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My thoughts exactly. Sometimes you just have to laugh. I know that there are aces in every deck of cards. Looks like I may have to "go fish."

One, I believe in this benefit and wonder why IF : church and state are to be separate -- then why are any "church" laws, ideas, property, etc. regulated by the government, etc. -- if they're separate !!!! Yes a very different discussion -- not to be done here -- maybe on the political board -- but not by me - here. Two, any other argument withstanding; it will be overturned as if it stands, there will be president for "provides a benefit to religious persons and no one else, even though doing so is not necessary to alleviate a special burden on religious exercise," ---- which when you take out the words "religious persons", you could insert *** pick what ever you want *** any business, any commodity, any thing the "politicians" care to do that benefits any of their constituents over someone or something else. -------------- that's what makes politics --- doing something for someone/some thing to benefit them at the expense of something/someone else -- so they can get the money to be reelected.

I think it's a good idea to include the 'Foreign Accounts' question on the engagement letter, just before the signature lines. Especiallly since gettting the correct answer to this question is potentilly more important even than getting paid for the return, given the huge penalties involved.

Lucille decided to give herself a big treat for her 70th birthday by staying overnight in a really nice hotel.. When she checked out the next morning, the desk clerk handed her a bill for $250.00. She demanded to know why the charge was so high "I agree it's a nice hotel, but the rooms aren't worth $250..00 for just an overnight stay - I didn't even have breakfast!" The clerk told her that $250.00 is the 'standard rate,' and breakfast had been included had she wanted it. She insisted on speaking to the Manager. The Manager appeared and, forewarned by the desk clerk, announced: "This hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center which are available for use." "But I didn't use them." ''Well, they are here, and you could have." He went on to explain that she could also have seen one of the in-hotel shows for which they were so famous."We have the best entertainers from the world over performing here." "But I didn't go to any of those shows.." "Well, we have them, and you could have." No matter what amenity the Manager mentioned, she replied, "But I didn't use it!" and the Manager countered with his standard response. After several minutes discussion, and with the Manager still unmoved, she decided to pay, wrote a check and gave it to him. The Manager was surprised when he looked at the check. "But Madam, this check is for only $50.00 "That's correct I charged you $200.00 for sleeping with me." "But I didn't!" "Well, too bad, I was here, and you could have."

Ode to Thanksgiving May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump, May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

I got rather fond of the separate modules as I was able to have both programs open at the same time if the need arose. IMHO

If anyone listens.... I have first hand experience and knowledge. The Payroll program will be separate and will be an updated version of 2012. It is included as part of MAX. Nothing new here.

A little corny -- but he *nails* the magic trick! http://www.shockmansion.com/2013/09/14/video-swedish-comic-tries-magic-trick-with-a-banana-absolutely-nails-it/

I believe part of the issue revolves around whether this benefit is provided to religious persons and "no one else". In addition to military personnel, there are other groups of people who receive preferntial tax treatment for housing (and meals) provided for the convenience of the employer. At first blush, it appears that this judge's decision springs largely from an anti-religious bias, but she isn't alone in that regard. I've observed the same thing among some tax preparers on accounting/tax forums as well. I've even suggested on a couple of occasions that based upon their extreme biases against clergy, some tax preparers should refuse to prepare returns for this group of clientele. It's silly of her to focus on this issue, since as you pointd out, there are many instances in which the tax code delliberately or indirectly favors one group of people over another. One simple example would be the favorable treatment of long term capital gains & qualifying dividends. There are others which are much more on point.

ATX 2013 "according to video's, atx support and the answers here - defining server vs. peer-to-peer are where my answer (this answer) is based from. whether a "hybrid" or a server -- if it is where the information and program is stored --- then one computer is the "main computer" and the other computers (work stations) -- "work" of that main computers data and program --- AND NO -- if the server goes down, then the work stations can not do their work. If a peer-to-peer system then computers can be linked together but each computer "stands alone" and can do the work without relying on another computer. So your one answer to the question is -- if server or file host fails or is disconnected from the peer to peer network, will the rest of the users be able to run ATX and process returns without reconfiguration? IS "NO" as the "work stations" are now dis-connected from their data and/or program. ----- they would need to be set up as a "stand-along system NOT as a server system. As a side --- that's why "cloud computing" is NOT REALLY NEW - decades ago the "cloud" was simply a "server" or also called a "remote site" where your data or programs might be stored instead of "right on your own hard drive". Now -- it's in the cloud -- which is someone else's servers at a remote site, etc. Just a marketing thing to save data and make money for some. HINT: I'm biased, I like on site data (with an off site backup) that I can protect and almost always have direct access to with my own resources -- electrically, etc. even with internet inference.

