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You don't need a signature if no money is being electronically withdrawn from the taxpayer's account.

Lifting my head out of the hole a little more frequently now and stealing more and more daring looks around. It is amazing (and frightening) to realize how much life passes us by while we have our heads buried in our papers and computer screens. Do you all realize that it is the middle of April 2013 already? Just sayin'.

About two weeks ago I picked up tax docs from a client that was in the hospital. I finished the return, but couldn't deliver it because he had been released and I couldn't get a moment to go out. I've been meaning to call his spouse to pick them up..today spouse calls me, and comes by " needing to get this done in case". Jesse's crying while he signs and says the liver's failing, and causing the kidneys to fail. Infection is back. He's trying to get all the affairs in order. I told him to let friends take over, and be by his partner's side. Long time clients, good good people. Yes, sometimes we are more than just tax preparers. And if anyone tries to tell me this couple isn't married, I'll smack them.

I know that not everyone had issues with speed, crashing etc, BUT I do not understand why you still don't have concerns with the new ATX, and are still not seeing things that need fixing. ATX removed a ton of important features that were part of the previous years software. These at a minimum should be on your list. To name just a few: 1. Spreadsheets 2. Ability to Unprotect forms 3. Ability to Customize calculations 4. In Cell calculations 5. Import of Quickbooks 6. Import of W-2's 7. Full Featured FAM with complete history past and future (here I may be at a loss, since I now buy the Stand Alone FAM, I get that inside ATX also, so don't know what those of you that did not buy that see.) 8. Ability to make custom Modules and full featured Templates by integrating forms and customizing the links and formulas simultaneously. (I had personally built a custom incorporation package using several of the above features) 9. Ability to Export Forms to Excel (I used to find this feature invaluable now I have to download a PDF and laboriously create the form, and without the ability to link across to other forms) 10. Ability to see the Calc Sheet to determine both why something is happening and FIX programing mistakes quickly, before ATX can do the same (Multiple times I found I could manipulate the calc sheet to fix or add a feature - GONE NOW)

And Bobbie apparently reads this forum as well

I hate hate hate cold weather (wind, snow, ice) so tax prep is a perfect excuse for me to not go out. Every year...I'm a bear who awakes from hibernation. This year was different since I purposely cut back, so I did have a "quasi-life"....but I always felt that I had to rush back. Tuesday....I can go out and relax....without worrying about a ton of calls/e-mails waiting.

One of my side line hobbies is beekeeping. I lost a hive over the winter so I ordered a couple packages of bees to start two new hives. I told them I wanted them delivered in early May. Got a call on Friday telling me they would be here yesterday (Saturday). I objected that I ordered a May delivery. They said (effectively) sorry 'bout your luck--I had to either pick them up or forfeit them. So I had to take a break yesterday drive an hour (each way) to get my bees. I still need to put them in the hives--will have to take another break today to do that. Hey, did you know that there is green grass out there?!?!? When did that happen?

And you wonder why SS is in trouble. The ones like Randall's client are the ones that irk me the most. Bitching about 'welfare leeches' when all he needs to do is look in the mirror.

Two and three quarter days to go. The coffee cup is full, had about 4 hours of sleep so let the games begin. I can see the finish line but hope I don't crap out before I cross it. Hang in there everyone by the time June rolls around and things are all calm, you'll miss all the fun you have had. On a more serious note, it is funny how things always seem to work out. I, like many others, dealt with software issues, learning curves for new software, paniced and drove my self nuts on January 30 wondering how it was all going to work out. And now that the dust is beginning to settle, I have realized that I have had one of the busiest and mostprosperous tax season for the last five years and all the worry proved useless. Cudos to all of you on this board, and the TRX board for being there for me and everyone else. This is an invaluable asset to all of us. Here is wishing each and everyone of you a good and restful break after Monday. One more thing, I think we all should take a moment and think about the software developers, support folks, and others that worked long hours that have done their best to help us get through this tax season. My hats off to them as well. Thank you!

Yeah, occasionally I poke my head up, "oh, North Korea is threatening to nuke us? Whatever." And back to the pile of paper. Going to get the mail, I noticed my irises are blooming. Big beautiful purple ones.

Yep, know what you mean. Could be worse though, you could wake up to this..........

looking at my windows task manager atx is using 519,136k drake is using 6,652 i estimate i've lost over a month to atx this tax season; i should be sipping pina colada's right now!

Very wise secretary! Before I would even begin their return, I'd tell them straight that you researched the real estate law (to protect them), and coupled with the fact that you learned it's illegal for her husband to sell without a license, IRS could fine you and possibly lose your professional license if you show her profit under her husband's name to lower their overall self employment taxes. You just might be able to make honest people out of them. Doubt it, but maybe!

