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There is another issue afoot. The back-up folder for 2013 will grow by as much as 1GB per client. If you are choosing to use the option for backing up to an additional location such as a flash drive or external drive, this can be a big problem. It can also cause a problem for hard drive space on the C drive of the computers whether the server, standalone or workstation. The program filled the C drive on my server at the firm to 95% from just under 40% originally, in just the 6 weeks I have been testing and working with the program. The Back-up folder was 90GB with just over 200 clients in my testing program. The problem is still inherent in the program. At my home office, I had the same issue and found the back-up folder for ATX2013 to also be the source. I have already reported this to the development team and today received a response. The problem has been solved and will be included in a future program update. I will also be contacted with a short term fix for this issue. Just as soon as tech support contacts me with a workaround, I will post it here. Till then, if you notice your system running slow, look at the amount of free space on the C drive. If the free space is not at least 10-15% of the total drive space, this may be part of the problem. When a drive gets below 10% free space, it's efficiency drops dramatically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zYMs_1y2_gw

Most newer computers (say in the last 3-4 years) have a video card with the ability to support 2 monitors as a standard feature. Unless you bought something really cheap. Tom Hollister, CA

Unless we are an attorney, we are not licensed to practice law, and shouldn't be held responsible for not preparing or filing legal documents for a client or providing legal advice. That's what attorneys are for or they can go to LegalZoom.com. Who hasn't heard of them? If the client rammed ahead and put herself on payroll even though she is a sole proprietorship, too bad, how sad. Not your fault. We do not write tax law, or change tax law for a client who has screwed up. She should amend ALL of her payroll tax returns to remove herself as an employee of her sole proprietorship. Then file a Schedule C and follow the rules like everyone else. So much for "saving money" and doing payroll herself.

Yep, lipstick on a pig. Or, tell her to ask her banker to word the part about reasonable explanation. Or offer to help her set up by 15 March to become an S-corp for 2014, but charge her a bundle. And, don't do it unless/until she opens a corporate bank account and writes down her minutes/corporate resolutions. (How much product does she pull out of inventory for personal use?! It's all marketing when she wears the product, right?!)

Found the answer to my question on the ATX Community Board - ".....because we pursued the MeF implementation of 94x this year, it's a lot closer to filing any other business or 1040 return. The 10-digit "LOI" pin is no more, and instead you can self-select one (or continue to use the Reporting Agent, IRS-assigned 5-digit PIN, if you so choose)." Thanks! ATXJosh

Taxtrio, hold your caballos. Jack is right on the dinero.

Jack, the reason is that those forms are SUPPOSED TO BE MAILED IN ENVELOPES CLEARLY MARKED "TAX INFORMATION ENCLOSED", which makes for an easy target for someone stealing mail to obtain identity theft info. So blocking the numbers is intended to protect against that.

We were thinking of using, as a last resort, a black marker!

Here is the latest... This can be seen by clicking on the Notification Flag Icon in Return Manager. Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Payroll program: errors efiling 1099s and 94x returns Scenario: some users have been unable to efile these returns at all. You receive an error during the transmission attempt "Failed to connect to an EFC Server" Solution: We are updating the Payroll product tomorrow. Once you install that update, you can efile those returns. Posted by Stephanie Bradford at 5:39 PM Labels: ATX, Efile, Payroll

Yes. Yes, it does.

Hot diggity. I just realized, I had these 50 clients in 2011, and I already put the 2011 returns on the new computer. I'll rollover to 2012, then rollover to 2013. They see me rollin.

Jack, thanks for posting this. I pinned this for now to keep it at the top. Once that permanent fix is applied by ATX via that future update, would you please post that information here so that KC or I can unpin this topic?

FIRST!! You must install an video card that supports TWO monitors. All the stuff you have been trying is useless until you do. Once you install the video card, you can then configure the two monitors.

I've used the program for years and I'm not aware of how you would do that. Perhaps you could output the 1099 s and save as pdf s and then modify the ssn.

