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Judges often say silly things in divorce cases, usually because one of the attorneys actually wrote the order, the judge merely signed what the two had agreed to. I once had a client bring me his divorce decree, issued in Aug, which stated "he may claim her as a dependant for one half the year, and she may claim herself for the other half." I still laugh every time I think of it. And no, a municipal or state judge [or even a federal judge in most cases] can not override federal tax law. They are both single as of the date of the divorce, so it's either 'single' or 'HOH' for each of them, as the situation may provide.

Is it just me? I had my letters sorta the way I want them, thanks to the tips on here, you know who you are. Now I have a wonky smaller font paragraph and the preparer name keeps wandering off to the left. Having to change every letter. The save for all is not taking. I repent for mean thoughts every time I see the word "update", and I'm out of rabbits' feet. Think if I sacrifice some of this candy bar to the update spirits, think that'll work?

I saw this last night, I would love to get away with putting this on a card and handing it out as needed...

If you send me some dark chocolate, I'll put in a good word for you!

In my own divorce, the Judge said, "The house was sold and a gain of blah, blah, blah was realized." Yep, he said the gross selling price was the realized gain. Hey, don't use phrases like "realized gain" if you don't know what they mean. I sat there, the only one in the entire room who knew the truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth. So help me God.

On a related topic, in our copious free time we should go through every post that @RitaB has ever made and extract all her gems. We could put 'em in a book to sell to fellow accountants and get her into that higher tax bracket she talks about!

That one's easy to respond to.... "Sure, I can call sometime. What do you want to talk about?"

That's what voice mail is for. or email.

OMG. If it were possible, I'd make Medlin's post a 'required read' on this board !!!! I just know we've all wished we could do that !

Don and I went to see Etta James in 2010, it was our last time to attend a concert together. She was amazing, even at the age of 72. When she sang "At Last" the entire place went wild after it. So glad I have that memory.

Does the t/p have interest, dividends or rental income over the EIC limit?

The guy who bought my business likes phone calls....on his cell phone nonetheless. I had them all trained "E-mail me...e-mail me what you just told me on the phone because if it isn't in writing...it just isn't" I've told him "The clients are young, they are mainly researchers with PhDs or IT engineers. They have accents. They have (often very long) foreign names." But, he likes phone contact because it's immediate....no waiting for an answer Also, with me I would tell them that "I need to speak to you" if I felt a call was necessary. And then I would tell them an exact window of when to call. One client insisted on calling me on my cell phone (had the number from a long time ago). After telling for them years...."e-mail, e-mail, e-mail....or call on landline if absolutely necessary".... I chose to ignore an "urgent cell phone call" (needed copies of returns for child support court the next day)....and they never called on the cell phone again!

And answer all of the questions on the eic input screen?

You are correct in saying that they cannot file MFJ. Filing status is determined by their marital status as of the last minute of the year. Local judges cannot change that.

Texting: One reason not to give your clients your number, I had a number of clients save my number after returning their call while working out of the office, I attend their call just once and as soon as it ends, boom I block their number. Then they have the nerve to call my office number and say I've been trying to call you but your phone is not working, I am like hello I am talking to you!!

Problem with e-mail: 1. I need an appointment, 2. Me: When are you available; 3. What do you have open?; 4. Me: (Gritting my teeth) How about___?; 5. I work til 5; 6. Me: 6:00 on Monday?; 7. This Monday? 8. Me: Yes, 9. OK, that will work. 10. Me: (Thinking, charge them extra!) Texting is just as bad and now they are trying to set up appointments through PM on Facebook. Same scenario as above. Are we becoming a mute society?

While frustrating, we all get nickels because the tax system is arcane and complicated... I have to repeat this to myself over and over this time of year, usually on every phone ring or email ding

Agree with Jack. Sara, you just won the thread with this statement. If I had a nickel for every time I said this, I'd be in a higher tax bracket. And I'd have a sock full of nickels to hit people with.

walked away 4/30/15...........collecting social security now

I've had a few kids text my landline and wonder why they didn't hear from me. They didn't think anyone still used landlines. I was dying at supper tonight because my son was talking about the old days when people had to memorize phone numbers. I also got phones for my OIH that have a do not disturb button. I push it whenever I don't want them to ring and they get my voicemail. What I really hate is when clients show up and I still have my pjs on. I am really going to have to start putting on my exercise clothes first thing, instead of running downstairs to finish something up before getting ready for the day.

