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Husband texted me that he was running late and I answered with what was supposed to be "ok, thanks for letting me know" that I sent as "ok, thanks for loving me now." Then I started to send "geez, I should proofread before sending" which started to convert to "Cheese Arthur profit..." which started me laughing so hard that I had tears running. It was at that exact moment that a representative from the state's division of revenue returned my call. All I can say is that poor woman must think I'm totally nuts, and that it's a good thing I don't text much with my clients.

I have averaged 24 returns per week this season. (Beginning last week of January.) I've worked six days a week, but missed two Saturdays and a Monday. Wow, it puts you so far behind. I have a lot of chatterboxes, and I may or may not be one myself, and a few bookkeeping/payroll clients that I see every week. No support staff, except the Lord. He's good, though. Y'all are correct; the ones in the stack right now are stinky and/or the "Oh, that [W-2] should be there..." Uh, huh, and do you think I didn't look five times before I asked you for it?

Did you know that autocorrect thinks "Rita" is not a very common name, and my client really enjoyed the reminder that day: "Hey, we need to do March sales tax. Thanks, Tits."

THIS!!! STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. If you don't take care of yourself, you will burn out and get stress illnesses. I came to this realization some years ago and stopped working one day a week. Usually, but not always, Sunday. Found out that if I took a day for myself I got more done the other six days than in uninterrupted seven without end. Any client who expects instant response any day or any time of day is a client who does not respect us and who is definitely under-paying us. For me, if you want 24/7 instant response, you had better be be a close family member. Anyone el

I don't want tax season to be any longer than it already is BUT it seems like broker statements and K1s come later every year. I understand why - brokers are now required to track basis, show all kinds of information they did not have to in the past and K-1s are waiting for some of that same information to do the return that generates the K1. So perhaps we need to permanently move this deadline. Or maybe I just need to find a new line of work.

Copied from Accounting Today: "You hear from taxpayers and congressional offices all the time, but my understanding is that there have been days where if you calculated by looking at the number of calls that were answered and divide it by the number of calls that came in, the level of service was 2 to 3 percent,” said Nina Olson, executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and the former National Taxpayer Advocate, during a webinar last week hosted by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. “Even by the IRS’s own calculation, where it does the number of calls that are answered, di

Maybe the real "art" is in their valuation method...

Universities... I literally just got off the phone with one of our kids, as he just received news he was accepted into his undergrad school's medical school! There is hope - since this proves a "normal" person can, through hard work, do something which exceeds GPA competition or legacy $.

My kids had no problem setting up parent logins so we could pay the bill.

This is probably obvious but I just had to share it. In February 2013 I bought a new Dell Optiplex 9010 because my few years old at the time Dell could not handle ATX 2012 as we all remember that debacle. The 9010 had 2012-2019 ATX on it, and performed well, but slowed the last year. While doing a 2019 amended return I got a black screen of death. Was able to resurrect it but it kept happening. So my next thought (before reaching out to everyone here) was to get rid of ATX 2012-2016, services and all, since it's not really needed any more. Now the computer works great, ATX loads in secon

I have always had the same DL# as well. It’s six digits long. In the intervening years, NC added another digit to all license numbers. Now, whenever I give my license number, the person almost always asks for the “last digit”. Sometime they even insist the number isn’t long enough, plus they don’t believe me when I tell them to add a “0” at the beginning. So I have to explain that I’m so old my DL number should be close to 0000001.

And sometimes it doesn't take much. I needed a break and went and pulled garlic mustard (invasive weed) for ten minutes. Out in the fresh air, listening to the birds, watching the puppy next door try to herd a flower pot, and getting rids of weeds before they flowered. I felt great afterwards, and was able to come back to my computer refreshed.

I think the license info doesn't roll over because we are supposed to ID everybody every year. I have also noticed that university information must be entered every year by IRS requirements and they don't roll over anymore. For my practice and taste, ATX is the best in the market. Stand alone installation, who opens the program knows what forms and what questions to ask (at least that's what I believe), interface and price look good.

Total loser here, but I missed a lot of hours caring for Mom, and when she moved to heaven, and I have a lot of new clients who've moved here. So, I'm really winning, just not dancing in the end zone yet. Actually, I was feeling pretty good this morning because I am only two weeks behind now, but I've spent half a day trying to figure out why Sage 941 report does not match Sage payroll register for 1st quarter for a big payroll I do. I know I'll figure it out eventually, but I hate bookkeeping chores during tax season. I'm really happy for the extended deadline. I think I will wind up doi

Don't know where you sent messages, but here it is for everyone. Due Diligence Questions 2020.pdf Let me know if it works.

I agree with you, Terry. Just a few miles south, I believe SC still recognizes common law marriage. My (very simple, country born and bread) Daddy, John, lived with Myrtle... for a little too long, and she declared them married... Bought herself a very lovely wedding ring set, and so it was. It passed every Common Law rule. She was thrilled.... Daddy cried for a while... then she fried some more chicken, slapped some biscuits together, and he felt better about it. Truth.