It is based in the "convenience of the employer" doctrine. Similar to members of the military who must reside near military bases, ministers often find it necessary to live in areas they might not otherwise choose to live, due to the location of the churches they serve. Many ministerrs have little choice in the church assignment, especially those serving in church organizations which use a "connectional" system for assigning ministers to the churches chosen by their administrative hierarchy. Historicallly, the problem arose because they had little choice in determining the location of the housing (since a parsonage or manse was usually in close proximity to the church). Another argument in its favor had to do with the low compensation most ministers are paid in relation to other professionals of similiar education & responsibilities. This fact is often overlooked because we as tax professionals tend to interact more often with the higher-paid clergy who have a need for tax advice and can afford to pay for it. We don't see the much larger population whose income is so low that there is very little tax planning to be done and many of them don't realize any significant tax benefit even from the H&U allowance, since their only tax liability is S/E tax. Furthermore, those who still minister in churches which provide parsonages never derive the benefits of building any equity in a home, which for many people is their only significant asset. This same issue still exists for members of the military as well. As many churches moved away from the "parsonage" model, the H&U exclusion was extended to those ministers who are not provided a parsonage. That is a different issue, but many of them still find that the decision about where to live can be limited by the necessity to be in close proximity to their church. Although the overall situation is different from the parsonage model, the only way to treat these situations differently would be by having the IRS delve into the details of each minister's arrangement with their particular congregation, denomination, etc. Also, keep in mind that even though we discuss this in terms of "ministers", "churches", "denominations", etc, the H&U allowance extends to clergy of all religious faiths, so trying to differentiate among these various faiths and how they compensate their clergy could turn into a huge problem in and of itself. Here's a pretty good article (which I acknowledge is pro-housing allowance): http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2012/09/06/in-defense-of-special-tax-treatment-for-clergy/

I agree with all of you. However using a checklist is different than using the ATX interview feature. We have checklists that document whether we actually asked the question of the client. Because we have a second person proof a return, we need some hard copy "cya" answers and notes. ATX has a checklist feature that also offers suggestions after the return is finished. Sometimes we review that too. It's really a matter of preference and efficiency. To me, the 1040, page 1 and 2, line by line, is the interview. EVERY line item leads to the required forms, schedules and related data input screens. The key is to "know your client" and to have a process that helps you "GET" to know your client. My new employee may still work out. I hope that he will. We will see what Monday brings. I appreciate this forum. It is easy to get "tunnel vision" when surrounded by too many like-minded people. The answer to a new employee's question can't be: "because that's how we have always done it!" PS the foreign bank account question is on our checklist! That one IS easy to overlook.

The interview method is used by the chains just in case their employees didn't learn enough in their basic courses. When I refer college students with their one or two W2s to the free sites, I always tell them to answer "no" when it asks if they are a student. Answering "yes" will only lead them to a bunch of questions about their education expenses, which their parents claim. I explain to them that they are not lying on their tax return, only lying to the software so it doesn't take them down a dead end. On the other hand, the interview method can come in handy even for pros. How many of us remember to ask every client if they have an interest in foreign accounts? Some who have family in other nations actually do keep a foreign account so they don't have to bother with currency exchanges when they visit. And do we always remember to ask if their direct deposit/debit info is the same as last year or did they change banks? Do we always ask about unemployment or gambling winnings? With the interview method you can't miss these things. Taking a day off on one's first week of work is not good sign. On the other hand, getting sick can really happen. It would be a nightmare to spike a 103 fever on your fifth day of work, but it can happen. Was he engaged and trying hard for the first four days? I would think that changing from the crutch of the interview method requires self-confidence in one's abilities. Maybe you should encourage him to write down every area of concern or doubt on each return and then address it with him. My hunch is the lists will be long at first but will dwindle as he learns to rely more on his own knowledge than on the software's "reminders."

Do you still have the other resumes that were sent in?

Well, in my family,,, both my husband and all my sons are actually great in grocery stores. Maybe with the boys it's because I taught them all to cook well. But I still laughed until I hurt watching that. We all know some men who fit it perfectly, don't we?

If you have not seen this, it's certain to give you a laugh. See why men shouldn’t do the grocery shopping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-YFRUSTiFUs

I was not at the roadshow, but would also like to hear some feedback. I know I'm a straggler, still on the fence. Our experience with ATX was so horrible, that we are reluctant to reward them with a renewal, no matter how good their new and improved version of the program is. I don't like to feel this way. We were so drained after April 15, that is was hard to recover the energy that it takes to stay on track and rebuild our bottom line. So here we go again, slamming into another uncertain tax season.