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You have to let it go, the stress is not good for you. I too found it hard to end my practice, so many clients were long-time and I liked them personally. But it's never going to be able to find someone who will do it 'like you did' and 'as well as you did', any way. Your health has to be your priority, tho.

Thanks for the well wishes. He doesn't have to be me, but he has to be someone the clients like and trust. No, this isn't my problem and if he is going to alienate the clients it's his loss.

The school has to be eligible to participate in federal student loan programs. The school will know if it is, or you can use a look-up tool somewhere in the IRS education credit pubs. The program must lead to a degree or "other recognized education credential." A CDL license is not an educational credential so I don't see AOC as a possibility. (Should we get credit for taking our state driver license exams too?!) New for 2015 returns: No education credits without a 1098T. New for 2016 returns: The "amount PAID" box has to be filled out. About time.

My clients are also spoiled. That is going to change somewhat this year. My excuse is the same as Tabby's; except that I chose to continue in this business despite breast cancer; which also is going well. I do get terribly tired though and we all know how much worse that is during tax season. This will be their chance to stay or fly under my conditions. I refuse to make myself ill in order to make them happy; and most of my clients wouldn't want me to.

WITAXLADY, Tax answer is answered by SaraEA and Catherine as quoted above. I do NOT have anything better ---- however you also asked for "advice with familiar situation", so ------ a few comments for your thoughts and consideration followed by personal experience with several families. When did a committee EVER make a decision that truly honored the "person's" wishes --- it all comes down to what the majority wants rather than the person -- otherwise there would not be a need for a committee (YOUR mother and father want the land kept together -- the proper attorney will advise them and if they (mother and father choose to follow or not; that is there wishes) no need for committee). Somebody is going to "contest" the will regardless of how it might be written (unless it benefits them of course) Once probated or if done through trusts, let them spend their money, time and good will from others, along with lowering whatever they might receive --- it will not change them. Especially if they want to "contest it before it is even placed in probate????? --- let them --- if they chose to not honor your parents --- that is there choice --- they will have to live with the results (both from less inheritance and from family, etc.) --- . Your parents wishes are known to them, if they feel slighted, that is their problem. As far as a lot of money has been spent, that apparently is because --- someone ---- is not getting their way --- it is a shame that their positions are more important than your parents wishes, but ---- the wishes are more important ---- maybe, eventually those persons will realize that the money being "spent" to try to make peace and everybody "happy" is money that will not be there for their inheritance, etc.. Spend what is needed to make/keep your parents wishes. "Is it better to stop doing what should be done because all that has already been spent/given, when the outcome is NOT what was desired --- OR do you spend more to reach the initial goal (your parents wishes)? My own experiences with several families are that many "relations" were stressed, some even broken and that it all came down to those parties looking out for themselves instead of even trying to do what the parents wished. Sad but there is no way everyone can be fully happy here ---- except if they think more of the parents than their own benefit. Some of the folks came back together - eventually --- some did not, but those probably would "NOT HAVE BOTHERED" anyway, sooner or later. Do what you think will honor your parents - regardless of outcome --- and let them choose ONE EXECUTOR who will follow their wishes regardless of the fuss, etc.. That is the executor's duty -- not to worry if they are liked, etc. but to follow the wishes of the will maker according to law. The Tax Attorney just helps keep it all legal --- and remember ---- as an attorney is foolish if they representative themselves; so truly might the "tax professional" be foolish, if they enter into something like this as a policy or decision maker for their close family. The above is my opinion and thoughts ---- some say I am full of good information, some say I am just "full of""" -- all is given with good intentions and hopefully helps you and others think properly. Sorry for your troubles, and hope your parents have an easy transition with their "partners" passing when God calls them. (we feel sorrow and worry because they are not here with us;--; they feel happiness because they are with Jesus & God and have no more pain or worry). God Bless you and your parents.

Is it possible to put the estate on a fiscal year? If the person died in 2015, the first 1041 won't be due until sometime in 2016 and will go on the beneficiaries' 2016 returns. Just say the person died in May 2015. Fiscal year will end April 30 2016 and the return will be due Aug 15. The beneficiaries will have their K-1s months before tax season even opens. Of course, then there is the risk they will lose them by the time they get around to filing.

