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All that sounds pretty serious. I'm glad tax season is over for me. Working on CP2000 response now but relevant software and return info thankfully resides on my machine.

Here is another article which seems to imply it was actually ATX which which started this: https://krebsonsecurity.com/2019/05/whats-behind-the-wolters-kluwer-tax-outage/

Hi John - well, I couldn't exactly claim to be well organized since lately I make a note to make a note. But naps are on automatic pilot - a couple of years ago my age (never mind what) made me start nodding off after lunch and drowsing fitfully 'til 2 or 3 -- but I can do it sitting up in the tall-back office chair (looks like I'm awake). The last fail-safe of my system is an EWCPA (Early Warning Client Proximity Alert) mechanism (bought a magnetic breaker system for the front door from a traveling salesman 20 years ago). It makes a clang a bit less than a Chinese emperor's gong when somebody pulls the doorknob. Then I can quickly grab a pencil, junior legal pad, and start scribbling. Regards, BB

I haven't been able to e-file for 2 days now. I'm getting concerned because it looks like ATX appears to have a major problem! If they have been compromised, this can set off a firestorm that could even put OUR clients in serious jeopardy!! All these tax software companies better invest in state-of-the-art, cutting-edge encryption software (preferably quantum cryptography) that will never let the hackers decipher the data.

Common problem for NY/CT and other states. Laws are state by state, so report the income in each state per the law of that state. If you are lucky, client will qualify for a credit in their resident state. I've suggested clients stop telecommuting when they are taxed on the same income in two states.

Maybe more users will find and join this forum. We seemed to have more than the usual number join this year already.

This is from Walters Kluwers facebook: "Since yesterday, May 6, we are experiencing network and service interruptions affecting certain Wolters Kluwer platforms and applications. Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively took offline a number of other applications and immediately began our investigation and remediation efforts. The secure use of our products and services is our top priority. We have been able to restore network and services for a number - but not all - of our systems. We are still investigating the root cause of the interruptions with assistance from third-party consultants. At this time, there is no indication that our customers’ data has been compromised. It is part of our ongoing and thorough investigation. We appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve this issue." Apparently there is speculation on Reddit that this is a Malware issue.

I read on the ATX Tax Software Support Group Facebook page that they are down for unscheduled maintenance. It's them, not us.

The guys below have sure got their ACT together on practice management, but I cain't seem to get beyond the basics. My secretary (wife) will say "If you don't sort through that junk and come up with a tax return in three more days, Btfsplk's Garage is gonna kick your ACT!" So my program goes into action: 1. Scan the Post-It notes stuck around the rim of my computer monitor. 2. All notes are prioritized in order of importance (for example-first on the list might be "See Buffett" or "Call Gates"). 3. Begin top-left and go clockwise, look across to top-right, then down to screen bottom, back across to left, then up again to top-left checking for something actionable (McDonald's/Bacon-Egg Biscuit" gets a lot of attention). Some notes, the sticky part wears out and they fall off, but tech support advised Scotch tape and that fixed that. On a fair day two returns will get done and hopefully all by October 15th. It used to be simpler but the funeral home quit handing out their big block appointment calendars (unless you die). I've upgraded and got a wide-screen monitor (holds more Post-Its). If it gets too crowded, I'll buy a second (need one for Solitaire anyway; I hate for a client to catch me playin' that when I'm supposed to be on their case). ____________________________________ Simplify! Simplify! - THOREAU

gmail is hosted and sponsored by Google. Don't they read your emails so they can target ads? I'd be suspicious of using a "free" service because you're paying with access to your content.

Three new tax bills have been voted out of the House Ways and Means Committee with broad bipartisan support with zero "no" votes: https://www.taxprotoday.com/opinion/2019-federal-tax-legislation-starting-to-take-shape?feed=00000158-3f5d-dcbd-abf8-ff7f12270000 I found the most interesting provisions to be: 1. Repeal of maximum age for IRA Contributions ! 2. Change age to begin RMDs from 70 1/2 to 72 ! 3. Increase Failure To File Penalties ! 4. Tighten and Restrict Distribution Rules for Beneficiaries of Qualified Retirement Plans and IRAs ! Also significant is no movement on any of the Tax Extenders or any of the TCJA Technical Corrections !

We used to have spreadsheets but then realized the ATX Return Manager was essentially a spreadsheet so we've incorporated columns to handle most of our work-in-progress tracking. It needs refinement now that we have 4 preparers but it's adequate. For fiscal year due date tracking I just have a sticky note (StikyNot.exe) on one of my monitors. We could use some improvement on due date tracking.

I've tried several going back to ACT! but as you've found they tend to be more work than reward. For at least 95% of my schedule I use GMAIL calendar thru Thunderbird. It's ultra easy to use their "repeat" feature to automatically trickle my contacts and work flow each month or week. Plus Gmail is free and ultra easy to sync with my phone for quick viewing. I don't have the work in process issue so much but when that's in play during tax season I use a notebook or I just put in a "to do" for tomorrow to accomplish the rest of the task with a note. On my calendar I have a few "to do" for each day of the year pretty much scheduled out forever based upon different re-occurrence schedules.