13 to finish. 12 of them are 90% complete. One new client, farmer, 63 lines of depreciation. 17, including my own on extension. Increased my client base from 154 to 229 this season. It has been a season like no other. Were it not for the ATX software problems, this would have been a wonderful year for me. Revenues are also up due to the increase in clients. I will make it by Monday at noon. At the firm, over 400 extesnsions... Software problems 25 times as bad there as I have experienced here at home. All of the "guaranteed by the 15th" returns are complete. Still lots to do!!!

To compliment the email solution, there's a program out there that tracks the email and can give the sender the date the email was opened by the receiver. Good to have in case the receiver says he/she never got the email!

Change in marital status will not be a problem. It will be his estimated payment, just as if he'd done it that way from the start. And yes, I'd advise she make the effort to deliver it in person, taking documentation of her status as his spouse. Get receipt.

Learn something new everyday!

49.6 hours... But who's counting???

Getting an early tease on the vacation. Wife and I are heading to Top Sail Beach first thing in the morning tomorrow. No phones permitted. Can't wait. Nothing better than a beach chair, umbrella, bucket of chicken, bottle of wine and a good book with my bride at my side. Oh and preferably a quiet spot far far away from families with small children. Love em just can't stand screaming and crying anymore.

Agreed and well said Terry. We, on the front lines, don't recognize the hard work these folks do. They are folks just like us who go to work everyday to make a difference and when the product is less than we expect we fill out minds with negative thoughts about these folks. This is not to say that some of those thoughts are not well founded, but I believe the vast majority of the folks up and down the line are out there trying to make a difference. They, like us, have had less than a perfect season and played the cards that have been dealt. I have said before that this will be a season to remember and learn from. All of us, up and down the line, need to take that away from this season. And that said, I am ready, and in fact have already begun, to say good bye to the 2013 tax season. It's extensions and e- filing today and tomorrow, wait for a couple of pickups early Monday and lock the door (with me on the outside of it) at noon.

Now if I can just catch a fly with a pair of chopsticks....

This is just one of the many parts of life that is unfair and it is very sad. We all have ranted one time or another about the folks working the crap out EIC as well. 75.00 withheld and three kids income less than 33k and whamo 8,000 free money. Now if some folks really need this and it is legit. How many on the other hand, are just plain working the system. This is our government at it's best promoting poverty. Thanks Mr. President for the Obama phone. Just another way, the hard working man pays for the lazy but capable of working. Get ready Obama care is coming into full swing. I like his quote "Apparently this is what the American people want they voted me in office" Not all of us did!

VERY GOOD GRASSHOPPER!

I used to be from the "penalties and interest are the responsibility of the preparer" camp, but then other prepares have shared that the taxpayer had access to that money for that period of time. So now my position is to take responsibility for any penalties (and not interest). And we also we require that we must be the ones who contact the IRS first, or all bets are off.

This is another place that email is so valuable as a business tool. You can answer all their follow up questions at your leisure, plus there's a record. Just print off the conversation and stick it in the client file.

<<<I called IRS and asked your very question...and the rep told me not to bother with the Schedule E because he wasn't renting out anymore. So...I just eliminated the Schedule E.>>> Hmmm, hope there were good notes kept here. Changing the disposition is always the best and proper way.

The taxpayer is always responsible to pay the tax that they owe from an accurately prepared return. If a mistake is made regardless of whether correcting it reduces a refund or increases the original balance due, it is the tax the taxpayer would have had refunded or owed "IF" it would have been prepared properly the first time. IMHO, and my policy is that the penalties and interest are the responsibility of the preparer who made the error. <<<<When I run into an error on a previous return I tell the client...and I tell them the IRS may catch it...or may never catch it. it's up to them to amend or not.>>>> It is your responsibilty to tell the client they are required to file an accurate tax return and if an amendment is necessary then the taxpayer is responsible to file it. There is no choice. But, if the taxpayer chooses to ignore and play the odds game then it is on them totally and they cannot say that you told them they had a choice. CYA at all times and in all situations. We all know how these things can get misconstrued.

I am taking a couple of hours off today to go shopping with my Granddaughter for Maternity Clothes. Yes!!!! What is more important, tax returns or a new Great Grandbaby, the first? I am thankful that all of you will be helping me with my work while I am out. Have not been out of the house since Monday. They heard the nice, strong heartbeat yesterday and are so excited.

When I run into an error on a previous return I tell the client...and I tell them the IRS may catch it...or may never catch it. it's up to them to amend or not. I would think that the taxpayer is still responsible for the tax....and insurance would just pay interest and penalties.