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So I check with my doctor the other day to find out what's ailing me. He said I had IT'SAD, Income Tax Season Affective Disorder. This malady was first recognized by Dr. Walter N. Cluer of the renowned ATX Institute or the Amsterdam Taxpreparers Xfile Institute in the Netherlands. Some of the indications are, Fear of missing something if you don't visit this board daily. Grief, when opening a tax package and seeing a crumpled, sticky, coffee and spaghetti sauce (or blood) stained documents. Headache, from breathing the odor of tax documents that smell like a pack of Marlboros. Sadness, when receiving a long fax with 50 pages of a year end brokerage statement with instructions. Anger, when realizing you are out of fax ink and machine keeps beeping. I'm sure many of you have other symptoms. I asked if there was a remedy and he said "No bunky, just therapy from a support group". I hope everyone here gets the help they need if they are affected, and it is good to know we have a great support group right here. Thanks to all, I feel better already. Don't let the April fools get you down, they all just realized what date is fast approaching.

Maybe I'm reading this incorrectly, but if using 50% of the interest and prop taxes on schedule E leaves them without enough deductions to itemize on A, they haven't lost anything. The undeducted personal portion of mortgage interest and property taxes isn't really "lost". It's just overridden by a larger allowance via the standard deduction. You want to reduce the rental income as much as possible before making the itemized vs standard deduction on the schedule A. If standard deduction is greater, the excess is a freebie.

My son showed me the engagement ring he bought for his lovely, sweet girlfriend Monday. They have almost finished building a house, she knows it's coming, and it's been a long time coming, if you know what I mean. I asked when he was giving it to her. Friday, but first I have to ask her Dad. (Awww.) Is that April Fools' Day? No, but, wow, you just gave me a great idea. Me: NOOOOOOOOOOO. Do not do whatever it is. Do NOT.

Kids can't keep up with notes in school because they cannot print fast enough. They can't get tests done in time because they only know how to print. So they prefer to input on their phones because they can text faster. I showed my daughter that I could still use shorthand. She thought it was incredible! And if they don't bother to teach cursive, they sure don't bother with shorthand. I took typing and shorthand knowing I absolutely did not want to be a secretary, but the guidance counselor insisted that secretarial students should be the only ones taking that class. He insisted that I would not need to know how to type going into accounting - and certainly I would not need to know shorthand. 2 best skills I ever learned.

There are some people out there who will drain your energy and wear out your patience simply because the drama they create gives their lives meaning & purpose. . They run the gamut from bored, well-to-do trust fund babies to highly-accomplished people with low self-esteem to abject losers with nothing but time on their hands and a penchant for trouble-making. I try to avoid these types whenever I identify them (some even in my own extended family). As friends & associates, the time can be better spent on more useful endeavors. As clients, it isn't possible to charge them enough to make them worth the effort. It's evident that this client falls into that category.

I argued with my son's third grade teacher about teaching him to write cursive- the school seemed to feel that they would all be using computers and would not need to know how to write well. I become the meanest mother in school that summer when I made my son write the US Constitution, with all amendments, in cursive over the summer break. His handwriting is still atrocious, but he can write and read cursive.

I still may get this chance because I hear that someone else is stirring the troubled waters. However, I am finished with them. Am glad that I cleaned the slate and I never have to deal with this girl or her mess again.

Well you are just a chicken and not much of a man. In my house I always get the lasts words of any argument. "YES DEAR"

just did my annual paper clip stunt. Xerox a large paperclip onto a sheet of paper, fill the paper tray with about 100 copies and ask the intern to make me a copy of something. This year she got it fast. Last year the person was taking apart the machine, looking for a stuck paper clip inside. Cursing etc. The whole office was hysterical. went on for about 3 hours until she called for service.. that's when we had to give it up.

I have a signature from a 29 y/o that I could superimpose on my EKG, can't read either of them. At least both say she and I are still alive.

Lady brings her very nice summary of business expenses AND THE GOOD OLE ACCORDIAN FILE WITH ALL HER RECEIPTS. She goofs around I mean sells crafts. I see an asset on the sheet mixed in with everything. Me: When did you buy this sewing machine? She: Oh, the receipt is in there. Me: When did you buy this sewing machine? She gave me a date. It could be wrong. Neither of us cared. I was sorta "Nice" not giving her a hug, right?

