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Holy cow. Where has this been all my life? First reaction is amazing!

I heard somewhere the glue balls cause you to lose your memory . . . but I forget where I heard that

oh I like the glue balls on the SSA. They're quite chewy once you get used to the taste. (and much cheaper than gum)

My networked XP machine at the firm works faster and better with 12.13. My standalone WIN7 machine at home is greatly improved as well. Film at 11:00.

Eric, whatever we do, we cannot express enough our gratitude to you for making this possible. You've surely read how very important it is, especially to us sole props, to be able to reach out to so many colleagues in this way. Without your expertise and willingness to provide this forum, many of us would not be the practitioners we have become or mentors to others. It is we who are very, very grateful!

Wow, my inbox is flooded with Donations this morning. I'm sorry that I can't connect all of them with the names on the forum, but please know that I'm very grateful.

Early reports on the "other" forum sound very promising for the 12.13 update. Some are reporting major improvements in the speed of the program. I am not able to install the update during the day, due to multiple users on the system with clients scheduled. I would really like to have some more confirmation that it is really true before I update. (I have no idea why I am so skeptical). Let me know pros or cons. Thanks, and lets hope it is true. I was on the verge of "losing it" this morning. I will humbly admit, that I was sitting at my desk this morning with tears literally streaming down my cheeks. The pile of work should be getting smaller this time of the year, but it is already bigger than it has ever been and getting bigger with every day. I am totally "stressed out" to say the least. (thanks for listening).

LTCG rate is zero for her. It's making some of her SS benefits taxable, isn't it? Yes, I would take a stab at it, looking at enough data to be sure I wasn't using a really unusual year. She only needs the cost to about 1850, right? I'd say that would be very easy to justify.

The people that designed and chose the SSA-1099 format size and those stupid "tear this side off first" type configurations.

Seat belts anyone??

Do it. Do it OUTSIDE the program. I have only good things to report.

Let me caution you that when you open a return in the new update, there is a screen that pops up to tell you what is going on. Made my heart jump the first time it popped up. My immediate thought was, "what now". But now that I have seen it a couple of times, I like it.

Wow! Bam! We just upgraded to 12.13! A very complicated return KaPow! opened in warp speed!

Ray in Ohio, you are not alone. Some days I am hopeful; others I just look at the boxes of returns yet to be done and wonder what in the world I am going to do. I am still working with 12.10 on this machine because I am afraid to ruffle the waters. I did update on my laptop, but no time to try it out. I have to keep telling myself that these latecomers are not MY problem. On the other hand, it wouldn't have mattered when they came because we have all been working at full force with one hand tied behind our backs.

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!!!

I just finally finished what I call a real tax return. This return consists of form 1040, Sch A, B, two C's D with barter exchanges, 7 E's, 2 K-1's with 7 4562, and all other associated forms, worksheets, AMT worksheets, form 2441 etc; and then we have the State. My stapler can only handle 60 pages. Stretched the stapes to the limit but they are holding. Now with adding the client's information the client folder is about one inch thick. How do any of you organize a mess like this? Here is what I have done. Two hold punch at the top of the forms, organize them by income, expenses and Itemized deductions; etc., with a binder (guess that is what it is called). I am glad to be done with this one.

Exactly, RitaB

And the FAM works! just not ATX 2102

I've always considered myself an analyst with emphasis on the 1st 2 syllables. I feel like I'm in over my head with this multi-year estate. I'm not sure exactly how the distributions affect a current 1041. The only 1041s I've done just showed the distributions of everything that happened that year & everything got closed out. I'm encouraged that you think I have this all in line. I guess that means I'm close. I just need to be able to "visualize" what's going on with the distributions. They sold the house quickly so the loss is just the cost of sale. I would like to pass the loss to the benes, but from what I'm reading, losses carry forward until estate is closed. Gains can be passed through, but not losses.

