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I'm 76 and know the pasture awaits, but ah'd druther trudge on in my rut until either it or I collapse, whichever comes first. To offer some perspective on age; when my day job folded in the eighties, tax season was over, I had few write-up clients, and desktop computers were being introduced. I answered a software company's ad for commission-only salesmen (some good advice: NEVER do that) and after a dozen failed sales attempts, I called on an out-of-town independent insurance agency. At the time I was forty-something and a snowy-haired gentlemen sat down with me, relaxed while listening courteously and attentively to my entire amateurish spiel; pausing only to light a pipe and pluck occasionally at his flag-emblazoned suspenders. He summed up the situation thus: "Well sonny; I'm 95. I own this place. My wife, Margaret there (pointed to a nice lady at her Underwood who looked up, nodded, and wiggled her fingers at me) is my secretary. She's 90. We've been selling insurance here for 60 years without a computer. Now, I know they're the GOING THING, but ..... I'm NOT GOING with them! But I do appreciate you coming by to explain everything to me. Goodbye and good luck to you." And so ended my sales career; it's been taxes ever since and hopefully will be for a good while yet .....

I have seen too many people die shortly after retiring. God created us with the need to work and when we quit, we start breaking down. I think it is so sad to go to the mall and see all the old people sitting on the benches with nothing to do. They do not look happy. I do have to admit that I have slowed down a lot. The hardest thing I do everyday is get out of bed. Once I have accomplished that, the rest of the day is a lot easier.

If you are healthy, age is a number and/or a state of mind. Up until now, my husband and I have both been healthy and considered ourselves to be very fortunate. That has not been true this past year and someone has tried to slow us down a bit. Except for fatigue, I am pretty much over the hump for now. IMO, nothing will keep your brain sharper; longer; than trying to interpret the tax law. Other than having to work medical appointments into my tax schedule, I feel that I am ready to keep on keeping on. In my heart, I am still the young wife and mother with two small children who was looking for a way to supplement our income. I was fortunate to find my niche and it has served me well. I still find tax preparation to be challenging and fulfilling. I will continue as long as my body and mind allow me to.

Goodness, if I follow in the path of Black Bart's insurance agent, my career is only half over. Another 35 years? No thanks! **shudders and runs to hide**

As long as I have the wisdom and grace to retire before I lose my ability to concentrate and retain new information, I will be happy. I think that point comes at different times for everyone, and if you are still enjoying what you do, and still able to do it well, why retire? Unless, of course, you have other responsibilities that are requiring your time or other adventures that you want to pursue!

This year I spoke to a former practitioner who retired in 2013. He was 93 before he quit. See there's hope yet.

And Happy Holidays to all. I've really enjoyed this forum for all the stress relief, humor, excellent advise and help. The 2016 tax season will be my last. I started doing my internship at a CPA firm right after college in 1970. I getting too slow both mentally and physically. It's time to be put out to pasture. Terry

Every year, for the past 5 or so years....I kept saying "This is the end. I've had enough" for various reasons (TRX catastrophe, IRS getting tough about foreign accts, tax preparer requirements etc)...but I hung in there. I dropped PITAs each year, to lighten the load. Again...this past Oct I "wasn't sure" because of ACA and tax preparer requirements......... I had a "suspicious" mammogram....and decided IF there was a malignancy I'd "retire" (I can handle cancer stress; I can handle tax stress; but knew I couldn't handle clients with problems when I have medical issues). I had a very quick sale...for which I am very happy. My operation was a success; my therapy is going well; my prognosis is excellent....so I can call myself a retired breast cancer survivor at this time...who has "retired rich" and wants to "die poor".

Ah, Gail hit on a key point. I am hoping to get out gracefully over the next several years, as my accidental career as teacher, writer, and lecturer gets busier and busier. It doesn't pay a dingleberry, but we have always saved liked fiends and don't spend a lot - with my husband's pension and some investment income, we're OK without the money I earn. (Which I admit has *plummeted* since I moved out to an office and hired help; the gross went up about 10% and the expenses about doubled.... yet I can't improve that gross figure much and teach my assistant to take my place, all at the same time.) But making the rounds teaching I now find far more satisfying than tax prep. So time to pass it on to a young man who wants a profession that will ensure enough income for he and his fiancee to marry.

