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A linguistics professor was lecturing his class on negative polarity, negative concord, & litotes, so he stated: "In English, a double negative results in a positive. In many other languages, a double negative simply emphasizes the negative intent. But there is no language known to man in which a double positive produces a negative." From the back of the room, a student mumbled "Yeah, right"

Wait until this happens: https://goo.gl/images/hrNADB

I noticed a big jump in paper price at Staples not long ago. Did they have advance knowledge of the new Form 1040?!

You're right! Thanks for the reminder.

Under the TCJA, I don't believe any theft losses will be deductible. Also, Casualty Losses will only be deductible if they occurred due to a Federally declared disaster.

If TP sustained a loss that can be documented, if there was criminal intent, and if it can be determined to be illegal under state law, then the TP may be able to deduct this as a theft loss under sec 165(c)(3) and would flow from the 4684 to itemized deductions. Was a police report filed? If this is a 2018 event, with the higher standardy deduction the TP may not have any tax benefit regardless of the facts.

@JohnH's sig line, "In theory, practice and theory are identical. In practice, they are not," leads to this response: I want to live in theory - EVERYTHING works in theory!

Maybe the EPA should step in.....or wait, sorry, I lost my head. But really, is this some kind of a joke? What will it take, a Million Tax Preparers March on the Capitol to make the fools on the hill realize the foolishness of this re design when it only needed to have some modification. If I remember correctly it was Forbes idea of a post card sized return but with total simplification of the tax code, at least those two things go together, not what's coming out of Washington now, they're freaking me out.

I feel that it is going to be challenging during tax season just because of the clients who will come in. "Well it is so much simpler now, it's only a postcard we should have our tax fee cut in half."

Maybe his father-in-law needs to explain how it's deductible since he brought it up. (Generally, father-in-law tax advice isn't quite as reliable as other types, such as hairstylist or mechanic tax guidance. )

A Hydrogen ion walks into a bar. He orders an entire quart of Scotch. The bar tender asks: "Are you sure that is what you want?" The ion answers in an aggravated voice: "YES, I'm positive."

No, quite attractive.

So a positive thought about an electron is repulsive?

ILLmas I laughed so hard I started worrying about male incontinence !

We'll just have to explain that they've been lied to. It's not a post card, it's not even post card sized. It's a gimmick that changed a familiar 2 page form into an unfamiliar 8 page form, so your fee will actually be going up. Be sure to write your congressional rep!

I think you have posed an imponderable.

And a good dose of common sense...

Yep, get a police report.

I am an aging "dotard" . Does the IMPROVED 1040 look like an increase in forms rather than the reverse or is there something I have missed?

I simply could not help adding to everyone's amazement. A married couple for whom I have worked some 35 years or so received a letter from the Service informing them that their return would be delayed due to some problem or other with the dependent listed on their return. They are both in their eighties and living in an assisted living home ! In the years I have filed for them they have NEVER had a dependent. Another couple for whom I work came in after a little filing hiatus of some FIVE years even though both are and were gainfully employed the entire time. They simply began filing again the year they came in and has never heard a peep from the IRS !!

Doesn't an ARM automatically reset? Only one I had did but maybe they don't on commercial. Balloon makes sense.

Probably a balloon payment or an ARM reset on a commercial property or rental property. Maybe LLMAS will clarify. I had a very similar situation earlier this year. Had to take the banker to the mat, but they eventually found a way to accommodate the client.

Great comments, all - but the electron's charge is negative... sorry, my inner nerd had to point it out.

As long as we keep the conversation positive.

Just trying to spark some interesting conversation about current developments.

You guys are electrifying funny

So, now you're amping up the humor.

I positively get a charge out of electrons.

At least electrons are cheap (and I've heard tell they're easy, too - but I wouldn't know about that - some of you guys might be able to chime in, though).