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This helped answer some of my "procedural" questions on the ATX software --- From a comment on the ATX site made 11/17/14: The software will include the IRS instructions and forms, however there are several pieces of data that you must obtain from the client and enter manually. If the taxpayer had full coverage all year, then you will just need to check the box on line 61 of the 1040. If the taxpayer receives a 1095-A, you will need to complete Part II of the 8962. If there is a difference between the Premium Tax Credit calculated and the Advanced Premium Tax Credit received, it will flow to line 46 if the taxpayer received too much or line 69 if the taxpayer did not receive enough. If the taxpayer didn't have insurance or is claiming an exemption, you will need to fill out form 8965. If the taxpayer claimed an exemption through the marketplace, then the preparer will enter the Exemption number in Part I. (The taxpayer would provide that exemption ID number to you) If the taxpayer is claiming an exemption on the tax return, then you will select the exemption in Part III. If the taxpayer did not have insurance, then you will have to complete the Shared Responsibility Payment worksheet for each member of the household that didn't have insurance and the total amount will flow to line 61 of the 1040. Note: Part I, Part III and the Shared Responsibility Payment worksheet could be filled in the same return depending when the exemptions or lack of coverage apply. It is also possible that a 8962 and 8965 could be completed in the same return if the taxpayer had insurance for part of the year. Stephanie B Customer Care Director

Thank you and please leave it there for the entire filing season. Thanks Tom Half way to Newark, CA

Also, some happy couples figure out that it often pays to NOT be married under our tax code (no offense to your clients, Bart, and any similarity to them is accidental): 1) Single + HOH standard deduction > MFJ standard deduction 2) Being divorced might cause one or both parents to be eligible for EIC Would I ever tell a client that? HECK NO. NEVER. A friend recently attended a seminar where the presenter actually said, "If you want to know anything about EIC, just ask your clients who receive EIC."

There are a number of reasons that people do this: Economically, one or both might not be capable of supporting himself, the divorce itself might be too expensive, or they might not be emotionally ready to formally and permanently split. Often, they have agreed to sell the home, their primary asset, but have not been able to sell, and without that they can not afford to set up separate homes. But remember, the IRS considers alimony tax deductible only for couples who are not sharing a household.

I have a couple who divorced but still live in the same house. They both have the child for exactly the same number of nights.

Lion, I am not sure that I agree with you. Yes, there are 365 days in a year. But if the child spent 182 nights at Mom's house, 182 nights at dad's house and 1 night at a friend's house, then the child spent an equal number of nights at each parent's home without a leap year. And in the first year of separation, if the parents lived together for two or three months, they could have an equal number of nights and yet both of them have more than 1/2 of 365 nights. I do agree that it is very, very rare that they spend exactly the same number of nights per year with each parent. Just saying that it can happen.

I'm pinning this topic so that it will stay at the top of the post listing and be readily available without searching.

Just had this question in a Facebook message. She's not my client. "I have a question. I am filing out a new W-4 form. what is the best way for me to get money back at the end of the year but not taxed so much during the year." So many smart @$$ responses, so little time.

Yes, it can be a problem sometimes. Tax professionals seem to attract legal questions, estate planning questions, marriage counselling questions, and business development questions, in addition to tax questions. Heck, we get software questions too. Besides referring them to proper specialists, where appropriate, I always just hiked the fee and ranted to Don.