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I wish I could receive credit for everything that I have learned from reading these forums and for all the research that I do on my own.

Yep, me and my instructor in my first jump. It was my stepdaughter's third and my son's first. I was supposed to be celebrating my 65th birthday, but a couple of literal rain checks and scheduling the three of us working folks meant I was past 66 by the time we jumped in October. It was cold with the wind rushing past at 115-120 miles/hour; next time I'm wearing ear plugs and a stocking cap! I think this place (Connecticut Parachutists in Ellington, CT) closed in November for the winter. My stepdaughter's birthday present to me was the videographer who jumped with me and recorded it all, from suiting up with my kids to the smiles afterward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxp9APHBVw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Does this help?

saying where you are here doesn't help since we won't remember, pls put it in your bio's so we can look where you are before we answer a question. Been asking for this since day 1.

Hello Fellow Discussion Board Members, I am reposting my experiences and recommendations concerning ATX 2013. Systems & Hardware: The following information is the results of my experience for 2012 and my testing of 2013. I will not go into detailed explanations. You may accept my information or ignore it. I will not spend time trying to convince the die hard "old system works and I won't replace it" group any further than the information I am posting. My system recommendations: Operating System - Windows 7 PRO only. No other. Make the move from Win XP, despite any stubbornness you have about not changing. Get over it. It is a dinosaur and will not be supported by Microsoft after spring 2014. Hardware is inexpensive. If your peripherals do not run on WIN 7, replace them. Printers and scanners are cheap. Get over your fondness of the old stuff. 64Bit is nice, but will not give a substantial boost in speed to ATX2013. 64Bit will improve many other programs. Processor speed of 2.6 or higher (actually as low as 2.1 should function if you are a standalone or peer to peer) will be adequate for ATX 2013. 4GB of RAM is sufficient. Any above that will not give increased performance of ATX 2013. If you are using a dedicated server - Server 2008 64Bit (there are several versions) or newer. If your system will support 64Bit, up to 16GB of RAM in the server. The recommended list from ATX will probably be useful for ATX2014. Plan your upgrades now so any learning curve for new operating systems can be done before season. Decisions about software for tax year 2013: After much research, testing and observation, here is what I have to share. The NDA that I signed with CCH prevents me from saying much of what I would like to, so here is the scoop The firm I work for and myself at my private practice are staying with ATX for 2013. This was decided after dozens of hours of trial and research. I have observed that many of the problems that existed for 2012 should not be issues in 2013. The development team has been working very hard to bring a workable product to the table for 2013. Anyone wishing more info, please send me a PM.

Does anyone have experience with getting accuracy penalty applied, as a result of an audit, reduced or abated? Client was audited for 2010. Her record keeping was atrocious. Audit resulted in additional tax of $10,000 due to underreporting of income both personal and as a sole proprietor. Client insists that she should ask for reductions or abatement. Auditor has stated that the only way she would abate the client accuracy penalty is if preparer penalties were imposed. Now we have documented all the information that was given to us as well as the responses to questions we asked. There was no discussion during the audit about our processes or accuracy. Second question: Has anyone heard this "one or the other" penalty position the auditor is taking? I am looking for additional answers to give to the client to help her understand that she should "leave this Pandora's Box closed."

http://chicksontheright.com/posts/item/25085-westjet-might-be-the-best-marketing-story-of-the-year This is just delightful!

Those harnesses would be pretty uncomfortable naked. Not sure if you can access this link if you're not on Facebook or if you haven't friended me, but here are a few pictures: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201999010238010.1268319812&type=3

Matt Not an IT person BUT from posts by knowledgeable people here, I have been told that ALL PAST YEARS are different from this year. The ATX 2013 program was written for 2013 and everything done in the past - was in the past and SHOULD NOT be used/tried for the 2013 program. Why/what, etc. I don't know --- but wanted to share what has been told here in past few weeks, etc. You probably have to un-learn stuff done previously and stay with this years instructions, etc. Whole different "ball game" with ATX 2013 --- just because previous years X was done and it worked, doesn't mean tidily this year.

These offers are for NEW subscribers ONLY! We have to get over it. Whatever price we were able to negotiate, we agreed to pay.

So put it in your tag line. (signature) I solved the problem straight up.

HILARIOUS SILENT MONKS CHORUS http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

The ATX instructions were written before the release version was rebuilt in early November. If you want the program to work smoothly, DON'T MESS WITH IT! The OP said he was trying to move the data storage as well as the backup locations. DON'T MESS WITH IT!!! I have tons of pertinent information that I am not allowed to disclose due to my NDA. I have requests in to CCH legal for permission to tell, now that the program has been released. Anyone who wishes to listen to my recommendations will have a smoother experience. If you need individual help, send me a PM.

