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This being my 1st year back in practice after caring for my son for a few years, I wanted to say Thank You to everyone for a great filing season. A special thank you to those whom helped me set my fees, and marketing/phone skit. After getting my lunch ate at first everything worked out in the long run. Thankfully, I was able to weed out and attain new good paying clients at the same time. As always, I can't forget Janitor Bob and that advise years and years ago. "Go with ATX software." For my small practice it still does the job. Thanks again everyone, now it's on to the new monthly accounts.

Reminds me a bit of an acquaintance a few years back who bought his first house, then when tax time rolled around he started telling me how his tax guy was an idiot because he didn't get to deduct the mortgage interest on his return. At first I speculated that maybe his interest just wasn't high enough to get him over the Std Ded threshhold with it being a mid-year purchase. Silly me. In a moment of weakness I agreed to take a look at the return, and it was prepared perfectly, including a deduction for points and property taxes allocated form the HUD-1. Nice job. Turns out the thought he could deduct the interest paid on the mortgage against his tax LIABILITY, not against his TAXABLE INCOME. At least I never had to discuss taxes with him again, since I suppose after that I was as much of an idiot as the tax preparer.

The fat lady is clearing her throat. I'm going in to work because ten people have not picked up, and I have payroll tax returns and sales tax returns to do. And because I always go to work. Betcha someone new will come in, too, because there's always somebody who heard on the news that it's Tax Day. It's a good thing they announce that on the news...

On Friday I received his return and told him it would most likely require an extension..He balked saying if I couldn't complete it by the 15th he would have to find alternative arrangements. The return is fairly complex. numerous stock trades, 4 states including an out of state rental, a k-1 investments, carry forward stock and rental losses,and to top it off Alternative minimum tax calculations for an additional $4k in tax which i think he is pissed about since its new this year. I forged ahead and completed it because he is my neighbor. I offered to send him a pdf for review and talk on the phone. Now he wants to file an extension probably because I wont meet with him and to buy time to drum up additional deductions/expenses. None of which would make a significant difference on the return, When you earn in excess of $260k you can expect to pay. Ive been in business too long (and Im too tired at this point) to put up with this type of BS. Im going to tell him the going forward he needs to find someone else to do his taxes. Thinking about referring him to local CPA office I know personally. They charge more than double what I do. End rant

As we approach April 15th, I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone on this forum for their time and their sage advice. It's comforting to know that we can turn to this page, add our questions and receive feedback from a professional (some more than others ) group of preparers. I appreciate everyone's input! Thanks also to Eric for all he has done and continues to do for the site! I plan on sending my donation in the next day or two! I hope everyone enjoys a more relaxed few months...until it all starts up again!

proud of my daughter who will be graduating from college in May

My prediction - Monday Apr 14 around 2 pm. That turns out to be correct. It's easy to predict when you have 20/20 hindsight.

The eclipse viewing is going to be excellent here. Clear night; I can just pop out of my office onto my roof balcony & see it.

I already told a client the shop,was closing up by 5pm tomorrow. No ifs, ands, or buts. Gave him the info to do a credit card pay since he's out of town until tomorrow night. Just emailed another client of their balances due, and have another RDP couple to file extensions for; another Sch C! Ugh. And gotta mail my own estimates. So frikkin tired. But it's Blacklist night, and there's a lunar eclipse. And I know y'all get quieter in the off season, but I'm happy y'all are here.

4/13/14 through 4/19/14

Hi Everyone, I am a small sole proprietor which operates nights and weekends and do about 200 returns give or take. (mixture of personal-small business-rentals-stock investors) Each return includes federal, state, and local filings. I work a full-time job (9 to 5) during the week which is my reason I do have to apologize that I don't participate much on the community site; however I do appreciate reading all of your professional input when I get the chance. I met with my last client for signature and e-filed it on a quick run home at lunch today and I'm so glad to be finished with the bulk of this year. About 12 on extension. Enjoy tomorrow everyone............I surely know I will be doing something unrelated to taxes............... A Happy and Blessed Easter to all !

This guy is why you have a club. I forged ahead on a long-time client yesterday, dropped off 4/7. I knew he was going to owe. I also knew HE didn't know. I really don't understand why people don't know things about their own finances. He sold $24,000 in cattle. About 8,000 in expenses. Has a day job. "I sold how much? Are you sure? I have to pay what? Wow, if I had known that I woulda bought a tractor." Me: "OK, how did you not know you sold 24,000 in cattle? Do you NEED another tractor? (Wife is going, "NO!") And if not, do you think it's a good investment to spent $16,000 to save $4,800?" Crickets. I'm just stunned at how little people think.

