Medlin Software, Dennis

Makes me think. Our first official order was in 1984, $35. Currently, for the most similar program, the price is $79. In 1984, we calculated and filled in preprinted paychecks. Paper "reports" were printed to get figures to enter into tax forms. W2 fill in was possible, if you or we knew the proper "printer control codes" for the brand and model of printer being used. Inflation charts tell me I should be charging about $105. But nope, and we have exponentially more functions/features than 1984. -- The reality is, there is usually one code base these days, with the ability to hide/disable things if you want a lite or different "versions". The cost is actually MORE, to produce the lesser versions (time adding/testing the code to hide/disable things). The savings of a lite version are often from reduced support costs via restrictions on support in some manner (the cost of one long support issue can take a couple of years for the customer's license fee to recoup). -- Written as I chuckle to myself pondering pricing. I just filled up our EV for under $10 (~250 miles) and tomorrow, I get to fill up our ICE, about 30 gallons at $5.80 per, good for about 600 miles. The last time I got gas, it was at least a dollar less per gallon. We would have no ICE car, except it is the one SWMBO allows the pups in, and it can be flat towed behind our motorhome. We have no room for a car trailer or I would get a second EV to drag around on trips. I am allowed to keep our Wrangler, carbureted, 4WD, top and doors off, and I get to use the third pedal!

After our retired racers started to pass, we were able to get our hands on two ~75/25% Greyhound/Whippets which were saved from the meat trade in a certain country. Some elders in that area still eat dog, and they have big markets where dogs are sold by the pound. Don't look this up online unless you are ready for what you will see. One of our greyhounds was a "Macau" dog, rescued at about 30lbs, with a good weight of 75. She lasted just under 2 years with us, likely because of being emaciated for two to five years while being "stored" in a back kennel at the Macau track. We call them our "littles" since they weigh 40-45 lbs. Much easier to pick up, especially when I think about picking them up 10 years from now. (Racing greyhounds are 60-100lbs in "retirement".) Most thankfully, our first racing Greyhound was an alpha female. She was able to train the littles into good house dogs in her final months, as a perfect purpose when her two prior house mates passed. There is something to be said about having an older dog break in the noobs. The littles spend most of my work days near me on fluffy dog ball/beds. There is something special about watching (and feeling) a free animal (such as a Greyhound) with the flexible spine, running (double suspension gait) at full song.

I do get emails with things like (literally) "Help", "I cannot print", or "How do I pay my taxes". Over the years, I have built a custom automated reply system for the most common messages. I do track those who seem to ask excessive questions. They are thankfully few, and often indicate no experience or training ahead of time (with payroll processing) and will usually end up with a refund and a suggestion to hire out their payroll until they can get trained. Back when our customer count was beginning to grow, we could take orders on the phone and manually input them, we would spend time on the phone with most, but it actually was a detriment if one considers the time spent per customer and what our time costs (either to replace, or in lost productivity with other tasks). I am not saying support is a money loser, but the best use of support budget is preventing the contact in the first place by programming skills, FAQ, proactive emails, etc. It is also the best for the customer, as no customer (well, not those one should keep) asks for help before spending time trying to figure it out themselves and are likely at a low simmer (at least) when they reach out.

For me. A dollar fee does not prevent calls for things not in my realm of support. It anything, it makes the process worse, as those who pay expect to monopolize my time, even beyond what they paid for. They do not like hearing no, that is not anything to do with my software - but I cannot refund you because you still called and took my time. The reality is, again for me, email is the only fair method, and workable. Anything I could answer over the phone is rare, and well documented already, and the other issues usually require images, backups, or a written-out reply (so it can be followed properly). Then there is the fairness. Should somebody who calls jump the line of those who write, and how much to charge for that effect.

Holding your ground is a good thing. Erosion (I am a left coaster so it is physical as well as mental) hurts.

I have always agreed with your statement. My threshold gets lower and lower every day. For instance, I have a hard line of end of relationship when a customer sends me something my granddaughter should not see. It is a matter of being professional/business-like, as well as liking to have her in play in the room when I am working.

It is very peaceful to let go of those whose revenue does not cover their expense and headache. Although long ago someone here said there is a price which makes any client worth having, and our job is to get that full price.

