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Ownership of the property is irrelevant as the corp lease requires the corp to repair. The repair would either be capitalized as leasehold improvements or as repair expense. Insurance refund would either reduce the leasehold basis or reduce the repair expense.

In the rollover manager, under the rollover tab, choose each item you wish to rollover. Then, on the first return you rollover, check all the boxes in the small dialogue box will pop up.

Open a 1040, then click on 'add form'. In the search bar type 'comparison'. That's where you find and add the comparison form. This works also on entity type returns. Lynn

Jack, that response from ATX leaves me almost speechless. How many times have you said that the program is having this trouble WHILE you are working on a return, and the box pops up in the background that you can't even see?! To have this happen two, maybe three times, is too many in my book, and you've had this ongoing for years. Clearly, no one is listening and no one there cares. I think Michael is right when he said that as long as renewals are in a certain range, the company doesn't care. No one should be having this issue, whether they prepare 100 returns or 1000+. It's disgusting that they won't fix this issue. I guess that "thank you" with the 2 exclamation points makes it all better though. /s

I have 150 clients and work on a stand alone machine. I think it is more of a bug in the software than machine related.

I am with Gail on this and other issues with ATX, I made the switch for 2012. My cost is $1000 more than ATX and I have their unlimited professional edition. Sure there are things I liked a lot better with ATX but there are things I like better with proseries. For one, the program works, no restarts, missing forms, no missing assets, no hung efiles, the technology just works. My discount is locked for 5 years but every year I don't reorder till around now because I am waiting to see the comments on this board about the program. I certainly don't want to pay $5000 once my discount expires and will have to then go pay-per for many states that I now have full access to but we make our money during 3 months and every phone call to CS is one less return that gets out that day. [proseries CS knows taxes and how one form flows to another or they transfer you right away, no games one you get a live person]. Jack, as my wife says "money talks and BS walks" as long as their renewal numbers are where they are there is no incentive for them to spend capital fixing a problem. They weathered the 2012 year and are now content with a few customers having issues. I used ATX since at least 2004 if not earlier and was very apprehensive with making a change but I did it at the end of January and had almost no issues with the conversion. I spent Maybe 10-15 minutes more on each return checking carryovers and having to change some depreciation codings and that was it. Certainly less painful than having to re-boot etc all the time. Jack you spent so much time with ATX trying to help them with technical issues as did I and Ken with functionality issues and after meeting with executives and all their key people, we saw nothing good implemented.

I file a few a year, first of all you have to consider State estate taxes. And if the estate is even close, and contains any real estate I file anyway to run the statute. Also an estate with a large portfolio, filing will establish the dod values. Any estate over 3 mil gets a serious discussion with executor re: filing. And most attorneys I deal with want the filing for the same reasons.

The discussion is about IP PIN, not PTIN. Two totally different things. The number to call about any IP PIN questions is 1-800-829-0433. Only the taxpayer can make the call.

Agree with Terry and Abby to take the expense or capitalize when the tools or tool box are put in service. Maybe you heard not to take the deduction until it's paid for because those tool boxes do get repossessed for nonpayment of account. There are a couple of reasons the mechanic might have multiple accounts he is paying on, and it isn't the fault of Snap On or the other tool companies. Many, or most, of those tool men own their own routes and aren't employees of the national company. They extend their own credit to the mechanics on a truck account with those minimum weekly payments. If the mechanic changes jobs and has a different Snap On rep at his new location, he will have another truck account to pay on if the new rep also extends him credit, but he still also owes the first salesman until that is paid off. Then, on the larger purchases like tool boxes, those might be financed through the Snap-On national company itself or some other credit company so that the salesman doesn't have to carry the mechanic for those larger balances. So you see, simply with a financed tool box purchase and a change of employment, that one mechanic could potentially end up with 3 separate payments to Snap On, plus the same with Matco or Mac Tools. Don't forget your de minimis policy for this Sch C business.

We treat these just like we do credit cards, enter all the transactions as either an asset or an expense, and create a liability. Unfortunately, Snap-on is famous for having multiple accounts for one customer. Good luck!

