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Aren't we being a little too harsh on the beleaguered IRS? The virus shut them down at the worst possible time (must be one of Murphy's laws). Unlike most of us, their employees can't just take home a box of unopened mail containing sensitive taxpayer data to work on there. At one time they had several lots the size of football fields of tractor trailers filled with mail, so they are making progress. At the same time they had to get out a zillion economic stimulus payments. Then they must have had a hundred zillion phone calls about it (a few zillion more than we had). Then there were the PPP loans and another few zillion calls and a zillion tons of new paperwork. I think they've pulled off something close to a miracle by handling all this. They only have a few million pieces of mail left to open AND prepare for the upcoming filing season. Piece of cake. A bright spot is that since so many employees working from home were set up with phones, call wait times were reduced this year. Credit where credit is due.

Because of the tone of the text message and what they may be implying, I considered contacting my E & O insurance as to how they would suggest I handle it. I did the 1040X pro-bono cause I took the blame for leaving the dependent off of the original return due to lack of information. I have not charged anything to handle this at all. Firing them is something that is already in the forefront of my mind.

I'm following this because I have never, ever used either one. I do dread the day I might need it, too. I'm so ragged out all the time, my mug will scare my clients to death! And if I have been *coughing* that day, the only medicine that works for me is Tennessee Honey. And that only makes me look better in MY eyes!

Yeah, their request indicates a lack of trust and/or their intention to find a different preparer. If you want retain them as a client, them you need to try to find out why they are asking for the information and try to reassure them.

Looks to me like they're looking for someone to toss under the bus when (in their mind) the feds come after them. They don't believe what you tell them, and are planning to blame you. And you're thinking of giving them information to aid those plans, why?

FYI not trying to be an A-hole here

Just imagine if someone from your office gets COVID and you are forced to shutdown your entire office and clients have no sympathy and want there information done now.

Tom, I must say that I agree with Sara

No. No. No. We are not. When the government makes so many intrusions into our life, demanding we do work for them, with no thought or allowance for our personal issues or struggles, then they should be treated the same way. If the NBA can put a bubble up and complete their season, then the IRS should be able to do the same. Put them all in a hotel next to the service centers and make them work from the bubble until the backlog is completed. Sorry to sound so unfeeling or uncaring. I know the people who work there are our neighbors, but the job needs to get done and I don't see a sense of urgency from the service to do the work of the people that they are charged to do. Tom Modesto, CA

All of the e-filed amended returns were processed timely. I'm going to wait until the efile window reopens in january and resubmit it electronically.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry today marked the second day of National Tax Security Awareness Week by announcing an improved feature that will be available on all 2021 online tax preparation products. At IRS site....https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-national-tax-security-awareness-week-day-2-2021-online-tax-preparation-products-to-offer-multi-factor-authentication-for-taxpayers-tax-pros

I am looking at using either zoom or webex to meet with clients this upcoming tax season. I'm not sure which software provides the best level of security. Any suggestions? I know Zoom was full of holes at the onset but has now tightened things up quite a bit. Still would like to know what others say.

I haven't tried Webex, but I use Zoom 2-3 times a week for church-related meetings & classes. I'm a big fan of Zoom, especially since they tightened up their security. Once you master the basics, it's amazing what you can do with it. And it isn't very expensive (yet).

You have no obligations of giving them your notes, fire them if they disrespect you.

I side with Tom on this one.

I had one (1040X) mailed in May. Recently received a response on the IRS link that the return was received but not yet processed. The response gave a phone number and extension to call. I waited a few weeks assuming it would take a while to be processed. I finally called the number yesterday. The agent said it was received in May, but they did not begin to open these mailed in returns until August. This return was not put into the system until Oct 20. There would be about a 16 week processing period for these. So he projected Feb 9 as the date this return would actually be processed. At least I got a status report on where this return is in their system.

HAHAHAHAA!! Funny, not funny. I'm so torn! I miss everybody. Can't wait for COVID to have a vaccine and we can gather again.

The IRS has been understaffed and underfunded since 2011. This situation is like slow moving avalanche moving downhill. It will not be fixed anytime soon.