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I am in the process of "preview testing" the new software. My sales rep also called me. I was very straight forward to the fact that unless I am satisfied with the "preview test" (beta test for the non-politically correct group) I perform, that their software is not even on the radar. Stay tuned. As I go through the beta testing, I will post my opinions. The non-disclosure agreement I signed will keep me from giving out details. Rest assured you will get my HONEST and COMPLETE opinions of the software as I brutally and mercilessly beta test it. Anyone who has followed my posts during the past tax season will know that I may be the toughest test they have to pass. Stay tuned!!

Anyone received a call from ATX lately? I took a call yesterday and the agent was asking me to commit to the software. I let her know I would purchase the software after they shipped it to me and I loaded it and confirmed that it worked properly. She said they need a commitment and some money down to do that. I said don't you have 30 day temp license to try the software, she said no. So I told her I would start looking for new software today then. I did not have too many problems after the first couple weeks and the software worked, but I am not into reloading the software countless times and spending countless hours with support until it runs this year. This was my first year using ATX, after running Ultra Tax for the last 15 years. I then talked to her manager and explained that there was no way in hell I was committing any money to ATX until I received a working program. She said if I did not give a commitment that they would not even contact me unless there was some new program put into place. She then proceeded to practically beg me to commit even $50.00 to set me up. I basically hung up while she was still begging after telling her the same thing about ten times. What is wrong with this company?????

I only give very general tax advice or information for free. PERIOD. Leeches do not ever lose their apatite. Stop being the "nice gal" and expect to get paid for the skills, knowledge and experience you have.

I just faxed in my non-disclosure agreement. My testing starts on Sept 9.

No comment.... I choose to avail myself of the protections provided to me by the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Isn't this the new IRS mantra?)

A farmer lived in ancient Rome. He was working in the fields one day when he came across a giant strawberry, about one foot wide and 18 inches high. He thought this would be a novelty that many would want to see, so he took it home, washed it off, and set up a display in a case. He advertised the giant strawberry far and wide, and people came from all over to see the exhibit. He charged admission and made a pile of money. However, he failed to report his earnings to the tax authorities, so they came to his farm to confiscate the exhibit. When they arrived at his door, he said, "I suppose you have come all this way to admire my exhibit as well?" "No," they said. "We've come to seize your berry, not to praise it."

Amazing example of the power of the human spirit when someone refuses to be defeated. http://videos.komando.com/watch/3900/viral-videos-a-polio-victims-amazing-dance?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=tvkim&utm_content=2013-09-03-article-screen-shot-b

My husband just about went nuts the few years he lived in CA post-graduation. "Late night and early morning low clouds and fog" was the constant forecast. He says CA does NOT have weather; it has climate. (plus fires, earthquakes, and mudslides) lol

"My wife found out that our dog (a Schnauzer) could hardly hear, so she took it to the veterinarian. The vet found that the problem was hair in the dog's ears. He cleaned both ears, and the dog could then hear fine. The vet then proceeded to tell Andrea that, if she wanted to keep this from recurring, she should go to the store and get some "Nair" hair remover and rub it in the dog's ears once a month. Andrea went to the store and bought some "Nair" hair remover. At the register, the pharmacist told her, "If you're going to use this under your arms, don't use deodorant for a few days." Andrea said, "I'm not using it under my arms." The pharmacist said, "If you're using it on your legs, don't use body lotion for a couple of days." Andrea replied, "I'm not using it on my legs either. If you must know, I'm using it on my Schnauzer." The pharmacist said, "Well, stay off your bicycle for about a week."

I would modify that just a bit. "Today I learned that teenagers are obnoxious." We all love them, yet wonder how any of them survive to adulthood, because we know they deserved capital punishment several times at least.

If it was a one time payment due to the death of the insured, it may not be taxable at all. I think you need to read all the paperwork, to start. You need to know if your client was the owner of the annuity or only the beneficiary of the death benefit.

I found it hilarious that they were both 49, and claimed 86 yrs of combined experience! Meaning they each started tax work at age 6 !!! I'm glad they are going to prison, altho I do expect most of their 'victims' were also guilty of knowingly cheating, given the size of the amounts involved.

Yes, if you know they are the sort that create their own problems, and you know they are not going to change, you can either fire them, or look on it as an opportunity to make a nice high-charge amendment. As long as you charge extra for 'fixing' their mistakes, it should not bother you at all. ;~)

Went to a CPE class last year some time, someone who specialized in complex back-tax issues, tax in bankruptcy issues, etc. Apparently a LOT of his business is repeats; folks who come in every 5-6 years with yet another mess on their hands. One of the folks in the group asked if he didn't get *incredibly* aggravated with these people who obviously do NOT follow advice and end up in hot water time after time. He replied that it did when he first started out. However, he changed his attitude, and now he *looks forward* to "the return of the son of tax problem part 17 the sequel" (my term, not his). The attitude change? Stop thinking of them as "problem clients" and instead see them as "walking annuities!" I am striving to make this change in my head, with sporadic success. lol.

No one can make anyone else file a joint return against their will, not even a Judge.