Leaderboard

Jack, I did mine completely shut down, and upon restart I had No issues. You see in the above video that the fellow drops the battery on the circuit board, which could short out that board, or cause a fire if plugged in and running. All I had to do was reset date and time.

It's too risky to do this with the computer on. The battery or screwdriver could hit the motherboard and short something out. Just do print screens of all your BIOS or UEFI, and print them to paper. Then, after you replace the battery, make sure all the BIOS/UEFI settings are correct by going into BIOS during start up.

A desktop computer has a small round battery, the size of a quarter inside of it also. When it loses its strength it can throw off startup. Watch this video.....

Also, turn off the computer. Then remove each memory stick and reinstall. Remove each PCI card and reinstall. Remove all data cables from all drives and reinstall. Blue screen is most typically a hardware issue. Microscopic corrosion on terminals can be the cause. Reseating all the connections will break up the microscopic corrosion. If blue screens continue to show up, it is time for a new system.

Free software is, of course, good. You might also check cmifixedassets.com. I've been using it for years. While free (what I use), there is an update fee annually when things change - as it seems they always do.

Karen, check out these sources..... https://sourceforge.net/projects/fixedassets/ http://www.capterra.com/fixed-asset-management-software/

Thanks Elrod. I knew my computer had a battery but had no idea where to look for it or how to replace it. I also didn't know what kind of problem it caused when it needed to be replaced. Thanks again.

Wow! Thanks!!

It's actually not a laptop, but thank you.

I provide a nice labeled three-prong, two-pocket folder. Client copy three hole punched and bound. supporting documents in back pocket. Mailing items (local returns 1040-V type items) in the front pocket. Dont have many requests for an additional paper copy, although I had two for prior years just in the past month. Nice guy so no charge. He left a $10 tip. Usually the first one is free. Again my wife thinks Im too cheap in this area. LOL Also unless they are specific I just give a copy of the 1040 and a Sch C if applicable not the whole return. Usually its for a bank loan and they dont ask for more.

As originally filed. Do NOT put the current NOL from 2015 on line 29a of these copies. Also, I would NOT include an 1139 with the 1120X. Instead, I include a worksheet to show the loss incurred and how it is applied to other years, either by carryback or carryforward, and show any unused remaining balance available to carry forward to future years.

Sometimes the servers just don't start automatically. I bring up Windows Task Manager every morning to see if all three (2013-2015) servers are running. Sometimes, one or two have not started. I just use ATX Admin Console to start them using Windows Services is equally valid. It is also true that, even if the service is running, if any part of your system is bogged down with other things, ATX will give up trying to reach the server service.

I give everyone a paper copy AND a CD with password-protected pdf's of everything. Used to have a file named "opening instructions" with the algorithm for figuring out the password but after multiple calls I renamed it "Read me BEFORE calling Catherine" which people mainly do! Cut the calls down from 30 per year to about 2 or 3. Additional paper copies? Sure; mailed only to YOU, go to my web site and use the PayPal link to pay the $30 fee. Once it's paid I'll start. Amazing how many people want to try to look again after they "can't find" their return the first time. (Which I take to mean that it wasn't sitting on their desk at home in plain sight.) Additional pdf copy? Only by the file share portal. That one is free but only when I get around to it which might not be until tomorrow.

I give all my clients a paper copy in a nice (but not extraordinarily nice) folder. I'll have about eight or so that "can't find" that copy at some point after the fact, and I make another copy free gratis for one time offenders. Clients who "lose" returns more than once get a fee increase next go round to make me feel better about having to be mom to people who do not share my DNA. I don't point it out - I'm the mom; I don't have to explain.

I charge $20 for an additional copy of any return. You would be amazed how $20 will make some people actually look for the return. Others pay willingly. Since I store all returns in .pdf, it is less than 2 minutes to send one. Also, I do NOT send any information to ANY third party, no matter what. I send it to the client only. Keeps me out of any "situation."

My dad once predicted this simplified tax code: 2 lines only, 1. How much did you make? 2. Send it in!

Yep. Postcard tax returns, flat tax, fair tax - our job security has never been stronger.

Could be, or then again there may be so many changes people will need us even more. This is the only business I can think of where things change on a regular basis. Other professions improve on policy and procedure, we do a 180 and need to re learn a whole lot of ship. This is why I consider us like firefighters, we're apt and daring, or we could get hurt if we're not careful and smart.