Probably. The tribe should have the ability to not 1099 if the item is not taxable. Giving a 1099 tells the recipient the amount is being reported as income. A perfect comparison in IHHS (at least what they call it in CA) to care for someone in their home. Those living in the same home as the client (say a parent caring for an adult child, or vice versa) make a statement to the county affirming they live in the same home (which means the amount received is not taxable wages) and no 1099 is generated. Without that statement, a 1099 is issued. Ultimately, the facts determine taxability, even receiving a 1099 does not mean taxable (say if the letter was not prepared or the payer still issued a 1099). Depending on your engagement, you might accept the 1099 as fact, and leave it up to your client to prove non-taxability. Or maybe your client has engaged you to investigate.

While a member of a tribe, my tribe does not make direct payments. Likely depends on the source of the funds. Gaming revenue is likely taxable. Trust fund income is not likely taxable.

The latest is no win 12 this year. There was recent news about the cost of the esa for 10. There may be a big update to 11 in the fall.

Unless there is some exception (real estate agents?), commission is fine, but still have to monitor and make up, if less than min wage for all time worked. Likely some federal rule to start, then possibly modified by state rules. These days, with CA and ABC, and what DOL is doing/trying to do to somewhat align federal with CA, everyone should be considered an employee unless an exception can be mapped out case by case. Payroll is more complicated than ever, with many unqualified people handling payroll using the employer's choice of "magic" software (the kind which says or implies no knowledge is needed. (Sound familiar to tax preparer's world?) In a group of payroll "pros", who pay to be part of the group, there are multiple posts, daily, asking essentially why they should withhold for the worked in state, even if the company is located in another state. Granted, many of the posters are new, but even needing to ask in a forum tells me how little the employer is aware that the software or online processor they use is "doing" for them. Today, one of the posts was about a payroll software which allowed allocation of wages by state, with another which somehow was allocating some by worked in state and lived in state. neither is correct, since one has to track time worked at each location, and where an employee lives/gets mail is not material.

If a single stand alone, no one really does. Repair or fixes, sure, but first letting the updates run, after they are done manually checking, until no more are left, is good to self do. Same with blowing/vacuuming (depending on one's preference/belief) is a self project. The random computer "expert" is likely going to connect remotely, run some sort of script, and may or may not fix anything, and may or may not cause more problems. One (in)famous "expert" service is well known for causing more problems, as their default is to do some sort of backup on removable media, a clean wipe and reinstall of Windows, then send you on your way with only their faulty backup to work from (they do not back up everything, just the common things, and they rarely help restore).

I try to manually checks for updates every Wednesday. I do it just before lunch, and let it run if needed. If you do not keep relatively current, there can be many updates needed, and in some cases, they are done in specific order, with multiple reboots some of the time. Another goodie is to reboot your modem (or modem/router) at least once a month. I am also using a consumer/pro grade physical firewall box (to allow two internet connections to be live at the same time and) to block access to places other than the US, incoming or outgoing. (I did have to add an exception for a game SWMBO plays.) Make sure you are not sleeping/hibernating/power off until the updates are complete, or they may have to start over. When I notice a significant update, after it is done, I will manually check again in case the new update triggers another. I do not use the option to get the latest updates quicker (a quasi beta tester). I do not use any third party "security" software, as such software is often the cause of issues - the security built into Windows is great as is, better than you can get third party if you setup correctly. My new fav, now that I finally am using Pro Windows, is the brute force safe bit locker drive boot pin, and the walk away with my phone computer lock. For the fan, look online for hints how to clean your air paths and fan. They do need to be cleaned out on occasion. For me, I use portable computers, and I prop them up to improve air flow, versus sitting flat on a desk or my lap.

If the person believes their name only will protect the funds, good luck. DD to an account in their own name is the safest. Especially in a community property state. Practically speaking, anyone can scribble on / stamp a paper check. No one is looking unless someone complains. I have my daughter sign any incoming checks "deposit only", not that it adds any security either.

My hair skipped grey and went directly white (sans color). But then again, I have hair, so no complaints - other than the cost of a cut. I say it is from kids, they stole the energy I used to have, as well as my hair color . For me, the "days" are the W2 deadline date, and every quarterly deadline date. But, as someone told me so long ago, there is NO such thing as an accounting emergency. No ambulances come, no specialists are on call, etc.