MEET YOUR PEOPLE
Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan may look like a mild-mannered homeowner as you see him planting tulips around his historic home in Kansas City, Mo., but at least one family in his town is convinced that under his regular clothes he sports a huge letter S on his chest.
Last year, they came to him at their local H&R Block location in a panic. By their own calculations the family owed the IRS money. Kevin quickly found that, thanks to the earned income tax credit, the IRS owed them a sizable refund.
It is this sort of discovery that makes his job as a writer, trainer, and tax preparer for H&R Block worthwhile. "I've had numerous people crying at my desk in gratitude," says Kevin. "There's this fear many people have around taxes, and to be able to give them information that really helps is rewarding on so many levels."
Kevin also does taxes for those who use H&R Block's Online Office® product, and checks taxes for Signature® clients, many of whom he has helped in similar ways. "I enjoy problem-solving," says Kevin. "That's the part I enjoy the most; helping clients work through their situation. Nothing's more satisfying than when someone comes to me in a seemingly helpless situation and I can guide them through it, showing them it isn't necessarily as bad as they thought it would be."
One important aspect of taking care of taxes that Kevin emphasizes for his clients is planning ahead for next year. "If something unusual happened during the year, such as they may have taken a distribution from an IRA or pension plan, I'll say: 'Okay, this happened this year but next year let's do something else to avoid it next year.' It's also gratifying when people come back and tell me they did what I told them to do and they have a good return in the following year."
Kevin often walks the three miles home from his office to get a feel for the neighborhood and enjoy some exercise . . . or so he says. This intrepid reporter suspects that he may be keeping an eye out for someone in tax distress - and possibly for the nearest phone booth.