I thought it would be worthwhile to the rest of the world to share our experience with Drake Software as we tried to switch from Pro Series for the 2014 tax season. We went to a seminar where Drake was presented to us and mainly based on the price difference, we chose to give Drake a try. Here is what we found: Drake has been in business since 1977 and claims they have only updated their pricing plan one time since then. We quickly found out how that was possible. The interface of Drake remains in 1977. It is not user friendly and definitely makes you think, "you get what you pay for". On one hand, I may be a little biased because we were trying to switch from the expensive, but overall impressive, Pro Series. On the other hand, I worked in the tech industry for a few years and use technology every day and what they are offering is not up to par. Drake is proud of its speed. I found that the only thing that they have footing on with speed is the software startup time. Sure it boots fast, but once you are actually using the program, the redundancies and ways of operation make it much slower in the long run. Why should I have to click a button to calculate the impact of the number I just input? For example: After entering a number for wages or something on a 1099-MISC, you have to switch to the form mode in order to see what actually was reported and the impact on the refund/taxes due. It is surprisingly easy to duplicate information and not even know where to go in order to remove the duplication. You have no clue where the numbers reflected on the 1040 are even coming from unless you put them in yourself. This may not be an issue for others, but we have a larger practice where our front office inputs the data and the CPAs do the analysis/review. Pro Series is integrated with quickzooms everywhere and makes calculations as soon as the numbers are input. Given the choice, I would much rather take the slower boot time and fast everything time of Pro Series over the opposite, which is found with Drake. Another thing that Drake is proud of is their quick response time with customer care. I actually found this to be true, because I had to call them all the time asking how to do things and to figure out items with the "ripping stitches" transition. They answered very promptly, but there was a vast spread of knowledge in their support staff. Talk to one person and they say you can't do something, call right back and a different person will tell you you can. Crazy. So we gave Drake an honest effort and filed some tax returns (like anyone would) before deciding we would stick with Pro Series. I was given the task of telling Drake about our choice and found out quickly that they weren't going to give our money back in full. I eventually got in contact with one of the VPs and he said that we were not entitled to a full refund because we had filed some tax returns... "What?! You mean that because we put forth an honest effort in trying to use your software, we are penalized and not longer can get our money back?" "Yep. We have a policy..." Unreal. Moral of the story is, don't switch to Drake. Even if the price appeals to you, there are other options in the same price range and granted I haven't tried any of them, I can assure you that they are better than Drake. If you do choose Drake after all, I really hope you like them, because your money is now theirs and they won't give it back! Thanks and I hope this helps.

Since H&R is just giving away a million dollars a day ($1,000 x 1,000 people = 1 million), anyone here going to stop by each day, weekly, etc. to see if they are the lucky one ---- "no purchase necessary" according to ad's? Not as good a payoff as PowerBall but better odds. s/ Take time off from your business (just work till 0300 hr. instead of 0200 hr. to make it up. Brief stroll, get a coffee (tea) and become richer at your competitor's expense????? Have a GREAT SEASON!

Hmmm, I'm about to learn something new, I think. I tried a couple of returns in 2014 and 2015 to see about this Tools>Last Year's Comparison you mention. I couldn't find that but am hoping to learn. I've always used the form Planner which lists the current year and allows future planning but it would be nice to see in the current program the figures from the prior year. On all my returns, I include the form Tax Summary 1040. It shows the summary for federal and all states in the return as well as any carryover amounts. When I click on that box in the upper right, it shows federal and state on the summary. But one does have to click on it. An extra keystroke, alas!

This is a link to an article in The Tax Advisor: http://www.thetaxadviser.com/newsletters/2016/jan/taking-control-of-final-form-1040.html

I've not filed a 706 and probably won't have any clients like that. The only circumstance I can think of filing a 706 myself would be the first of a couple to die and you just want to check the box for the carryover exemption. Even if they don't have much money, just in case the surviving spouse came into some money later.

Double check that the post you think you made is actually there in that original thread. If you typed out a reply but then didn't post it, the forum sometimes attempts to remember what you had been typing so it doesn't get lost in the case that you navigate away from the page without posting. Once you verify that the post is there, go ahead and make your new thread in the main forum. Nothing you do at that point will affect an unrelated reply to a different thread. If I misunderstood the problem, let me know.

I have a schedule C (disregarded entity) client who is in the same industry. The tools are expensed the year they are purchased (put into service) regardless of the method used to pay for them. The Snap-On dealer will setup a truck account which is a no interest account and larger items maybe financed by Snap-On themselves. Either way, they are either expensed or depreciated in the year they are put into service. Items like the scanner would probably be depreciated as they do have a useful life of 3 years as they would fall under the category of computers and peripherals and from Snap-On, they can cost 10K +. Same with tool boxes except the tool boxes would have a longer useful life. I know you didn't ask but just a heads-up, updates for the scanners are usually yearly and can cost 1,000.00 and up. This too can be depreciated but not more than three years. Hope this helps.

One of the nice features is it is a closed group. Nonmember visitors can see the members' names but not any of the posts unless they join and are accepted into the fold. On our forum here, while you can have an anonymous screen name, all of the posts are visible with the exception of the Off-Topic members-only subforum.

This was one of the reasons that I switched to ProSeries, and the fact that I continue to see posts about this issue is a major reason that I have not switched back. And I won't switch back until I see a tax season where this does not pop up. With all of the program issues that have to be done last minute due to law changes, and the glitches that result from that, why would I want to use a program that won't fix a KNOWN issue during the off-season?

