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And banks require an EIN for a business checking account. But a sole proprietor can get an EIN too. And nobody looking at it can tell if it is for an LLC or what. It's free and takes ten minutes, so it's a smart way to protect one's Social Security Number from getting spread around.

I have big shoulders, an amazing wife that loves me, my man card is NOT in danger and despite all the comments directed at me.... "I have survived much larger threats and insults from far more capable people than the ones on this site."

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THIS ONE?

Jack, old friend, PLEASE ease up on the insults. It would be so much better if you just stay on the high ground and just ignore anyone who "blasts" you. I assure you, if they get over the line, the moderators will respond. Calling them names [especially in advance] is inappropriate here. I value most of your input, and hope you go back to your old high standards.

The sad thing is that while ATX forms were a big factor, in the beginning it was ATX's SUPPORT that was it's outstanding strength. William and his whole team were not only extremely knowledgeable, THEY REALLY CARED ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS. What a change once CCH bought it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150367291041441&set=vb.612821440&type=2&theater

I saw that earlier this year. It is about the funniest thing ever! I laughed again this time nearly as hard as the first. Way to start a Monday....

I don't think any of us will find that one tax prep software that has everything we like. So looking for the utopia is a futile exercise in my opinion. After all if we all worked the same way all the vendors would have the ultimate solution and they would all look alike?? Some people look for seamless integration with Fixed Assets, payroll etc. and that I think is better suited for the upscale software like Ultratax, Prosystem FX, Lacerte etc. I am certainly not in that league. I think after trying various options you have to settle for an option that works for most of your cases. Yes there will be a few exceptions that will drive you crazy and you will have to plan for it (charge more, or take more time to do it early in the season). One think that drives me crazy is slow software. After you input the data, you are ready to take a peek and in Drake I found that to be the fastest in all the software that I reviewed. I ran the same case on ATX 2011 and Drake 2011 and saw the difference.

I'll add one other comment. I was away from the office for the past two weeks, and since I still consider myself a Drake novice, I was curious about how quickly I would fall back into the routine with the software once I returned. No need to worry though - Drake is just as logical and intuitive as ATX, once you break the dependence upon the sacred "direct entry" mentality. As I've said before, direct form entry is vastly overrated.

Thanks, everyone. That's why I don't want to answer anything except tax questions about this. I will tell them to talk to their insurance company.

And since that just illustrates how confusing the current rules are, and in such a state of flux, the only smart thing is to avoid giving advice, except the advice to consult an insurance professional for such questions. For example, in the question about the sec 105 plan, direct them to their insurance company. They will know if their plan, in that state, is in compliance, etc. Don't open yourself up to liability for a wrong answer. Don't be like the banker that gives tax advice, and is right maybe a third of the time, because he does not understand all of the variables that affect the tax treatment. We've all had to clean up after one of those, right?

2 hrs may seem short to the dad, not so to the mother, believe me!

Now wouldn't that be a nice thing!

For the most part I've stopped commenting on ATX vs Drake, because I see how passionate some on this forum are with respect to ATX. Some of you are going to stick with ATX no matter what the cost and no matter what the risk. From a business standpoint that continues to puzzle me. I'm also astounded at the number of practices who are totally reliant upon one vendor and don't have an alternate vendor already identified. Large practices with a high volume of returns should have an alternate vendor's software actually running on some computers in their office, just so they don't get blindsided by something like what happened with ATX this year. Yet I continue to see this blind loyalty to ATX and little indication that any preventive steps are being taken. It's October folks, and the comments lead me to believe that most are just sitting with their fingers crossed, hoping all the promises will be fulfilled. But I will chime in here since you've hit upon the biggest difference between these two vendors. There's nothing in this price range to compete with Drake on speed. It isn't fancy and some of the screens aren't as pretty, but it's designed for speed. Input is fast, return management is fast, backups are fast, and updates are lighting fast. There are times when I miss the direct input on the form a little, but that becomes less and less of a problem once you get accustomed to Drake. Their Macros also aid you in designing special input keys - again making return preparation FAST. Since we sell our expertise measured in time in this business, faster speed translates into more dollars in the bank. Hard to argue with that logic. I knew within a few days of switching over that Drake was going to be my primary software going forward, not matter what happens with ATX. I now regard ATX at best as a candidate for my backup vendor, provided they really get their act together. But I'm still very much of a skeptic in that department as well. I think you're going to have to settle for lots of compromises in the future, and one of those is likely to be speed. If that's the case, then you're going to be committing to earning less over a given period of time. Some ATX diehards are willing to accept that trade-off, but I'm not. I actually wish I had switched to Drake years before I did, just so I'd be more experienced in using it today.

I had originally considered becoming a Navigator. I have since come to my senses and will NOT. I will advise my clients about the tax implications and requirements, but when it comes to giving them advice about who, where and what to purchase for health insurance, I will opt out. Three reasons: 1. The entire new system was broken when it was designed and is a total train wreck now. 2. I will not take on the liability of advising someone about those issues. 3. As I learn more about the ACA, I totally understand why so many states opted out of having exchanges. The liability now falls on the Federal Government when the system implodes and fails.

Unfortunately is doesn't always matter what you believe, we have to follow regulations and many states have enacted regs that say we must encrypt. Here we have to encrypt AND we have to shred. Nothing with a soc sec# can go in regular garbage. We have been using encryption but are going to a client file share system for larger files.

In my opinion it is just prudent to encrypt and password protect. Granted it is not 100% fail safe, a hacker who is targeting for your particular info will get it eventually, but why make it easy for the rest?? Same principle when you put a steering wheel lock or alarm in your car. You hope the thieves look for an easier target than yours. But if they want your particular car, they will get it no matter which alarm you put. Just like Lion I do get several requests to send without password protected, because these "challenged" individuals can't enter a 6 digit #??