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I'm sorry Lion, this sounds really frustrating. So all your less invasive things must include a regular stretching program (aside from yoga classes) and diet modification? I was a fireman for 23 years, got really beat up including being a veteran of two building collapses, have a couple of compressed discs (I know, I was taller at one time). I have arthritis in all my joints (including back) but now am ok without meds, just a lot of stretching and exercise and a diet that would make Dr. Oz jealous. But I understand herniated discs are a challenge. I hope you find relief, but I can't stress enough that a daily stretching program has helped me get back to normal. Good luck kiddo, don't give up, 71 is not old, it's your 1st year of getting that IRA money, with many more to come, Bill

Latest MRI shows herniated disk L2/L3 pressing on a nerve that runs down my left leg. X-rays show no cartilage in my hips, arthritis in both hips and lower back, with left hip the worst. So, It'll be a hip replacement at some time, just now sure where in the list of procedures. On prednisone for a couple weeks, but can't keep it up long since I'm type 2 diabetic. I guess next is a cortisone shot in the spine. I also have a script for rehab. Taking all those supplements. Using ice at night and heating pads during the day and those disposable heat wraps all the time (Steve orders them by the case from Costco). Extended release pain reliever at night. Getting more sleep. But, using a cane now for balance. And, other equipment; looking like a retirement home in here. Friends see me and loan me canes and walkers and... Chiro and massage. Have the name of a good acupuncturist and good yoga teacher for "real people." Even have a client with some magnetic machine to realign my electrons or something; she uses it on her horses and me and other people too, I think! This is getting very time-consuming. And, I turn 71 so am old. But, my grandmother lived to 103. I want to strengthen muscles before hip replacement, and hopefully lessen pain so I can rehab. My sister fell during rehab, so Medicare stopped paying because she wasn't getting better every day. She remained housebound, because she couldn't get up her steps. But, at least her hip pain was gone! Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions. I keep adding them all in to the mix. Doing all the less invasive things before I think about surgery.

Switching between any input screen and the form view, as well as the reverse, can be accomplished via a mouse click or a single keystroke (whichever you prefer). Switching back & forth is virtually instantaneous - no delay for calculations to take place. As an added plus, Drake is so efficient you don't need a computer capable of launching the space shuttle in order to run it.

My journey was somewhat similar to yours (but with an ATX interim added). I was a Microvision customer until the Ultra Tax buyout. Stayed with UltraTax for the 2 or 3 years they discounted the software to stay in line with Microvision cost. But then they jumped the price considerably, so I evaluated Drake and ATX. I originally went with ATX because the "forms based" product intrigued me, but I gave up many of the features Microvision/Ultra Tax provided. During the 2012 ATX debacle, I finally took another look at Drake and realized it was actually closer to Microvision/Ultra Tax in terms of its flexibility, features, and efficiency. Although ATX worked fine for me until it didn't anymore, I now wish I'd skipped the ATX detour and had gone straight to Drake. I wasted lots of time with ATX - time that could have been better spent becoming more proficient with Drake and running more efficiently (profitably).

Okay folks - I will soon be switching from Ultra Tax to Drake (within the month) - so I hope if I ask questions here once I get into using the program I can get some help. During the month I will be utilizing the webinars and other support to get familiar with it. I've been with Ultra Tax ever since they bought out Microvision - and have been extremely pleased with the program AND the tech support. All I've ever used was the tax program - no other program. However, this year they've outpriced themselves and I don't feel that the increase is worth it.

Renewing for Total Tax Office 2018 would cost only 0.9% over 2017's price. Attractive. Retained from 2017 TTO package: 5 licenses, "1040 Package" (and yet I access any entity form ever needed) and all States, User Guide, Payroll Compliance Reporting, Master Tax Guide - book and online, Tax Season Essentials, and what seems to be the Tax Prep Partner Standard Bundle. Dropped: Tax Prep Partner 1041, Practical Tax Bulletin and Expert, "Complete Tax Library," and (good riddance) prior-year TaxBook Deluxe and State Tax Book. Added/modified: AnswerConnect (for Intelliconnect, I gather), Client Letter Toolkit, "Two additional Books" (of what?), and "the full set of calculators." Is that last item really anything different? (Does "two . . . books" coyly mean last year's, again?) I've left out the items I don't use, such as PaperlessPLUS, and the no-change of e-filing fees. Overall, TTO again looks like the best deal for a practice serving diverse people and entities working in diverse fields, often in other states and some overseas. Have any Packages made major changes?

