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At this time I'm usually psyched up for tax season, but not this year. I've done hours and hours of training and reading, but what's weighing me down is that I don't feel competent in the new tax law. Now when a client calls with a question (can I still claim my kid, should I pay my RE taxes in Dec instead of Jan, should I add up my medical expenses), I used to be able to blurt out the answer and sound like a real professional. Now there are so many moving parts I'm uneasy about delivering a quick, simple response. I panicked the other day when I entered some data into the 2018 UT software and went to view the form. I of course saw the new form and thought "where are my numbers?" After I enter tax docs, I view the form and check the totals with the originals (add up all the W2s, withholding, bank interest, etc.). That's how I double check my data entry. Very fortunately, UT has a new selection to view the first two pages of the 1040 like they used to be, where all the totals are in one place. I also review the final return with each client. Right now I don't know where anything is so I'd better practice so I don't seem as confused as they are. My second biggest fear is that clients won't be getting the refunds they are used to getting. A bunch gave me their paystubs after the new withholding tables went into effect so I could do projections (who knows how accurate they were since the specs have changed), but most have probably been enjoying their larger paychecks without realizing that now that they are losing their three kids as dependents they may be in trouble. And I don't want to think about the business owners who believe they won't have to pay tax on 20% of their profits.

I agree with a comment above regarding needing to lean on each other for help and guidance. I'm a solo practitioner, so being able to bounce ideas off you folks and get my questions answered in a timely manner has provided tremendous value to me over the years.

As far as tax season goes, the key issue that I am concerned about is which of my clients that have different kinds of rental properties will qualify for the 20 % PTE deduction which clients won't qualify? Second, due to the partial government shutdown, Congress is showing no concern or movement toward a TCJA Technical Corrections/Tax Extenders Bill. Is Qualified Improvement Property 15 years or 39 years ?

I think we are all going to need each other on this board this year. It is going to take some time to get used to they new laws, forms, and software input. Good luck this season. Tom Modesto, CA

I think it's going to be a challenging year, for sure. I'm also concerned about the new tax law, specifically what cbslee mentioned. The 20% PTE will take some time to get used to and familiar with. Lets hope it goes smoothly for all of us.

Sara could have been reading my mind when she wrote her post. My reply is "all of the above". In 40 years I have never felt so inadequate and unprofessional. Confusion is rampant. I don't feel ready even though I, too, have been studying and attending classes. I have many printouts, but it appears that some of the issues we need to address this year have not even been fully enacted. Even the instructors are unable to instruct. Let's hope that we can get through this together and with each others help.

I'm behind the curve on learning some of these new rules. I've gone through multiple webinars but they just confused me more it seems.

You know sometimes I have clients that the lender wants to see that paper copy and will accept nothing short. I have an attorney that provides all closings on a cd in pdf format. When I ask can I see a copy they hand me the disk an ask when you find it print me a copy also. So I guess I may need some more paper. BTY I used to do the calculator spin also. Just my 2 Cents worth.

P.S. The above post is not to imply that those who do duplexing are cheap - we all have our own preferences. I only print one side per page because I have enough trouble just keeping all the many schedules straight nowadays (probably be much worse this year). However ATX generates a lot of superfluous worksheets which I don't print because it seems phony to print A to Z worksheets (Block & Jackson do this frequently) to "pad" the return and make customers think they're getting more work for their money (well, sometimes I do if I'm trying to impress the occasional ingrate who rates my work by the pound). Still, I think many customers prefer to have a paper return in hand which is easily glanced at without making the electronic gizmo translate it. Seems like just another form of the do-it-yourself kiosk approach which saves vendors time and supplies while adding a little more client inconvenience into the mix (at some point the pixels overwhelm us). P.P.S. You're not being a spoil-sport, Mike. Apparently it works for you, so all's well and good. As to the environment, you probably are helping -- office paper sales are down, so toilet papers rolls are now one inch shorter. Too, if you've got the nerve to ask a customer $100 for a hard copy, you're a better man than I am.

I hate to be a spoil sport however about 6 years ago I decided that all of my clients who were computer literate would begin receiving an encrypted pdf file instead of a printed hard copy return. At that time only 2 objected and I advised them there would be an additional $100 fee for paper copies as with a pdf file they can print at will. I now print 3 tax returns per season out of about 130 clients, including business clients. Think of the savings of time, supplies, and especially the environment.

The original duplex printing: While I never actually saw this done, I once worked with an accountant (now deceased) who told me that, as a young man in the sixties, he had worked for a CPA who required that no one be allowed to tear off a calculator tape. All calculator rolls were fully expended without being detached, allowed to fall into a cardboard box, turned over, rewound, reinserted, and printed on the other side used until full usage was complete.

I was just a tax training this past weekend and the instructors first words were "RAISE YOUR FEES BY XX%", 200 + people were in agreement.

The point was that their business is rental properties to qualify for the QBI, do they have to pay SS and MEDA? If it's a business and not just an investment, FICA and MEDA may apply? But yes, strictly having rental property has historically not made one subject to SS and MEDA. I just got a new tax client because the previous preparer kept insisting the investor must start paying SS and MEDA even though he's 100% just maintaining his investments.

When they then have to pay into SS and MEDA?

Perhaps, if he spends the majority of his time and generates the majority of his income from rental activities.

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.