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I'm thinking 10% across the board. I may send out an email in December saying a 10% increase over 2021 return PLUS an additional cost for any new forms. I might go higher, in hopes of a few leaving me.

I’m trying to downsize too, and I’m only (only!) 62. But the constant changes in tax law are driving me crazy and I just don’t remember them like I used to.

Thanks, Terry. Over the years I have had several employees but I have been the single return preparer. I was asking about this just for education as the terminology (domain vs network) was new to me. No, I do not and never did need a network setup, just my single desktop! And with my license renewal last week, just 3 more years

I am thinking 15%. I did not raise prices for several years so I feel like I am behind. Besides, I really want to work less hard.

Margaret, What Pacun told you is a network type setup. After all of the years seeing you on this board, I don't remember you having employees or other workers in your office that would require a network setup. A domain is a work group where the admin of the domain sets various controls and is much more involved than you need I think. Your web domain is an address on the web. Your single desktop is a stand-alone installation and is all you need to be concerned about.

Love how the cat is having none of that.

From what I read, at least one company claims it was "not aware" this was being sent and shut down the entire info feed immediately. For whatever that's worth. But yes, total violation of Circ 230 if they had any knowledge. If truly without knowledge & consent, then felony thefts of sensitive information. Public hangings to commence after speedy public trial and conviction?

So far, the sharing of personal tax information with Meta appears to have been mostly limited to the taxpayers that used the online versions of Taxact, Tax Slayer and H & R Block to prepare their own returns. In addition: "The Markup also found the pixel code on a tax preparation site operated by a financial advice and software company called Ramsey Solutions, which uses a version of TaxSlayer’s service.That pixel gathered even more personal data from a tax return summary page, including information on income and refund amounts." (Ramsay Solutions is a spinoff of the The Dave Ramsay Show) As a practical matter, I don't think that I have a single client or any family member that will read or hear about this. Issues and problems like this are only noticed by accountants, financial advisors, and other computer/technically literate people.

If I, as a tax preparer, shared any of this personal data with anyone it would be considered an ethical violation under circ 230 and my professional standards. Why is the IRS not cracking down and fining these software companies when the agency has other ridiculous standards for us such as the size of micro-shredded chips and all the various other rules for safeguarding taxpayers' data and privacy? This is infuriating!

"Major tax filing services such as H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer have been quietly transmitting sensitive financial information to Facebook when Americans file their taxes online, The Markup has learned. The data, sent through widely used code called the Meta Pixel, includes not only information like names and email addresses but often even more detailed information, including data on users’ income, filing status, refund amounts, and dependents’ college scholarship amounts. The information sent to Facebook can be used by the company to power its advertising algorithms and is gathered regardless of whether the person using the tax filing service has an account on Facebook or other platforms operated by its owner, Meta. " Surprise, Surprise! Another reason to never use Facebook!

And what a pleasure for all of us to have you with us for three more years; that is if we all last that long!

No because Box 1 can be reduced by non taxable fringe benefits. Normally it would match box 3 plus any amount exceeding the annual SS wage limit.

Exactly. What Judy says. There is a confirmation hearing coming up for a new IRS Commissioner. Perhaps we should send an email to our Senators and ask them to ask the new commissioner designate about this situation and his plans about it moving forward. If IRS lets them get away with this, we will have no good reason to try to persuade our clients that their personal data included in their tax return is safe with the IRS. Tom Longview, TX

I have three computers and use them all, but not necessarily all at once. I still install stand alone as one computer is off site and everything has to come through me for e-filing anyway. This was the easiest install I have had in a while, but I still HATE waiting for that code for the second password.

Thanks - I think. At least it isn't something I need to worry about as I have just a single desktop and just me. It's always good to learn, or try to learn, more.

Nothing is provided free. Free email? No, the provider is somehow making money from you and trying to limit their expenses such as over aggressive filtering to reduce bandwidth. (One example, and why free email is not wise for business use, or really not even for personal use, the lack of control over what you actually see and when.) “Gmail is a part of (but does not make up entirely) Google’s “Google Search & other” ad revenue segment on their annual report. Which, in 2021, generated $148.95 billion of Google’s total $257.63 billion in revenue.” It is safe to believe getting non generic info, such as via the tracker; is more valuable than just serving ads. On the other hand, many don’t bother with over worry about privacy, accepting the risks and enjoying the “free” services.

If you want to see something scary try this, with your smartphone being closed, the say any of the following words: Thinning hair cellulitis receding hairline Then open Facebook and you’ll start seeing ads for hair transplant, cosmetic surgery etc..

Seems more a reason to never use Intuit, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, & Block since they're the ones illegally selling client data.

Here's a link to the article: https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2022/11/22/tax-filing-websites-have-been-sending-users-financial-information-to-facebook

Wow. I went out and read the whole article. Wow....just wow! Tom Longview, TX

Why would you do that and make your situation more complicated?

