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My 9 year old just delivered a handful of the first dandelions of the season to my office door!

I know we are all busy but I still can't avoid pulling some pranks. Lets hear what everyone did, I did a few, here is my best. I Xeroxed a paperclip and then made a couple of hundred copies of it. Loaded the paper bin and asked an intern to make me a copy of a few pages. when I got them back I pointed out the clip image on the paper and said there must be a paper clip stuck in the machine.... ..... 3 hours later he was still trying to take apart the machine looking for a stuck paper clip.

I thought the President pulled a pretty good April Fool's prank with his Obamacare speech yesterday. (OK, if anybody objects I'll delete it.)

A client was told by his co-workers that CT was giving out $50-100 rebates, but you had to call by last night. His wife called me to inquire, but then apologized in embarrassment as hubby's co-workers were yelling April Fool. Years ago at Block, driving home very, very late, I sat at a stop sign waiting for it to change for I don't know how long before realizing it was not a stop light but a stop SIGN and was not going to change and it was alright to go! (That's why I love my OIH.)

I don't post very much, but I do read the ATX Community Forum very day during tax season to see what is going on. Just last week there was an issue I had been dealing with and there on the forum was the issue with just the information and the references to clarify the situation. Thanks for this Forum, Eric.

Terry, if you expect him to return it to rental later, consider keeping the 4562, just reduce the business percentage to 0, and let it stay in the return like that until he returns it to active rental.

One of my clients had her little boys say a prayer for me and I'll be darned if he didn't get it fixed within 30 minutes. I think that their prayers were more friendly and less tear filled than mine had been. I owe them lots of candy.

I had a client come in today with zilch for bookkeeping. Everything in folders according to job. He pulled out one job and had paid $167,000 to sub-contractors. I asked if he had sent them 1099s. He looked at me like I was from another world. I said "You received 1099s, didn't you ever think that you might have to send some? Also, what happened to the promise that you would bring your bookkeeping in every month so we would be ahead of the game?" He said, "I dropped the ball!" He will be an extension for sure if I ever get around to even doing it, I am that upset! What would the rest of you do about the 1099s? This has been a terrible day after working all weekend. Everyone who got called today to come in and sigh and pick up and, yes, pay..........had some dumb excuse to put it off until next week. And, I am still steaming about the ones who said they waited to call until they knew I wouldn't be so busy. I would like to procrastinate myself right to bed.

It appears that the second tech fixed my database problem. It took all afternoon between the two techs, but it was well worth it not to have to format my hard drive or get a new computer. He had to try multiple methods to get it to work again, but the last one did it. I have to go back and redo my preferences and resync the efiles, but that's a small price to pay. Now I just have to get my computer tech stopped from coming in the morning, since it apparently was not my computer.

Not much April Fools pranking went on here. My 9 year old did come in from school and said, "Mom, when did you get braces?" When I looked at him and said, "What are you talking about?," he yelled, "April Fools! I got you!" I don't think he really understands how April Fools works.

Our long time receptionist who also does all of our collating left in March with only a few days notice, she got a government job and had to start right away....We hired the 2nd person we interviewed who has been doing great. I had her go into my partners office yesterday and give 1 weeks notice [leaving the week before 4/15] He turned so many shades of red I thought he was going to stroke out on me.

I called a couple of clients to let them know what they owe yesterday and they THOUGHT it was a prank call. They're waiting for me to call back today and yell "April Fool", but unfortunately that isn't going to happen.

I went home at 10:30 and stared at the TV for 45 minutes. Then I turned it on. Got me good.

I keep tootsie pops sitting out in my office, and when clients ask if they can have one, I tell them, 'yes, if you're good'.

I have a client -- another contractor, like yours -- who finally got me info for the 2012 1099's last November. I sent 'em out and e-filed them and charged him TRIPLE the usual price. None of that happened until I had sent him numerous letters warning him about penalties for non-filing and late filing. I think this year I will have him SIGN one of those to keep in my files. So do the 1099s and charge him double -- and tell him that next year you'll charge him triple -- and have him sign a letter that you write saying there may be penalties imposed that are not pretty and those are his responsibility. You can give him a copy for his records (not that he'll ever find it).

I got artisan chocolates today from a client. If I wasn't fried from lack of food & too much caffeine I'd feel much better. Mmmmm mm chocolate.

Don't put in anything but the tax & it will flow to the 1040 under the exception to filing a 1116, if under $300 for single or $600 for MFJ. If you put in anything else (and ATX will default to putting all the div as foreign as mentioned above) then it goes to the 1116 & the rest of the data has to be complete, including date.

First to answer the question....YES! I absolutely procrastinate on difficult returns. Every year I swear I'm not going to do it because I usually find that they aren't as bad as I make them out to be in my mind once I actually get around to working on them. This absolutely drives me crazy. Just because I work from home does not give people the right to call me all hours of the night and on Sunday. My husband gets upset because sometimes I screen calls if they come in at what I consider to be inappropriate times, but I don't feel bad about it. That's what answering machines are for, right?