How to Close an EIN for Sole Proprietorship The IRS provides specific instructions for closing an account related to an EIN (Employer Identification Number). Reasons for closing the account vary and can be for any reason you decide to stop operating the sole proprietorship. When you make a request to close an account associated with the EIN, the IRS places the number in inactive status. If after closing the business account you wish to use the EIN again in the future, the IRS reactivates the account when you use it again. The IRS uses this method to ensure the EIN is never assigned to another entity. Step 1 Verify that no business tax returns or tax liabilities associated with your EIN are outstanding. If you have taxes due or need to file a tax return, you must resolve the issue before you close your business account. Step 2 Write the IRS a letter and state the reason you wish to close the account associated with your EIN. For example, if you no longer need the EIN to report employment-related taxes, you may state that as your reason. If you acquire the EIN and do not ever begin operating the sole proprietorship, you may state that as your reason. Step 3 Attach a copy of the EIN assignment letter you received from the IRS if you have the letter available. If you do not have a copy of the letter, you may send your request without it. Step 4 Mail your letter to the IRS at: Internal Revenue Service Cincinnati, OH 45999

Would you please post or provide details about that article and/or procedures? Just recently I have deceased client with an EIN for employee purposes. It seems I need to follow procedures to inactivate. Thanks!

Just the other day, I was reading an article about the filing of fraudulent W-2s & 941s with inactive EINs to prepare the way for claiming bogus 1040 refunds. The article said that everyone should follow the procedures for closing any inactive Federal EINs. I didn't even know there was a procedure and I've been processing payrolls for 21 years. I am going to have review my files to see if I have any EINs from any of my current clients which should be closed.

Square has no enrollment fee. There are only the processing fees.

Here's the URL from a "Bing" search for efile logo's: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=IRS+e-file+logo&qpvt=IRS+e-file+logo&FORM=IQFRML You can then choose which one you want and copy it to your computer for other use.

Personally, I think that most of the time you can only get as much out of any type of training as you are willing to put in to it. No matter how engaging the speaker is, or how comprehensive and clearly presented the webinar is, if you don't make the effort to learn it is just a matter of "buying" CPE. We have a duty to our profession to be more involved in our own learning than that, regardless of the venue we choose to obtain our required credits.

H-m-m. So what we learn from this entire conversation is that there are good and bad online providers and there are good and bad in-person seminars. But neither is good or bad based on the means of delivery; only the content determines that. Is this something we didn't already know?

Jack, who said anything about "purchasing CPE credits", and how do you know those credits aren't EARNED anyway? My state and the AICPA has the same minimum requirement as Joan posted. I've always completed more than the minimum requirements, and the credit tally is not my first priority. If I need to learn more on a subject, I take the course whether I need more credits or not. I purchased the ability to view, complete and EARN CPE credits by participating in online webinars, without a specific limitation as to the number. I could have purchased a smaller number of courses, but my state society offered a nice discount program that made sense to purchase the unlimited package so that I can EARN credits at a lower cost. I certainly do not sit and waste my valuable time taking courses that will not benefit my practice or enhance my knowledge. This program has allowed me to choose from many more subjects that are more appropriate to my practice and clientele, and to choose courses that are convenient to my schedule. This is preferable to being limited to attending local live classes that are so similar that they are almost repeats year after year. That would truly be a real waste of money and that would do nothing to enhance one’s skills! Besides lowering my per credit cost, my other reason for purchasing the webinars this year is because I'm spending a lot more time caring for my elderly mother and I've had to rework my schedule around her needs and her doctor’s appointments, so this purchase in 2013 was also done in part to accommodate that as well. The Surgent online webinars are the same courses that are being taught to a live group, with the added requirement that the participants answer questions throughout the day, and answer a certain percentage of them correctly. That is something that is not required here of participants in any live group study courses. I've sat in those conference rooms and lecture halls over the last 32 years, paying a higher price for it too, and I’ve watched as other participants are distracted by their cell phone messages, answer text messages, talk, read the newspaper, snore, take extended breaks, and even complete other self-study courses while attending, so don't tell me that everyone that sits in a live seminar is EARNING their CPE.

Windows operating systems are like Start Trek movies -- only every other one is good! W7 good; W8 bad. XP good; Vista bad. The series propagates backwards in time quite a way...

Windows 8 is not recommended because, like ATX2012 it has never been finished. Too fragile and unpredictable. Even Microsoft backed off on the rollout and are allowing manufacturers to have WIN7 as the original OS and include a free upgrade to Windows 8. I am skipping Windows 8, just like I did Vista. For the record, Windows 7 is Vista that was finished and fixed.

WAIT FOR THE CD! Much less trouble installing!! Don't be in such a rush!!