That's been my experience too. I want my answers when I am ready for them. I constantly go back and forth with email unless I ask them a specific question. Sometimes, by the time I get the answer, I forget what the question was and the client is on the bottom of the pile. Also, KC, that is easy to say, but when you have OIH (my own choice) it is irritating. This is Sunday. Trust me, this afternoon, the phone will be unplugged. I have a good excuse this year; "I had surgery in June and I have to rest some time.)

Under age 25, claimed as dependent, etc... Try "EIC in a Nutshell"? https://www.irs.gov/publications/p596/ar01.html#en_US_2015_publink1000297316

Yeah, I tried encouraging someone to send email for their questions because they tended to ramble on about a lot of unrelated stuff when they called. Now I get email from them. "Can you give me a call? I've got a question."

I gotta agree with this one, certainly sounds like a partnership with guaranteed payments to me. I don't think this would considered royalty income either. The OP stated there were two people "splitting 50/50" the startup expenses which makes it a partnership. I do agree with KC as well the easy way to do this is an LLC taxed as a 1065 filer.

https://youtu.be/DoystUCUziM

How are they going to set it up? LLC taxed as 1065? Easy if they do that, GP reported on the K-1.

This one is pretty handy. It answers "no" to both "Foreign Accounts" questions on the Schedule B and returns to the main screen. There may be a simpler way to do it, but I just do what works. (There are 27 of the ">" symbols between the two "N"'s.) B3>N>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>N~

Here's another macro for times when the taxpayer has no ACA issues. It jumps to the screen, checks full year coverage, and returns to the main screen. HC>x>~

Most of my macros are state-specific or unique to my practice. For example, I have one macro which opens Form 8948 and fills in my E-flinging Waiver Number & some other info, then returns to the main screen. I have to do that on every return I file, and the macro runs so fast I'll miss it if I look away. I also have macros which jump to the state returns and check the boxes for paper check refund (not debit card), and "no use tax". Here's a simple one. It opens the Social Security benefits screen, marks it for "taxpayer", prefills the box for Medicare Premiums paid, then backs up to the box for benefits and waits for an entry. It works for any taxpayer who pays the basic $1259 for medicare premiums. I listed it because it shows how a macro can prefill info down the screen and then revert back to an earlier entry box to await more info. I launch it with an Alt-S, although that is strictly user-determined. It can also be modified to do the same for a spouse when there is one, but the macro gets a little more complicated. SSA>T>>>>1259><<

I agree the Judge is wrong. Boy this really makes it difficult as folks see a Judge as an authority figure who "should" know and if he/she doesn't then silence is golden in these situations or at the very least, don't rule until they find out.

Same here. Had to do the 2014 database restart, but other than that "normal and annoying" problem, tax returns are looking fine. Tom Newark, CA

Yeah, that's what I like about CCH's eSign: free license, pay a small fee per signature, pay a not as small fee per verified signature (8879s), no minimums. I think it all happens automatically if I choose to check a box when I complete the return, return for review and signature pages to client. Figured if I need it a couple of times, it's worth the few dollars/signature.

mcb: I am using youcanbookme.com for that. It is on my website, and you can get there from my facebook page, and it is at the bottom of my email. It is free, and ties into my google calendar. I have the times that are available on there, and they can search for a time that makes sense for them, and I am out of the loop. Second year. Works great. Rich

Email is allowed --- BUT --- make sure you encrypt. (pfill.com is a good encryption program - my opinion). Snail mail is OK but as the name says ---- slow. Just do not fall into the "I sent it, please file, etc." -- make sure you have the signed copy before filing. Chance of being checked on this is slim --- unless you have my luck -- then it WILL happen. Fax is OK too, you just have to worry that you received it and it was not sent somewhere else. Also, you can use programs such as "dropbox" or if you want, try cubby.com . Good season

In 2016, schools are going to have to list the amount paid. About time.

