Leaderboard

Not to mention you are on an ATX board asking about TurboTax.... TurboTax commercials say they have EAs and CPAs ready to help. I suggest you call TurboTax and let their experts help you - of course, the other suggestions of going directly to a professional are even better.

Hey, here's an opportunity for ATC/CCH to marry up a couple of technologies at this critical time. Instead of "Music-on-Hold" they should change to "Manual-on-Hold". They should have a recording of someone reading the User Guide in place of the elevator music. At an average of 30 seconds per page, and assuming the average wait is an hour and 15 minutes, the entire 460-470 page User Guide can be read in 4 easy customer-service calls with a little time to spare. And instead of pressing "1" to indicate you want to stay on hold, you could press "1, 2, 3, or 4" to choose which section of the User Guide you'd like to have them read to you while you wait.

After Tax Man 60601 gave me the secret on how to unhide my hidden files on my XP SP3 computer, I tried the following AND hoped it would not screw up ATX2012 anymore than it is. I was prepared to uninstall ATX2012, reinstall original cd, update to 12.5 and update ALL those forms again...that's how desperate I've become. I AM NOT A COMPUTER GEEK and MAKE NO WARRANTIES TO YOU. YOU ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK I could not open Schedules A & EIC, Forms 2106,2106EZ & 8812. I decided to try and find my computers library of forms, delete the bad or corrupted forms, and then run the update process. To backup what I was going to do, I created a folder on my deskstop labeled "Screwed up ATX". Within that box I created 5 new folders labeled "Original", "Latest" "Patch 1" "Patch 2" and "Patch 8". Sizing down and putting this desktop folder to the right side, I drilled down to the ATX file folders (on the left half of my desktop) that corresponded to my 5 folders, went into each folder, found ATX's corrupted files and moved them to my "Screwed up ATX' desktop folder by dragging them across the desktop. This removed them from the ATX library (and changed the status of the form from "installed" to "available now") Running update caused ATX to reinstall them and they opened. Drilling down procedure: clicked on a series of folders: My computer, then C: drive, then documents & settings, then all users, then APPLICATION DATA (if you don't see this one, you will have to unhide your files--see Tax Man 60601 posting), then CCH Small firm services, then ATX2012, then Assets, then 2012, then Masters..... Within the Masters folder are three folders " original", "latest". "patches". Within Patches are more folders P1 contains Schedule A and EIC. P2 had "2000" forms like 2106, 2106EZ, P8 has the 8000 series i.e. Form 8812. In the original folder I found one file for Schedule A (1040_A.2012.1.53.SFSFMZ)......in the LATEST folder I found 2 files for Schedule A ---a 1.54 revision and a 1.55 revision. In the Patches 1 folder I found one file for Schedule A.......Making sure I removed ALL Schedule A files. The other forms had similar treatment....the LATEST Folder may contain a few files relating to your form. After the update, All these files were back in the respective ATX folders and the forms opened. Then I deleted the corrupt versions that were sitting in MY "screwed up Atx' desktop file. I hope this helps someone out there. Note: I did repeat this procedure on Form 8812 twice as the update still did not open after the first try.

this is a great forum and i will still be around but i made the switch to Proseries on Wed. Just waiting for my conversion files to come back. 10,000 topics is huge, this forum really filled a void, stayed open and professional and friendly for years. -Michael.

I downloaded the demo from Drake the other night. I'm still on the fence and am waiting to see if the next update will fix my problems, but then I wonder if I'll have the problems that many others here are having. I suppose I'm not experiencing them because I'm not using the program much yet. Drake would take some getting used to. I went through the program and actually re-prepared my own personal and corporate returns for 2011. I was able to recreate the returns exactly, but not entirely without some issues. Some things look so basic, especially in the depreciation area, lack of worksheets, that I can't believe there aren't many mistakes being made. I think ATX catches a lot of mistakes that the less knowledgeable preparers would be running into with Drake. One specific problem I had was with the limitation on HSA contributions. Husband and I each have our own separate HD medical policies, no family coverage, only for 10 months last year. He's over 55 and I am not. It looks like I entered everything properly and Drake is not calculating any limitation on the amount of contribution allowed. It is showing the full amount that would be allowed for the full 12 months. In order for the correct limitation to print on the form, I had to enter it in a box on the input. I can't believe that if there are all the questions related to this limitation and boxes to enter the # of months, that Drake's software wouldn't calc this limitation.

Thank you for your condolences. She was my 86 year old sister in law and at our last visit she said she was ready to go into her makers arms. Believe it or not we are happy for her. She is certainly in good place now.

Well, I have used that for paper state returns, and use it quite often for my same sex couples, since they need a copy of the federal proforma used to create the joint CA return. It's easier to use 'fed copy for state'. So it's not like it's not useful. I'm just used to having to check the box when needed, rather than uncheck when not.

Good luck with ProSeries. I used it years ago in a colleague's office (helping out under special circumstances) and must say I detested it thoroughly. Stick around here; tax issues are tax issues! Catherine

I just noticed that the little refund amount window in the top right corner changes color. It is green when there is a refund and red when there's a balance. That is just the handiest little thing. I am so happy that the programmers had time to figure that one out. Making life so much easier. Good Job ATX!!

