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I would like to see one of those Intuit "genius" commercials tackle the ACA for a self employed person on the exchange and show how many iterations of the calculations they do to come up with the right amount of SE Health Insurance Deduction and Premium Subsidy. Lets see them explain that in a 30 second commercial? I keep thinking of the woman (sister of the client) who came into my office who "prepared" the prior year returns for a couple who came to me because they were under audit. The clients asked her to come in because they did not know the answers to any of the questions I was asking. The audit had to do with 5 rentals that were throwing large losses and the deductions for those rental losses. I asked her how she came up with the deductible loss on the rentals and she said "I just kept clicking on different answers in Turbo Tax until I got the highest refund". Tom Newark, CA

I don't mind the music - I hate the constant interruptions to tell me that my call is important and that if I call back later this might increase my wait time. I understood that the first 10 times you told me so. I don't have to hear it every 30 seconds.

A reminder to all my friends: Driving on snowy roads is not for weenies...

I am SO with you on this one!! Play the &^%$# muzak and SHUT UP with the interruptions. If my call was important you would answer it and not hang up on me after an hour. Until then, I can get on with something else while waiting far better without the constant interruptions.

I just rebooted and it went away. Weird. It was on the screen no matter which program I was in.

I like the "genius" commercials. I think I'll start preparing tax returns on my smart phone and just pressing a single icon button to make sure everything's fine. No doubt t that's a great business plan.

Form 2120

https://youtu.be/DLJMDpHnRdk

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.

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).

Except in CT where they now want everything to them by Monday 1 February!

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.

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.

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.

Oh, no ! Now that darn ad is running through my mind! Darn you, Cat, that was mean.

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.

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.

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.

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.

OK. Now is the time to tell this TRUE story. My friend Wendy is a lawyer. She was in a huge pre-trial meeting. Lawyers everywhere, supposedly trying to settle something but actually involved in a p1$$ing contest. No women except for her. She got *totally* fed up with them, stood, and said, "I am going to leave this room for ten minutes. Whip 'em out, measure them, put 'em back. Then we'll settle this case." and walked out of the room. Ten minutes later she went back and a room full of very sheepish male lawyers settled the case. History does NOT record the results of their measurements - probably none of them had a tape measure, so it would have been only relative.