Leaderboard

With no forms, and no instructions from the IRS, I have calculated the federal and CA state tax for my client for 2018 based off their income estimates. And the taxpayer is subject to the QBI phase-out, and I nailed that too. Damn, I can actually do this stuff sometimes when I put my mind to it. This may not be as terrible as I thought it was going to be. Tom Modesto, CA

I second the self-congratulation (tax preparers have to occasionally do that if no one else will shoulder the load). About the QBI phaser - isn't that a Star Trek thing? I knew I should have gone to that university seminar instead of buying those easy-peasy CPE hours online. Wish I could share your optimism. I'm leery of such speculations ever since somebody here once said Obamacare would be similar to Romneycare and probably no trouble, while another commented, "Maybe so, but it's no walk in the park," which was a mild understatement.

Remember, you ASKED for this: The world's leading expert on European wasps walks into a record shop. He asks the assistant “Do you have ‘European Vespidae Acoustics Volume 2? I believe it was released this week.” “Certainly,” replies the assistant. “Would you like to listen before you buy it?” "That would be wonderful," says the expert, and puts on a pair of headphones. He listens for a few moments and says to the assistant, “I'm terribly sorry, but I am the world's leading expert on European wasps and this is not accurate at all. I don't recognize any of those sounds. Are you sure this is the correct recording?” The assistant checks the turntable, and replies that it is indeed European Vespidae Acoustics Volume 2. The assistant apologizes and lifts the needle onto the next track. Again the expert listens for a few moments and then says to the assistant, "No, this just can't be right! I've been an expert in this field for 43 years and I still don't recognize any of these sounds." The assistant apologizes again and lifts the needle to the next track. The expert throws off the headphones as soon as it starts playing and is fuming with rage. "This is outrageous false advertising! I am the world's leading expert on European wasps and no European wasp has ever made a sound like the ones on this record!" The manager of the shop overhears the commotion and walks over. "What seems to be the problem, sir?" "This is an outrage! I am the world's leading expert on European wasps. Nobody knows more about them than I do. There is no way in hell that the sounds on that record were made by European wasps!" The manager glances down and notices the problem instantly. "I'm terribly sorry, sir. It appears we've been playing you the bee side." Ba-dum-CHA!

Oh, we know all right - even more ridiculous amounts of RAM!

Thank you. That's the chart I found via AnswerConnect within my software. That helps that you read it the way I did, even though it's a post on the CA website and not a cite of CA law. I'm trying to get the federal return set and then go to CT, NY, and CA for these new clients. But, it looks like they'll owe CA and CT and will be behind on federal ES. Still waiting on their answers to my latest questions so I can finalize federal.

If my computer programs need 16GB in 4 years I'll either install more RAM or get a new computer. I never spend more than $500 on a laptop because I see them as essentially disposable products (I also only buy used cars). Most of the speed issue on a computer isn't the RAM it is the disk. Go with an SSD and you'll never go back. Just booted up an old traditional HD computer to get email for a co-worker on vacation - mind blowingly slow. Amazon / Dell or Amazon Dell no 2 I have 3 somewhat like that running around my apartment and as a backup in my office. My primary laptop is very similar but purchased new (clearance). USB 3.0 is a really nice feature if you can find one with it. If my primary laptop dies, I could be up and running in about 2 hours. Calling tech support to move my security credentials would be the biggest time issue.

I don't have a cite but you can capitalize all those expenses. I like this question and I hope someone else answers it for you. Someone could argue that you can use those expenses on Sch A, but what if the person already has two houses? Also with the new law, you might be limited or not benefit by using those expenses on Sch A.

Currently, 8GG is perfect, but within the next two or three years 8GB might not be enough. 16GB will be perfect at that time, so if you want to be safe, 32GB will be a perfect purchase. Remember, that a computer will last at least 5 years... who knows what computer power will programs demand in 4 years.