Thanks that worked!!!

Hmmm, I just rolled over a return and preparer info was there as was payer list. I guess our mileage is varying!

And you are tempting us to click on it? Hmm...

Yes, Would be handy to have state also. I normally put this page right in behind the client letter or on top of the cover sheet. What is you practice. Clients like to see that info.

"Moral of the story: I switched to Drake and only regret that I had not done it years earlier." Totally agree. For a small one person office with a dwindling client base and retirement around the corner, I regret not changing from ATX sooner. Though other than price increases, I had no complaints with ATX.

Yes, that's right. As Michael said, the new regs greatly simplify expensing these types of equipment. And don't get confused on the software issue. While software may be a 3 year class, any software that is updated/replaced every year [tax software is a perfect example] should be expensed each year.

Thank you, OldJack! That makes perfect sense. The lease is written so that the corp handles all repairs.

No, the NOL incurred prior to death and reported on the individual's personal return is lost. From pub 559: "Carryover losses resulting from net operating losses or capital losses sustained by the decedent before death cannot be deducted on the estate's income tax return.

First I agree with expensing in year put in service. but I do question some of what your wrote. With the new regs you can expense items under $2500, also if you expect to replace them with in 10 years. I think one of the purposes of the regs is to eliminate the depreciation on 100's of small items. Another question I have is since the scanner updates are yearly why would you write them off over 3 years? What do you do with your tax software, expense or 3 years? Its a whole new game now since TPR and all capitalization decisions need to be re-thought.

Leasehold improvements?

Call tech support if you are not on ppr. I had this happen a couple years ago and it had something to do with an errant file that was in the system. They logged into my system, renamed the file and restarted the program, made sure everything was working and logged out. Took less time than it took me to type this - well almost.

I got the Drake demo one year and purchased it for the next two years, while keeping and using ATX. I must be crazy to have done that but I wanted to give Drake a fair chance. In the end I really didn't stick with it enough and was just too comfortable with ATX. So I can't give a fair evaluation of Drake. I'm just a one person office. For years, I thought any large office would want to use the higher end programs such as ProSeries or Lacerte. I know they're a lot more expensive but I assumed these firms would also have much greater volume and revenues to budget for that. They have to evaluate that themselves. I'll stick with ATX and hopefully ride out my final few years without any major disruption.

Sounds like you are doing it correctly. Expense small items directly as small tools under the de minimis policy, capitalize and depreciate, or use sec 179, for the larger items such as the tool boxes that will last more than one year. These expenses are on line 21 of the Sch A subject to the 2% haircut unless there is some employer reimbursement involved that would cause them to be reported on the 2106 first, but ultimately they end up on Sch A either way.

Hey Judy, you must have a lot of experience with auto technicians. You hit it right on the head with the truck accounts. Guys have to be careful not to owe every tool dealer in the county. You may remember from other posts of mine that I too have been and still am an auto technician and now teach auto tech in high school and college so these things are far from new to me. I did think about the de minimis policy but because the OP didn't really explain the purchase amounts, I didn't suggest it. You are correct though and he should follow the guide lines of the de minimis policy.

Thanks! I was able to use the Standard 1.0 as described using the Form Typer tool. It works extremely well, though in a couple cases the boxes didn't quite land right, such as with the charitable non-cash donations page, where there is not a line for every item. I'll see how much customization is needed for each client-specific organizer, as long as not much massaging is needed it's a great tool. Thanks for the tip!

I agree with everything Catherine said. It isn't for every office, but that could be said of any software product. One size does not fit all. I have to say that there is no excuse for not knowing the refund policy of any product you are trying, and your not receiving a refund is not the fault of Drake Software. Drake would have given you the full copy of the prior year software for FREE for you to try out for as long as you wanted. The only thing lacking would have been the ability to e-file, but it would be the fully functional version that would have allowed you to test drive its functionality without any funds outlay on your part.

I have found that the toggling to "View" mode is lightning-fast and not nearly the botheration I had originally worried about before I switched, several years ago. In general, data entry and return progress evaluation are significantly faster for my office than ATX ever was. Their tech support - on those rare occasions I have needed it - is unsurpassed. Phone gets answered in a couple of rings by people who know the software AND taxes. They make the refund policy very clear - IF you read it. The interface is - in my opinion - clear and reasonably intuitive. Yes, some areas (and especially their CWU program) still feel a little "DOS-y" but I worked with DOS for years so that is not an issue for me. Moral of the story: I switched to Drake and only regret that I had not done it years earlier. YMMV. Please don't use a broad brush to bad-mouth Drake, though -- because I could do an equal job of bad-mouthing ProSeries, starting with their ownership by Intuit (which company I detest with a deep loathing for many reasons) and continuing through one of the worst interfaces I have ever encountered. People have different opinions and ways of working. You didn't like Drake. You didn't read the refund policy before trying. OK. Fine. Warnings to others - no problem. Berating a solid vendor for not being what you wanted them to be - seems unprofessional to me.

