and consequently we may not be as fast as usual. We assure you we are working hard and will meet your needs.  The tax deadline has been moved to June 1, 2020, and this will assist in achieving filing on time but we recommend all to get information to us as soon as possible in the event that COVID matters worsen and effects on office productivity are diminished.

Again, we thank you for your understanding and patience.  We ask you to keep yourselves, your families and your neighbors safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Robert Ohlmann CPA, CGA, CA