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My biggest complaint with ATX was that I couldn't enter a zero on Form 8606 Line 19 for a client with a ROTH distribution Code J. He had a qualified distribution that included earnings. Code Q would have been appropriate, but since it wasn't Code Q, blah, blah, blah. You can print any positive or negative integer in that blue box but not a zero. Sometimes you want to see a zero in a box. My client did. So I wound up cutting a "zero" out with scissors and gluing it in the box. Ran a copy for the client. Sure did. ATX said IRS would understand that a blank box meant zero. They have more confidence in the mind reading ability of IRS than I do. We'll see. Similar problem with Form 8962, column f. I could not create the e-file allocating 0% of APTC on a return. I had to use 1%. I guess you could say I had zero problems. Arr. Arr.

Jim: My thoughts on some of these: I use them, to sort items into a consistent order, and indicate missing items. You are right, each practice is different. But they work for me and mine. I meet with the clients and get what is needed. Sort info and ask questions. I will not do a return in front of a client. tomato/Toemato. But I do want to institute a "fast Track" process for the easier returns. I had my first experience with this last year. I have one now, do they apply after the fact? Retiree's since about 2006 have the amount filled in, those prior to that, it was the same deduction as last year. But still, PITA. The tax software should carry over that you are doing Simplified General Rule and just calc it for you. I thought that were using this as a indicator to the IRS that the W-2 would match what the employer sent. No. Its just an algorithm of the numbers on the W-2 that a scammer can create. Stupid. Certainly appreciate this info now. However, we still have to be careful. The cost basis amount on the 1099-B may not be the same as in the detail worksheets. Reviewing the detail has saved my clients nice dollars. Some of mine: Learning from AbbyNormal how to do extra customization of the "master" forms to speed things up. How much longer until the IRS slips April 15th to the 30th or May 15th? Why won't ATX let us, after we have created an extension client Efile, continue to work on that file without blowing up the extension efile... Now that Direct to Charity RMD's are permanent, the IRS needs to add the box to the 1099-R for any amounts sent to charity. Those CP-2000's are getting tiresome. Does anyone here use the Client Portal as provided by ATX/CCH? The ATX system this year was pretty stable. Seems that my wireless network was the one slowing me down. I am going to cut back on client visits or times next year. Instead of 1/2 hour, 20 minutes. Rich

My vote would be to have it continue where someone could wind up being two or three time annual star winner. I could see it now, Abby and Rita in their office proudly wearing their awards, makes it easier to raise prices due to merit, in case client gives an argument.

Woohoo! Thanks so much. Love the star!

If I'd had a missing chocolate bar, my whole office would be organized and clean until I found it !!

Few takeaways from the season with over 1,000 returns filed. Everyone has their own way of running their office and some of these comments may not be how others do things, not saying my way is the best way, just it works best for me. Tax Extenders required me to keep a list of returns on hold, kind of a nuisance but not too bad Tax Organizers - never used them, really dislike them. In fact client that use tax organizers from prior accountant or make up their own create double work.. let me work off the tax documents, 1099s, W2s, etc. Codes on W-2 - I have seen no impact, no change in return with Codes C or DD.. in times of tax crunch I have not entered Code C or DD amount.. Do those figures for those codes go anywhere or have any impact? Mileage in Schedule C. If client brings in documented business miles of 10,000 is total miles that important? Drop off or budgeting time for meeting with clients.. for years I had clients drop off and would work on return and then meet up again to finish that up.. Switched to preparing returns with client here about ten years ago.. would never go back to the drop off method. clients is here to answer questions, which almost always come up.. if something is missing, like real estate taxes we can look it up online.. client has screen facing them where they can see return being prepared. Drivers license - for tax year 2016 Ohio told me it was optional so I stopped getting that info in mid tax season last year.. Had a lot of missing DL info for tax year 2017.. should be better shape in this area for next filing season. Injured Spouse. - I found out it is quicker to send in 8379 by itself Civil Service 1099 - why can't they fill in taxable amont? W-2 verification code.. I am sure I missed typing some of those in.. how much does it really matter? 1099-Div with Foreign tax paid but not showing foreign income. Short of calling fund, what can you do besides estimate? Basis on 1099-B.. years ago was a big problem.. not too many missing basis ones this year Her kids, his kids, our kids, joint kids, his year, her year.. those can still be a messy pain. HUD statement.. why now called Closing Disclosure? ROTH on MFS. why is income limit $ 10,0000

