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Maybe the software isn't working for you because you are using it in a way it isn't designed to work, even though you've managed to do these things for the last 7 years. And I have to say that this forum isn't ATX customer service, and you have no business demanding that anyone here answer any of your questions, especially after a whopping 7 posts in total. Pretty nervy of you!

I was just told on the other website that the IRS has now changed the opening date for all efiles to 1/3012. I haven't seen that myself. The last update that I saw said that it would be today. Now I'm getting worried that they won't be ready for anything on 1/30.

Based on what I have seen, people taking advantage of this are receiving several thousands of dollars in EITC and can care less if it costs them an extra $100-$200 (invisible to them as it is taken out of "free money") to get this free money faster.

Just because you have done this for years doesn't make it the optimal approach! Seems like all kinds of extra work when instead you can set ATX up in a network mode and share the data easily that way.

I feel and share your pain but why don't you install the ATX2012 as a network install whereby you will have a central repository on the server to save to one location from all workstations. That is what will alleviate all the mentioned above issues you are having. Rather than exporting and then importing from various machines independent of each other...

Linda I can understand exactly what you are going through. I just walked in after delivering W2 to one of my payroll client and what do I see on my phone. 3 messages from my clients (all EIC taxpayer) wanting to see me this week after work. I had already told 2 others who called last week to PLEASE PLEASE wait because my software is not yet ready. I am waiting for the update to come today as you mentioned to see if I can at least give them a Fed and State return copy (I don't care about that 1/30 warning) . If that does not happen by 5pm I will be forced to call these people and make an appointment. I can NOT tell them to go away. I have to figure out what I am going to do between now and 5pm. 2 of these people have child care data on 2011 return and the other is a Sch A filer (she owns a home with her mom). So now without proforma I have to enter all that data. I just can't see me doing forms by hand and give it to them. I look stupid! May be I use that to get all the info, but then i have my organizer I don't need paper tax forms? Like you I have to make a decision real soon and TRX has been stringing us for too long to be able to make that decision, but NOW it is either Sh*** or get off the P** BTW I would recommend, you create your own organizer by using the 2011 as a template like I did. Even if TRX produces a half way decent Organizer you don't know when you will see that and what bugs it may have. That is why I took a jump with the Organizers.

Depending on where you live, it is very possible for some people to live on that kind of income. Take a look at the car they are driving. Are you familiar with the area where they live? These are the kind of people that the EIC was intended for. I would never send anyone away unless I knew they were out and out lying to me. It is not for us to judge once we have done our due diligence. I would never raise the fee on a family like that. Either be truthful with them and tell them you don't want to be involved or prepare the return at a reduced rate. There are people out there living in a world of hurt. HRB and Liberty are feeding off of them and I find that hard to accept. I will not give them a loan at high or zero interest. I will, however, hold their check. Certain clients know that they have to come cash in hand and they keep coming. As long as EIC is part of the tax law, I feel just as responsible to those clients as I do to the wealthier ones. This is not to indicate that my business base is composed mostly of EIC clients. But, I have several in the mix. Most of my clients are middle class to slightly above.

Recently, I heard a news story describing how a single parent with two kids in PA is better off financially making $29,000 a year than a single parent making $69,000. You can search "In Pennsylvania it is better to make $29,000" and get some articles about it. (And, I know 29,000 is more than 18,000, but I had to take the opportunity.) Here's a video: http://video.foxnews.com/v/2017186123001/single-moms-do-better-with-welfare/

The product has been in development for a while. It's a major undertaking to change a platform so there's no way they could have started at the last minute and got anything out by the release date. I saw a version of 2012 at the User Conference in Atlanta. And it was overdue, as the earlier poster said. If we think it's tough to learn a software with modifications, think about learning a completely different software. Ugh. And conversions never go like they promise. Not the ideal situation for any of us but I believe they are trying.

I am not yet ready to give up on ATX. Our problems have not been as severe as some, despite running on a network. I really don't like change. We used Drake a few years ago, and while their customer service was excellent I prefer the forms based software of ATX. I did get an interesting email offering $300 off this week only on Pro Series, But I really like ATX usually.

And think food stamps, state health benefits and cash assistance (in addition to the EIC) and you have a family of four bringing in (through cash and assistance) somwhere north of $40,000. Still not a lot to live on, but a far cry from the $18,000 being reported. Now if he has a $2,000 house payment (or some other "expense" that does not fit) you may want to "dig deeper".

On New Years Day, we were flipping channels and came across this: "If you did anything wrong, it's your own fault. You shouldn't have made out your own tax return. I told you to go down to the barber shop and get somebody to do it who knows how." Alice Cramden, The Honeymooners (1956) season 4, episode 28 "The Worry Wart"

>>I just did not see how it was possible for a family of 4 to live on this income<< Maybe you can't see it, but 46 million Americans live in poverty (less than $23,000 for a family of four). That's one in six, so obviously it can be done. At least the gentleman is earning significantly more than minimum wage. All you have to do is fill out the worksheet and answer the questions. If you have reason to think his housing costs, for example, are too high for his income, you can inquire further. Perhaps he has some non-taxable arrangement for help. But remember, there is NO support requirement for claiming EIC.

The same issue exists. Changing software is a HUGE deal for us. No matter when, if we choose to change, it is a GIANT problem. You do know that this change was 5 years overdue. ATX has had issues with not being compatible with the common server software since 2006? Add that to it not being compatible with Microsoft Netframework 4, which is used on all Win 7 and newer Microsoft OS. The only reason ATX was compatible with WIN 7 was WIN 7's ability to emulate XP. Give the software technicians a break.

This made me laugh. I needed that. Terry I admire your cool head.

I think they are stirring up a big kettle of confusion. I am glad that I was able to conform and have it behind me. CE has always been a voluntary part of my tax prep. The test didn't hurt me one bit and am glad to have it over as we have enough things to worry about right now with the ATRA and the delay of filing as well as the issues with the tax program (s). No matter what the courts decide, I won't be crying over spilt milk. Any and all knowledge that I gleaned from studying for and taking the test is only to my benefit and for the good of my clients. Those are my major concerns.