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Yes - years ago I advised a client to take a photo of what was donated. So the next year he came back and showed me the photos - photos of stuffed black garbage bags.

"Here are four tickets from the Salvation Army. You see I took 12 bags to them. How much will that help?" "What was in these bags? Did you make a list?" "Clothes, some kitchen appliances... No, I didn't make a list; don't you have a general amount that you can claim?" To myself: "Oh yeah, I have an amount in mind...."

I have a couple of Goodwill donees that never report giving anything to any other worthy causes. But yes, every year here they come with a handful of tickets, no doubt expecting me to place handsome values on their spring cleaning. Even now with the std deduction so ridiculously high they will expect some benefit from this.

Sounds like you definitely have a full plate, aside from the demands of the tax business this time of year. It's often the case that the caregiver deals with more stress than the patient, or your case the patients. Stress is an enemy to all of us.

Here is a link for the IRS Interactive Assistant for determining Filing Status : https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status I stumbled across these Assistants recently, they are really easy to use and get right to the point.

You have to use the rules for Qualifying Relative, not Qualifying Child...and the "child" ... now "relative," made too much money. So, the taxpayer does not have a qualifying dependent for HOH filing status.

Yep, been there Bart. Back when I opened my first tax office I had a partially disabled client who hauled cows to make some extra money. The man was as honest as could be and I still recall and admire his integrity. Always brought his tax papers in one or two of those heavy duty cardboard cigar boxes (remember those?). One year he stopped by right after a delivery and apparently he had a "souvenir" somewhere on his person. After he left, I realized the smell wouldn't go away although I employed most of the remedies you mentioned. Was on the verge of doing an exorcism since that was about the only option left. I finally realized the smell emanated from one of the cigar boxes because a couple of receipts had been handled prior to some serious hand washing. If he'd been audited that year, there would have been a few receipts missing.

Ask and you shall receive . Here is the link for the IRS page listing all of their Interactive assistants : https://www.irs.gov/help/ita Judy, perhaps you could pin this link at the beginning ?

You know what would be great idea. If IRS took all their Interactive pages and put them in one toolbox on line somewhere.

Perhaps because it is my understanding that AAA ( not always the same as basis) is irrelevant unless E&P exists and I agree with Abby. If the Corporation elected S from day one, then there is no E&P. Please see the article below that gives a pretty clear explanation. https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2014/04/08/tax-geek-tuesday-are-those-s-corporation-distributions-taxable/#51ea0396a22e

What a good idea, thanks! Drives me nuts too, Margaret, that I can't vouch for kids Ive watched grow up. But what do we know?

Got it, I was focusing on the relationship, and support test. Thanks

As of the end of the tax year, the child must be under 19 if he is not a student, or under 24 if he is a full-time college student. No boom

My client has Roth IRA as well as regular IRA and pension distributions. When I looked at line 4a it showed only the nontaxable Roth IRA amount, $13,314, while line 4b showed the taxable amount of the regular IRA and pension distributions, $20,780. I think line 4a should include all amounts, $34,094 (Roth, IRA, pension) and line 4b is correct at $13,314. Anyone else run into this issue? PS - I tried ATX chat feature and the little wheel just turns and churns and no one comes on the line. Thanks !

I can deal with the smell of hard work if I have to, but those who bathe in cologne or perfume drive me insane! Definitely a case of if a little is good, a lot must be better - NOT!

I'm with you, John (in favor or a strict expulsion policy). Whether I do 'em or not before 4-15 depends on just how bad they stink up the office. Last guy I ejected (with a firm "SORRY, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO LEAVE!" ) required half a can of Lysol spray, a full 30 minute running of the ceiling fan, full-blasting A/C, plus some desperate arm-waving of an open newspaper to extinguish and disperse the last air-hanging whiff. __________________________________________ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ______ Matthew, VIII. 12

Maybe I should change my letter to that cutoff. Since there is only one of me, it would save me some sleepless nights. I have people that just don't find the time to get me everything. Does that mean that you don't file any returns after the 15th or is that a just in case warning?

I do have a green dollar bill bandana...

Think I've got that guy now - he poured his box of expenses on top of the desk. I said "Great. Where's the income?" The astonished reply: "You want that too?"

It's more like a combo of the (old) tie and a new-not-improved big giant clown bow tie with the expansion to include up to six schedules. lol

There are many posts on the official board about what should and shouldn't be included on lines 4a and 4b, including ATX's defense of their handling. I've been too lazy to try to figure out who is right until I run into a problem, but it's probably a lot faster to search the board than to get an answer from support.

I've seen that on a return, too. I thought for a minute that with the new reporting form, IRS might have changed how they wanted to see it. But I looked at the 1040 instructions, page 30, and for partially taxable pensions, it says box 4a should show the amount from Line 1 of Form 1099-R. So I think ATX is wrong on this one.