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BLACK BART Posted April 19 Put up a sign outside saying we're gone 'til sometime next month-same for voicemail. It's every taxpayer for himself. Beat/dead - it's gonna take some dayyys to lie prostrate & unstress, Can't remember when's the last time I got zonked-out, but thinking about popping the cork on that fifth of the grape somebody Xmased me last year (it's white and I like red, but what the hey-nothing else went my way this year). May 5th - The dayyys referred to above are, unfortunately, almost over (re-opening Wednesday). And about that wine; well, it HAD been a long time and hangovers are not one bit more fun now than they were in days of yore/youth (should have ODed on heavily-caffeinated Mt. Dew instead). Well anyway, two bits of good news: (1) granddaughter is graduating from college tomorrow after four years of bread (mine/her part-time jobs/AR scholarship), sweat (hers), and tears (ours). (2) grad school this fall but meantime she's getting a summer job (doubtless J.C.Penney's cosmetics counter needs a good dose of thermodynamics). Gosh, I didn't realize how much I missed this board 'til just now. It's nice to be back. Hope everyone's doing okay. Regards to all, BB.

I have found that many folks who have struggled with doing their own taxes and finally give up and seek a pro are amazed about how smoothly and quickly the process goes. They often decide that all the painful hours they spent on the thing isn't worth their time, plus they walk out feeling confident their return is correct. They become long-term clients. I had one last year who had multiple PTPs plus some inherited annuities and a trust K-1. He had spent days on his return before he came to me. I charged $1,000. He came back this year and said he and his wife would have killed one another if they tried to tackle it again. He had sold 14 of the 15 PTPs, so I charged him $1,500 with an assurance that next year's price will be much lower. I'm willing to bet he returns.

Except for the hangover that's all good news. Money well spent on your granddaughter must have made you proud of her. I don't think you missed too much, but we recently learned that proper grammar is important to save lives, or get a hug.

To the tune from the show "Welcome back, Kotter" Well--come back, BB!

What SaraEA posted to. Had a phone call on April 12th. Referred by a good client. Can't figure out the education credits. TT is not helpful. (Duh!) She had spent 2 hours collecting her info, but had spent 4 hours messing around with TT. I told her: "You poor woman... what is your time worth?" She is coming in next month for a full consultation. That is getting on top of it.

I take on the TT clients when they come in. Even if it is a one year deal, I made the money for selling my services. That is what I am in business for. Did I nail the grammer? I hated English class. Tom Newark, CA

And thermodynamics is always fun! PV=nRT forever!

Faxed. Always. And they always say "2-3 days to get in the system" and it has never taken less than two weeks. Usually much longer. And sometimes I have to submit two or three times before they get through. Three different fax machines from two different locations over the course of a decade - the one consistent thread is how LONG it takes to get them put in.

Where is this thread headed to?

A daily question I receive, from employers wanting to know how to pay a "1099 employee" using our payroll software. My stock answer is there is no such thing as a 1099 employee (I do not mention the rare exceptions, since I would rarely even recommend them). I send a link to 20 questions type sheet, and a short inclusion of things such as setting hours, does the person have other clients, a business license, can they send someone else - dressed in shorts and flip flops arriving and leaving at will, etc. Some press the issue, wanting to argue it is them who sets the status. Some get mad for trying to share helpful, and possibly money saving knowledge. Some complain that "other" payroll software allows tracking people and entities who are not having taxes withheld. On the other hand, in my youth I worked for cash, even at a job where I got hurt, and accepted the responsibility for my actions. As I wised up, I realize how foolish it was. Hopefully the 17 year old learns before I did.