There was a college here whose files were hacked, and I seem to have every frikkin' student in my database. I have never in my life seen so much ID theft. Adults and dependents alike. Then, it flips to a paper return, federal and state. What time sucking flat tires this causes! I feel like I'm being robbed every time I have to print and process another paper return. Rant over. Thanks. And now, back to your regularly scheduled program. cheers

..................They get locked up............. ............................April Fools..........................................

One of our good friends said the key to a happy marriage comes down to a few phrases: "Yes, dear," "You're right," "I'm wrong," and - when all else fails - "Huh?" lol

I would like to add something I learned the hard way. On their wedding day someone should tell him this, 1. She is always right. 2. Give her whatever she wants. 3. If you have an argument refer back to #1. Happy wife, happy life. So far, it's worked for me, #25 this year.

Using a ten key by touch is best skill I ever learned.

I'm trying to be finished seeing most of them today. I'm trying to wean them from seeing me twice and having my husband help them with signing and paying. I'm getting really crabby and pretty much hate everyone thanks to some people that keep bugging me constantly about their returns. They should have gotten their crap to me sooner and they wouldn't be stuck behind the hard ones that came in earlier and take forever. Warning-Not tax, self-pitying Mom I guess I'm also crabby and depressed because my son will graduate from college on May 6, leaves on May 8 for his Airline Transport Pilot training in Atlanta for a week, comes back for a week and then leaves for Salt Lake City for 5-6 weeks training on the CRJ that he will be flying. I'm not able to spend much time with him, because of taxes and it's really getting to me. After he's finished training we may seen him a few days this summer, but then he will be moving to his hub, which he hopes is Colorado Springs. I'm so happy for him, but he is my only child and we have always been close. It's going to suck! I have much older step-children, but they have their own lives and we don't see them that much. Thanks for listening. I can cry here and no one can see me. LOL

I only use cursive for cards and notes. I prohibit it at my office. I only print in uppercase at work. It's easier to read and less ambiguous. Edit: This is 999th post! Gotta make my next one really count!

"Jello Shots"

You were VERY nice not giving her a hug. Have you been hitting the cough syrup again?

I was going to say "How quickly we forget. A few years ago, we were complaining that efile was been forced on us and now we get unhappy when we have to paper file". Believe me, I know your pain because even before it was mandatory, I efiled. I love efile because if for some reason a social security number or last name is wrong, I get the rejection within hours instead of my client receiving a letter 2 months later when paper filed. I remember JohnH for two things: Efiling and pdf printer. AND other favors of course. Here is my rant. DC gov is worried about Identity theft and they are now sending letters to people asking them to verify their identity. Good move, right? Except that I have prepared taxes for 10 years for married couple. They have a house and for the last 10 years they have the same job, the same situation (DC portion) about the same refund, used the same tax preparer and the preparer the efile code and the tax payers have used the same efile codes, no change of addresses in the last 10 years and yet DC has ask them to verify their identity. DC started by asking for W-2, then to pass a quiz, then to bring their ID to their offices. Federal refunded 45 days ago and DC no yet. What a waste of resources. MD on the other hand is using computers smartly. They closed a lot of Liberty Tax offices because they compared returns and other items and found out that those offices were not complying. Back to work!

Our anniversary is April Fool's Day. Doug wanted a date he would absolutely never forget. It has worked! Hard to celebrate, though, so we usually do cards and then celebrate in May.

RitaB, if there is one thing you must teach your young man, if you haven't already, is that we women NEVER forget anything.

I'm wondering, will they come up with a new name for carpal tunnel syndrome when there are a huge number of sufferers with only their thumbs involved ?

I haven't mastered it yet, but a fellow tax preparer uses the mouse on his left so as not to remove his right hand from the number pad as often. I too used to use the old adding machines in summer jobs dating back to college at least. And, didn't have time for typing class in HS, but bought a set of books and taught myself. Not good with the top row, but since I use a number pad for numbers anyway, my typing is OK. Better than texting with my thumbs! (I'll start to answer my daughter's texts and end up calling her or sending her an email from my computer instead.)

Accurate. Bad news travels at least twice as fast as good.

Or $18,000 in cosmetic I mean required operations?

For me, making myself use the 10 key with my left hand in initial accounting classes so that I wouldn't have to constantly put down my writing implement was among the better skills I learned. Then a few years ago to relieve achy neck and shoulder on the right side I trained my left to do the mouse work. Instant relief as stress is more balanced.