Drake has so many customization features that - even after five years - I have not taken the time to investigate. But they are there, and there are tutorials online if you want to investigate them.

True the SS deposit each month is fun. I even used some of my IRA money as a QCD to my church this year and will take the rest later this year. My trainer is great at stretching, as is my rehab guy, I want the yoga gal to teach me more, and I have the stretches as a video workout on my phone. Thanks for pushing that; I do need to stretch more. My rheumatologist was holding out for spinal stenosis while all the other doctors said hip. Last visit, he'd been at a seminar and took a class from a radiologist on lower back and hips. He examined me (for what's been at least quarterly) and said he changed his mind; not back, make hip replacement appointment. So, I thought all doctors are on same page. But, I had an appointment with internist to explain all the test results, medical jargon, etc. He was the one who sent me to hip surgeon in the first place, so I thought we'd be making that appointment; but he said the weakness shouldn't be from the hip -- sent me to the spine specialist. Spine guy said symptoms suggested disk, but MRI from almost five months ago didn't show that. New MRI, and it showed the herniated disk! It's so frustrating, because I thought we were all on the same page finally. But, it's back to the drawing board. But a herniated disk AFTER December does explain why I went downhill so fast this year. And, I am almost three inches shorter than I used to me. I thought it was the dowager's hump like my mother, but when I dug out a came from 30 years ago as I got weaker, I realized it's my lower back that's compressed because the cane was 2 1/2 inches too tall now! If I'd gotten my hip replaced last year, I wouldn't be having double trouble this year. But, I was OK last year, a little slower and some trouble sleeping since I used to sleep on my side, but doing everything I always did. I'm not one to have surgery until there are no other options. I've never had much: tonsils out as a kid and tubes in my ears as an adult. A lot of people my age and older at church, so I'm seeing what can be done. Hubby had both shoulders replaced and bounced back fast. All the good ideas and wishes help a lot.

GO DRAKE! Undoubtedly the best customer service of any company anywhere, not just tax software. Phone is usually answered before you hear the first ring. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, fast. The software has a learning curve, so get started with a free demo. Once you get the hang of it, you will find many shortcuts and features that other software does not have.

Please do not conflate it with Veteran's Day; that holiday in November is for the living. Memorial Day is for those who have died. Friday, May 25, 2018 To: Friends & Supporters From: Gary Bauer Patriot Graves Monday marks Memorial Day, a national observance first known as Decoration Day. The first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868, on the orders of General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Initially meant as a time to remember those who fell during the bloody battles of our brutal Civil War, the holiday's significance has been extended to honor all those who paid the ultimate price for our nation. As they have done every year since 1948, soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment placed flags at more than 280,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They will remain at Arlington National Cemetery throughout the holiday weekend, making sure that the flags remain upright. Unfortunately, over time Memorial Day weekend has become more of an occasion for relaxation than for reflection about our patriots' graves and the values for which they gave "the last full measure of devotion." This weekend I encourage you to do both -- relax and reflect. Have that picnic, hug your kids and have some fun at the beach. But let's also remind ourselves about what happened at Concord Bridge, on the fields of Antietam and the beaches of Normandy, and that it still requires vigilance and courage to preserve liberty today. Explain to your children the price that was paid to stop the evil of fascism and the cancer of Soviet communism. Tell them why there was a Berlin Wall, what happened at Okinawa, at Ground Zero and over the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Explain to them why we still fight in Afghanistan, and against the existential threat to Western Civilization posed by radical Islamic supremacism. Take a moment this weekend to teach our children and grandchildren to love the things we love, and to honor the things we honor. Finally, let's remind ourselves that liberty is a gift from God and that each generation has paid in flesh and blood to preserve it. As General George Patton said: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."

Me too!

