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As Joan said best, it's always a surprise when ages come up. I think of everyone as still being the ages from years ago when the forum was started. I'm 61 and I think of everyone here as my age or younger, and yes, I do know who some of the younger ones on here are. The posts about no one remembering the old TV shows always makes me laugh too. I was a very young girl but do remember watching reruns of shows like The Honeymooners and variety shows such as Steve Allen, etc.

I don't think I've left my office in two years! (75)

I keep seeing "Apportionment" 2023, as in Form IT 2023: "Income Allocation and Apportionment Nonresident Credit". Funny how the brian works.

Marilyn, Great Post! While I am a youngster at 75, I plan on continuing to work as long as my health lets me.

Aren't we all amazing? I am pushing 80 (pushing really hard). Margaret, a few years ago, I added a home office extension to my home. I won't be moving because my husband's business is next door. And, I won't be quitting until he no longer needs me to do his accounting and tax prep. Maybe, not even then. I would never give up my two landlines; one for fax; although fewer and fewer people are using faxes any more. Obviously, I am OLD school. I took on a young assistant as we have a client base of over 200 and growing. I have no advice for you about moving. However, I encourage you to not give up your practice. There are so many people out there who really, REALLY need us and I'm not giving up as long as my brain holds out. At my age, it's not always about money and really never has been. I enjoy my clients and most of them are friends. Once in a while I have to send one down the road just because we conflict. You have my best wishes for whatever you decide to do. Nothing much is impossible if you really want to do it. I would certainly miss you here.

We have no problem with other people dropping off information. We won't discuss it more than saying, "Thank you," though. If someone slides a package under the door at the office, or slips an envelope through my front door mail slot, I usually have no idea if it was the client, a neighbor, or Pony Express. Now, if an existing client comes in with someone (friend, adult child) and says they want them on board as a backstop, then we get a Section 7216 disclosure signed before any discussions take place. I don't think we need a POA unless the second person is wanted to take sole charge, or sign e-file authorizations and the like. We will accept referral clients from existing good clients. That backfired on us only once - it was last year; long term really nice client sent her brother. What a disaster he was - we fired him and were sure we were going to lose the sister and her husband. In the end, she apologized profusely to us! She had no idea what kind of a financial idiot he was; apparently she referred him to her financial advisor, too, who also fired him and read her the riot act over sending him.

I took it to mean could they send someone else with their info?

Hmm, I took the OP to mean that clients were asking about sending friends and relatives in as new clients.

I'll take new clients with copies of their prior returns.

And we think of ourselves as being a much younger age, at least in our minds. I enjoy watching reruns of old shows and movies from the 50s and 60s especially set in NYC for memories of the way it was and how cool it is to see the old cars, trains, and buses with people dressed up going to work and out to eat. Now watching Mad Men while a recreation of the times but very well done. Today all the men acting that way would get a firm talking to by a judge. Times change, and it really happens fast.

It surprises me when y'all post that you're 70, 80 and still going. Especially when I need to get used to being in my office again (like now!).

There is a special rule for musical works under sec 1221(b)(3) that allows for an election of capital gains treatment. The election process is spelled out in reg 1.1221-3. The special rule came about from the lobbying efforts of song writers and was wrote into law under TIPRA of 2005. They didn't think it was fair to pay ordinary tax rates while an investor could purchase their works and resale as capital gains. Probably already deducted since writers, artist and photographers are exempt from capitalization under sec 263(h). by capitalized cost, if any.

Clients are beginning to call for appointments in mid February. This is a good thing. Clients are asking, "Can I send my daughter, neighbor, friend?" It is beginning to sound as though taxpayers are totally confused by all the things that they are hearing. Well, we are here to help. Unfortunately, we don't know all of the answers yet; but nobody knows that except us.

Absolutely, they must bring copies of their prior returns unless this is a first-time file. We also need proof of ID,, DOBs, Contact info, etc. We do have a first-time client interview sheet.

I have a secure portal that comes with my web site, but I also use Verifyle for e-signatures, and that is also a secure way to send information. I very much like that this year you can set up a document for two signatures; last year it was very clunky since it had to be done manually. NAEA gets you free access, yes, but the $9/month subscription is much less money than NAEA membership. I've let that lapse, as the only benefit I've had from my membership for some years has been last year's Verifyle access.

Anyone can upload anyone's tax info on my portal. There's no way I would know if a client shared their login info for someone to upload for them. Anyone can drop a folder through the mail slot in my front door. I seldom see who it is unless I'm in my kitchen where I can see who's in my driveway. I also receive snail mail, UPS, and FedEx envelopes without knowing who did the actual shipping. However, I do email or call my clients to thank them for uploading/dropping off/sending their tax documents and to let them know I received their information safe & sound. My delivery to them is via eSign plus I mail their tax folders for the many that still want a paper return. Haven't had an in-person delivery in a long time, but if it's not my actual client then a signed disclosure.

I don't have any problem with ANY one dropping off the info. My clients usually use USPS/FedEx/UPS and neither the client or I know the person that delivers it.

I agree with Catherine and Yardley. I will accept the information, but not discuss it, from their hairdresser or whoever. However, if they want to have that same person come in to pick up the completed packet I will need a signed disclosure form for that. i see a difference between them choosing to disclose and me disclosing. And of course, if someone else is going to sign the return that is another kettle of fish entirely.

As Catherine stated, no problem with anyone dropping off information. I only discuss client information with the client, but if a "daughter, neighbor, or friend" wants to drop it off for them, so be it.

At first I did too except for the next part about taxpayers being confused about all the new things and mcb's practice being there to help. I agree with you about the POA for your interpretation though.

How do you respond when clients ask? My response would no, unless I have a copy of a P O A