Just a bit frustrated here: In Oct I reported in that I had breast cancer (all is going well on that front) and sold my business. I was 100% honest with the buyer (he was more anxious to buy than me to sell), showed him the list, the fees...and that the vast majority of my clients were foreign and there would be "foreign issues". Well, he has no knowledge of foreign issues. I have to explain everything. Yesterday, it was a W-7. Plus, unlike me, he does not get back to people within seconds (my clients were really spoiled). I shouldn't care, because I got paid...but I get complaints...and I feel bad. And with that....wishing you all a happy and profitable tax season!

Do you think that if enough of us signed a petition we could get the IRS to change the nasty 'on-hold' music that hasn't changed since the infernal revenue code was enacted in 1913? It was awful before but now that they're leaving us on hold for longer and longer periods, it's enough to drive me loony (yeah, I know, loonier). What think ye?

Hey, my good buddy, I buy my forms from Busiforms! Small, hillbilly world, ain't it?? Yep, and I also like making my little jaunt to the Post Office, they are a hoot in thar. David and Will. I like Jurassic Park and will lay low till the revenuers come fer me. They gonna be abolished soon, I rekkon anyways.

Other benefits of e-filing are that it eliminate the need for red forms for the 1099s, the printer alignment issues, and both the W-2s and 1099 series have an additional month tacked on to the filing date with the e-file due date of March 31st. That due date gives more flexibility for us and can be useful if there is something typed in wrong on the form. We know that some clients don't look at the year-end forms that are mailed to them, so if their tax preparer finds something wrong, we have the extra time to correct the original filing it if it hasn't been submitted, rather than filing more forms as corrected ones.

Tabby: No, he isn't you. But he bought your clients. And if he doesn't take care of them, then he threw that money away. Seriously, its NOT your problem. I bought two practices back in 2014. Went through 2015 tax season. 90%-95% retention. Not bad. Disappointed I did not get the rest. But I PAID for them, and I was going to make my money work for me... If he doesn't..... Oh well. Glad your battle with cancer is going well. My wife is doing well after two years. No cancer... Lymphodema, which is a PITA. but no cancer. Rich

Easytax good points. It is sad but I have witnessed families of the deceased act as if their inheritance is a winning lottery ticket or an entitlement. In my opinion whatever a beneficiary of the estate receives, it is a generous gift no matter what the amount. Turn the matter over to a Higher authority and accept the outcome. Recently I received the life insurance after my sons tragic death. I cried because the money is no consolation or substitute that can make me feel better. Cashing in a loved one is a terrible process. We learn a lot about ourselves when put to the test.

I was gonna say. I use Peachtree I mean Sage to keep books. But I don't e-file W-2s or 1099s as there is a fee for the service, and I really don't hate the good old days of mailing things. Is it really much better to e-file W-2s and 1099s? I've just never bothered to try it, got my routine down, and old habits die hard they say. I mail all of mine at the end of February.

Since it is the executors duty to protect and preserve the estate assets, in my opinion, the executors have the complete authority to determine if the estate will pay the taxes or distribute the income. The beneficiaries do not control the ultimate decision. If the estate pays the tax, then ALL of the beneficiaries are affected because there is less money to actually pay out. Some decisions are not to be made committee style.

I vote for this:

Makes you want to jump up and yell "COTTON EYE JOE"!!!!

Better odds of you winning the PowerBall!!!

Good luck with Ultra Tax. I used it before switching to ATX and I loved the features it offered. Just couldn't afford to keep it after my introductory price ran out. I tried to get another discounted deal the year of the ATX meltdown, but UT wouldn't work with me on price. Thankfully I found Drake, which runs circles around anything out there insofar as speed & efficiency are concerned, and at a fraction of the price anyone else can offer. In any event, you'll find that Ultra Tax lives up to its name.

I did a quick scan of the NCDOR web site as you did, and I could not find specific guidance on this issue. However, since there is an entity change I think you need to register a new business and obtain a new number for NC Withholding & Sales Tax. The NCDOR now ties all their numbers back to the Federal ID Number, so having the same state ID number associated with two different Federal ID numbers will inevitably cause some sort of computer glitches along the way. Same is true for their Unemployment Tax number, although in this case you will want to register is as a successor employer in order to preserve the favorable tax rate (hopefullythere is one), and also to avoid the annoying mismatch letters for the state tax credit which show up a couple of years down the road.

