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Correct implementation requires that you don't implement it where it shouldn't be used.

A professional violinist - now why didn't I think of that ? !!! With of the sob stories I hear from some clients, it would be a real asset having him playing a dirge in the background.

My assistant last year had a Master's in Accounting and had worked for VITA for 3 - 4 years. He was hopeless. Good at scanning documents, and did know enough about returns to collate them properly; not much else. He was marginally better than the professional violinist I know from church who would come help with scanning when I was desperate. I knew more about tax preparation when I was 16, for gosh' sakes. And both my girls could run rings around him *today*, with one eye closed. I was not impressed with VITA's training, or with him. (In his defense I will say he tried hard, was on time, and was always polite. That is worth something these days.)

I'm going to pay the extra $40 and get Win 7 on the new system. I spoke to ATX and they said that either 7 or 8 will work with 2013 but they suggested Win 7 for prior years. I'll upgrade to Win 8 when 8.1 has been around and reviewed more.

That's pretty much what I do. I set an early cutoff date - everything coming in after around mid-Mar automatically goes on extension. Some of those (the simple ones) get out the door by Apr 15, but most don't. That makes Apr 15 a light-duty day for me. Mostly a time to review & cross-check extension filings (and maybe extend a last-minute procrastinator if I'm in the mood, although I'm usually not). Then take my wife out to a relaxed dinner early on the evening of the 15th - this has been a private ritual we've followed for years. On the 16th I sometimes amuse myself (with a tiny amount of compassion) by reading all the panicky posts from last night's forums regarding failed ACK's, computer failures, server logjams, and other crises -> the majority of which were a predictable result of failure to plan properly back in March. I usually take the following week off to go somewhere nice, then come back to finish up lingering payroll tax reports by Apr 30. Beginning in early-to-mid May, I turn my attention back to 1040's.

I agree completely. Thanks for mentioning the "Donate" button Jack.

My daughters have given plenty of tax or bookkeeping assistance to friends (up through Schedule C, and with QuickBooks) as well. Fiona (my older girl) tells a story of getting the W-2 from her burger-flipping job in Harvard Square (Bartley's Burger Cottage, for those who know) some years ago. She said, "Thanks! I've been waiting for this," and the kid next to her said, "What is it?" She started telling him what a W-2 was, what one needed to do with it, how to fill out a 1040, etc. and within seconds had *all* the kids who worked there gathered around her, hanging on her every word and asking questions (all of which she was able to answer correctly). She said that as she was talking, she was thinking to herself, "I sound just like Mom...."

Gives Masters of Accounting a bad name?? I hire high school junior or seniors who have taken Accounting and most of them know enough about taxes to be dangerous. My youngest son was doing 1040EZ for his friends when he was 17.

And it's always the same people......... My motto is either "I've been sitting here since January"

I use Word, mail merge, and format the addresses for a double window envelope. I have a red stamp for the outside: "Important Tax Information Please Open Immediately" as well. Much better rate of being read. Looks much more professional. I only have 1 printing, and one stuffing. The letters are personalized and look totally professional.

There are certain things that a webmaster, even one as good and skillful as Eric, cannot control. Quality of server space and maintenance is one of those things. Keep doing the fine job you have been Eric!! I am certain that all users, especially us techie types that know all that happens in the background, APPRECIATE all you have to do to provide us this site!! Time for everyone to hit the donate button again. Even if Eric insists that he doesn't need it, he deserves our thanks in a tangible way as well.

One never knows when tax preparers may be called upon to help restart the Space Shuttle program. It's good policy to be prepared.