1099-DIV from mutual funds.. most often do show foreign source income.. I can almost picture in my mind an American Fund with foreign and it did not show foreign source income.. I can picture an Edward Jones 1099 where it does show, wayyyyyyyyyy in back

Yeah, I couldn't really think of much you or Rich hadn't covered. In general, education credit problems and ACA problems are the most frustrating to me. I suspect many, many returns are sliding thru with incorrect credits, exemptions from SRP, etc. You just do the best you can to prepare correct returns and watch business go down the street to preparers who don't know or don't care. And let's be honest here, most people don't want their returns prepared correctly. They want their taxes won. And until it is a problem to submit a crappy return, we are walking into the wind. Oh, well. Walk on.

Thank you Judy, great job, hope you do this again next year. Well needed laughs and diversion. You should get a star for being the earliest riser on here, I see why you get so much done.

Congratulations to @jasdlm on winning the final star of the season. Thanks, everyone, for playing along and making the busy time a little more bearable.

I just enter business miles and don't worry about total miles. I don't think W2 codes C and DD mean anything for the return but I enter them. Not entering them would literally drive me nuts. Foreign tax on a 1099 is mind boggling sometimes. On mutual funds I don't think it's possible to enter an income. If the tax is on a 1099 div or int - boost up the simplified method far higher because they've been informed where it was coming from. Does anyone really break down where the income came from other than "other country"? The 1099's from my firm don't break out the foreign income - you have to go searching. On a 50+ page 1099, that's not quick sometimes.

Speaking of education credits and the 1098-T, I kind of remember reading how Box 1 would start to be used.. some other items - Code V on W-2.. gains on stock options? right, requires Sch D. usually with about a break even on D, maybe small loss for fees, and for basis from 1099-B, the actual 1099-B often shows a big gain but later on in the 1099-B pages has adjusted basis! Items so rare easy to miss: Withholding tax on 1099-INT or 1099-DIV Dependent Care benefits on W-2 Can be confusing 1099-OID and accrued interest on those items Big pain, often so minuscule I don't bother with state exclusions of interest and dividends on back of 1099 INT/DIV Things I learned this year, time savers 8379s supposedly faster if mailed in separately Long term care insurance flows through to front of 1040 for Self employed taxpayer (assuming sufficient profit) on Schedule D if a bunch of sales, I scan and attach pdf. if a small amount, I code ST or LT and basis reported or not but leave date fields blank Scottrade, pulled in sales from their website.. sorry to see Scottrade go.. now TD Ameritrade Items I wish I knew more about stock options trust returns Biggest concerns for 2018 tax season 20% business deduction Media claiming how simple returns are now and most people won't need a tax preparer Biggest concern years down the road everything

So yesterday afternoon I called @Possi to see if they survived, and they were DRINKING AND HAVING MASSAGES. Wait, what? I thought I was your best friend, not Cynthia. I see how it is. Then I went home, had five little candy bars, and whoever named them "Fun Size" clearly did not understand fun. Then I hiked around the farm smiling and enjoying the sun, thankful for a good season. Discovered a new baby calf, which is always like Christmas morning to me. Thanks to all of y'all for everything you do for me. And everybody please stick around because I need you all year.

Well, I can now... Hahahaha, thanks, Judy.

If your pdf program has a typing function, you can add that zero into the pdf without using scissors and glue. I used the typing function frequently this season on the 2-column planner to highlight and make notations about the tax law changes.

Nope, I'm one of the night owls and awarded that star before retiring for the night. We'll have to figure out something fun for next year. Should we leave this year's stars up indefinitely, start over next season, or something else?

See you in June when you'll really need help!

