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Daily, I get a complaint that a new employee has no FWH. The employer usually even says they claim no allowances. I have to try to revisit the W4 change, there is no provision for allowances, and those who used to claim 0 or 1 allowance need to add additional withholding. Usually still my “fault” even when I go over Pub15T with them. Daily I am also getting complaints that my calculations are wrong because an employee is griping they had to pay for the first time ever. I too look forward to the filing deadline, and while bothersome for tax preparers, still firmly believe tax preparers should be charging for and helping with W4 forms rather that giving unusable advice such as withhold 10%, or no advice at all such as “submit a new W4”. Of course, clients don’t want to pay for services, so I get the push back, but having an amount withheld above the penalty level and right about the amount owed would benefit the client who is wise, versus clients who rate preparers on the size of their refund (tell them to use the higher withholding option and add several hundred additional <smile>). Grand toddler always puts things in perspective for me. Limiting all support to written form has changed my attitude the most. Prevents misunderstanding (or at least shows the proper information was given) and not as many go on written tirades.

Some people will take a mile if you give them an inch. This year seems worse for some reason. I've always charged on a per-form basis as I'm terrible about tracking my time. I've spent way to much time on what should be the simplest of returns simply because they can't or don't want to keep track of things like what they paid in child care. I've decided I'm going to raise fees around 30% next year and then give a substantial discount to those people who can follow simple instructions of what to bring.

Last Friday a client called and started reading to me the instructions for filling out the w-4 form. When he started with the "exempt" I said "You are not exempt", he paused and continued reading. I shouted "you are not exempt" and it confused him. I'm not taking responsibility for their W-4 form in April.

I always tell the client since the income isn't above the filing threshold, no return is required. I've never had a client decide to file a return in that case. None of them have ever heard from the irs about it.

Since about 3pm, it has been utter lunacy here. I can't hang up the phone without it ringing again. People who have been agitating for signature documents are only signing 1 of the 3 sent, despite being told in the email with the docs that there are three required. Not optional; required. Colleagues calling who need advice or calming down or both. People showing up at the door, without warning, with papers to drop off. Several of my foreign-based clients decided to send docs too. I'm ready to crawl under my desk with a bottle of whiskey and a bag of Skittles and not come out until May. Except I gave up Skittles (and more) for Lent, so I can't even do that. I really want to scream right now. Rant over. Mostly. For a while, at least.

At least it isn't mid-march but won't these folks ever learn that anytime before April 15 is not the best time to ask for renewal? My price for next year, with that whopping 12% discount is only about $30 more but what on earth is the option for "ATX Standard Processing Download Only" for $80.50? How is that different from anything we've had before once the discs were discontinued? We have to pay extra now to download the software and for standard processing? What is the alternative, I wonder? And whatever happened to the community board on ATX site? I didn't often use it but was looking for something last week and didn't see it. Does it go by another name? Also discontinued? My license expires the end of this year and I really don't want to quit yet but, at 76 and with these annoyances, my clients just may have to move along.

Nah, the IRS knows that trusts and estates often don't file returns. I wouldn't file.

Don't cry Catherine...It be all better soon....

You don't have to use the software's home sales input area if you have all the data and already know that the sale qualifies for the exclusion and the amount of the exclusion. If you know they received form 1099-S and need to report the transaction(s), you can report them directly on form 8949 by entering the proceeds, basis+closing costs, and in col F use code "H" and back off the nontaxable portion of the gain that should be shown in col G as a negative number. That should result in -0- taxable gain in the final column H. Do that for each sale.

Others procrastination does not equal emergency on my part. A few years ago I decided that clients that wanted to drop off/place docs into portal after a certain date (this year it was March 31st), I inform them that I do not have the time to complete their return by the due date. I am willing to file an extension for them and I can start on those returns after May 1st. Decision is up to them what to do. Most agree. The others can run to other offices and cause them problems. My health, life, sanity is not worth the stress. Not to mention, in order to provide a correct return, I need time and sleep.

Well, at least give her the bottle, maybe the Skittles, too.

For description, I'd use something like "primary residence-taxpayer" and "primary residence-spouse" or something equally descriptive so that the reader knows that these were separately owed properties that do both qualify for the exclusion if questioned.

The timing is great but the CPA Academy is holding a free 1 Hour Class Monday morning: TAXATION OF CRYPTOCURRENCY AND NFTs: FOUNDATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

I cannot imagine being fatigued at the end of tax season being myself full of energy and pep.

This time of year the thing that gets me is the "panic" freakout that you missed something. Was doing a return and freaked out that I'd forgotten to do a trust return for the deceased wife. Scrambled for 10 minutes and remembered they picked that up 2 months ago and the K-1 was on the return. Takes my heart 20 minutes to settle down. Or the person who just drops in, I see them and panic that I can't find their return. They were just dropping off brownies to thank me because I was so quick last month when they picked up.

If they get the EIN there will likely be a letter asking why they didn't file. If they are okay with that, no need to file. If an IRS letter is going to freak them out, file it.

There are some field you just should not modify, and this sounds like one of those fields. Did you mark the Sch E 'complete disposition'?

If there's an EIN, I recommend filing a final return just to close the EIN with IRS.

Yes, it shows up. Maybe either delete the form & re-add it or maybe you haven’t checked all the boxes for nonresident or something.

This is truly great! Thanks again. Yes, I caught the key: select the Last Month/Quarter tab.

I'm so sorry. I feel you. It's pretty bad. I find that I'm not holding my tongue very well. A client called me out of my office (staff came in and said 'client x says her return isn't accurate') to tell me something preposterous about why her refund should be larger (some 'folklore' tax rule). I looked her straight in the eye and said, 'who told you that, your hairdresser'? After a moment of stunned silence (from both her and me) where I thought she might take her things and leave for ever, she burst out laughing and apologized. Another client emailed me 3 times this past Sunday morning and texted me twice (call me crazy, but I do not respond to email from the sanctuary). After the service, I finally responded to him with 'why aren't you in Church'. No response, but he did send additional emails later in the day, so I assume he's still okay. I might not get so lucky next time. I need some 'be nice' pills.

Yes, but they always have a form to prolong the pain! No form, no way to collect $.

So far the ones that I have seen like this the broker says they will prepare if needed. I personally do not like them inside a IRA.

Hmm, maybe this should be in the Tips and Tricks Pinned files. Thanks, Abby Normal! I no longer do business returns but this seems quite useful.

When you indicate that the asset is disposed of in fixed assets, there is a box to check if it was also a personal residence. Then it goes to the personal residence sheet on the 8949. I’m sorry I can’t give more help than this, I’ve had a rotten day.