BUSIFORMS.COM : a small outfit in Chattanooga. My print version (very simple/good) is $59.95. Efile version is also offered, but I don't know the cost. All good and true advantages. Hi Rita: Nice to hear from you again (and thanks for your support on fees the other day). I do the same as you do and while the folks above are right, I feel more in control this way since I dislike e-flinging (as JohnH would put it) figures into thin air . For some clients I get the 1096 signed and simply keep it until enough time for corrections passes and it's safe to mail (this probably won't work next time - I've heard IRS wants their copies by 1-31-17). But while they say you cain't teach an old dog new tricks, I've learned that IRS can MANDATE some and we'll probably have to get horseless carriages before long. Anyhow, I'm hangin' out in the Jurassic era until they come and GPS me. Best regards, BB.

I have also seen families torn apart contesting wills. (One reason I recommend to all clients who have specific wishes to get a good attorney on board and do everything through trusts: cannot be challenged after decease nearly as easily/successfully.) Any way you slice it, this is going to be hard on your folks and then/also hard on you. All I can reiterate is get a good attorney NOT connected to the family on their side to fulfill THEIR wishes, and tell the whiners to go suck an egg. (If you wish to add specifics such as a salmonella-infected egg, that is your prerogative.) Like SFA mentioned, whatever is received is a gift that did not have to be given to them. If they can't see it that way they need to be spanked. With adults it is usually better to do that verbally (the ones who need it most would probably enjoy it given physically, so let's not go there).

That's a known issue for partnership returns that were completed in January in 2014. I believe the solution is to reprocess in 2014, then rollover again.

You do know, though, that you are still very welcome here. Not all of us use ATX but we all have tax issues and complaints and need the kind of support available here.

The parent is not required to claim a dependent. If the parent does not but was qualified to claim the dependent, then the dependent can not claim himself. Dependent also can not claim any refundable AOC. But, he can claim education credits.

Never spoil your clients. Mine are trained to leave a message and get a reply with one business day... or so.

Glad to hear that YOU are doing well. Your clients will either train this guy or find someone else. If they try to blame you - fie on them! None of them would blink before walking away from such a strenuous commitment when faced with a life-threatening illness.

I serve clients (mostly clergy) all over the country. I can't meet with most so years ago I created an interview style Organizer. It's worked very well and my clients love it. I send all my clients a link to my web site where they can go and download the latest version (I update it throughout tax season as I think of new and improved ways of doing things). I haven't done much more than change a few dates on this year's version--hope to add some more tweaks over the weekend. Anyway, here's a copy in case any of you want to use it. Feel free to personalize it any way you wish. Tax Organizer.pdf

As I tell folks who show up at my yard sales, if you think my prices are unreasonable feel free to offer more! Actually, over the years I've put a ton of time into it but that's water under the bridge. It costs me nothing to help out someone else and goodness knows I've benefited from a lot of free advice on this forum over the years.

Reminds me of the Slickster Attorney Ambulance Chaser commercials. You can smell the After-Shave through the TV. And that suit. GAH.

The Turbo Tax commercials are the worst and most degrading not only to Preparers but to the general public. >>Donald Trump promised to put H&R Block out of business when he gets elected.<< I wish he would add Intuit to that list.

If I go to Walmart and have Jackson Hewitt do my return for an exorbitant fee, they will give a me $ 50 Walmart Card on the spot ! Whoee, isn't free enterprise a great thing.

When I was just learning to write in kindergarten my mother was freaked out that I wrote everything upside down and backwards. She talked with the teacher who just laughed. She said she saw it all the time and that I'd grow out of it within a few weeks. She was right. But I never really grew out of being weird in so many other ways. Go figure.

I get so annoyed at those commercials, and even more so by the fact that they actually work. It says something about the wisdom of a populace when many choose a tax preparer based on gaming practices, for lack of a better description. Yes, I know there are many fine preparers in the store front operations. That's not an important selling point. Apparently.

>>NO ONE else can claim the exemption if parents qualify for it<< No, sometimes a sibling or grandparent could. If the parents don't claim the child but the child is also a qualifying child to some other family member with higher AGI than both parents, that person could take the exemption and everything.