I have actually found this helpful for my many clients that have local/city tax returns....Most cities around here require Page 1 of the 1040 and any Schedules C, E to be included with the city return (mail only, no local e-file). In the past, I would need to do a seperate print job for these extra copies...Now I can check them in the "Fed Attachments for State" area Other than the overall slowness and annoying tendancy to stop working and shut down, I'm actually starting to like this program....darn it....I just getting into full ATX bashing mode.

That's funny...when I click on the refund amount, mine adds the summary sheet but also plays the first 40 seconds of Abba's "Dancing Queen". You just never know what to expect from ATX

I wish they would include the state refund(s) up there as well. Woild make life even easier.

I installed on the server and one workstation in December, played with very little because so few forms available. Installed on other workstations early January, installed each update as it came out. We have not had the major problems I see on here. Couple of returns would not open after rollover, fixed with 12.5 update. Slow to open the first time I open a newly rolled over return. Getting used to the new print manager. We are networked, and I replaced the server over the summer, and all workstations are fairly new (within 2 years) and running Win 7 Pro or Ultimate. Server runs SBS 2011.

I think this is very valuable, so am pinning this for now.

Since this is NOT a group for non-professionals, I agree with all the responses. And I am going to close this thread now. Enough said.

>>Get a new system with the fastest quad-core processor, at least 8GB of RAM, and a 1GB video card<< Yeah, but don't forget to also upgrade your pencil. Dixon Ticonderoga, no ka oi.

>>without the balance sheet being entered it is not showing up on the K1<< This is a problem with your data entry or other software issue, so you should contact TurboTax. I apologize for my passionate colleagues on this board, jsmith7412. Normally we are all very sweet to new members. You just happened to wander into another software problem here this week.

You better have a (w-2) wages or salary here or you are in big trouble. You can't just take a distribution.

I use the stock letters. I've only printed one sofar, didn't really like the look-I dislike Ariel, but.... Maybe I'll tweak it a bit later. Just got my first RDP return in, and my issue is whether I'll be able to efile these returns yet. And the form the IRS created this year to do these is CRAP, and doesn't flow or populate from the rest of the software. And this isn't an ATX thing, Lacerte doesn't tie to the new form either, and isn't planning on doing so (per my lgbt tax listserve). So, I have a working program, but more issues than just whether I like the look of the client letter.

Having worked in QA for most of my time at ATX and TaxWare*, I can not imagine working on a project for THREE YEARS and being so unprepared for the release, with such obvious stability and performance issues. I only assumed they did the whole conversion in a single year because of how badly things have been going. I guess they were a little too quick to get rid of most of the talent at ATX. *Taxware is the company that purchased the Sales and Use tax software "TaxSolver" when ATX was acquired by UCG.

They found errors in their system processing the 8863. http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Returns-Claiming-Education-Credits-by-Mid-February Everyone should sign up for all three of the IRS newsletters. You will know within 24 hours of the IRS making a decision.

IRS has delayed accepting returns that include 8863 until mid-February or early March. This is why ATX has blocked e-filing of returns that contain the 8863.

I discussed everything with client...including potential audit and my fees if such audit did occur.....She decided it is a hobby.

Dude, not trying to be mean, but Turbo Tax is a competitor to all of us on this board. We could give you the answers, but almost every person here will expect to make their living off of the amended returns you are going to have to do after you hose this return using TT. You don't know what you don't know, and that is what is going to get you in trouble. Tom Hollister, CA

I was an ATX customer from about the 1996 through 2009 tax years.

It is obvious that you do not understand taxation of an S-corp and should consult a tax expert for tax return preparation. No joke!!

On the MyATX community board Kimmie is posting tonite asking for information from those of us that have slow printing issues. Says to email [email protected] the particulars. See Kimmie1201 post 1/30/2012 Titled "slow printing -- need some information for the developers". Taxtrio

You are in very dangerous waters and should consult a professional directly with cash in hand. You are working way beyond your pay grade. And I am being nice.

Nah, it's a selection in preferences, client communication. How about this: READ YOUR USERS MANUAL!

Same set of rules as for any other business... expectation of a profit?, appreciable assets? run in businesslike manner? books and records look like a business set of books? advertising? expertise in the field? prior success in other similar endeavors? significant amount of personal pleasure or enjoyment? degree to which they seek professional help? These are the factors that they look at for any business that they suspect is not being run for profit. I have been told that IRS does not believe anyone who is operating a horse racing or car racing endeavor is in business. Tom Hollister, CA

Sounds like my life, only my daytime job is a tax preparer/I.T. manager at a tax firm. Am I crazy to do 12-16 hours of tax stuff 6 days a week?

I don't see how that could offend anyone; it was just silly and funny!

Yes, I know I should avoid the political ones, but THIS one was just so ironically funny I could not resist, My apology to anyone who does not find it so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBHT1RiG5Zg&feature=youtu.be