This was a challenging year but I'm so very happy to have the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice from the group of professionals on this forum. It makes the year much more bearable and I truly appreciate having the opportunity to learn so much from each of you. Have a good "off season!"

This is only the beginning! The day after tax season ends feels like the start of a new year.

oh yeah.. usually use mileage method.. for those with actual those are often work trucks with 100% business use, like electrician's work truck, total = business

It would on actual expenses.

i enter total miles.. sometimes i estimate.. does not impact the actual tax deduction

That may be for the "Prospective Look at 18" thread. And I hope it happens closer to 2018 than 2118. And call me pessimistic, but I'm not sure our institutions of higher learning will get that right either. Do you guys not entering total miles never have an occasion to use actual vehicle expenses? Or Like-Kind Exchanges on vehicles?

I found the top of my desk today and the missing choc bar.

My son is learning baseball umpiring. I have been calling about 5 years. First scheduled game for me tonight and his first base calling tonight. Should be fun. At least I can toss you out if I don't like you.

My husband said that this was the smoothest end of tax season that he has seen in our 28 years together. I'm not sure what I did differently, but I hope that I can keep it up. I did start using him earlier in the season as my receptionist for signing so that I could work harder without all of the distractions.

Headed out early this morning to my getaway in the country. Arrived at 5 am and it was snowing! It stopped at about 7 and I cleaned up all the downed branches and fixed the plow damage. I loved it, no thinking and my back aches but it feels so good. Got a haircut and a great lunch with a friend in my favorite Greek restaurant, ate and drank with a smile knowing I'm done. Just got back and this is the first place I went to check. Glad to see everyone is having a good time. I'll be in bed early....very early. Best to everyone, you did good, we should all be proud of ourselves.

My assistant and I went for a doubles massage. My neighbor brought us a little bottle of champagne, so we had some bubbly before going. This gal, Cynthia, has become like a daughter to me. With no job and no plans for a career, I took her under my wing last year. She was even better this year. I'm helping her study for her EA (even though I have no plans for my own) so she can plan her future in taxes. Personally, this has been the most peaceful, joy-filled, and productive tax season in my life. Thank you for all your assistance, all your laughs, and for being my extended office. This is my safe place, right here. What a difference this site makes in my business and my spirit. Saturday, I begin HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS. Yes, 62 this month, and I'm finally able to fulfill a dream of mine. I am going to a Christian camp so that if I fall off the horse and "wake up dead," they know how to pray me UP! AMEN? I'm a very blessed woman! Thanks, and God Bless y'all.

Yay! We're done. Now take life at a slower pace, check in once in a while, and enjoy your trip, Bonnie!

Catherine, you are supposed to be enjoying a hot fudge sundae, I believe. Are is that already a memory of the past? I'm muddling with a couple of simple extensions waiting for my husband to return from yoga so we can have dinner. With wine, of course!

Remember when we posted pictures of our desks? She had a London travel blog (that I later bookmarked!) up on her monitor. (If I recall correctly.)

London! Wow! Enjoy every minute as you clearly deserve it.

Congratulations! Enjoy the feeling, maybe do something extra fun tonight (I have designs on a hot fudge sundae, myself). We'll see you on the forum!

This one hit yesterday evening. Doctor; spouse is a doctor. Spouse has a W-2 job but t/p is self-employed. NEVER makes estimated payments and owes big time. We had his return finalized in a rush after getting the last tidbits from him because he was agitating for finishing. He came and picked up, brought signatures back next morning and left. We had not gotten around to e-filing him (phew) when we get an email saying "what was my SEP contribution?" SEP contribution/ --What SEP contribution?! First we had heard of it! Back-track dance commenced... and turned out to be a good thing. 'Cuz I did a stupid and entered the state 1099-MISC income a line too high, so it got double-counted, once on Sch C and once on Line 21 - and in the rush to finish for him, no one (meaning ME) caught it. We need new signatures; he was actually happy because his federal tax went down, and I (re-)learned NOT to let clients pressure me into rushing! I eventually found some time to wash the egg off my face.