I renewed today after an email to my rep telling him that I did not receive the extra 5% off offer communication. It hurt my feelings (I can be sensitive when left out) because I've been with them since before they were ATX. Rep called minutes after the email and told me to hold on and he would see what he could do. He maybe had a quick cigarette and came back in a few minutes and said no problem. So if you want that extra 5% may be worth a call. I have MAX and from what I can see on my confirmation no changes from last year.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church Y’all know you want to take a break from Memorial Day festivities to pray for our veterans in the cemetery (immediately following the 10 am service), sing a few hymns for our country and see if the priest uses any other “vulgarity” in her trinity sermon. https://www.facebook.com/william.doubled…/…/2207180385962277 Episcopal Church MemesLike Page · Okay, Episcopalians--to the dictionaries!

Abnormal, thanks for taking the time to respond. Your response would not normally need the scrutiny I'm going to give to it but there are broad myths and misconceptions about employee status. If AMT applies, they weren't deducting the 2% items anyway. The statement is true, but AMT does not always apply, and under the new law doesn't quite have the same punch that it did prior to 2018. Part of the reason it loses its punch is because of the eradication of the 2% Plus you can't arbitrarily go to your employer and tell them you want to be a 1099 contractor. You'd be surprised how many of today's employers will gladly rid themselves of employees as long as they get the work done. They not only rid themselves of 40 hours cost plus fringes, but many managements are under pressure to cut labor costs at every opportunity. I do a great deal of work for two former employers whose departure was amicable. The difference is they know they can no longer order me around like I have no alternatives other than putting up with them. And do you really want to give up health insurance. No. This is the strongest factor you present. It is virtually impossible to find health insurance as cheap as that which the employer can provide. That assumes that the employer is not trying to bail out of providing insurance to begin with, as thousands have done so. Unemployment insurance. Yes. The is the weakest factor you present because you are not employed under either scenario. Consulting income virtually eclipses unemployment benefits. I can't give credence to sitting around collecting unemployment or working under the table. 401k match. The key word is "match", and that is a true benefit, and another strong factor. However custodial fees are so high with a 401k that I have seen many of my clients convert large balances to an IRA and then re-enroll in the employers 401k. employers half of Social Security and Medicare? The consultant has to pay both ends of SS/Med, but does so only on the net income after allowable expenses. Allowable expenses for an employee are no longer deductible for anything, but with a consultant they are deductible "above the line." Given sufficient expenses, a taxpayer's net income tax plus self-employment tax is less than would be the case under an employment arrangement. Tax rate decreases and increased credits offset the loss of these deductions in most cases, so at least in that sense, it was a simplification. Besides, there were a lot of made up expenses in the 2% category. I hope as a preparer, I am diligent enough to stop excessive made-up expenses. I have to depend on the taxpayer, but my best estimate is they lost more as a result of the 2% than they were gaining by misrepresentation. Abby Normal - I have been following your many posts for my duration here. I have a great appreciation for your tax knowledge, and the fact that you can even forge a dialogue such as you have above is to your credit as a great analytical thinker. Best regards, "Edsel"

Not really. If AMT applies, they weren't deducting the 2% items anyway. Plus you can't arbitrarily go to your employer and tell them you want to be a 1099 contractor. And do you really want to give up health insurance, unemployment insurance, 401k match, etc. plus pay the employers half of Social Security and Medicare? Tax rate decreases and increased credits offset the loss of these deductions in most cases, so at least in that sense, it was a simplification. Besides, there were a lot of made up expenses in the 2% category.

I have a single parent pilot that I thought was screwed because SALT caused them to lose 7k in deductions and 2% cost them another 9k in deductions, plus they lost 12k in exemptions, so taxable income was 28k higher. Tax did go up by 5k but AMT went down by 6k. So they really just replaced the regular tax with the AMT tax which never allowed either of those deductions. And I suspect many SALT limited clients are in similar situations. And in this case, they also got 4k in child tax credits until the kids get a little older.

I switched about 3 months ago, cold turkey, after being with ATX for about 20 years. After two days, I was pulling my hair and cursing frequently. The layout and logic is very different. After 1 week, I was saying, OK I can survive this. After 1 month, I was happy that I made the change , although there are certain Drake functions that are more opaque than ATX. After playing with Drake's forms option, I quickly switched to learning where everything is with Drake's input approach. One thing I will say that Drake software for my state of Oregon is more in depth, significantly better than ATX. After I catch up with my CPE this month, I was planning to share my observations of Drake vs ATX.