I had a long term client...but he wasn't happy with his 2010 return...so he said he was going elsewhere...paid me a consultation fee...and all was good. What he didn't like was his refund...and let's just say..the return was on the verge of looking ridiculous. I refused to put down one more penny towards expenses. Fast forward to yesterday. He sends me a letter from the IRS ...and in the e-mail says it's about 2010. I look at it...and the letter clearly says 2012. He sent me another e-mail today....says it's 2010....again the letter clearly states 2012. I again respond...it's 2012! He calls...just now...and says on page 2 it says 2010 . I explain...I did not submit 2010. I did the return...you didn't like it...you went elsewhere. I also explain...even if I did it....I can't help him until after 4/15....and that I doubt this was the first letter he received. What I am sure happened ....he was audited for a few years...and now they are holding his refunds. Ha ha ha..... I ended our conversation explaining that I don't put junk on returns.

By the power vested in me by MM&I, I hereby direct that all tax preparers shall immediately upon reading this proclamation take a ten minute power nap break. If your supervisor objects, tell him/her you're merely adhering to an official proclamation and that(s)he is also covered by it. If that doesn't work, just have him/her call me . . . . 555-1212 (ask for Jerry).

Ah, that does sound easy. Thanks.

I have no idea. But, it sure was nice not to have to talk to anybody. Except myself.

CT has a few things, such as SUTA, where you have to e-file & pay. And, they issue refunds on debit cards if you don't choose direct deposit. But, this was a surprise for TN to have only two payment choices, both electronic. I now deposit my checks by taking a picture on my iPhone. So, I'm sure TN could process checks efficiently. Actually, grandpa intends to pay grandson's taxes, but he was really reluctant to use either method -- and it was only $18 and grandpa had just taken the whole family to DisneyWorld -- so he told me to work it out with son/dad. I really want Spring. But, then I'd hate being stuck at my computer in nice weather. I have to get used to the heat, and the Southern drawls, for my trip to Virginia hollers with Appalachia Service Project to make homes warmer, safer, and drier.

Yes Happy Anniversary!

Terry, any days that a property is rented to family for less than fair market value of rent are considered days of personal use. Enter the days of use properly and you should arrive at the correct result.

No candies. They are bad for their health. How about some carrots? lol.

Deduct RE Taxes and Mortgage interest on Sch A until rented.

Happy Anniversary!

IRS.gov -- Apply for an employer ID number

CT generally requires the same filing status as the federal return. But, one of the exceptions is if the spouses reside in CT for substantially different times, then CT allows MFS. (FIled returns for a long-time CT resident who married a service woman stationed in Japan who was a MA resident.) Don't know what NY requires.

Time to make fudge........

Agree with Catherine. Create the 1099s and e-file them to be sure they are submitted. The IRS will charge him late filing penalties. Brought it on himself.

Also make sure that you determine the foreign ordinary dividends and qualified dividends. At least in ATX, it autofills with the total on Lines 1 an 2. Rarely, in my experience, are the total divs foreign. Additionally, when you look at 1116, look at the drop down box on top and choose Passive.

I'm assuming they are filing a federal MFJ? Some states allow married people to file separate STATE returns. For those which do not, chose the NR Return, so you get to allocate.

Ah yes, karma is a beautiful thing to watch sometime. You will be giggling about that one for a long time, I bet.

http://images.hammacher.com/PopWindows/Default.aspx?uq=z84373&rnd=1396370548846

Thank goodness! How terrifying. So glad it is back on track.

Please come back on here every afternoon to proclaim!

Please, Jack, don't be 'snarky' on any day in April . Pacun was 'over-thinking' this, something common this late in tax season.

Yep. I had one with 36 pages of transactions. They were insisting that I include them with the return. Said sure. $3 a line item. They decided against it. I told them the subtotals ST and LT to each account was sufficient. This was before the 8949 world, but really? The IRS has the info. Send me a CP-2000 and I will deal with it. And in 22 years, I haven't seen one yet. Rich

I agree with MsTabbyCats, I want it in writing! I do not mind for quick messages (yes or No) leaving on my answering machine, but Bank Info, $$$ info, etc. I want it in writing for the tax folder. Where I live is very rural, Cell Phone is spotty at best, messages left cut out, or they talk too fast (I suffer from the same affliction), that it wastes my time and their time. Drop off, email, or mail. Or leave me a time and number when I can call back to actually speak to them live. My cell phone (Tracfone!), does text, but try downloading to a PC. I can talk way faster than I can text.

E-mail me...e-mail me...e-mail me...!!! I have clients with accents. I cannot understand them. This is besides forgetting what people tell me. E-MAIL ME!

I guess the real answer to the thread topic, "Do you procrastinate on difficult or long returns" is being thoroughly answered by this topic being "HOT" for several days! I am SO glad I'm not the only one.... OK, back to those nasty returns. Blech. Today's news and excitement is that a client dropping off e-file forms this morning (yesterday pickup, wife at work at the time; he's 2nd shift) found a dead-and-torn-up critter on the front step. He thinks rabbit but from the size of what's left plus color of the fur I think chipmunk. Coyote would have eaten the whole thing; cat wouldn't have torn up so much -- hawk, maybe? It is also our anniversary, and the last pistol match of the season. And it's sunny!!

I was on a roll tonight, but alas, my 8 year old son just called (yes, it's midnight). He was crying. He had a bad dream, and according to him, 'Daddy is doing nothing about it'. So much for my roll. I'm off to ward off nightmares.