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Did the client issue 1099MISC for 2016 to the landowners for the rent that he paid them? It seems to me that would have encouraged them to either return the checks or cash them.

I thought it was only clients who take vacations during tax season. If I hear one more "We're leaving on a cruise so can you have this done by the 1st, or we'll be in FL for the month..."

Roberts: I will score the Tix with some others, and then we will junket down to the Masters. Probably rent a large RV to sleep in, and of course for me, I will take the laptop to stay on top of things. I know that Tix are available around the gate, but I do not want to have to guess. I am in the drawing for Tix that the Masters holds, if I get selected, then that is the year to go.... Otherwise, my golf group goes to North Carolina in Mid-March for 4 days of golf. Haven't been able to go in the past, but think I can in the future... I am missing some time during tax season anyway, so might as well continue later with something fun. Rich

Unless he put restrictions on the cashing of the checks, it is not his concern whether they were cashed. If the recipient had the right to cash the check, then your client is entitled to the deduction. Whether there are discussions about selling the property is not pertinent to whether your client is permitted a deduction for the land rent.

When they start that with me, I always hand them an extension.

The most important thing to know about preparing trust returns is this: YOU CANNOT PREPARE A TRUST RETURN WITHOUT HAVING A COPY OF THE TRUST DOCUMENT. This includes knowing what all the assets of the trust are, and seeing title to them, so that you know what goes on the trust return and what goes on the final return of the decedent. Never take the word of the family on what is and what is not in the trust. They usually don't know and they have probably never read the trust document or seen the title on any of the assets. Tom Newark, CA

The trust became irrevocable on the father's death is what I am hearing here. That being the case, there would be no step up at time of mother's death. The stock, at mother's death, was actually owned by the irrevocable trust thereby not allowing a step up in basis on her death.

I'm trying to retire, but still have a few clients who won't let me. The last couple of years, I have taken RV trips during tax season. But, alas, the computer goes with me.

I have a lot of clients who drop off or mail their tax docs. I email them with my questions or answers to theirs, but I usually call them in person when I'm done to relay the results and any tax advice that appears helpful. I think they appreciate having contact with a real person somewhere in the process. It seems kind of cold to drop off tax info and pick up a completed return without ever reaching out to a human being. Watson could have done their return for all they know. On the other hand, I've had it with calls from people who just have to talk to me--to make an appointment or tell me they'll drop their stuff off on whatever day. Wish the receptionist could do better at screening these calls, but she's just as busy as the rest of us.

Sara: And that is where I say we make a difference. If your practice becomes too much drop off, and no personal contact, it becomes a commodity, and the client moving on to the next preparer gets much easier. I would hope to have time to say hello to my clients, even if it is for hand holding. I meet a large majority of my clients at drop off. We get to talk then about the return, so the follow up is email or some phone calls, and I do not meet with as many at pick up. I also offer to meet after tax season free of charge to go over "other things" that need more time. Clients do get in the way of us getting work done....But they are why we have work. I get a lot of biz from other preparers who stop meeting their clients. Rich

I agree totally and you should follow this suggestion

Client of mine goes to the Masters every few years. He says there are ALWAYS tickets available to buy on the street which shocked me. My wife's cousin did a corporate event at the Masters 2 years ago and confirmed - sponsors get a TON of tickets and whatever is left over get sold to the public. I've gone to the US Open 2x - eventually the Masters will happen but I'm not pushing it with the wife - we do an SEC football trip each season and she never complains. We generally always schedule vacations for May or September. Gotta go when everyone's kids are in school so that they aren't at our destination. Next summer the wife won't be able to get off work - I'm going BACKPACKING!!!!

client just emailed me to tell me that he will be sending his info next week. I guess he thought I was sitting around wondering when I will get his stuff.