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Yeah, I'm prone to those too (so my wife says), but anyway, who can tell what's right to charge. Everybody varies and the determining factors are all over the board. It may depend on who it is - what's included in the "short form" they claim it is and it ain't - do/are they: coughing in my face, wearing enough perfume to burn my eyes, poor-mouthing while I know they have enough cash to burn a wet mule, likable, affable, cheerful, have body odor that would drop an ox, be poor, pitiful, or pretty. Sometimes I gouge and sometimes I practically give it away. I had a fit the other day and charged a client $800 for a quoted $400 maddening job and then made a grand gesture of slashing it in half in front of him when he complained. Kept the client but I'm still P.O.ed about it. What next? Oh well, such is life the old man used to say. RANT OVER! I charge $75 for one W-2 and a state. $95 for two W-2s, $110 if they have an HSA or other stray form, $150 to $300 and up for C or E, etc. The more complicated it gets runs it up to $500 or possibly $900. Course, this is pore boy country so it probably won't fit the Yankee prices. Meanwhile, I'm playing it by ear (and nose).

Yes, you are fine with the same schedule C. Hope you get to feeling better, sounds like you are having hard year and wish you the best.

I think it only takes 12 credits per term to be considered full time student. So yes you can also have a full time job.

I have a Brothers all in one. It is plugged into my regular landline. when the phone rings twice, it hears the fax tone and picks up. I don't have to do anything. I can use the landline as usual and my answer machine works fine. For a time, I had it connected so the faxes went to my computer, but I keep my computer off the WIFI, so now they just print out. I only get an handful of faxes any way. So it is not a big deal. My brother told me he can't fax..."because he lives in the 21st century" LOL The reality is- most of us need a fax machine... if nothing else to fax to the IRS.

If I am not mistaken, you need to consider the days they were here in the previous two years to see if they are a "resident" or not. Also, remember that only one of the filers need to be a resident for the other to become a "resident for tax purposes"... provided they make the decision and inform the IRS that they are reporting global income. Do not right anything on the social security box for the kids if you are requesting an ITIN. As you know, the IRS knows that a number is applied for when a W7 is attached. Also keep in mind that the person issuing the ITIN (since it is paper filed), most likely will write the just assigned number to the 1040 and send it to the other department for the 1040 to be processed as every other return. One more point, you MUST file the return at the same time you are requesting the ITINs if done during tax season. It is easier for everybody.

Unless she's a full-time student, she would not be a dependent. If the 529 Plan distributions cover her tuition and expenses, then she has nothing left to use for the Lifetime Learning Credit. If she wants to make her 529 distributions taxable and pay her tuition with her own funds, then she can take the LLC. Off the top of my head, I don't know which would be most beneficial to her, but your could run the numbers both ways to find out. Research "coordination of education benefits."

Hang in there, Bonnie. Come talk to us anytime, about anything.

Itemized deductions can be allocated to each spouse and there isn't a requirement for a 50/50 split. If one spouse has an expense that is theirs, then that spouse should take the full deduction. If one spouse itemizes the other will have a zero standard deduction and therefore it is in their best interest to itemize as well. In your client's situation, why couldn't they file MFJ and the spouse without the tax bill file form 8832 injured spouse? That way her portion of the refund will not be used to pay his tax bill. This may benefit both. I would work it both ways and show them each so they can make a decision.

This is very interesting to me. Have any of you who have eFax noticed that it takes a long time for the fax to go through? I have been on the line with the IRS before, sent a fax, and 15 minutes later it is still not at the representatives fax machine. I am looking for something that is more reliable than e-fax. I pay 16.95 per month for the service and I am not thrilled with it. However, it is cheaper than having a landline. Keep the posts coming please. I am learning as you post. Tom Modesto, CA

Steps 1 - 3. Fill out the form and for the missing ITIN's write "applied for" in the SSN box. Send the completed W-7's along with the required documentation on top of the return to Internal Revenue Service ITIN Operation Po box 149342 Austin TX 78714-9342 The return and the W-7's will both be processed there.

Fax.plus sounds good! The reason I have wired lines is that a few years ago I went wireless in early February (it was a deal) for my main line and internet but kept the fax, wired line for some weird reason. Within 2 weeks the power went out for a couple of days and the only access I or clients had was my fax line. I still don't give out my cell number to clients or I would be called too often. When I retire, then and only then will I give up the wires. Burned one, twice shy.

Mystery solved. They were paying for a previous year on installments and the IRS applied one of the payments to 2016 instead of 2015. The bill has been paid off so IRS is applying to 2019. Thanks for the responses.

This goes back to we don't charge enough, we are at the same level or above as these payroll companies if they can charge that, so can we.

Abby, I'm with you. It's mind boggling to me. I requested a copy of the S-Corp Return and might be forced to terminate the engagement if I do not receive it.

And, 4Q PLUS annual reports in January, even for seasonal landscapers. In my state, you owe reports every quarter, even if zeros. Not to mention the deadlines and the huge penalties for missing a deadline.

Like tax prep, payroll providers are often asked (appropriately or not) for advice and to share expertise, not just bang on a keyboard and produce paper. If I were still processing for others for pay, I would have some sort of flat rate per month, rather than a fee per sheet of paper/check. Helps cover those 8pm calls about firing someone (which in our state, requires instant payment), or their power's out, how can I get people paid, etc. I would charge monthly, even if seasonal, as reports, inquiries, worker's comp audits, etc., do not take the winter off.

This particular TP gets paid monthly and operates the same season as a landscaper except they don't so snow removal. The payroll processing still charges a monthly fee, Yikes

I have and have always had a separate fax line connected to a retired computer with a fax modem and program in it. All faxes are "printed' and saved to the appropriate client file through the connection (it looks like another drive) with my main computer. Junk faxes are deleted. Before cell phones it was nice to have an extra phone in my home office to call out when needed. Costs about $12 monthly . I also use the number for 'required' phone numbers when I don't want calls.

Actually, one employee, or two or three. there isn't much difference in how much trouble the payroll is. If $1300 is their per pay period cost that is outrageous. On the other hand, if it is a weekly payroll 52 weeks per year, that is about what I would charge just to do the payrolls - $25 each, plus an additional charge at the end of the quarter for the VEC and 941 reports. And I don't think that my charges are high.

I keep reminding myself that I don't charge enough. Ask me how many times I stick to my $500 minimum. I haul that out for price shoppers. I seldom get the chance to use it on actual referred clients.