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Download at..... https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2019/dec/business-tax-quick-guide-2019.html

I would end services with both. I would likely provide copies of all relevant documents (what I was required to have kept ONLY, nothing extra) to each, and prepare two more sets, one for each attorney to be sent as soon as I receive authorization from each party. This may keep me out of subpoena/court, which is an expense I may not be able to recover recover easily. Preparation at my timing may be better than under pressure of a court order. If each knows the other will get the same set of required documents, it may reduce the need to involve me in any squabble. Depending on my requirements/restrictions, maybe I can ethically use the same letter to each, with a cc statement or something at the bottom. I would make sure I was not in possession of anything I was not required to have. For instance, if I am required to keep 4 years of documents, I would rid anything more than 5 years old. (The extra year is to avoid any issue with calculating the time down to a day or month.) Documents I am not supposed to have cannot do me any harm... The process should be exact, or close to, my process for firing a client. Upon final dissolution, if asked, I might choose one to resume services for one. I would not entertain accepting either until final dissolution.

The last one I was in, I very politely excused myself stating I would have a conflict of interest in trying to represent either. I suggested that each seek a CPA suggested by their respective attorneys. I would give them copies of whatever I had. However in this case both attorneys requested the same info. by way of a subpoena. Don't know what happened as both parties moved out of state after all was said and done.

I think having a talk with both of them and telling them, you would appreciate it if they didn't involve you in any issues, that you will gladly provide copies etc... of whatever they need and that's about it.

You can see all of your install codes here: https://support.atxinc.com/myinformation/MyProducts I had to use the Print Friendly & PDF add-on to get a usable printout with all the years. It's a wonderful add-on to have for many hard to print, or ad-laden web pages.

I'm going to be of no help but about 5 years ago a CPA from a few miles away called me up, saw I was an EA and offered to hire me to do some tax returns for him. The guy said he could go as high as $12 an hour. I laughed, he got insulted and said I didn't have a work ethic. Thing was, I wasn't looking for a job - he called me completely unsolicited.

Also thanks. I'll remember to watch for the individual one.

Thank you, Elrod, for sharing.

Wow, minimum wage in my area of Oregon will $ 12.00 per Hour July 1st. The person that you would pay $12 to $ 15 per hour, I would have to pay $ 20 to $25 per hour and I would have difficulty finding someone !

I'm in same boat - in NYS the minimum will be pushed to $15 soon enough so that's where I'm starting. The hard part is - like you - I'm in a very rural area and also have not hired someone by the hour in years. I recently loss my assistant of 13 years because we are in such a slumppy economy here in Western NY. I really really dread dealing with a new person.

The department of revenue doesn’t care who pays it, but when the end user is not tax exempt, somebody better come up with the sales tax amount.

As they say: "Sounds like a plan to me." I'm pretty sure yours is like 90% of other tax preparers in this country (excepting the Big Three/Four/Five/Whatever national CPA firms). HERE'S MINE: (1) designate one or more employees to coordinate its information security program. I ALSO NAMED MYSELF AS SECURITY COORDINATOR. (2) identify and assess the risks to customer information in each relevant area of the company’s operation and evaluate the effectiveness of the current safeguards for controlling these risks. I KNOW OF TWO OR THREE LOWLIFES AROUND HERE WHO WOULD BURGLARIZE THE PLACE IF THEY COULD, BUT I'VE GOT A LANDSCAPE TIMBER UNDER EVERY DOORKNOB AND THEY CAN'T KEEP THEIR STOLEN TOOLS WITHOUT PAWNING THEM FOR LIQUOR. (3) design and implement a safeguards program and regularly monitor and test it. I BUY FILE CABINETS, LOCK THEM, AND PULL ON THE HANDLES EVERY NOW AND THEN TO SEE IF THEY STILL WORK . (4) select service providers that can maintain appropriate safeguards, make sure the contract requires them to maintain safeguards and oversee their handling of customer information. I DON'T HAVE ANY SERVICE PROVIDERS EXCEPT ATX AND MALWAREBYTES. ALL MY STUFF'S HERE AND NOT UP IN THE CLOUDS. JUST HOPE THOSE GUYS AT ATX CAN KEEP A TIGHT LIP ON THEIR END/ DON'T TRUST MAL TOO MUCH 'CAUSE THEIR REP'S IN BORA-BORA OR SOMEWHERE AND BARELY SPEAKS ENGLISH. evaluate and adjust the program in light of relevant circumstances, including changes in the firm’s business or operations, or the results of security testing and monitoring. WELL, IF THE PLACE BURNS, THE FILES WILL GO WITH IT. IF TORNADO, THEN ME AND THE BATHTUB WILL GO WITH IT, SO I''LL BE OUT OF REACH OF IRS. WE HAVE FAKE ADT STICKERS (FRONT AND BACK) PLUS A BLINKING RED ROOM DEODORIZER THAT LOOKS LIKE A BURGLAR ALARM IN THE BACK WINDOW. OTHER THAN THAT, THE OUTSIDE MOTION LIGHTS ALL HAVE WORKING BULBS, SO CAN'T THINK OF WHAT ELSE TO DO EXCEPT MAYBE CHAIN UP A PIT BULL IN THE BACK YARD. BB

I am hoping santa gets me a new router this Christmas too! I have a lot of woodworking projects that I want to get to. Tom Modesto, CA

Ditto to all the posts from those who remember William Tasker. I too interacted with him several times in the past. I am saddened to hear of his passing. Prayers for his family at this difficult time. Thank you Kerry for letting us know as well as providing a way to assist his family. Kudos to you and as Catherine said, pop in here from time to time to say hello. You probably don't remember but you supported me when I was an ATX user as well. Take care my friend.

When you are subpoenaed for your records, be sure and include a bill for your time when you deliver to the law firm. They will pay you. I can't imagine any lawyer would allow you to represent their client. They will bring in their own completely partial accountant for that. Don't take it personally when dealing with the attorney's.

There's some excellent advice on this thread. Situations involving lawyers tend to be very lucrative for the lawyer and very costly for the tax preparer.

Yes. There is a worksheet that can be found in the forms menu to do this. It's not fully automatic, but it works.

Take a look at Whitehurst v Commissioner for a winning case from 2003. Professional Bowler. This is a TC Summary Opinion and cannot be cited, but it lays out pretty well what the TP needs to provided to get a win on these cases. Tom Modesto, CA