June 3, 2015 at 3:19 p.m.
Hintzke opens accounting practice in Rhinelander
Hintzke opens accounting practice in Rhinelander
Hintzke said a big part of his practice involves helping clients recover from the recession.
He said one client lost his home and business, and is living in a hotel trying to get his life back on track, yet faces wage garnishment and six-figure debt.
"They believe in me, and I believe in them, but the process is long and cumbersome," Hintzke said.
Many people lost their homes and businesses when the recession hit, and are just now climbing out of that hole, Hintzke said.
A lot of those folks went through foreclosure and bankruptcy, but it didn't relieve their tax burden, Hintzke said.
Another service Hintzke provides is planning for elders, because often seniors and adult children need help getting the seniors' "house in order," Hintzke said.
Hintzke learned about the process firsthand, when both of his parents succumbed to Alzheimer's disease.
"It was on-the-job training, in a way," Hintzke said.
Hintzke formed senior resource groups in New Berlin that he is recruiting for up here, networking groups for people who serve seniors.
Creating seminars to educate seniors is "near and dear to me," Hintzke said.
Estate planning is important so that the senior's wishes are carried out and a transition plan is in place, Hintzke said.
More people need to take tax preparation seriously, Hintzke said. "It's easy to get into trouble," he noted.
About a third of the tax problems Hintzke sees stem from self-prepared taxes.
Along with tax preparation, Hintzke assists families with tax work in trust areas. Trusts are set up to "protect taxpayers from the world," Hintzke said.
For example, a family with a disabled child may one day need access to public benefits if they run out of money. A trust protects whatever has been built up for the child, Hintzke said.
Another reason people might set up a trust would be in the case of a second marriage, Hintzke said. This way, assets would go to a spouse during their lifetime, then onto children from a first marriage, for example.
Hintzke also serves the tourism industry however they need help, he said.
Being a one-on-one firm, Hintzke is always accessible, he said, even holding hands when necessary.
His wife, Lyn, helps out part-time, and come tax season, Hintzke provides college students with internships. "It's an invaluable experience for them," Hintzke said.
Hintzke is hosting an open house at the new office from 5 to 7 p.m. June 24.
Katie Perttunen may be reached at [email protected].
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