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Our prayers are with you that you all come through Ida with no major problems!

This is what happens when the IRS is given more and more to do, facing sudden tax law changes and pressure to "get the money out there," using antiquated computer systems and not having enough staff. If any one of us was facing this at our jobs, we'd quit. IRS can't do that but can't do all that congress demands of it without the resources. I agree with the Taxpayer Advocate who for years has beseeched congress to adequately fund the agency.

I am a member. For a national professional group, the dues are not too bad. For members, their education is very well priced, with at least one free course per year depending on your membership level. I have found their classes well taught and helpful. Their research service is good, providing cites with their answers; also one free question per year. Their Find a Professional directory is good if you're trying to grow your business. Great publications, via mail and a weekly tax update via email.

Given all the late and retroactive tax law changes for which the IRS couldn't reprogram their computers, I am not surprised. The millions of tax returns hung up in processing which need "eyes on" manual intervention makes it a certainty that there will be a number of refunds and balance due amounts that are not right.

I haven't done anything to my listing, but I still get a couple calls a year that I send away. At my age, I should be retired and definitely not growing!

I second Lion's verdict. I'm not in the directory, because I don't wantnew customers. I do find their classes educational and their publications are great. Bonnie

I have several returns with changes to their refunds. I can't seem to find an error in most of them and don't know what to do to help. Calling seems useless and writing a letter is a forever wait.

Good point, Catherine

Reading this post definitely reinforces my decision not to deal with divorced clients.

IRS has been unhappy with the back door approach for years but congress won't change it. Who knows, maybe most of them take advantage of it? Heed Danrvan's advice if the client already has a traditional IRA. Say you're over AGI and contribute $6k to your traditional that's nondeductible. You can't just pull that $6k out and convert it to a Roth. If your IRA balance was $100k and you convert the $6k, only .06 percent will be treated as basis and the rest will be taxable. Also be aware that before this year, people 70 1/2 or older couldn't contribute to a traditional at all, so the back door was closed.

But there are potential pitfalls that would not occur if a front door roth contribution was made. For a taxpayer with existing traditional IRAs, the recharacterization can become a significant taxable event due to the pro-rata rule. Also need to keep in mind the 5 year rule.