Patti in Upstate NY

I have the utmost respect for everyone here and I thank you for sharing your day to day and making me feel less alone. Sincerely. My plan was for this to be my last year but I looked at the numbers and I think I have to do at least one more. Here's hoping I'm just exhausted and maybe I can call it a day? Congratulations to those who are done. My best to those who will continue.

No one scared me into dumping them and I won't be replacing them with anyone new. I've already refused about 10 prospective clients this year and I've fired four others since February 1. It's highly likely this will be my last tax season because I'm just done. There's no joy in solving the puzzles anymore. The reason I read this board every day is because there is always something to learn. There's always a warning to heed. And thank God, there's always another preparer on the verge of losing their mind and so I've felt less alone. I'm glad my asking about this fiasco returned the favor

I am declining preparation of both returns. Perhaps they'll end up in one of your offices........ Thank you all for your comments/advice.

Thanks, Tom. I agree with you but I think (hope) I'll be okay. I anticipate ex wife asking if I heard he died. I'll say yes and ask how the kids are doing. It should end there. If it doesn't, I'll ask her how many days he spent with each parent during 2023 and list the dependent accordingly. I don't believe I have an obligation to say "hey, I heard your ex is dead and that means you can probably claim your son." That's not my job. Or if it is? I'm out to lunch. I'm not getting involved that deeply.

As always, I appreciate your input and knowledge. These clients represent the ONE AND ONLY time I did MFJ then kept both as separate clients after they divorced. It's been many years and there's never been a problem. He never mentioned her, and she never mentioned him. It's one of the most amicable divorces I've ever seen. His Mom called me last week and I will be doing his final return. The former wife comes in next week. Based on the history, I don't expect an issue but over the years I've learned that death can bring out the worst in people. Especially when money is involved and, in this case, that is true. I'm leaning towards leaving the son on Dad's return so the refund will go to the trust that was set up for the kids. Mom is now getting substantial SS benefits for both children and has a very good job so she doesn't need the money. However, if she questions me, I'll have to move the son to her return because Dad did not have him 183 days. Thank you all. 61 days left in tax season but who's counting?

I suspect I'm overthinking this but I could use some input. I have a client with two children who was divorced many years ago. As per their agreement, the children lived one week with their father and one week with their mother. Dad claimed their son and Mom claimed their daughter. Dad died in August 2023. The children continued alternating weeks, staying one with their mom and the other with their paternal grandmother through the end of the year. Can the son still be claimed as a dependent on Dad's final return?

My problem is IRS is insisting we provide them with a copy of the front and back of the check. There is no cancelled check, all I have are copies of bank statements showing "External Withdrawal IRS - USATAXPYMT" They'e saying that's not good enough. The last time I called, I thought I was making progress but was disconnected without warning.

In the last month, I've heard from three clients who received a letter from IRS saying they didn't pay the amount due with their return. The first one sent a check with a voucher, the check was converted to ACH and the bank records show "United States Treasury". The other two were set up for electronic payment on 4/18/23 and the funds left their account on that day and IRS was confirmed as payee on bank statements. What is happening? Anyone else seeing this? Is it me? Is it my software? I realize when you look at the big picture, this is a small thing. I did 275 returns last year and only three have an issue. Unless you count the client I fired when I learned he was a lying liar who lied and deserves every IRS letter he gets. Probably also deserves jail time but I digress. Just curious if anyone else is seeing something similar and also wondering who else is considering saying "I'm done." Because I'm pretty sure 2023 are the last returns I will prepare. I staggered through PPP and Covid and I did taxes in my driveway for two years and I realized most people were not who I thought they were. It feels like April 15 here tonight

After an hour on hold this morning, I was able to speak to a live body. They had a system upgrade and my email address was no longer compatible. I guess only one "." is allowed and mine was nycap.rr.com Changed to my gmail account and immediately received the authentication code!

I have been trying to login off and on for over a week. I enter my user name and password then I'm asked to request an authentication code be sent to my email which I do. The email doesn't arrive for 2-3 days and, of course, is invalid by the time I get it. I tried to call today but I was number 76 in the queue..........

If Schedule C use Screen 16 S-Corp use Screen 13

My return and my client's were both FINALLY accepted by NYS earlier today. Not sure if it matters but I use Lacerte. My other three remain on the desk. Blessings on all who are last minute like myself.

My own NYS return is one of two that's been hanging for three days. Initially, I received error the SSN didn't match IRS. Well. I know my own SSN and IRS accepted so bite me. Called my software company who told me to re-submit both which I did. I still have three I'm trying to finish and would really like them done this weekend just in case there's a delay. My anxiety rises dramatically when I refresh and see REJECTED in red. Said it before and I'll say it again. Every single day makes me more determined to find a way to NOT do this anymore. I'm not trying to pat myself on the back but I'm one of the good ones. I get documentation. I ask questions. I fire people trying to lie. But they're pushing me out with all this insanity.

I had this happen on Monday. Client who had been contacting me about advanced CTC sent a text that he'd just received $3200 from IRS. Further proof it's getting closer and closer to it's time for me to retire is that I had no memory of anything that might have been pending and told him to log in to his IRS account to see if there was any correspondence explaining why he received the payment. Then a lightbulb went on. I had been holding his return waiting for final guidance on unemployment. His wife collected, he did not. Their AGI was $154K so they were above the income limit and then Cuomo said NYS would not waive so I released the return. Within 2-3 days? IRS said if total income reduced by unemployment was under $150K then waive the first $10,200. It was too late. It was already efiled. My confusion resulted in my stupid decision to go in and change his return to reflect waiving $10,200 in order to have the appropriate numbers carry forward. ON A RETURN THAT WAS ALREADY EFILED AND ACCEPTED! Again - retirement is not only looking better. It may be necessary. I don't use ATX anymore but could you have been old and stupid like me and made a change after it was filed? I'm guessing not given the tax bracket calc but throwing it out there.

How gracious of her to wait until after tax season I have one daughter who will be 34 soon and has no intention of marrying nor bearing children. A part of me is proud of her for bucking the norm but another secret part of me would simply adore a grandchild. Maybe that's why I'll stay in business. A client here today with her 2 yr old grandbaby who blew me kisses. They drove away and I have nothing to worry about and nothing to pay for and no need to update my will. Congrats Catherine. She's breathtaking. Spoil her rotten then give her back