Leaderboard

I know nobody is busy, but since Form 1040 is still in draft, here's one: Church acquaintance needs 2016 return done and actually says: 1) For some reason, I couldn't get Turbo Tax to work. 2) It should be really simple. 3) The bank needs it for our refinance. 4) It's only illegal if you don't file, right? Not if you file and don't pay. That's ok, right? 5) It should be really simple.

Is that the hole picture and the hole truth?

You know how to attract those "special" kinds of tax clients!!

I really do. That's what happens when you go to church. The devil sends them. But the draft appears to be ended. See, it all works out.

This scammer's email is very lame.. like he did not even put any effort in his scam writing skills Hi, I have attached copy of my previous return that I believe will help you determine what you need and make your work easier. Please let me know if you need any other supporting document. Regards, William Adams

I have now discovered that if you don't click on okay when the box comes up and says the program has encountered an unexpected error and needs to close and instead click the red x in the top right corner that the program will not close and you can continue to work.

There was a pro on FB (yeah, I know) that had an visit from IRS, and she didn't have the necessary documentation for the returns IRS chose to check at her office and got nailed pretty good, over $20,000 in penalties, if I recall. Of course, she was diligent, just in her mind, not on paper. /s IRS says they pick preparers and audit at least 25 returns based upon them preparing [a relatively large number] of returns with a "high chance of error." https://www.eitc.irs.gov/tax-preparer-toolkit/compliance/auditing/auditing-for-due-diligence-compliance (Regarding "high chance of error," most DIY returns I've seen fit that bill.)

Given my customer base, and how the support questions come in, a fair number of employers doing their own payroll will wait until next week to prepare W2 forms... Some will be later, despite being reminded multiple times to get them out on time.

I'm still doing payroll taxes and 1099's. I only have two individuals in house. I never get this worried this early. People are already making their appointments and I have received three calls today and one yesterday for client's that have dementia and other issues. I expected that this would be a difficult tax season with everybody wanting updates for 2018, but it looks like I may need to do a lot more work to pull together the information for some elderly clients. I don't even know how to help the gentleman that called today asking me if he paid his property taxes to me and to make sure that he didn't have to pay income taxes anymore. He has easily over $150K in income. His wife is in a nursing home already and I am so sad that he is on his own and I don't even know who to call. I obviously don't have the authority to call anyone. I may just have to go to his house in February and look for everything that he will need to give me.

Terry, when you open up screen 2 "Dependents" it looks a little like a spreadsheet with entry boxes going across. To enter much more detailed information about a dependent beyond that first grid page, click on "Item Detail" at the bottom of that screen. Doing so will take you to another screen of much more detailed questions and check boxes related to the dependent, EITC, and HOH qualifiers. The "Additional Information" section located at the bottom left is where you indicate over 18 & disabled.

I've heard from a CPA friend on the staff at Clemson. He wants to confirm release of personal information before sending it to me. I should have something by Wednesday if you can wait that long. Sorry it has taken several days.

Yardley, one-upping your proverb: "TO EVERY DOG, HIS MASTER IS NAPOLEON - HENCE, THE POPULARITY OF DOGS!" --- Anonymous

Years ago the IRS declared war on males heads of household. I worked at a chain back then, and the number of audits was overwhelming. Now that a number of states offer EITC, they are the ones doing the audits. CT audits every single one the first time EITC is claimed. Never could get a straight answer from them about whether they share their results with IRS, but I suspect they do. IRS is happy for the states to do their work for them.