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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.

Client has a "loan" to his company where he already paid income tax but kept the money in his 1120S. He distributes a small amount to his wife every month to pay for groceries and such - why he doesn't just take a check for it all - no clue. He looks on the tax return and sees this loan dropping and freaks out - how could this possibly be happening? After explaining it to him what we've been doing the last 6-7 years, he declares he didn't write all the checks that he entered into Quickbooks and I should have known that (the checks oddly all clear the bank). To cap it all off - he asks if he shouldn't pay to the company the balance of the loan (that is owed to him) so that the company is debt free. Would that reduce his taxes? On Monday he wanted to know if he could reinvest his required minimum IRA distribution into a new IRA to eliminate his tax burden.

Oh yeah....HR Block left town too.

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

I have been busy with year end payroll forms etc. Just downloaded and installed the ATX Program ( 15.3 ) Rolled over a variety of returns, 1040s, 1065s, 1120s & 1120S s. Opened about a dozen returns and checked to make sure everything rolled over, i.e., depreciation, K - 1 info etc. Prepared an 1120 S and the companion 1040. No problems and everything is working smoothly. Actually the program seems faster than last year. Hopefully it stays that way.

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.)

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>~

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.

Do you have their birthdate entered?

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.

I saw The Who in Worcester some years ago. *Fabulous* show. Remember your earplugs!! Having them meant I could enjoy the music rather than end up with a three-day headache and ringing ears.

For many years I refused to give out my cell phone number. But now I give it to anyone who wants it, and I encourage them to text me (or email, as they prefer). Any amount of back-and-forth associated with text/email is still much more convenient than speaking with them by phone, which is the second-biggest time waster in our business. (The biggest time waster by far is having the client sitting in the office) Texting and email leave me in control of when it is truly necessary to have a phone conversation. There are times when I reply by telling the client I'll give them a call. But that decision is mine, not theirs.

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

Dale Griffin, drummer of my fave band Mott the Hoople, died the same day as Glen Frey. He had early onset Altzheimer's. I bought tickets for The Who a year ago because I realized I'd never seen them. The show has been postponed twice now...hopefully I'll finally get to see them this May. We are getting of an age where age just catches up to us.

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.

Remember this old post? Well ATX finally listened to us and got rid of this useless message. Yay!

My yakking client who also talks non-stop is running a "business" of selling Pampered Chef, in addition to her real job. "Oh, I am making so much money. I am so excited and my sales were so good that I even earned a trip this year!" Whoa! Backup! Do you realize that you will be taxed on the value of that trip? Her: "But, I earned it!" Me: Key word; EARNED! Her: "Oh, my Gosh!, we are so glad we came to you because you know everything!" Well, some days I feel like I don't know anything. However, this lady truly wants to file a complete and honest return. She has that going for her. She said that the best times to talk to her are Saturday or Sunday. Well, those are the worst times to talk to me. Most Sundays you may find my phone unplugged and if you don't have my cell #, you are out of luck.

Hahaha oh she was embarrassed and said she had no idea barter was taxable. I'm sure she did not or she would not have been saying "barter" every two minutes.. She said it was really not much and she'd get me the figure. Can't wait.

My client who yaks and yaks today kept mentioning that she's been working for barter. And gives me this look like, "I'm so smart, I'm working for barter. Yep, I have outsmarted IRS, sure have." I let her go on and on with that (well, I had no way of stopping her, she's amazing, I don't know when she breathes). Anyway, she gets up to leave: "Anything else you need?" Me: Yes, I need the Fair Market Value of the barter items you received for working. You know, the amount of cash the items would sell for. Just the total, no need to itemize everything. Thanks.

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.

Like a kidney stone.

It is a good question, but please don't research it. Someone was asking for a DIY'er who didn't know that a SIMPLE IRA was anything other than a traditional IRA. I just had my first DIY laugh of the season. Sorry... wish I could delete the original question.

This, too, shall pass though not nearly as fast as one would like. (Head shaking in sympathy...)

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

I am finishing up 1099's and W-2's for clients. One drop-off so far (self-employed and he owes me stuff so I haven't looked at it yet). The one other appointment I had postponed as he has NO documents yet. Three clients with partial documents sent in (my assistant, his fiancee, my younger daughter). Lots of engagement letters coming in. Lots of questions from business clients. A few QB files have arrived for business clients - haven't looked at them yet past getting W-2 and 1099 info out of them. We don't have Dec bank/credit card statements (mainly the latter as they are not month-end but mid-month dates) to finish recon's yet so no point. Personally I am thrilled that the season is starting a bit slowly. Gwen (out of college, working, but living at home while saving money for her own place) came down with mono late last week and I have reverted to mom-nurse as she is too exhausted to do much of anything for herself. Indications last night of the acute phase winding down, thankfully. Poor kid; she has been SO sick. My last year's notes show lots of papers starting to come in the first week of February but I have had no calls yet from those folks. Don't have notes on when people called to make those early appointments, though.

Coming in really early. Some ARE waiting for their ACA info. However, last year we couldn't even file at this time. When I compare book for book, about the same clients as last year for Jan as well as some new ones. Feb book is half full. I didn't even send out a letter this year, so am pleased, I guess.

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.

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.