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UT has a worksheet named "1040 reconciliation." It is the old 1040! It was a godsend. I'd skip over the "postcard" and go over their return from here, where you can tell what the numbers are and where they came from. We have used ATX for payroll and 1099s and had planned to switch to it for tax this year. We decided against it because the learning curves for the new tax laws and for a new program would have overwhelmed us. Ever notice how the new schedules have lines that correspond to the old 1040? Like lines 1-9 are "reserved" and line 10 is exactly what the 1040 had. It makes me think (hope) that even the IRS doesn't believe the new postcard has a future and won't have to change all the form instructions if it gets revised back. If only the same could be said for the new W4. I agree that this was a horrible tax season. We had so many clients who owed and were not prepared for it. My heart goes out to Tracy Lee. There certainly is an emotional side to tax prep, and that plus the strain on our brains figuring out this new code made for a lot of stress. Yesterday I accomplished nothing. I did not have the energy to look at another tax return or read another email. I cleaned out old emails (probably deleting many unread that I didn't have the desire to read), did some filing of scanned documents, straightened up the office, and did not even feel guilty collecting a paycheck while accomplishing nothing substantive. I so appreciate this forum for the tax knowledge shared. Every question asked received thoughtful answers, and many of the topics were so relevant to what we were all going through. We have over 150 on extension and I picked up a bunch of estates, so it will be a busy off-season but without the long hours and pressure of deadlines. If only I can get my @ss in gear.

Yes, normally through e-service, but this portion from pub 3112 has the phone # to call. Also, you just update your existing EFIN number with the new address, not a new EFIN afaik.

Wow! Just got off the phone with IRS e-help and my EFIN application is updated, I'm just waiting for the code letter to complete the EServices registration, and the woman who helped me could not have been nicer!!!

I only do about 100 tax returns - mostly 1041s and rental 1065s. It was all and all a good season. Monday morning I had some pickups but I had moved onto my regular job - investments and financial planning. As was mentioned - the comparison form showing income, deductions and tax for the last few years was a freakin godsend on several clients. They paid 20% less in tax overall but owed with the return. Really made my life far easier. The only pain is the horrifically late arriving K-1s.

I experienced zero crashing. Overall, the program was the only help that I had. As many have said, the Comparison sheet was what told the truth and every client got one. Many extensions to go. We cannot rule out the Schedule A in WI, because many, many times some of the deductions flow through to the WI return. I had WAY too many people who owed a LOT. That's a hard situation to deal with, unless the client understands. From beginning to end, the worst tax season that I have ever had.

It is going to be a much better fit for me than the old tax program. I'm VERY pleased I switched. I have been very disappointed in the ATX customer service but this group has made all the difference for me.

That's great to hear! Maybe someday I'll get around to regaining access to e-services too. Remember that you'll need to provide the proof of change to your software vendor too, update your address(es) in the IRS master file with 8822 +/or 8822-B, and change in the PTIN registration too.

I really fail on the upside down this year. Embarrassing and Unprofessional.

Now look forward to what is next for this wonderful atx community.......

I'm still trying to trace a difference of about $180 from a schedule from a worksheet from a who knows what to page 2 that left me and the client baffled. Fortunately it wasn't enough to make penny's difference in tax but made me look, well, less than the stellar professional the client thought I was

And, sometimes the "result" is NOT present but then gets added/subtracted/exported to yet another schedule. Takes SO much time to explain to someone and prove I really did include their unemployment or whatever. A time suck when client is here and I can point & highlight; a larger time suck on the telephone; and a huge time suck trying to type it out in an email (I refuse to answer via text; I just text them to check their email). I think the "postcard" should have built-in color coding to track the flow.

Yes! I hate when there's an amount in the middle of page 2 added with an amount from a Schedule and the result is sitting there in the crowd of numbers on page 2 mocking me like, "Good luck explaining how I got here." So awkward. The WOAT.

Returns took longer to prepare and longer to proofread and a lot longer to explain. So, I have more unhappy clients on extension than in the past. My two-year comparison was a great tool for proofreading, but I still had to know the flow of the new forms to answer client questions. You know that phone call you get three days later asking where's unemployment or something? And, I tried to use the comparison in working with clients, but they wanted to see things on the actual forms. I put the comparison first in their folders. I really did not increase my prices enough. I need to work on that as I prepare extensions and get it in place for next season. Usually I'm back to work full-time by 1 May or earlier and not out of town until July for Appalachia Service Project and August for hubby's family reunion. But, this year, two grandbabies are due in CT in June and PA in July and baby showers in both states, so I'll be out of town earlier and getting more calls asking when returns will be ready. I'm not enjoying work as much this year! Drop-offs were about a month earlier this year, so I was backlogged and staring at that stack of folders for a month longer than usual. I did get a stomach bug that was going around and then back spasms that had me on heavy-duty muscle relaxants for nearly a week and not fit to work. And, our shower door warped or something and refused to close, so had to deal with shopping and measuring and workmen. At least I had my hip replaced 5 November to give me plenty of time to heal up enough to sit for long hours, but I'm still driving to a neighboring town for physical therapy, helpful but a big use of time. The SALT cap is huge in expensive Fairfield County, CT, so lots of complaints from clients WHO WERE EXPECTING IT. And, CT changed laws for passthrough entities during 2018 for 2018, so clients were NOT expecting my calls for their PEs to make ES payments last June. Not my favorite tax season.