"I ’m so glad for your sake that your deadline isn’t as tight as usual this year." I so wish this were true. Trying to muster the strength for 17 more days (16.5 but who's counting). I have to finish 10 returns/day to make it, and the returns I have left are stinky :(. They're actually mostly all stinky; why don't I get clients with 2 W2s and a 1098? Pity Party, right here at my desk. I'm drinking a latte and a soda at the same time!!!

My last thought, maybe-because my head isn't working well at the moment, is if an MFJ return is filed and signed by wife on behalf of husband using her authority of the POA, I wouldn't attach any further statement about the husband being missing. In other words, don't give the IRS any more of a reason or anything else to question. Give them nothing more than the required information. If IRS will accept that POA, then no further explanation should be needed. Sorry if I'm rambling.

My oddest current situation is a client who ignores my questions about virtual currency transactions, even though I've sent multiple emails. Makes me strongly suspect the answer is "yes". So he goes on extension until he replies.

Fifteen returns in a day! You are superhuman! The only times I can do that is when they were all done and checked and finally that last bit of missing info came in. Even then, I don't think I'd make 15. Missing info is the worst. Email a client with three questions, and you get two answered. Heck, tonight I emailed a client with two questions and got an answer to one. Really? Most of my returns are fairly complex--even the "easy" ones turn into hours of work when they leave a note that they sold some land or hunting cabin they've had for years and the stock their grandfather gave them

They need to implement several different phone numbers so all the people calling about when they'll get their refund can tie up the main number, but those with actual tax or account problems can call different numbers. Just like with software support, there are those that call at the drop of a hat about things that could be better handled by email and people who actually need immediate support are left to wait on hold.

is that last years drivers license information would roll over.

Look at the bright side. At least the SOL is running on all those returns sitting in trailers.

Wife sent a text to the kids that was supposed to say "Dad and I are going to Disney" but it auto corrected to "Dad and I are going to divorce". Needless to say she got a couple of frantic calls!

Hey, I do have one more question. How many times do I have to click "Accept Cookies" before they send me the cookies?

One guy yesterday had a zillion questions on why they owe so much. Gee, he cut back his ES payments but his income was up $60K, I wonder why they might owe money? Thought I had him settled, then today he started in on more questions. I haven't opened any email from him since before lunch because I'm too close to telling him I don't care about his stupid questions, just figure out how you're gonna pay and just. shut. up.

But company does not reciprocate. LOL. We are SO far behind. We lost multiple weeks this year with the retroactive changes (and belated state changes) and the panicking clients needed sedation by phone and email. Plus waiting for software updates, then going back to look at returns untouched for so long we had no memory of what was still to be done, what was finished, what we should expect to see... Worse yet, I have absolutely NO patience anymore for any clients. I've caught myself ready to chew someone's head off, more than once just barely before the words left my mouth. I am so u

Starting with Q2 2020, a 941 can easily have different figures than paycheck reports. FFCRA, ERC, SS deferral are examples. I had a similar issue yesterday. Someone complained their deposit record for first payroll of the year was too much, because, retroactively, they had a "non refundable" credit which should have applied. Their position also matches the completely goofy IRS instructions. Problem is, they are a semiweekly depositor, and they had to make their first deposit weeks before the nest payroll, when they "earned" the credit. It all comes out "in the wash" at EOQ, no penalt

Yes, I'm usually done by now and I have a few clients that haven't brought in the raw data, are very slow to respond to questions or supply missing information, or are not interested in filing until closer to the May 17th deadline. I can't convince a couple that the returns can be e-filed now and pay the balance owed within the next month, so I haven't received the signed authorization forms back yet. It's annoying.

I've been meaning to post that the Unread Replies Bar is a nice feature that certainly helps when scrolling through posts. Thanks for that upgrade, Eric.

I use an organizer for those of my clients I think will fill it out, or al least use it to help them remember what to bring. But for the vast majority of my clients, I also use a one to two page form. First page is for everyone, second page just has them list children and/or estimated tax payments. Just in case you are interested, I have attached the word file. Questionairre for Drop Offs mailed 1-9-21.docx

Perhaps timely: IRS Posted Today Electing To Apply a 2020 Return Overpayment from a May 17 Payment with Extension Request to 2021 Estimated Taxes The IRS postponed to May 17, 2021, the date to file 2020 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and to pay any related tax. The due dates for estimated tax payments for 2021 were not postponed. The first 2021 estimated tax installment is due April 15, 2021. If an individual taxpayer has a 2020 overpayment and elects to credit the 2020 overpayment against the 2021 estimated tax, the date on which the 2020 overpayment is applied against the 2021 estim

After a while, they open up to us. The good things, babies, kids growing up, going to college, grandchildren. And the bad things too, divorce, drugs, death.

