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There are a lot of E-signature companies offering this service, but for signing IRS 8878/8879, it has to have KBA (Knowledge Based Authorization), such as Docusign uses. Others that meet this requirement are CCH E-sign, Smartvault and I think Adobe. If there are others, I haven't run across them. KBA requires two questions to be answered electronically, usually DOB and SSN accessed through a credit agency. If I am reading the following correctly, the IRS will accept faxed, or emailed wet signatures. "What is an “e-signature via remote transaction” in relation to Forms 8878 or 8879? A remote transaction for e-signature is one in which the taxpayer is electronically signing the form and the ERO is not physically present with the taxpayer. Note: A remote transaction for e-signature purposes does not include handwritten signatures on Forms 8878 or 8879, sent to an ERO by hand delivery, U.S. mail, private delivery service, fax, e-mail or an Internet website." https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/frequently-asked-questions-for-irs-efile-signature-authorization

I'm glad it was online and not live because I was spitting bullets! I would've gotten a black mark on my permanent record from support.

Catherine, Thanks for alerting me/us. I just spoke with them the other day and they said nothing about this. I'm with you, I don't use nor like Outlook. I guess I'll have to search for something different.

David, at times most of us have had to be the bearer of bad news to clients. Year after year I had to remind a firefighter about how there were no deductions on house meals and dues. Every year I had to pull out Rev. Rul. 56-49 and commiserate that I would not deduct them even though 'everyone else does.' Such is the burden we bear.....

Thanks for the heads up. Just worked on a return with 20k short term cap gains. Without line 6, none of SocSec taxable. But with line 6 included, yes. I was able to override the amount in the ATX worksheet. I went back to 2018 ATX and entered info in the planner and got the correct result.

They know what they are doing. Same as the other topic where the entity was plainly treating an employee as a contractor. The business people think they can dump the issue on their accountant/preparer and the cost will be less than what they saved by hiring a sketchy person/entity. The hiring person likely did not check for business license, insurance and WC coverage. No clean hands on either side...

Over the years, my experience with contractors is that for the most part they are concerned about the current job they are trying finish and the next job they need to start yesterday and not much else.

I've told clients to keep blank W9s in their truck. Get it as soon as a new person wants work. Tell them no W9, no work. But still clients don't do it. I don't know why. Over and over again.

You can continue to use the contractor, however back withholding rules apply, which used to be 28 %.

I just had "this" conversation yesterday, with someone asking what it was like being able to "speak" programming. I think I shocked with my reply. Programming is a great skill. But, it is no more than 5% of what it is needed to be a programmer. 5% is coming up with the ideas, and 90% is trying to predict what a human non-expert will do, and dealing with those consequences. The person said "what?" and I shaded that when computers first became available to the "public", those who obtained them became experts. Now, they are ubiquitous, and experts are rare. Programmers must now anticipate and react, not just "allow". Many believe their computer should get the job done, and will or should never allow the user to be human (make an error).

This will be the case no matter what you try. It baffles me how people can't create a password for a new account, and download a file. How do you live in the internet age without those skills?!

I have in the past issued the 1099 forms showing REFUSED in the box for the SSN/EIN and advised the client not to use the contractor again without FIRST obtaining the W9. It's been awhile since I've had this issue but If memory serves you won't be able to efile the 1099 form but will have to paper file.

This is so me. I remember last year hearing someone say that IRS would take a year to recover from a three week shut down. While I think that was "speaking evangelistically," as a pastor of mine used to say, it's pretty accurate for me in January. OK, it's BS for me, too, but if I get behind, my life is way worse than it needs to be.