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Every time I've done an all-day tax seminar - right after lunch I always declare to never do it again. Everyone in the room is half asleep so what good is it?

That's because every year is indexed for inflation which won't be announced for another 4 to 6 weeks. Although some states that administer their own marketplace have their own 2022 calculators up.

Yardley: I think the OP is filing an original return and not amending. Christian: Here's a good article from the U of Illinois Tax School helpful for original returns as well as amended; it contains a couple links to additional materials... https://taxschool.illinois.edu/post/a-narrow-window-for-married-couples-to-enhance-tax-credits/

Glad that it ended up showing that MFS didn't result in savings because I don't believe you can amend a MFJ to MFS after the due date of the original return.

Your clients will not lose the $1400, only the $500. Since the daughter got an extra $1400, the family comes out ahead $900. Amending the one return and paper filing the other will take a year to process, and then the IRS queries will take months longer. Is it worth it? There have been many posts here and all over the tax blogs about students who graduated in 2021 and claimed themselves, so they got the $1400. Their parents already got the $1400 for that student based on their 2020 return. No paybacks required. Look around to see.

I had an instance a few years ago when a student sold her eggs to an egg donor place and didn't tell her parents. She got a 1099 and the s*** hit the fan come tax time. I wouldn't automatically rule out identity theft, but since your client's daughter got and cashed the check I think Lion's suspicions should be considered. Will the parents save at least $1400 on their return by claiming her? If not, I'd let it go and file their return without her. If she incorrectly claimed herself, let the IRS handle that one.

I also file them late. I have never received a penalty from IRS or Oregon state for a late one. Maybe in the future they will start assessing the penalty but it is correct to file them late or not. Plus I am hoping the client will start bringing them in January.

So many opportunities to save our clients money lately with unemployment exclusions, refundable credits, etc.

The MFJ vs MFS form shows immediately the difference in tax liability, joint vs separate. For Ohio, it also shows the difference for the state and for the combined liabilities. Because OH begins with AGI and limits deductions and has other differences, it is possible to owe IRS but receive much larger, offsetting refunds from the state. Your situation may vary considerably. Just be sure to note the liability difference, not whether tax is owed or refunded. That depends on how much tax was withheld, of course. To date, even with 'warring' couples, none have chosen to pay more tax overall just because the withholdings were not aligned. A fairly recently married couple, older, was very surprised at the significant difference it made as a household liability. Neither had been previously married and wanted to keep everything separate until it would have cost them, combined, over $1000.

When money is involved all of the ghosts and gremlins come out of the woodwork.

You were a good daughter. Now you'll be able to put it all behind you with a clear conscience.

Remember to change Filer and Spouse appropriately (correct SSN's, birthdates, etc.) and be sure to run the check return. It likely will turn up a few reminders to check. At least the bottom line should be easy to determine.

Thanks Margaret this will greatly facilitate my work. Much appreciated and lucky me the spouse has only her W-2 the rest is his.

No automatic magic. I duplicate the return, label as Filer, delete spouse info, change whatever is needed (anything marked as J, for example), then do the same for a duplicate return for spouse. I always print first the form MFJ vs MFS to confirm all data is where it belongs and the bottom line is correct. Be sure to note those items which are limited or no allowed for FS, only for joint. It takes a bit of time but less than entering everything from scratch. It does go quicker if you have correctly entered anything that was just F or just S and remember to split those J items, if appropriate. I have done many of these and am grateful for this feature.

I've used quite a few over the years, going all the way back to DOS. We currently use and like AnyDesk. It costs about $120/year. Demo several and see which ones seem to work best for you.

Splashtop is what I use. I was an early adopter. IIRC, the developers formerly worked for one of the 800lb providers, the ones with the 1k plus fee. They elected a pay as you go (annual) fee rather than the large one time per version fee. Practical issues. The connection process is easy. The display or displays on the remote end are good. Security is good as well.

Cash basis trust? If so, then what was paid, was paid.

As a retired police officer I can confirm your belief. We recently had an out of state felon, just a couple of months out of jail, come to Rochester and ambush two police officers who were sitting in a car, killing a 29 year veteran of the RPD. The officers I speak to are burned out and afraid to do their jobs, not just because of the physical danger, but afraid of losing their livelihood and pensions if someone makes a complaint to the Police Accountability Board, whose members consist of a convicted felon and the rest are very vocal about hating the police. Not one person on the board has any law enforcement experience and understands what it is like on the streets.

tHERE IS NO "INCOME" ONLY WHAT i AM LOANING TO KEEP IT GOING.. oops - They both balance! 2nd year was a transposition - grr- Math teachers or anyone should not become accountants nor bookkeepers if they have a tendency to transpose! And that is why someone else is doing it , not myself.. I just provide and proof. Their turn - Mediator and the boys - and court is next Thursday - how far will I have to give up to lose as the mediator says all they want to do is Win! -meaning basically sell the house - auction all off after getting a few items they want, and me not getting anything for any of the work I did - Well it was a gift from my mom - So Be It! Thank you mom - did you think about this ahead of time? She thought we would just miraculously get along!! Thanks all. D