On a health kick

I do my best with extensions -- but I also figure that if they bring me info late, it's NOT my problem if they should make a payment and don't. I'm not going to delay someone who brought their paperwork in earlier, in order to calculate extension payments for latecomers. If they generally owe, I give them a payment coupon to mail in. Especially this year, I won't bother chasing people down for signed 8878's just to send a direct debit extension payment. I'm going to have more extensions than ever and it's just too much. At this point they should be glad I'm here and not on a beach in Belize.

And they can elect to deduct the first $5,000 in startup costs rather than capitalizing them if total start up costs are less than $50,000. If more than $50,000 then the amount that can be deducted is reduced.

I usually have a lot of new clients coming in at the last of the season. My established clients aren't afraid of an extension, aren't offended, so I extend the ones I can. If they are big returns, I absolutely extend after Mar 31. I have made errors in the past trying to make everyone happy. I've learned it is best if I am happy. So, I try to flip the new clients out quickly because if I WOW one new client, they will tell 5 people. If I make a mistake and tick off a client, they will tell 10. I also tell my clients that I want all my extensions done before May 1. I travel and I don't want this business to own me. I'll do about 500 this year, and with all these late clients, it's a struggle to stay happy some days. Most of them are waiting for the 1095 forms. Great, huh? I have about 100 coming in before deadline. No exaggeration. I have to say though, I do love my gig, and I LOVE my clients. If I didn't, I'd be outta here.

Or at least is open for business.

Hah, last night I watched TWO more episodes! And did a puzzle, real a little while and was asleep before 2am.

I gonna repaint my ceiling this summer. Dang numbers are hiding up there.

It could be correct if the mom's income is low enough that she wouldn't be out of the 10% bracket, that cap gain would be taxed at 0.

Clients started a new business and owed a fair amount of money last year. I recommended estimated payments and prepared the vouchers for the same (complete with addressed envelopes)! Called after completing return to confirm that clients had, in-fact, made the estimated payments. Nope . . . thought those were coupons for a payment plan for the 2014 amount due. Did not want to owe the feds money, so did not opt for the payment plan. Awesome! These are great clients. I got a great laugh and a reminder that things that are clear to me might not be as clear to other people who are just as smart but not versed in my lingo.

I agree with your rant. It should be trivial - and mandatory - to hold a return for investigation when the name and ssn do NOT match last year's data. Even if name and ssn match but address has changed - might be worth a peek. But to do NOTHING about egregious differences and then hold a refund for folks with the same demographic info for years running is just a bone-STUPID waste of resources. And the time taken investigating this means dozens of frauds WILL go through because the investigators are busy doing things that should not be done.

So throw away the worst teeshirts, and worst jeans, replace them with some nice ones. He'll then wear the next worst, but those will still be better. Do this three times, over the next 9 months, and he'll be down to decent clothing at least, to go with the unshaven look. Spread out over time that way he probably won;t even notice, so not feel manipulated.

I heard a name that I don't remember. Texting Thumb?

With computer chat and smart phone texts and email and facetime/skype/etc. you may find you can talk as much as ever. I agree with everything you say and sympathize re your empty nest. We're here for you; you're here for us.

I charge extra when, through no fault of my own, the return has to be filed by mail instead of electronic.

Can't your clients dig up another $4k they gave to charity so they can itemize? What kind of stingy clients do you have?

If I had not taught my kids cursive writing they would be unable to write their name. My daughter has a hard time even reading Grandma's letter to her. Have you seen some of these kids signatures on the ef form?

And then you see them on a Turbo Tax commercial taking every deduckshun they can think of. I am 500% done with dating I mean calling these inconsiderate excuses for taxpayers who are only interested in one thing: a free tax return.

Judy, giving a discount if they use the dropbox is a wonderful idea! I definitely am going to start doing that. The less time I have to talk to people, the happier and more productive I am. I'm as much at fault as they are, because so many of them have become dear friends over the years. Some of them have been with me since I was in college which was many moons ago.

I've cleaned dozens family and friends' computers all running a wide array of antivirus/antimalware/security software. I have yet to find a any security software that could protect people from downloading and installing random wallpaper applications, or weather alert applications, or free solitaire and pinball games. Usually it's not viruses, it's just adware on top of webpage redirects and fake "you have a virus" popups compounded until the computer becomes unusable. I guess what I'm saying is... if you just do work on your computer and you don't fart around looking for free time wasters to install, then you're doing better than about 85% of the population.