There are a few of my favorites in your list too. Husband and I are making a point of seeing artists from our youth for this very reason as they come to our area. I think the last we saw was Three Dog Night, and Cory Wells passed on last November and Jimmy Greenspoon last March.

Is it a partnership? Guaranteed Payment. Corporation? I guess he could explore licensing his business name and family recipes to the corporation with a good attorney. Or, franchising.

It's just that time of our lives. All the greats from the 60s & 70s will be leaving us soon. I was a big Alice Cooper fan before I was a David Bowie fan. I like offbeat, can you tell? We have many more of these days ahead with Jagger, Eric Clapton, Ozzy Osborne, Alice Cooper, Paul McCartney, Roger Daltry, John Kay (Steppenwolf), Ian Anderson, everyone in Blue Oyster Cult, etc., etc.

Yes, THIS can be deleted -- if I stepped over the line //// BUT I will be the one to go there -------- MAYbe, she was hitting on you (those looks could have been -- not out smarted IRS but -- what do you think??). MAYbe, she was looking for ways o decrease her tax prep bill???? Alright, I am done --- anybody want to holler at me, feel free --- no charge...

Me too, KC....I found her answer about "no list" to be right on par with our State government in particular.....on one hand Louisiana's tax practitioners constantly get bad publicity for a small handful of crooks and on the other hand we are constantly reminded of the inefficiency of the DOR with issues such as the credit on taxes paid to other states. I asked another question that got the same type of answer that should have surprised me, but it didn't....regarding the "fraud" cases in which are given so much publicity where one or two tax preparers get busted for such things as indicating on many of their taxpayers returns that bogus "businesses" existed with huge losses which enabled millions of dollars in fraudulent refunds. I have seen this happen all too often when a client leaves my business and goes to "John Doe" because "John Does gets back huge refunds for his clients, and everybody at work goes to John Doe". And I'm not talking about ignorant people by any means. My question was what happens to the taxpayers who receive the fraudulent refunds...."NOTHING"...."we are working hard to build fraud cases on those tax preparers who prepares the returns". Ok....so what have you got....10 at the most tax preparers per year who serve a few years and the taxpayers finding another firm to get their huge refunds continued. As long as nothing happens to said taxpayers, fraud such as this will grow in leaps and bounds each year! Hopefully, I'll get a response on the tax credits by tomorrow as the "72 hour" response time has already turned into 96 hours!

In a pinch, I use my IPhone as my hotspot, and I have GoToMyPC so I can access my home desktop from anywhere. It is rare that I need to do that, but it works well for me.

My husband and my older daughter get those. OUCH!!!!!

Like a kidney stone.

SSHH!!!! Do NOT give bozos like this any ideas -- they will take it as a serious suggestion!

Thanks, KC. I was just looking that up, because graduation is normally in May.

Rita, have I told you recently that I LOVE you?!?!

I lost it at "Lots of Things" myself. No dog, though.

I don't have time, expertise, or the inclination to help clients with insurance issues, not to mention that CT has some tough laws as many insurance companies are headquartered here. I suggest they find an insurance agent they are comfortable with who will search both private policies and the marketplace for them. I also tell them there are trained Navigators to help them search the marketplace.

Yes, used to be a lot of companies tried to save some payroll taxes by "renting" employee's tools and/or trucks, but the law is clear that even if it was 'rent', to the payer, it's Sch C income to the recipient. And the net income is subject to SE taxes. Unless it's an isolated, one time thing, fighting that is a waste of time. And depreciation can be a nightmare, if the truck, for example, is used for both personal and "business" use, because the clients almost never keep any usage records.

Seen it before. Either knowingly, unknowingly, or because of bad advice or naivete, an improper method IMO. Should have been added to taxable wages on their paychecks. If the employer is only "renting" computers from their employees, then the employee relationship triggers the "rent", so I can see no way to consider it separate from the employment relationship. The employee is in a bad spot. Convincing the employer to handle it the proper way is not likely to happen as the employer will give the old "we have always done it this way and have never had an issue" reply. How it is handled on this return is one thing (I guess Line 21 might make me comfortable enough for a one time deal), but I would probably spend the time with the employee to enlighten them.