Gave up on my big one: wash sales threw a monkey wrench into my importing, one of his W-2s reports that he's a NYC resident when he never lived there, and he made $10,000 in excess 401(k) contributions, and she hasn't told me how much she wants to put into her SEP. So, I printed out extensions for them to mail when they mail their partnership returns. I'm still transmitting extensions. Lots of extensions. Oh, well. I'll sleep in Wednesday, and do a load of laundry, and get a haircut. Mani/pedi on Saturday. Back to work.

Only ONE left to finish tomorrow!!

Weigh in with your prediction of when you'll turn off the light and close the door on another year of mayhem and return to the world of the living. Grand prize to the one whose prediction is closest: 365 days of bragging rights and the unfeigned awe of all your colleagues! I"m going with a wildly optimistic prediction that I'll tansmit my last extension (probably my own!) at 7:52 PM The only thing I'm certain of right now is that I should not have gotten up with my granddaughter to try to see the eclipse this morning (had to watch a live feed on line because it was completely overcast here). Actually, I never got to sleep before hand--was up until about 3:15. Ughh!!! I just hope I last until 7:52pm!

The end of the RUSH!!

Ive already decided to fire a long time pain in the ass neighbor. Dropped off on the 11th said an extension was out of the question so I did the return and now he wants an extension, I think because he hit the AMT this year and doesn't trust my numbers. The highest earners are always the biggest pain in the ass. Its compounded by the fact that he is an engineer and the majority I have encountered believe that because they work with numbers that they know better than their preparer on their taxes.

Yep. I miss the ones I lost to them, too. Evidently, though, if you know you got married, or had a baby, or packed your stuff in boxes, took them to a new place, and unpacked them, you know how to do taxes.

Quick!! Get the paramedics!! He's gone over the edge.......

I'm counting up my reasons why I am tired of numbers vs the reasons I'm not tired of numbers. So that's two lists with at least a dozen items on each so far. Then I'll assign each reason a weight and calculate a frequency distribution. I'll get back to you once I calculate the ratio, mean, median, and mode.

I meant 304 unique clients, too. I wasn't clear about that. 304 federal returns. I think I made it less clear instead of more clear. I know most of you, if you have 300 tax clients, 300 of them have a state return. Only about 30 of mine do. So, you blew me out of the water. I should have said, "I have prepared the returns for 304 clients, but very few of those had state returns." Honestly, I'm not sure we can compare apples to apples here; if I were behind a concrete wall, not meeting with clients, not processing returns, not copying documents, not stapling my finger, not answering the phone, I could "do" a lot more returns. But, I'd have to pay somebody to do all the other stuff that has to be done, especially the stapling of fingers and ER care. I'm not sure "how many returns do you do" means the same thing to everybody. It takes longer for all the "not preparing" that has to be done than the actual preparing. At least that's my experience. Also, 300 1040's is not the same thing as 300 1040's with Schedules A,B,C,D,F and Forms 8949, 4592, 2441, etc. We might oughta give up on this one.

Done, 7:30 am 4/15. NO extensions.

Raining and snowing here, so no chance of seeing the "blood moon." All kinds of crazies predicting tragedies of all sorts... I will just wake up tomorrow like it is the next day. I would LOVE to be able to view and photograph the eclipse...

If the donation total is over $5,000 per year, there MUST be a 3rd party appraisal. Simple as that. She should have asked you first. Probably would have benefited the charity more if she had sold the items and gave them the money.

Ditto.....glad it's almost over (except for the extensions)...and grateful for all of you and this forum...I'm not sure Eric really understands how valuable this forum is to its members

I ditto everything said above. I would personally feel totallty lost without this board. A lot of us have been here since the CCH inhalation of the old ATX and it sure is nice to know that God willing we will all be here through the summer and next season. Don't know about the rest of you but I completed and filed a bunch of extensions tonight and transmitted a batch of returns. All accepted and all is well. Tomorrow at least three procrastinators are coming. Tomorrow at midnight will be heaven!!

Never been more ready for the fat lady to sing. And thanks to everybody as well. Don't disappear; I'll be lonely.