He was having therapy ---- Therapy ---- so he can eventually --- again --- go more than he could -- after the accident. Therapy is wonderful to regain your use back!!! Also --- anybody know if this could happen --- as we RUSH to the telephone for that IRS callback --- after all; if we hadn't been waiting and so direly needed the call back; we would not have had to rush ---- therefore it HAD TO BE caused by the IRS --- not our fault because it is our phone cord ... Just asking.

I guess Java has its place, but I've never been particularly fond of it. For one, it's as bad as Adobe Flash and Acrobat in terms of how often security exploits are found, so it needs constant updating. From a user experience point of view, I don't like the idea of requiring that someone download a plugin in order to use a service. The web has progressed to the point where a rich application experience can be created without additional plugins, all with HTML 5, CSS 3, and Javascript. All of the application level processing should happen on the server. No plugins required. As for this specific issue, I think the easiest way to tell if it's a problem with the website, or a configuration/software issue on the PC is to go here: http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp That's Java's page that tests to see if you have Java installed properly. If anyone should be able to detect Java working on a particular browser/config it's Oracle. There are so many variables here, that it's hard to say what's going on for sure. Sometimes software does weird things for some people and not for others. Example: I've seen three different computers that refused to navigate to websites in IE11. Type a URL or a search term in the bar, hit enter, nothing happens. For me, it always worked fine. In every case resetting all Internet Explorer settings fixed the problem, and it never returned. I chalk it up to computer goblins because sometimes it's easier to fix than to understand.

Hey, we all know not to talk to bankers when they aren't our clients. We also know that the client probably misunderstood her banker, whether he was spot on or way off. Just tell her what can/can't be reported for 2013 and what can/can't be reported for 2014 -- and that it requires action on her part. Here's step one; call me when you're accomplished step one and I'll give you step two. (Step one might be the HRB phone number.) If she hasn't taken any steps in a year, then it's doubtful she'll keep up with record keeping, etc. Although, she's set up payroll...

the banker will just say "I was talking about going forward" sounds to me like she has a dba with an ein number.

how do you know my wife?

Talking to the banker would serve no purpose. Besides, from her behaviour, I rather doubt her version of what she was told. Sure, he might have mentioned that she might be able to save some taxes by forming an S-corp. Everybody who reads the papers knows that people like John Edwards and Newt Gingrich used that method to avoid lots of taxes. That hardly makes him responsible for the client's stupidity or irresponsible decision not to consult a professional about it.

Poor Chihuaha's, I couldn't spot them.

I really miss the snow here. It gets very cold and has been terribly windy, but no snow to go along with it. We used to get tons of snow when I was a kid. I guess I should quit complaining or we will get dumped on, but I like having different seasons. It was over 60 here in Nebraska this weekend. When I went to Clearwater in November, it was way nicer here than it was there on the beach.

I do not e-file 1099s till third week of Feb. to allow time for errors to be corrected simply. Therefore, I have not tried transmitting. Give yourself time. I am not sure when ATX will start accepting them, or if there is date restriction for filing.

It was that stupid check box on the 8867. We checked the box, the IRS pulled the file for review and did not get around to the review until May. The software said it was ack'd, the IRS said it was being reviewed. ATX said they could do nothing, since the return was ack'd. The IRS said they could do nothing because of George W. Bush (at least that what "It will be processed when we can get to it" sounded like to me). They did not process until after the April 15th close of the season. I had about 8 calls into the IRS, and always got the same B.S. Those lazy bastards just don't do their job anymore. I used to think that I both the IRS and I had the same goal, namely, to get an accurate tax return processed for the taxpayer in as timely a manner as possible. Now I know that they just want their salary and benefits and they don't give a damn about the taxpayers, the tax professional community, or being professionals in their field. My relationship with them has devolved to the point of distaste, distrust, and combative negotiations at every turn. I will do everything in my power to make them work harder on every issues just to make sure they earn every dollar that they take from the American people whom they are sworn to serve but have abandoned. Sorry for the rant. I still hate ATX more than the IRS, but not by much. Tom Hollister, CA