Well the secret is to do some work you love, to give your life meaning and structure, even it's a nonpaying position. I already volunteer at a local nonprofit theater, in several capacities. And I want to get back into Habitat for Humanity. It's fun to build houses! And when you're this old, you need an exercise schedule. And then there's the grandkids! So I'll be plenty busy. Fortunately for me, there's very little I want to watch on tv, so I'm not going to be one of those 'sit and rot' people watching The Price is Right until I die.

I will respectfully disagree with Jack - with caveats. I use the Drake document manager with Gruntworx. I love getting the indexed pdf's back, nice and tidy. I have learned that I still need to look at the originals (at least once) for any items hand-written on back or blank sides that I otherwise would not bother to look at in the pdf. But it really is great to be able to keep all the originals AND give them back. Electrons take up far less storage space than papers! Then months later when the client calls with the CP notice or just a question, you have not only your work but the originals you worked from right there.

You are well qualified in whichever category you want to put yourself. You are experienced and knowledgeable as anyone on this board.

I'm thinking of winding it all down by 70 (that will be in Feb 2018) And I'd say I'm already on a glide path - not accepting new clients and shooing a few out the door already. Just not sure if I'll actually work the 2018 tax season, but it's too early for that decision. Hope everyone has a safe New Years Eve and a prosperous New Year.

With Gail in Virginia as I am "only" 57. However, about a year and a half ago I hired an old classmate of my older daughter's and am training him to eventually take over the business. I figure in 6 - 8 years he will be ready for most of it and I can come in once or twice a week to consult on the oddball items.

I deal primarily with self employed folks. A few years ago I analyzed and surveyed all of them to determine if and when they would retire. The bottom line? Almost none of them planned to retire. Almost to a person, they were well planned financially for retirement and they said they may not continue doing what they are currently doing, but they will never retire. It's the nature of the entrepreneur. The point, they will be doing something constructive their whole life through. These are not the mall sitters unless a health issue has come into play. Even then, I doubt that I would see them sitting in the mall. That said, I will exit this profession soon, at least from a full time position. But I have years and years of things to do. It will be a long while before I am bored. A very Blessed and Happy New Year to each of you and yours!

My understanding of checking the box simply states that the taxpayer had minimum essential coverage for the full year and it's possible that the MEC can be obtained through the marketplace. It seems this would result in the taxpayer receiving a 1095-A, checking the box that they had MEC, and then filing a Form 8962 for reconciliation of the premium tax credit that was received.

"Although it is called a “Solo” 401k, you can actually set up for you and your spouse. If you have a bona fide partnership, it would work for them as well. " I would take a look at the following link: http://benefitslink.com/m/qa.cgi?db=qa_who_is_employer&n=154

Gee Thanks!

Wow. I just turned 59. No way I can keep doing this till I'm 70. I might work part time for some other preparer(s), if they'll have me.

I'm "only" 56. Does that qualify as younger folks? I started doing this at 14. Took sometime off for college and a short career in banking/trust. Left banking when my job was consolidated to another city I did not want to live in. Stayed home with my son for a few years. Now I've been back since about 1997.

I'm 79.

I am well past 70...............

I quit working at 84.

I plan on working until 70 - next March - and beyond. I still mostly enjoy using the brain cells I have left and some of my clients have declared that I cannot retire until they die. That won't happen for some of them but sadly has already happened for a few. I did spin off my businesses when my other CPA retired 4 years ago, though. No more payroll or monthly or quarterly reports to do. I didn't want to hire another and chose not to do it myself so my practice is quite manageable now. For AICPA and state society purposes, I am retired as I work primarily during tax season. You are correct, though, that we do need some younger folks here. If this forum disappeared, I would have to retire because this is my 'firm.' You are my colleagues and research fellows. And friends...

Jeez, I hope there are some younger folks on here or this place is going to get really quiet in a few years... unless some of you are planning on working until 70.