Leaderboard

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED: -Men Are Just Happier People -- What do you expect from such simple creatures? -Your last name stays put. -The garage is all yours. -Wedding plans take care of themselves. -Chocolate is just another snack... -You can be President. -You can never be pregnant. -You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. -You can wear NO shirt to a water park. -Car mechanics tell you the truth. -The world is your urinal. -You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. -You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. -Same work, more pay. -Wrinkles add character. -Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. -People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. -New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. -One mood all the time. -Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. -You know stuff about tanks. -A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. -You can open all your own jars. -You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. -If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. -Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. -Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.. -You almost never have strap problems in public. -You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.. -Everything on your face stays its original color. -The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades. -You only have to shave your face and neck. -You can play with toys all your life. -One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. -You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. -You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. -You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. -You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

A little off track, but since we are talking about math, and Jack is from Ohio, I want to insert here that I am really tired of hearing that Ohio is absolutely going to determine this election. The media really takes us all for fools, like we can't figure out that there are ways to get 270 votes without having those 18. And, I am not playing the Golden Buckeye Card. Ok, I feel better about it now. And, Kea, I have the same pet peeve on the dollar sign being used with the cents symbol. I love the way the store "corrected" the problem. lol :scratch_head:

Perhaps you don't need calculus, trigonometry and geometry, specifically, but you sure do need to know the rules of ordering, and of basic math and algebra!!!! While we all rely on our computers to do most of our calculations, we have to know enough to recognize when there is an error in our spreadsheet formulas. Just think of how often we look at a number on a tax return, recognize from our base of tax knowledge that this number is wrong, go back and check and find that we did not check a box that should have been checked, or we had checked one that should not have been checked or left out some critical info? Those who use Turbo Tax and screw up are a perfect example of the truth that no tax program [and no spreadsheet] can give you the right result if the person using it does not have a good understanding of the rules that govern the forms. We all tend to rely on our tools to "do it for us", but unless you have the knowledge to recognize an error, based on your knowledge of the subject behind the form, you are not a professional. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but while I think it is highly appropriate to let advanced students use calculators, for example they should not be allowed until after the student has a solid grounding in mathematics. Just as before you touch a tax program, you should study tax law, or else you do not even understand some of the questions you must answer on that tax program.

Speaking of people today not understanding basic mathmatical symbols: On a trip to a convenience store, I noticed a jar of gum with a sign that said ".5¢". I causually mentioned that that said the gum was one-half a penny. The next time I went there, they had edited the sign. It then said ".05¢". So, if I buy one, how do I get change for my penny? I guess it's just better to buy 20 for a whole penny. Sorry, but that is just my biggest pet peeve. I really wish people knew how to use a decimal point and / or that a ¢ is different from a $. Rant over.

Hope everyone on the east coast are doing okay.

They really do.....I sent that to all the men in my life who use e-mail.; although I think that has been around before.

Gee, now that I think about this, they really do have some significant advantages, don't they?

So THESE are the reasons! I've been wondering for more than 50 years about this - so great to have it all summarized. Thanks, Elrod!

High winds, so expect to lose power any minute. But, a lot warmer than last October's storm and more warning, too. Good luck to us all.

That probably means that I am in the process of wasting nearly two years' profits on a remodel/addition to my office and hardware because my job might become redundant. I have the same suspicions, John, but sometimes we just need to move forward. In any event, I am helping to stimulate the economy.

The RTRP is mundane, but it's only the opening volley in a process which will eventually result in all tax preparers functioning as unpaid surrogate auditors for the IRS. I used to think this might be a 10-year process, but given the way they are reaching, I think it will be pretty much in place within 3-5 years.

This makes the RTRP sound so mundane. Those of us who took the test were in a panic for days prior and greatly relieved when it was over. In our own way, we have advanced at the level required (not necessarily desired). I don't consider myself to be any better or worse a preparer than I was before the test. I will still do the best job that I possibly can for my clients. I took the test for them rather than for myself. As for CE, I have always done that on my own. Knowing where and how to find the answer is a huge part of this job. I have never messed up badly enough to have a client require representation. At my age, I am not in this to take care of anyone's clients but my own. I am not offended by any of the above posts, but recognize that some younger preparers might be. We were forced to take this test in order to protect a great deal of time and equipment invested in what we do.; and I don't necessarily think that it has solved any problems for the IRS who is standing over us with a club. :read:

Lion, you are right. RTRP is just like an unenrolled preparer used to be... he can only represent its own returns at certain levels before the IRS.

The system would not allow my wife to renew until she signed up for the RTP exam. What a crock of $h1t. It is not a requirement to pass the exam until next year. She is CTEC certified and should be allowed to renew her PTIN. I love my country, but I am really starting to hate my government. Time for a revolution. Tom Hollister, CA