I would expense on the corp books and deduct as the unit is being used for business. Accommodations are for benefit of the employer corp and are common and necessary business expense.

the rule in my office is that if any folder exceeds 3/4" in thickness, Lila the giant Dog is allowed to chew at random until thickness is sufficiently reduced....works like a charm and no client has ever complained about he excess dog slobber. they like me because I'm quircky and my big dog is adorable....they keep coming back because I'm good.

I am sitting here on 12.9, and doing well. Couple of irritating things that I work around. Is it ok to intall 12.13 from here? I think yes, but I also think I will wait a while to do it. Maybe the 16th. lol.

When they get that large, I switch to a heavy Globe-Weis or Smead hardboard folder (they come in blue and green). It has Acco Clips permanently mounted on both inside sections, so all I need to do is punch the papers and slip them into their proper place. It will expand to about 1-1/2 inches and it's very durable. I like those folders, and I like producing the invoice that goes along with them.

Ok you guys have convinced me! Im gonna try it.

Sounds more like the normal around here. We staple the return into a folder and put the workpapers in a separate envelope. If the return is too substantial, we will use a second folder for the state and local returns.

It is another good improvemnet. I updated a couple of hours ago and it is going strong. Ray, I believe most all of us are in the same boat. But think extension. I am down to under 20 that were in by our cutoff and the 40 (an ever increasing number) that have come in since the cutoff and are coming in are being told that if we can not complete them by the 15th they will be extended and we will begin working on returns again in June. It has relieved a great deal of pressure here.

I updated 8 am this morning and it is working much better so far.

Paper cutter works just fine. I guess we all have to deal with whatever comes our way with this stuff.

I go along with the non-perforated forms. Even I have perforated Uni-forms for W2 and 1099. Even our state unemployment forms are not perforated. I keep a pair of scissors handy, but it is annoying.

And the glue balls on Form SSA-1099. Grrr. And the W-2's put out by my great county government with the carbon paper in there, and the numbers are always on top of a line. But, other than that...

JASDLM is Doni. I feel like I've known everyone on this forum for 10 years . . . High time to be on a first name basis . I realize someone could google and find my name. Oh well.

Catherine, I have a similar problem with an Australian client. I actually received a tech reply weeks ago to send the return but have heard nothing back. When I entered bank interest the recipient's name and address shows on the bottom section of 1099-INT but I get the red error message that it is missing valid state and zip code. Of course it is, they live in Australia. I did extend them to October as they will meet the physical presence test by then so maybe programmers will have 'fixed' this by then. Otherwise, I will have to figure out another way to enter it. I think the programmers of this new version are too narrow in the possibilities, combinations and permutations of a variety of data items that are quite legit. Inexperience, perhaps?

We presented their record keeping system; answered her questions about ongoing changes made to improve prospects for profit; showed promotional materials and information about the nature of the business--it's market and his standing within the market. My client had a full time job and was using the money to finance his business. He and his wife were serious and not intimidated by her questions. They believed in their businesss and were proud of it. The auditor believed there was a social aspect that weighed in favor of a hobby decision. It was true, but who shouldn't love what they do, especially if surrounded by others doing the same thing? That was our experience. Every situation is unique.

Most laser printers these days have a Toner Save Option in the setup menu. Try that. I did and I can tell the printing is slightly lighter but the toner usage is less too. If you have the time and expertise then refilling may be the least expensive. my son refills his inkjet and he tried a toner but it started streaking so we just buy the generic brand from the least expensive vendor on the internet.

And it goes to line 7 of the 1040, not 16. I've lost time on this one for one of my clients in the past. This year I finally remembered where the amount ended up!

The dog is dead. The bunny is dead. May they both rest in peace as we begin to piece together our lives soon after tax season and determine our next course.

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.

I never meant to indicate that it was not your call NECPA. Of course you are the preparer and must be the one to sign or reject the tax return. Just make sure that you are not being overly influenced by a possible penalty. You are not an IRS employee yet, although we probably will be soon. Good luck.

>>The following factors, although not all inclusive, may help you to determine whether your activity is an activity engaged in for profit or a hobby:<< It does not say if any of those things would make it a hobby nor does it say that the tax preparer should make that determination.