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Happy Resurrection Sunday !

Attach as pdf to return. That way - if they process the return - you KNOW they got it. If you like the belt, suspenders, duct tape, and staples approach, then mail it too.

I had clients that received letters from their banks with the mortgage insurance premium amounts instead of corrected Forms 1098. I can see clients ignoring the letters.

I never really thought about requiring a signature since there's no IRS requirement mentioning it. I don't think the absence of a signature would invalidate a written acknowledgement as long as the document appears to be valid on its surface. On the other hand, over the past few years I've sent several letters to church financial secretaries over the years advising them that the "No goods or services" language was missing from their contribution summaries. I send the letters anonymously, not because I'm afraid of their finding out the source, but simply because I want them to know my motivation is not to drum up business or engage them in any manner. I also send them a summary of the court case regarding this matter. I suggest that they check with their denomination or the ECFA about the subject of the letter. Many small and moderate size churches have volunteers doing this task. My intention is to help them rather than discourage them from serving.

Sometimes my clients provide me with a list of contributions, including canceled checks and receipts from the charity ... sometimes, it's just a figure. Like Abby Normal, I don't verify them either. I also have an engagement letter.

Happy Easter everyone! We will go out to eat with my Mom and a few cousins and then I will be back working. I have slacked off some, because our son came home yesterday afternoon and I wanted to spend some time with him. I'm also stressed because our new granddaughter is still in the NICU after 8 days and she is still having trouble feeding and her oxygen levels are too low, especially when she is sleeping. They are doing a sleep study tomorrow night to see if they can pinpoint a problem. We just keep praying that she will make a speedy recovery.

A Happy and blessed Easter to all! And a wonderful Passover (yes, I know I'm late) to those who celebrate - next year in Jerusalem! Yes, Passover is near Easter - where else could it be! He is our Passover and our FirstFruits, to the very day. I worked yesterday and today but tomorrow I won't go near a computer (unless it's to watch a video). We will have our annual Easter "Cupcake Reception" after service; I have two dozen mini-cupcakes in my car to bring along (store-boughten, I have NO time to bake!). It's also our anniversary (15 years) but Doug has been sick with a sinus infection and I have a cold, so we'll probably delay any celebration until we're up for it.

A recent experience of mine involved an only child of parents recently deceased. With her inheritance, she wanted to payoff her church's mortgage of approx $142,000, and do it anonymously. No acknowledgement, but they kept their paper trail. Well, guess what happens the two years later when she has a huge income year, big tax liability: She wants to go back and amend previous year and claim the donation to church. Speakers at two different NATP events suggested that I might have a Circular 230 issue if I amended the return for her. So, I suggested she seek a specialist to perform the 1040X. She recently contacted me ahead of this year's appointment to say she's getting $22,000 in refunds.

Yes. I don't verify my clients' list of donations to their receipts. They don't even always give me their receipts. But they do sign my engagement letter.

Me too. Tom Modesto, CA

Scan the appraisal to a PDF. Choose E-file MENU and Attach PDF. Scroll to the form 8283 click on an appropriate paper clip. In your case there isn't one so I'd go with Donee Org Ack.\ Ignore warning from ATX that your PDF is too big, and just remember this as the one time you've ever heard that in your life.

Yes. No.

The part that is a first home counts, but not the part that is a rental or not the taxpayer's residence.

I attach the appraisal as a .pdf to the return. But, you can mail with the 8453 within 3 (?) days.

Happy Easter everyone

This one is pretty big. Home appraised at over 350K. Client is elderly. I just want to make sure that it is done properly. Thanks Tom Modesto, CA

I've just scanned and attached before. Either way, IRS isn't looking at it.

Buona Pasqua!