There is a black hole that sucks a return down every year or so. I would efile ASAP and pay any penalty - was an extension filed? Blame technology.

yes, there were two distributions.... one for 45K and another for 99K. Client paid taxes and penalty on the 45K. the 99K was divided in 3 years and for 2020, 33K were re-invested (rolled over). IRS is wrong and I have seen the signed 8915-E form and sent a copy to the "auditor".

When the owner of our CPA firm died, many clients went into mourning with us. Some sent US flowers or goodies. No, they didn't show up for the memorial service (usually attended by family and close friends), but that didn't mean they didn't care. As for firing clients, raising fees rarely does it. I had one client who was such a PIA that I kept raising his fee a couple of hundred a year, but he kept coming back. (I stopped at $1500, for maybe a $600-$700 return) because at that fee I figured I was getting compensated for the aggravation. Best to just fire them. Every year we send a letter to some clients stating that our business direction is changing and their particular needs will be met better elsewhere. Every year a few of the recipients beg to stay. Sometimes we agree but not always. We also have too many clients and really need to cull the list.

While one may feel bad for cutting clients. I guarantee these clients would not blink an eye if you quit due to health issues or death. Not trying to sound morbid. But case in point, my father spent 60+ years doing income taxes. And he always went out of his way to help others, even with non tax issues. Upon his death only a handful of his clients came to either the viewing or funeral. And he did well over 1,000 returns a year. So dont feel bad when trimming the fat, they could care less for you. Your just the tax guy or tax lady

Well, I'd already found the 3 online services that Catherine suggested and set up an account with the first one, Tax2Efile. I tried to fill in the company's data with the first one, and it appears that these providers may have the same limitation as our software, that a tax year filing with a start date in 2022 is not possible yet. I'm not going to waste any more time on this and will paper-file an extension and copy DE on it also.

Legal and accounting fees, taxes, etc. are specifically allowed by the Code and are fully deductible by the estate. It can reimburse whomever paid them and take the deduction. Travel is a little iffy. It is not listed among administrative expenses in the 1041 instructions. See the instructions for Line 15a, "other deductions," which states that costs that would normally be incurred by someone who owns a property are not deductible unless allowed under other sections of the Code (e.g., taxes). Sect 67 of the Code only allows "Deductions for costs paid or incurred in connection with the administration of the estate or trust which would not have been incurred if the property were not held in such estate or non-grantor trust." If someone owns vacant investment property and travels to check on it or prepare it for sale, travel is not deductible because there no longer are misc itemized deductions. (Different if it was rental property.) The beneficiary can be reimbursed, just as she would be if she paid for the funeral, but the estate can't deduct either cost. Does this estate have so much income that it needs the deduction?

About 6-7 years ago I fired all the jerk clients. Really wasn't a large number but holy cow my life became more enjoyable. Ever since I have routinely eliminated jerks from my life. (Co-worker's son and wife were the most recent) Raise prices but also suggest jerks go to another firm. Local investment firm does taxes for people and fired anyone without at least $500k in investments. Their letter just said they have refocused their practice to handle certain types of clients and listed 3 firms they suggested they contact (HRB, JH and a local EA). Do it politely and give them time. When you see someone's name on an email or caller ID and your heart hurts - fire them. Life's too short for that crap.

I misunderstood you the first time, thinking you said she could not be reimbursed by estate. However, I do not see why the estate would not take a deduction for an allowable expense paid for and reimbursed to the executor; regardless of whether he/she is also a beneficiary. What if he/she paid for legal or accounting fees out of pocket? Are you saying the estate can reimburse but not take the deduction if she is also a beneficiary?

Not for the 7004, and DE has its own form (no efiling,, paper only) but grants automatically based on the fed 7004. I def want the IRS ack on this one too.

She can charge a fee if the will permits and/or Probate approves. The amount will be taxable income to her, not subject to SE. To claim expenses, she'd have to report the income on Sch C, subject to SE. (And since she's not in the business of administering estates, Sch C is just wrong.) Why bother? Just let the estate reimburse her out of corpus.

Thank you, @Catherine

I can not improve on mcb39's comment one iota. Everything Marilyn stated is spot on. When downsizing, I started with the most time consuming clients (a.k.a - pain in butt), Ones who proved they couldn't / wouldn't get their 'stuff' together regardless the number of times I explained things. Clients seldom complained when I raised fees for same work as last year. They usually realized everything increased. If one questioned why - I explained, "many recent tax changes required added work" or reply on a more personally identifiable level "At least it's not as much as our utility company's monthly increase." Today, grocery prices are # 1 topic. Of course that worked for general type returns. Make a few lists, by category, of clients who take too much of your time for their fee ~ the ones you know they won't change. If they won't change ~ guess what, You gotta make the change ~ for your individual and / or family's health & wellbeing. I wish you well on your changes. So many of us have been there. REMEMBER: Your mental & physical wellbeing is more important than any tax return. Reread mcb39's comment. I've "known" her via ATX for decades & I trust what she says.

Even better/worse: leave your phone behind, and say those words yourself near someone else's phone - you'll get the same ads. Voice recognition.