Yes

Yep, that's us alright!

SSD is the biggie; and as much RAM as you can usefully cram into the thing. Whatever the requirements are NOW, they will be HIGHER in future years!

Great info. My Dell is old and was going to replace it last November or so, but replaced my hip instead. I've had issues with this Dell which Dell sent to replace an earlier Dell that had huge issues. I might go with HP this time. One of my techies likes HP. But, I'm not in a rush to replace, still lots of extended returns to prepare. Please, all of you continue to post your research, prices, decisions, etc., for me and any other tech-challenged preparers to learn from during the off season.

I'm also in the market for a new Dell. I currently have the T1700 desktop running 8.1 pro. It's been a workhorse through four tax seasons but it's time for something new. I've always had very good luck negotiating deals through Dell's "Chat" option and I'll go that route again. It seems those representatives are very eager to deal. That's been my experience, anyway.

Tracy Lee, welcome to the Forum. With the exception of information not converting correctly, what is your impression of ATX after using it for the season?

I lean towards over the top. What I mean is for backups out of my control, such as third party online, I only backup copies of my self made encrypted backups. This way, if the third party does get hacked, and someone figures out a way to break their encryption, they would have to then break my encryption. The idea is not to be the low hanging fruit. Just as important, after completing your first backup with a new system (and periodically going forward), try restoring the backup. This will show you any missing items, or missing instructions you need to have. There is no point spending time on a backup if you are not certain you can restore from it...

I've never had or even seen a money order payment before. Ignorance here - deposit (I use a mobile app) just like a typical check?

Thanks, Yardley CPA, for this info. I had best call my business bank first to see. PNC is my personal bank but Fifth Third is business.

I have one client who pays by money order every year. My bank, PNC, did not accept a money order deposit using the mobile app last year. I wonder if that changes this year? Time will tell.

Or, it can be cashed at any bank. If it is a postal money order, at any US post office.

EFINs are address specific. Yes, you will have to apply for a new EFIN, if you move.

The good thing about VA is that their last day to file and pay is May 1. I am concerned about a couple MD returns that were efiled on April 16.

My ATX errors show that I do not have to file Form 8962 because there was no advance payment of PTC. His Marketplace Statement just shows amounts in column A Monthly enrollment and 0s in the rest of the columns (he makes very good money) which I have entered. It makes me nervous to not include the form but he was insured all 12 months. Discard Form or advice on the zeros in the other columns so my errors go away. I sure do NOT like Marketplace statements!

Thanks I have found my error. inadvertently added 2 numbers together. The spread sheets gave me an idea where to look.

I have gotten some of them that were filed before noon Monday. I don't think I have gotten the ones filed late in the day yet. But I am sure they will eventually arrive.

Well I was new to ATX this year and this Group was a Godsend for me!!! I paid for the conversion from old tax software to ATX and NOTHING converted correctly so I spent a lot of time fixing depreciation, NOLs, etc. before I could even do tax returns. I have only been doing taxes for a few years so it was painfully slow for me; especially with new tax law to learn and new clients coming to me for the first time. I had a lot of clients that owed or saw very poor refunds, as well as multiple client deaths and other sad situations. I never realized the emotional side of tax season especially when your exhausted. I'm going to have to learn how to balance my schedule better because I'm wiped out and still have clients pressing me for there Returns that I had to put on extension. I will also have to convert to a new computer this year as I am in Windows 7......not looking forward to that either! I have a seasonal receptionist who only answers phones and does my scheduling and I do all the rest, including quite a bit of bookkeeping and payroll. It was my most stressful tax year yet and the last three were filled with a lot of stress already. I'm hoping next year will be much better! I am so very thankful for everyone's help and advice thru this tax season!!! Waiting for an hour+ on the phone for ATX is terrible so I'm so happy I was told about this group so early in the season. Thank you!

My season wasn't as bad as I expected other than the lost time to being really very sick. I really dislike the new 1040 and that was a time suck to explain it to each client with the schedules having multiple items combined into one number and looking like memo items stuck off to the side in the text instead of in the column of other figures. It's like a giant stop sign that slows the preparer down in multiple ways. I have some extensions, and except for two, all owe me information. I had to yell at one this morning to stop calling me multiple times a day every d@mned day, and told her that I am so frustrated by the calls that I'm on the verge of telling her to come pick up her pile of and take it elsewhere. If not, she will get a termination letter this summer.

