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Toss 'em on extension and go to your dad, @Gail in Virginia. Heck - I'll be your volunteer temporary employee; send their stuff to me and I'll do the returns for you. Really.

I am taking out my frustrations by listing my clients in the order of PITA they are. Largest on top. When I feel a fit of rage coming on, I call up the top of the list and fire them! No explanations, simply that I will not be able to help them with their taxes for 2017. Seems to have a calming effect.

_______________________________________ It destroys one's nerves to be amiable every day to the same human being. ------ DISRAELI (from: Best Quotations - Lewis C. Henry) /

I think you need Rita to give him a talking to, then everything will be fine after the 18th when he takes you out to dinner and tells you he's sorry. This business is hard on our spouses these 3 months, so we need to be the better person and understand their frustrations, I know, I've been buying her a new pair of shoes every week. And that helps to keep the covers on my side.

I'm pretty sure we all feel like that about our significant others (would be tough finding better/cheaper replacements), but I'm in Ms. Hoffman's camp this time - we've bickered more this season than I can ever remember (if IRS adds one more line to 8867 I'm goin' to Little Rock myself and carry one of those protest signs). We're still speaking, but we've had a venting system in place for some years. I slam down officer machinery - she throws staplers (no; not at each other/in the presence of clients). So far I'm down two Canon calculators and a couple of wastebaskets while she's out 3-Ace Cadets/1-Paper Pro staplers. I figure it's about the best $300 or so I've ever spent. If I ever switch to that Judy's ten-key thing I'll go nuts - can't afford to body-slam my Dell computer. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Overheard joke: "Have you heard Bill's wife is leaving him for another guy?" "No. Who?" "She said: ANYBODY ELSE!"

I've been pretty miserable because of some clients this season too. My husband told me this evening that I should scrap the whole thing and do something totally different.

My husband deserves a medal for putting up with me this past week. I have *never* had so many problems surrounding extensions. Ever. In twenty years. Nor have I ever spent a week ready to tear off *anyone's* head if they look at me wrong. I am past done, past fried, past zorched, and into the fully carbonized stage. All of you here - love you - we know what we're all going through. Thank you all for putting up with me. And if you want an address to send my husband's medal to, send me a PM...

I agree with Catherine. Explain to your clients the situation, they'll understand and you will feel better and so will your Dad seeing you. My thoughts and prayers are with you Gail. You're a good daughter.

BB, you've given me a great idea on what to do with that old laptop that's waiting for destruction. Hope it doesn't cause a trip to the ER for stitches. hee hee. Just kidding, of course. I don't know how my last post translated into my husband not being supportive. There's no arguing; I made a comment in frustration and he commented. Y'all didn't hear the context or tone. It was a release valve is all, and I assure you that all is well. We'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary next month so husband has been through many tax seasons, and every year he's done about 99% of the grocery shopping and cooking too, and he does some pretty good meals, I must say!

My Wife has been a tremendous amount of support this year. I really love her. She knows that this is a crazy time, so she helps with the extensions, and the some light inputting, and picking up dinner as needed. Plus she also works full-time elsewhere. She has learned not to suggest that I find a different job when I complain. This is my career, this is what I do, and I will continue to do it till I retire. I can complain to her, and she just listens. That is a skill that I learned when listening to her... The only thing she will NOT let me complain about? When I say something like: "I should have done THAT in November!" She shuts me down on that. We just keep on, keeping on. Rich

My husband doesn't hate me, but I hate everyone else. It kills me to have to talk to anyone and not cry or scream.

Dear BHoffman, I'm also very sorry to hear of your extremely stressful situation. Mine (and maybe some others here too) pales by comparison and I apologize if I inadvertently made light of the severe struggle you've undergone. I suppose there's not much practical help anyone can offer in such matters, but we can listen, sympathize, and pray that things work out and fall into place for you. While I'm fairly new around here, this is the nicest bunch of people and posters I've ever encountered and I'm sure they are all thinking of you and pulling for you. Best wishes and tell that husband of yours you've got lots of friends here who are going to be really mad at him if he doesn't try and turn things around for you. Sincerely, BB

Rotten disposition. My husband has acted like he hates me more with every passing day this tax season. It's been the worst on record.