And I was going to give up visiting the forum for lent, but I decide to give up drinking better. MAS

I agree. As a sole proprietor, I would NEVER make it through tax season without this group. Thanks for all then answers - even when my questions are just due to stupid brain flatulence!

Same here - everything Yardley said so well...

Because so many people wait till the last day. It only gets worse each year. Here in Ohio, there is a large company that takes care of hundreds of cities tax returns. RITA. They just announced that they are extending the deadline till Monday due to their systems not able to handle the large rush. http://www.cleveland.com/brecksville/index.ssf/2014/04/rita_will_extend_filing_deadli.html

Well, I used to see all of those at my last w2 job, which I'd y'all remember was audit representation for all those TurboTax people that did all those stupid mistakes. Got a couple as clients now too!

Party in Sidney when??

Don't you sometimes wonder how those people survive?

Happy to hear things are working out well for you.

You mean you can't do those things? Now I'm depressed, too.

My phones are forwarded to Ruby Receptionists and will be until the end of the month. Hoorah!

I'm hoping, and it looks very possible, that I'll be out- of- Dodge by 4:00pm. Taking tomorrow off. Extensions: 30 1040; 2 1120 ; 2 1120S ; 2 1065 Thursday to start the 1st QTR payroll tax returns.

the rule is only for over 5000 in similar items so if in this case it was 4999 in furniture, 4999 in clothes 4999 paintings, etc you avoid the issue. I have never filed with appraisals when each individual contribution was under the 5000. maybe I was lucky or maybe its just something they don't look at. the instructions for the 8283 give general description of items that do break up household items.

No way I could possibly predict when this chaos will end. Had two of my own clients call last night. Am just trying to decide who gets top priority today and will be in this chair for several days to come. Big snowstorm predicted for Wed through Fri. Just perfect to match the way I feel right now.

My prediction: 8:55AM today. Last client dropped off their 8878 through the mail slot last night. I need to check my email for the "yes use the bank info from last year" note, enter the signature date, and push "go!" It's only not yet done because I am hanging here at the online water cooler instead of opening my email.

Nope. MA return _always_ allows the personal exemption. Make sure you fill in the MA Schedule HC (health care). He probably did not get the 1099-HC but if he has his insurance card you can get the company name & subscriber number off that, and I have the EIN's of all the MA-approved insurance companies.

It does not bother me too much about lengthening the Statute of Limitations, a reasonable amount, but this is a good example of why you NEED a SOL. Because the longer you give them to collect a debt, the more difficult it is to disprove it, if they are wrong. If they cannot prove that you , not just someone in your family, owes it, they should not be able to seize your refund. And clearly, 25, 30, even 40 years is totally NUTS and . NO ONE has records good enough to meet a reasonable test that far back, including the government. I think we need to push our congressperson to get busy and amend that bill to either reinstate the 10 years, or, at worst, make it no longer than 15 years. What do you think?

I'm going out to see if I have a good view or not. One huge one to prepare, really fat 1099-B and K-1s and SE and.... Just finished their partnership. Then it's e-filing extensions, but CT doesn't receive via my software so have to move over to their site after I finish federal and NY and other states. Spent the last several days explaining to people why they owe so much (you made $35,000 more in SE; you w/h $3,500 less, you had no w/h because you quit your job, you took retirement distributions or unemployment benefits or..., you reduced your w/h instead of raising it, you paid off your mortgage, etc.). Back to work. It's 77 degrees in here and hard to concentrate, getting sleepy.

Hell, I have one 9 stater! This year I've done CA, NY, GA, NC, AZ, NM, WI, ND, LA, PA, MI, NJ, MA, OK, CO, HI, OH....and probably a few others I can't remember offhand. I was counting clients I've filed, not returns....

Started mine in January but once the season starts it's forget about it... Filed the extension tonight as I might take tomorrow night off completely. Then start working on the 11 extensions I have. Just was contacted today from a client who hasn't filed since 2010 (nasty divorce, etc.)... That looks to be a fun project for June I think.

I am.....almost done.

(Yahoo! Just got one of the little buggers! One down, one to go! See OP) Thanks for the feedback. My first thought was to implement a late arrival surcharge . . . but I was afraid it might come across as punitive. I guess that's what it really is intended to be but I feared it that might just deter some folks from coming in at all. I was thinking the across the board increase with a early-bird discount would be more palatable. But maybe I'm just being paranoid/wishy-washy. What think ye?

Took tech support, too -- but the engineer in me understood the issue.