We may know more about our clients than any other professional they interact with except maybe the hairdressers. The doctors, lawyers, and brokers know some pieces of the clients' puzzles, but we know just about all of it and then some - finances, employment problems, medical issues, education, debt troubles, relationship status and drama, all about their kids, vacations, family drama, you name it. Many subjects stem from the range of items that we deal with on the tax returns, and then they feel comfortable sharing all sorts of information! I guess they feel I'm a good listener a

I’ve always met them at least once until I moved to MA. Now there must be about 30 I have not met. Having a friendly relationship with them sometimes calls for an exchange of photos so I send one from 10 years ago.

Robin...I'm just curious, why do you feel the need to show it as "unpaid"? Maybe I'm missing something but I also prepare my returns and my children's returns (both full time students) on ATX and show that I am the paid preparer. I keep sending my kids invoices and past due notices. I'm going to have to get a collection agency involved.

Wow! A case could be made for either of those; but I would lean towards other income. She was not in the business of "offering to help out" and did not have a profit motive that would subject her to SE tax. So I see an argument against NEC. There is certainly not an issue of an employee gift vs bonus here. However, while there is an element of gratuitousness, the payment was in recognition of her efforts for the company in charge of the winding down process. Since the payment was made in recognition of her efforts; at a minimum I would call it other income

I didn't know the IRS (PPS) had this feature until yesterday, I requested to be called back and when it was my turn, I missed the 1st call because I was on the phone with a client, 5 minutes later the automated system call me back and I was speaking to an agent. My call was in regards to a client refund from early February, the agent was very helpful and was practically reading the script given by the head honcho's line by line. "Tell the taxpayer we are experiencing huge delays because of COVID" "Tell the taxpayer the service centers are not fully in operations" "Tell the taxp

It would kill me inside to have to answer calls all day about where's my refund. I'd need a tape player like the IT Crowd had.

I can't even imagine. I get anxious when I have 10 returns in my to do stack!

Let me grumble some more - When will they take away the university's roll in determining net amounts billed and paid for college?!?!?!?!? What a disaster - year after year. And since the billing account is under the child's name - god forbid the parent have access to it - it is a tail-chasing run-around to get the info from the student.

He may not have kept copies, but he had the information to input into his software. He should be able to give you names of payors, EIN's, and addresses from his electronic records. In ATX, you could print copies of the input screens.

Sound like a case of trying to turn lemonade into a lemon.

Woo hoo The SBA just officially forgave 100% of the PPP Loan for my largest client. I am surprised because it was only two weeks ago that I submitted the application and all the supporting documents to their bank. It was the long form 3508 with all the supporting document requirements. I must say, it was the most strenuous project that I have tackled in many years. Darn, I wish I could take the day off and celebrate

Anyone else behind where they usually are this year? I still have 150 returns to process; returns are in the office longer than usual. I have worked solidly (until at least 11 each night and sometimes as late as 1 a.m.) and all day on weekends. 4 hours off on Easter, 3 hours last Sunday because my son was confirmed, and 9 hours for my son's track meets). I had a few grouchy clients call about estimates today. (Both had enough carry forward in my first draft of the return to cover 1st quarter). I'm feeling down. Am I just super slow this year? I'm really trying to figure it out.

I've cut out anything I don't enjoy. I only work for a few hours each day, even during tax season. You do need to take care of yourself! You've been working in tax for 42 years! 42 years! Stop right now and take a walk. And tell yourself you will do the same tomorrow.

I try to keep the ball in the client's court for this very reason. I give them Forms 1040-ES and tell them to write checks. I have a handful that want me to have IRS directly debit their account when I submit the e-file. I'm sure that handful of people now think I screwed something up. They'll be sweet about, but I know what they're thinking, and I know I'll be dealing with their phone calls this week. Got a text Friday, in fact. I'm just glad 95% of my people who owe at filing pay with 1040-Vs and checks because they don't want IRS knowing their bank account information. /s

I have a new client that I may fire. She makes very little and has 2 sons that live with her and cannot wrap her brains around why I am questioning why one may not be her dependent. Is in college, but made 22k while her taxable (and nontaxable) income is about 30k. second son made 12k. Then yesterday she said she gave up on getting together the expenses because: (wait for it) It was April 15 and she hadn't filed an extension so was screwed. I sent an email explaining that the tax deadline had been moved to May 17. I thought everyone had heard that at least. Now I know why she w

I have never been this far behind. Most clients are understanding--I tell them to blame congress for the whole thing, changing the laws midstream as they did. Last year IRS gave us a three-month extension due to covid, but no laws had changed. This year we get one month while covid is still a factor and laws that affect many taxpayers have changed, meaning forms and software have to be updated, states legislators have to meet, tax pros have to learn about the changes and how to address them. Plus estimates, trusts and estates did not have an extended due date. What's up with that?

I will be selling my business at the end of tax season. I would like to un-incorporate (S-Corp) and stop payroll by the end of June. Is that wise? I mean, is there any reason I should NOT do that? (I'll continue as a Sole Prop until I find a buyer, then I'll be employed by that business until I retire. That's the plan in my head.)