I would call this number. Maybe they can help. It would only make sense that you should be issued a different PTIN due to your circumstances. But then again..... PTIN Account Information Line - Toll-Free: 877-613-PTIN (7846) TTY: 877-613-3686

Thanks for the add.

It is really VERY nice.

Dear KC, Unlike the Powerball winners, I'm a bit gunshy and had druther stay unlocated (just hate big cities and that dang Google Earth thing). Not that I've got anything worth stealin', but I had to co-sign two notes at my last family reunion and prefer to keep movin' along. Since I dropped my E&O insurance and like to spin yarns about my crazy clients, I figure they might sue me for slights (real or perceived). Too, IRS might consider such drivel coming from a low-population hole-in-the-road as a violation of disclosure rules (or maybe even human rights). But anyway, to answer your question somewhat (without pinnin' myself down too fine ): I once lived at Mountain Home, then descended southeast through Calico Rock, up to Gum Stump, down toward Oil Trough, over to Possum Grape, back your way toward Bucksnort, then driftin' down between Turkey Scratch and the Mississippi River. And that's where I can sometimes (but not always) be found. Best regards, BB

I will be glad to - as soon as I get to my office tomorrow! Was away, teaching, for the weekend.

Larry Lobster and Sam Clam where best friends. They did everything together. The only difference between them is that Larry was the nicest Lobster ever and Sam, well lets just say he was not so good. Larry and Sam did so much together that they even died together. Larry went to heaven and Sam went to hell. Larry was doing well in heaven and one day St. Peter came up to him and said, "Larry, you know you are the nicest clam we ever had up here. Everyone likes you but you seem to be a bit depressed. Tell me what is bothering you, maybe I can help." Larry said, "Well, don't get me wrong Pete, I like it up here and everything, but I really miss my good friend Sam Clam. We used to do everything together and I really miss him a lot." St. Peter looked at Larry with pity and said to him, "I tell you what, I can arrange it so that you can go down to hell tomorrow and visit Sam all day. How would that sound?" This made Larry very happy and he got up bright and early the next morning and grabbed his wings, his harp, and his halo and got in the elevator to hell. When the doors opened he was met by Sam. The hugged each other and they were off. You see in Hell Sam owned a disco. The spent the day there together and had a great time. At the end of the day Larry and Sam went back to the elevator together said their goodbyes and Larry got back in the elevator and went up to heaven. He stepped off the elevator and was greeted by St. Peter who blocked the doorway to heaven. He looked at Larry and said, "Larry Lobster, didn't you forget something?" Larry looked around and said, "No, I don't think so I have my halo and my wings." St. Peter looked at him and said, "Yes, but what about your harp?" Larry gasped and said, "I Left My Harp in Sam Clam's Disco."

I have clients like that.

While reviewing the 2015 software, form 3115 has been added to the individual return forms list. This is a welcomed change for me and I am sure for others who need it Thanks to OneDesk for answering my request last year.

We are in a high cost of living area. Many clients are affluent, some decidedly not. Our minimum is $100 for someone with one W2 or 1099R and maybe some bank interest. Dependents are $50 with only one W2, $75 if more than one, full price if out of state W2s or investment income in the mix. We discovered that the person we bought the practice from was still charging dependent rates for "children" who had long since graduated and were earning upwards of $200k a year. We ended that and guess what, mommy and daddy still paid their tax prep fees. I like the idea of charging full price and then showing a discount--will bring it up with the boss next week. It does get noticed when kids come off of their parents' return and get hit with a full bill. It will also help us notice that the child is no longer a child and stop automatically charging last year's fee.

As Lion has done, I have also added "return reprint" fees when clients showed up and asked for a second copy (no fee if we know ahead of time), "bookkeeping fees" by the hour, and all manner of additional fees when required to really show the client what they cost themselves in carelessness. If that doesn't work after a year or two, I fire them. Just fired a client of a decade, today, for giving me crap data and not responding to requests for clarification. Then wanting me to meet on a weekend because they are going on vacation! Uh, NO.

Always happy to share. Cheers!

Now that's a beautiful thing! I will try to add the Schedule C pages and Schedule E pages as I have several of those folks. Thanks for all the hard work and especially for sharing!

I forgot to attach the new organizer and I forgot to mention that I added page numbers. 2014 Blank Organizer-Nuance Fillable.pdf

Not sure I understand your questions, but ATX creates the organizer in the prior year's software and populates it from that year, putting the prior year numbers in the appropriate column. Pretty much like every other software I've ever used... and I've used a few.