It is a good feeling to know that I just filed my last extension and return. So, I am done and closing shop. I would like all of my friends here to pray for my mother. She is 86 and has just been put in the hospital which is why I 'm closing now. She has PSP (Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy) and can no longer keep her balance. This mixed with a pretty bad UTI is taking its toll. Undoubtedly, she will be moving to a rest home. PSP is a debilitating disease that is very similar to Parkinson's without tremors. The limbs become almost rigor mortise like, she will loose her voice and her eye sight is affected by limited eye movement and more than moderate sensitivity to light. I hope each of you has had a very prosperous tax season. Take some time and rest up we all deserve it. Thanks,

Oh, please mention anything and everything! You are such a great source of comfort and knowledge, and my role model for grace under pressure.

I am going to find some chemical geniuses to help me create a liquid... This liquid would be absorbed instantly into any papers we give to our clients. It would also instantly infuse through their skin when they touch the paper. The liquid would have a psychosomatic drug mixture that would go immediately to their brain. There it would implant, in the correct neurons, the instinct to follow ALL instructions given to them by their tax accountant. It would also replace the neurons that contain common sense, logic and manners. I am currently looking for investors....

I'm sorry for you too, Gail. Prayers.

Dear taxxcpa, I extend my apologies; I didn't really mean to be so short and snippy - bad day (or rotten disposition my better half says) I guess. You've got a point though; it is kind of like passing up $75 laying on the ground. On the other hand, like Jack said - I cain't hardly get 'em to sit down and shut up in less than five minutes

Perhaps some of our newer members don't know the story of how this fab forum got started, or realize that it is privately owned and maintained by Eric. One of the benefits of private ownership is that it can't be controlled by any one software company or its policies. Eric is not in the tax business, and he takes the time and his own funds to provide this space for us. If this forum and its members have helped you in any way, by answering questions, guiding you to areas to research, or just knowing that we are all going through the same things, please think of the value of that benefit that you've received for free and please consider making a donation.

Or skip it - and sleep well. Sufficient unto the day and all that. Either it will be well, or you will have a chance to make it well later. If you can't sleep, have a drink. I think I might put some whiskey in my next cup of tea. I am SO done with this week.

I really don't know what I'm talking about here. I was just having thoughts, so don't listen to me.

Every Godzilla-woman I know talks your head off and forgets half her forms. The other half have that oily goop from the beauty shop all over them and you can't read the numbers. Probably have to explain to her why she can't claim her 30 cats. You'll be lucky if you can get her address and SSN for the extension request in five minutes. ISTG.

BHoffman, vent away any time you need to. You are among friends here that understand the stress, and it's better to not hold that in. And then there's this: *spins around to see if someone is behind me* Is there someone back there that you are speaking to, surely not me! Grace under pressure?! I have to say, that actually made me laugh out loud because I'm a stubborn Taurus, blunt and with a bull in a china shop attitude that pops out, usually at the worst moment possible. Thanks for the chuckle. If I didn't like my current avatar so much I should change it to something much more representative, perhaps something like this:

Well, I'm sorry to hear what you go through, B. I don't sleep well either, but nothing like that. My comment was in response to what Rich said after I made the comment saying my husband said I should scrap the biz and do something else and Rich replied that his wife has learned not to suggest a different job because this is his career, blah, blah, blah. Well, this is my career too, been doing this since '81 and don't see that changing any time soon. I was venting one night and husband understands that, even if I described it wrong on here. Sorry I even mentioned it at all.

The Tax Book says: "The allocation percentage can be any amount between zero and 100% that is agreed upon by each taxpayer. If the taxpayers do not agree on an allocation percentage, then the allocation percentage is equal to the number of enrollees claimed as a personal exemption divided by the total number of individuals enrolled in the qualified health plan." Hope this helps.

So sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers. (And your Mama, too, of course.)

I'm so sorry to hear this, Terry. Prayers to you and your family.

Prayers of comfort for your Mother and her family, Terry.

Take care of yourself, so you can take care of your mom. Prayers going your way.

Prayers for your mom and your whole family, Terry.

And the "Donate" button is up in the top menu, next to "Forums" for those who have not used it before.

Quickfinder lists medical aids such as wheelchairs, ..crutches, braces...and medical equipment and supplies sold "over-the-counter" (without a prescription) including ..crutches,... I would consider these items as necessary as crutches and medical aids and equipment.

If client has a "prescription"/something in writing from his doctor I'd probably take it.

And if they never learned on the ultra easy returns - they'll likely never learn as it gets more difficult.

In the engineering world (a bit crude) they call them "snot strips" and that's what my family uses. Too many engineers, I guess.

Belt, suspenders, duct tape, and staples. File it. If the agencies get extras/duplicates, I have NO sympathy. They get weekends off, and salaries, benefits, and pensions none of us can even dream of - that WE pay for - so they can bleeping well deal with extra paper forms. I am out of patience with the entire world right about now.

@RitaB, just to go on record - we love you SO much!

Well, they may or may not be useful but they are rolling around in there. The voices in my head come up with some stuff ISTG.

Yay, I have email again

Unless the taxpayer elects to treat all properties as one entity, then the determination of being a real estate professional must be determined on each property individually. Real estate professionals are not subject to SE tax, and also not subject to the net investment income tax. Maybe this article from The Tax Advisor will help: http://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2014/jul/skarbnik-july2014.html

I jumped to Drake last year. ATX put on a press to get me back this year. Told me they could easily beat Drake and offered me a super special deal--$50 off the current price (which was $300 more than Drake). I passed. The previously hyper friendly sales agent suddenly adopted a whole new attitude and hung up. Sooo glad I made the jump last year. Prep time with Drake is about 2/3 what it was with ATX and support is phenomenal. I really enjoyed ATX for the 20 or so years I used it (and its predecessor)--especially in the early (pre-CCH) days. But I can't imagine leaving Drake now. Wish I'd done it ten years ago when I first thought about it. Oh, did I mention they haven't had a price increase in years?

Thanks, Guys. I opened another 2013 return and entered DOD 10/28/2015 (that guy was a PITA so it was sorta fun doing that) and "Deceased Blah, Blah" did NOT print at top, so it wasn't just something stupid like printing page 1 too soon. Not that we trust software. Curious if other software does the same and I know nobody's busy so... One more thing: Wait, what? How does that happen?

I bill who ever brings me the tax return. If the child is old enough to bring me his/her tax return, then they get the bill. If the child's stuff is in with the parents return, I bill the parents. I always like to make sure the dependency issues are correct between parents, children and college etc... Rich

E-file the extension as well. If you need proof of filing the extension, the only thing the IRS will accept is the electronic confirmation.

She is our fearless Queen as she already has us organized with sharp pointy pencils to arrive at Leavenworth in T account formation. We're not worried.

had to look it up earlier- do not need to efile - but guess what, we did! and how do you pay if not using the 4868? and the address to pay - which one to use - is nothing simple? needed a little vent Thx D

Oh, great. Now I have the heebie jeebies for no good reason. Several clients mailed in their extension requests with payments. One of them is my dad. Should I also efile the form, or just let it go. He'll have the cancelled check as proof. I've never worried about these things before. Sheesh.

A kiss is fine, but better still is wine! That is the specific remedy for paper cuts, I believe. Unless it is the cause....

I love it when they take the stuff out of the envelopes (that they had opened with the yard shears) and then staple the one piece of paper that we need to the envelope along with all of the other contents of the envelope.... and then they make notes on the paper and the envelopes.... so you don't dare toss the stuff!

Caption: "On April 18th, Mr Tax Preparer headed outta Dodge as those last-minute so-special clients are after him to do just one more return." Sorry I couldn't find one of the TWD zombies clawing at a locked door or gate.