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You know, someone last year made a crack about the dog and also the bunny that hopped us to the worksheet but to be serious about that, I think it reflected not only a sense of humor by the programmers but also a sense of involment and commitment to the program. And after CCH bought it, and soon got rid of most if not all of the old ATX team that feeling is gone. And the software has suffered from that loss.

Like many of you, I'm a one person shop. Having this resource is priceless. Even the 'laugh of the day' entries are greatly appreciated! They help me come for air every once in a while. Thanks for the donation reminder. I thought I had donated earlier this year . . . but couldn't find a record of having done so. Just clicked the donate button. I urge others to do likewise.

Thanks for the reminder, windmill! Just went on and made a donation because I don't trust myself to remember after the season. Eric, I can't thank you enough.

i AGREE JJSTEPHENS!!! I have always received speedy, informative and knowledgeable replies to even the simplest of questions. As a sole practitioner, it has always been reassuring to know that I can bounce a problem off thousands of minds and get a reply - -usually within minutes THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!! Tax Preparer 31 years

I think both are the correct answer, depending on the responder. Many of us have experience in particular areas so answers to some questions come from that (CRUT returns, minister's returns, etc.). For some of us, we may be fairly sure of the answer but double check and quote. For some, we may also want to know so take the time to do the research. I agree, though. This board is invaluable to many of us for a variety of reasons including tax research support, working through issues to get to the right questions, moral support for bad days and clients, emotional support - I could go on. But I don't think I could go on without this network of intelligent, kind, generous, experienced professionals. For myself, I am always glad to see new contributors, too. CPA 20 years, sole prop 18 years here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZwl5Oi0Qn0

sent to me by my cousin... A woman walks into an accountant's office and tells him that she needs to file her taxes. The accountant says, "Before we begin, I'll need to ask you a few questions. "He gets her name, address, Social Security number, etc. And then asks, "What's your occupation?" "I'm a Lady of the night," she says. The accountant is somewhat taken aback and says, " Let's try to rephrase that." The woman says, "OK, I'm a high-end call girl". "No, that still won't work. Try again." They both think for a minute; then the woman says, "I'm an elite chicken farmer." The accountant asks, "What does chicken farming have to do with being a prostitute?" "Well, I raised a thousand little peckers last year." "Chicken Farmer it is."

I've been a preparer for 27 years; and an EA for 5. I've been on this forum since shortly after it started and the original 'official' ATX forum (the one that was shut down on April 5 several years ago giving rise to this forum) for years before that. What amazes me is the wealth of knowledge that's out there. You folks amaze me (admittedly, some more than others!). I've gotten great answers to virtually every question I've asked. I was just poking around and looking at some older Q&As. People quoting regs, and code and all kinds of stuff. Amazing! What I'm curious about, when some of these questions come up do you know all this stuff off the top of your head (like one person quoted a section of the Form 1065 instructions) or when these tough questions come up do you take the time to research the answers? Either way, I'm impressed . . . and grateful!!!

Now that people pay me through PayPal, donating is easier. Now, as soon as Chelle let's me back on my computer, I can send a few bucks too.

I think the name and SS# have to match anyway....so in theory, a deposit should be rejected by the bank.

>>I'm wondering if I can help him<< I think you should lend the poor guy $300 so he can open a bank account.

I concur with everyone above -- SO many thanks to Eric, SO many thanks to you all!! I could not run my business without the help I get from my online colleagues. Sole practitioner since ~1997; EA since 2003.

The guy responsible for this web site is Eric. So thanks to Eric. He gets donations from us from time to time. See the Donations on the tool bar above.

If you accept the refund in any manner, you go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass GO, do not collect $200.

Also be careful of tax prep sweat shops that will use a PO box for the client's address to get the refund check. We had one such shop in my neck of the woods years back. All returns that were done the previous year by this shop and all had the exact same address. Come to find out that the shop was dealing in high volume EITC taxpayers and picked up clients from the local shelters etc. These people did NOT have a permanent address and the PO Box was used to get the check and hold it there. Then they would have it cashed at walmart and the shop took almost 50% of the refund as fees. Needless to say they have since disappeared.

Check out Circular 230--page 24 Section 10.31: "A practitioner who prepares tax returns may not endorse or otherwise negotiate any check issued to a client by the government in respect of a Federal tax liability." I'm reasonably sure having a refund direct deposited into one's account would be functionally the same as endorsing or otherwise negotiating that refund check.

I agree NO! the Visa prepaid card is the only option or have them open an account with a credit union or some bank that won't have a large deposit to open requirement. I had a client (friend of ours) ask me to do the same thing in the past and NO! Doing this could cost you your business. Again, don't do it.

No absolutely NOT.

NO! You can't have it go to your account. Have you looked into having his refund go onto a debit card? I know Visa has a prepaid card that you can have it put to.

We use Brother brand and I refill toners that cost $89 new, for only $12. We get 5,000 pages per refill. Each toner cart will refill 3 times before it wears out. BTW, pages that the toner will print is figured with only 5% of the page covered. We get 5,000 out of a cart rated at 8,000. But with me refilling them (a 5-10 min operation) we save hundreds.

That took me 3 hours to do. I'm so frustrated. 3 states - 16 W2s - self employment; two 2106s - new client. Aaargh! I'm venting here because there's nothing else I can do. Thanks for listening.

oh my goodness! I did a copy and paste and found it! what a silly goose. I think I need sleep and a new job

I do this a lot, too: 1) Look in the cabinet. Nothing to eat. 2) Look in the fridge. Nothing to eat. 3) Lower standards and repeat.

You are being too generous Jack. My calls usually go like this: hello, Ron speaking. Client says "yeah, what's up? I need an extension." Me: " OK, we will get it done. Thanks! " Client "OK - Later!" That conversation takes 20 seconds at most. But I do have to admit, after I hang up, I always hope the client was talking about his tax return. :)

Leave room and then wander back in wondering why I came downstairs. Look in refrigerator. Stare vacantly. If the microwave beeps again, realize I left the potholder upstairs again......

In reading information about OH, it looks like Ohio allows for a legal seperation to legally state certain things, such as assets, dependency, etc, but Ohio still views a couple as legally married until one of the three decrees is final...dissolution, annulment, or divorce. I informed clients that it was either MFJ or MFS....they wisely chose MFJ and will stop back (separately) and sign the 8879 and pay.....giving me separate checking accounts with which to split the Federal and Ohio refund direct deposits. Next year, I think I will do his (since he is the on that originally contacted me) and tell the ex-wife to go elsewhere...I forsee issues and (as many have mentioned) predict conflict of interest on separate returns

The "comparison" is still there -- go to "add forms" and type "comp" in the box -- it will pop right up. I also like to include the summary pages ("sum" in the search).

Yes sir it is a wonderful country but people have figured out how to game the system and very soon it will NOT be wonderfull for all of us. There are more people collecting social security disability. There are more people collecting than people paying in. How long do you think this magic will last?