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I bought stock in a paper company.

I do not include the name of the client, nor do I sign the engagement letter but it does appear on my letterhead. The sample tax engagement letter on my E&O insurer's website says this: "To accept our firm’s offer to perform services based upon on the terms set forth in this Agreement, forward the completed tax organizer and other tax return information requested to us. By doing so, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms set forth above.", which is the same thing. It's hard enough to get the signed 8879 forms.

I agree the information MUST be on the K-1 for the personal return preparer to then see if they still qualify. 3 different update seminars I went to said that was going to be the biggest problem this year and also a big liability for the entity preparer if they don't include it on K-1's.

As do we. We keep pdf's of the client copy and the preparer copy (more notes and worksheets, in Drake), plus efile acks once those are in. And a pdf of the scanned tax docs. Those have saved our bacon (client's bacon, too) on occasion. Audits want docs, client can't find - boom; pdf. Best one was a lady who needed a copy of her daughter's adoption papers that got lost in a move - we had 'em.

Windex on a paper towel always fixes it for me.

I make a .pdf file of every return, for my archiving. I print from the .pdf file, and duplexing becomes very simple.

Find the other scan window. Since it will scan 2 sides, there are two glass covers to clean. It may not be easy to get to, but that will take care of the streaks. Be diligent about the stick-em_pucky that so many places use. When you see it, immediately remove it from the papers. I HATE STICK-EM-PUCKY!

It is to appear on Code 17 Lines V,W,X,Y,Z and entered under Detail of K-1

If the streaks go all the way down the page, the contamination is stationary (on the glass), since it does not move. If it were on the rollers, it would not be straight and would not go all the way down the page. the contamination can be clear to your eye, but show black to the scan. Look very closely, and clean very thoroughly & carefully. It only takes a tiny bit, to cause a streak.

Yes, but for 2016 (the dreaded server error), all the other years work. Needed a copy but luckily I got it off my backup. I'll call Monday 8am and get it straightened out. Start dialing at 7:59 and keep hitting re dial, you'll be first, now you know my secret. I hate being on hold.

We will try emailing next year. With a new assistant, changing procedures too was just too much this year. Mainly because then one of us would have to go through everything carefully to make sure our elderly clients still got paper. We have a number of older folks without computers, or without printers, or who can't handle a portal or even downloading an attachment. Easier with a new assistant to give them a list and say "stuff the envelopes" plus she'll get to see and handle each one, familiarizing herself with the names.

Article from JoA: https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2018/dec/irs-operations-government-shutdown-201820331.html The article above also included this link to the complete and extensive document from treasury.gov of the IRS contingency plan document related to shutdown that was in effect through 12/31/18. Article states that IRS would have to redetermine what would happen after 12/31/18. Might be easiest to search for keywords such as "Offer" or "Compromise" using Ctrl-F. https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/266/IRS-Lapse-in-Appropriations-Contingency-Plan_Nonfiling-Season_2018-12-03.pdf

Here is what will continue to be done : Completion and testing of the upcoming tax-filing year programs Electronic returns that are processed systemically (requiring no intervention by service center functions) up to the point of refunds Processing paper tax returns through batching Processing remittances Processing disaster relief transcripts Continuing the IRS' computer operations to prevent the loss of data Protection of statute expiration, bankruptcy, liens and seizure cases Upcoming tax year forms design and printing Maintaining minimum staff necessary to perform accounting functions and to prevent the loss of accounting data Maintaining criminal law enforcement and undercover operation Here is what has been halted: Service center processing after the point of return batching Issuing refunds Processing non-disaster relief transcripts, Income Verification Express Service/Return and Income Verification Services Processing 1040X amended returns All audit functions, examination of returns, and processing of non-electronic tax returns that do not include remittances Non-automated collections Taxpayer services such as responding to taxpayer questions (call sites, during non-filing season) Information systems functions (except as necessary to prevent loss of data in process and revenue collections Supposedly this will be subject to change the longer the shutdown drags on.

I started emailing my pre season tax letter, engagement letter, privacy policy, and my own very EZ organizer to cut down on time and mailing costs. I only have to snail mail a few. My engagement letter doesn’t have to be signed and says “When you submit your tax information to me you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions for my services.” I found that very few clients ever used the multi page detailed organizers I used to mail out. Sent the emails out today and am getting lots of thank you replies. I moved from AZ to FL into my deceased father’s house. The office here is tiny compared to the one I had in Phoenix. So far, so good with client retention. Wish me luck and accept my best wishes that your tax season is the easiest and most profitable ever!!

Engineers call that stuff snot-strips.

In my neck of the woods the more paper the client sees the more likely they are to swallow the increase in cost. I did try duplex printing but wasn't getting the result I wanted. My printer could spit out 2 pages quicker than it could duplex a page. Go figure. It appears about the same amount of toner just more paper. The client doesn't care if its on 92 or 104 brightness.

I have a client who just sent in his OIC paperwork. Will the IRS even look at it during the shutdown? Can't find any definitive answer on that interweb thingy called google. Tom Modesto, CA

I can only tell you the first week of January is hectic for any payroll software company. If I had to guess, only based on my knowledge and your quote of a message, their server is extremely busy, and cannot connect. Could even be they process using a third party (easier than rolling your own), and the third party has many customers, with many clients, and does not have server capacity to meet the demand of the moment. I wold not wait on hold. I would send an email, text, or whatever written form they offer, so you have documentation (evidence) of your contact.

When I've had such a problem, generally it was a dirty roller and not a dirty piece of glass. Don't know how that printer works with double sided scanning.

Email from Drake.

Thank you! That's what I thought.

Perhaps you should and the quality of the scan might improve. Or not.

Ditto

My canon sucks at duplexing. I guess I should not say it sucks, it is just very slow. It does a good job of printing, but it slows to like 25% of the single sided speed. Tom Modesto, CA

Yes. No.

I agree with Possi. Unfortunately, your client's paper work will be put in/on/under a big stack. Good luck as to the time it will be processed.

I have a Canon that is very fast duplexing, so I will print duoublesided.

Never had Drake do this either. Again, maybe we can be of some help if you post what your experiencing.

I print duplex and love it. My old HP Laserjet 4200 handles it well.

Thanks Jack. I will look again. But I think I cleaned both glass covers. I hate the stick em stuff too. I try to get it all off before scanning.

While my printer 'will' duplex, in reality it tends to jam. So it's single sided printing for me.

I have met you. This is way to easy. You are still not tall enough to hit your head when walking under the table. Tom Modesto, CA

Last tax season was my first year with Drake and twice they had me email a copy of the return that I was working on and were able to quickly identify and resolve my problem(s). I never had any issues that would have needed them to directly access my computer.

Also if you post your problem here we may be able to help. I had a problem and called Drake it took quite awhile but my support guy finally figured it out and it was simple. If its the same problem I may be able to help.

Trying to get them ready but I don't like to send them too early. I want them to get there before they get all their paperwork and have a chance to lose it, but not early enough that they put the organizer away never to be found. It is a guessing game.

I disagree. The person creating the K-1 has to indicate to the partner/shareholder/REIT owner how much of the income generated is from QBI sources. It is reported on the K-1 on lines 20/17/14 (I am not sure of the exact line numbers) to be input onto the K-1 worksheet of the final personal tax return. When preparing the personal tax return we must include all forms of QBI, including Schedule C (if any), to determine the final amount of QBI, subject to taxable income limitations.