I got $17K+ taxable SS using your figures, if I entered properly, and the figure I came up with is exactly 85% of the $20,904 you said was attributable to 2018. Here are the printouts, using a practice return and 2018 planner: Lump sum SSA.pdf

You know ya'll are always welcome! You play a mean corn hole. I'm pretty sure you and Donna won, and you are too gracious to brag.

I’ve always been happy with my desktop Dells, while not being a computer techie, I’ll get the latest with as much Ram and speed available as I keep them until old operating system loses support. My current one is an i7 that is 6 years old, fast and never a problem. I always buy them striped of bells and whistles and just use for work. The only thing I will now include is an SSD as Abby recommends. So I will be getting a new one this year with Win10, and looking forward to, as Bulldog said, “beating them up over price.” Now if I can only find my AMEX card, I’ll be golden.

Soooooo…..does that mean no party at your beautiful home this year? I think I can take you in cornhole this time! Or not. Tom Modesto, CA

From what I know about you all the fires go out and there are no rekindles.

Thanks, Lion. That's where I sent him to make this one. Perhaps he will see that option but I will let him know. Communication - I specifically state to 'confirm bank accounts and payment options' in my cover email for the pdf returns. Alas, like my engagement letter and cover letter for same, it seems the eyes glaze over or get misty and ignoring text prevails.

I filed 318. Mostly 1040s with assorted schedules: A, B, C, D, E, F, H... A handful of entities: 1120S, 1065, 990). I filed 77 extensions. They won't all show up for prep, I'm sure. I have a commercial building in the [small] city limits, no staff. I work six days a week February - April 15. Office is open four days a week after tax season (bookkeeping / payrolls / putting out fires / maybe 60 tax returns). My office today looks like some crazy woman worked six days a week for 10 weeks. I send Posse approximately 3,876 emails a day. In the off season - 8,776 text messages. It helps me not cry. Also thankful for all of you - my friends and co-workers.

If you have an AMEX card, they will run offers on Dell products during the year. Last year, I was able to score a 10% credit on the purchase of my laptop and desktop computers, after I beat up Dell to get the price I was happy with. If you are signed up to see your AMEX account online, there are always offers at the bottom of the page. You just add the offer to your card that you will use to make the purchase, and a couple days after the charge to Dell goes through, the credit shows up on your card. My Dells are pretty awesome. Hope to keep them for 5 years. Tom Modesto, CA

Agree about the comparison form... it helped explain much to clients not quite grasping what went wrong in many cases or right in a few. I also like the tax summary which shows the marginal and blended tax rate. Several folks got moved to a different bucket in 2018 so that helped, too, but this board helped the most! Thanks again and again to Eric for this platform.

No AMT. Several of my clients in Colorado hit the SALT losing thousands in deductions. One client with four children under 17 qualified for the first time for the child credit. That client felt like he won the lottery. I was thankful for the comparison form, and all the people on this board.

Generally it went well. Few problems with the program but no need to call in. Under withholding was a big factor and spent some time explaining, but sending the highlighted Comparison sheet with the return was very helpful. Some clients didn't do so great with the new tax bill but most had no problem accepting it. The 6 schedules slowed me down in the beginning so one day when I had nothing to do I sat down and memorized which is which. Also, next year should be a breeze with knowing ahead whether schedule A is needed or not. Thank you everyone for your valued input, I've learned from you and grateful for your help. Always and Forever.

I agree with Possi. By the end of tax season I was navigating the new form fairly well, but I know that it slowed me down A LOT. And it seems like every year the brokerage firms get just a little bit later sending out their information and I wind up more crunched at the end trying to get things out for people. I hate to set a deadline for getting paperwork, because many times it is out of my clients' control. But I don't think I am going to have any choice but to announce that if information is not received in full by the end of March, returns will be place on extension as they arrive just to keep my sanity.

The new forms and reduced withholding absolutely slayed me. Having to sit with every client and go through the stress of their disappearing refunds OVER AND OVER AND OVER, with caring and compassion was emotional and exhausting. The new forms sunk my performance time in each return. And time is money. Overall, the business of taxes was awful, for me anyway. If this was my first year, it would be my last year. And, I'm generally an upbeat person. I am going to close my office tomorrow and not looking back until May 1st. The up side to all of this is that God already knew what was ahead of me, went before me, and didn't let my spirit down. My assistant does all the processing, opens all their mail, scans all the documents, and together we create some kind of "fun factor" in every day. It might just be lunch, but we work something in. I'm really very blessed to have her. That's part of the "God" thing. It's a good spirit here, just tired from it all. I'm truly grateful for this board. Truly. Grateful. You all have become real friends. Another "God" thing, I'm sure.

No AMT either. Some of my high real estate tax clients from Long Island and Westchester caught a break. Paying 18K for 3 bedrooms and 2 baths is enough of an insult. But others with high combined SALT weren't so lucky when it came to the bottom line. I never could wrap my head around this tax bill. Except for 199A helping small business people I feel the rest was a lot of hocus pocus, now you see it, now you don't tax law. But I'm done, I think I'll have some avocado toast and coffee and watch the other news.