MEET YOUR PEOPLE
Amy Trefren
Sure, Amy Trefren has had her moments of flashy glory: the client who missed out on key deductions and found out he had a refund instead of a tax bill, for instance, or the senior citizen who feared paying penalties for a pension withdrawal but who instead paid nothing.
But what really gets this Hotchkiss, Colo. tax preparer going is the idea of long-term financial health for everyone. Even her clients who don't think they're the millionaire types. "I take a longer view," says Amy. "What I like most is educating people as to the ramifications of their tax situation on their finances."
Amy serves walk-in H&R Block clients as well as those using Online Office, Signature, and the Ask a Tax Advisor service.
Amy knows from personal experience how important saving and investing can be. "From the first year my husband and I were married," says Amy, "my mom encouraged us to start IRAs." Four kids and several years later, Amy and her husband not only invest in IRAs, but also own rental properties.
"Helping people plan for their future finances is a big emphasis of mine," says Amy.
Amy uses people's individual tax situations to advocate for personal savings and investment, and she can see the difference as year after year her clients continue to invest in 401(k)s and pay closer attention to the future.
"By starting investment now," says Amy, "they see how it benefits them in the long run: how it doesn't just matter this year, but can matter in the future, also."
Amy, who has eight years of experience preparing taxes, of course looks carefully at her clients' short-term bottom lines: being sure they don't overlook possible deductions as well as being sure they take advantage of investment choices such as 401(k)s.
"I think it's important for people to know we're here and do care about their finances," says Amy. "The more information they give us, the more we can do for them."