Leaderboard

I have had this a few times. you can not charge if a subpoena is issued. Definitely contact your carrier and they may be able to squash or limit what you have to provide.

Now that you mentioned it Lion, Amazon has several sellers of progressive computer glasses. The trick is getting the right prescription. I am glad that I took the plunge and ordered them custom made. Just sorry that I didn't have the top left clear, but it might turn out to be all right. They will never leave my desk, but I still have my old glasses for distance, although I seldom need that. I can drive without glasses. See better without them. I am definitely going to deduct them as I have separate invoices and, believe me, nothing is inexpensive these days. Had blue light put on my regular glasses as well. One thing I do believe in is taking care of my eyes. They are my greatest treasure and I am so thankful that they are basically healthy, just old.

Get the multi-focus computer glasses, with the blue-light-blocking lenses. Foster Grant has them on sale often. I've also taken pictures with my iPhone to enlarge to see detail, or called in Hubby who always wears progressive lenses to read for me.

I'm shameless about this eyesight business. I alternate between taking my glasses off to look at someone sitting across the desk, putting them on to look at the computer screen or read a document, and grabbing one of several magnifying glasses lying around when the text on a document is too small. I'm thinking about mounting a magnifier on a swing arm on my desk so I can keep both hands free.

Do this step by step very carefully, this is a can of worms!

Today the IRS CID and the Eugene Police Financial Crimes Unit visited an EA located several miles from me. Supposedly she had been taking funds from her payroll client's checking accounts, comingling the funds with her own money and spending it on personal expenses without making the payroll tax deposits for her payroll clients. Whenever I read stories like this, I am always amazed. How did they ever think they would get away with something as obvious as this ???

After a recent eye exam, my Doctor gave me two prescriptions; one for everyday wear and one prescription for Computer and Document Reading only. Am I correct in assuming that I can deduct the cost of the computer glasses as a business expense?

Copied from Accounting Today: "Six dollars. That's around how much your stolen digital data sells for on illicit online markets. That's according to data from tech company NordVPN, which said that at least 5 million people have had their online identities stolen and sold on illicit markets for $6 on average. The actual number is likely a little higher, as the NordVPN findings only apply to information stolen by automated data-harvesting malware. The data is sold in packets, which include logins, cookies, digital fingerprints and other information — the full digital identity of a compromised person." Gosh, I thought I was worth $20 at the very least

I installed it about a week ago. The interface looks the same except that the icons at the top seem a bit more cartoonish to me. It's a current trend, but not what I expect or want in a professional program.

Sound s like Drake is changing the underlying structure that supports the program, probably preparing to rewrite the program.

I'll have to try the blue light blocking lenses. My progressive computer glasses live at the computer; there's a case there that holds my regular glasses when I switch. Never thought to deduct them, but they are right at my work-only computer and it's the only place I use them. I've found that with focus at computer distance they're fine to answer the door, fetch in the mail, talk to a client etc - they're all just a little fuzzy. I'd only try to drive in them if my regular glasses got crushed, though! And it would be straight to the eyeglasses store for replacements.

The correct citation is § 1.6107-1(b)

And Microsoft extended support for Win 7 Pro finally ends next month.

§1.6695-2(b)(4)(ii) only refers to form 8867.

I have this discussion with every new client, and then again when it comes up and they forgot the speech the first time. I will provide YOU with any tax documents I have, and YOU can forward them to whoever YOU want. I don't give nothin' to no one except YOU unless I am required by law to do so. Tom Longview, TX

My personal position would be I am not beholden to anyone other than my client, or a court I am subject to. Meaning, I would provide required and allowed things to my client, or to a court, and not to any third party, not even my client's attorney. What the client does with the information is up to them, and not "on" me. I actually get this all the time, when someone asks how to provide a pay stub to a lender. It is up to the employee to handle, no employer should be providing documents other than to the tax agencies, a court, or when required, to the employee.

Thanks to everyone, just all be aware that I have not volunteered anything. I have no reason to keep data beyond the requirements mentioned above. However, with Drake, each year there is a document cabinet that is backed up and contains all the information used to prepare the return, copies of the signature forms, and copy of the actual return. Maybe I'm anal but I keep an archived backup of everything. In this case I can't provide everything the client wants because I don't have it. It's older than three years and not my problem. I've made that well known. The client seems to think that because he was/is the majority partner, he can give permission for everything. I told him I disagree. He thinks I'm being paranoid. Damned right, my license is on the line. I also told him I would not provide copies to his attorney of anything involving the spouse without her permission as well. Still waiting to hear from the attorney that I called.

Thank you for the cite. In the OP, an issue with software availability was mentioned. If this covered a time within the retention period, the lack of ability to produce the recorder would require proactive notification to the IRS. Their rules for e records are draconian and not something most would want to be subject to.

From IRB 2012-11 8. Retention of Records Proposed §1.6695-2(b)(4)(ii) required that a tax return preparer must retain the records described in §1.6695-2(b)(4)(i) for the period ending three years after the later of the date the tax return or claim for refund was due or the date it was filed. All tax returns for the LLC's should be kept by the company permanently, not by the preparer. You may not want to volunteer any additional information as others have mentioned.

Is there a reason/rule which you are using to keep data from 7 years ago? I get it, tax data is different than what I deal with daily, but my philosophy is to not keep data longer than required since it cannot be used against you... Where I am going with the question is to try to separate client "want" from professional "required" to. I just find it odd when someone says I have my returns from 10 or 20 years ago, or all I have ever filed. My take on the OP is someone is fishing, maybe for helpful testimony in this case, but fishing is still fishing. I would make no response other than under the advice of my own representation.

MFJ return - both spouses must authorize consent Partnership - I don't know but wonder if consent of the 'tax matters partner' is all that is required.

Thanks Lynn, here is another concern and maybe I'm over thinking this. There are three partnerships that this client is the tax matters partner and has signed all of the tax returns. Should I obtain the consent of each partner prior to releasing any information of the partnership returns. I guess maybe the easiest method would be to eliminate the K-1 information for the partners except the client. I've contacted an attorney to get these questions answered. What about the spouse's information on the MFJ returns. I think by Circular 230, both have to authorize consent.

Let the attorney (for whomever had the subpoena issued) know there will be a fee and present it to the attorney for payment. IMO it does not matter that your appearance is required by the court; you should be paid for your time and knowledge.

My questions are the same as Tom's. If I'm subpoenaed, how can I charge when it is a court order to appear? i did not volunteer to be a witness or anything else. I was given a heads-up that the possibility exists, and the court date is set for February. I will do as Max said and get the copies of the circular 230 ready. I have been deposed before in a wrongful death claim for my father and hoped I would never have to go through that again. I can't testify to what the guy actually did with the insurance proceeds. All of this is to prove he replaced a multi-family rental unit that fell to a catastrophic loss (fire), that was part of a pre-nuptial agreement, with other property making other said properties part of the pre-nuptial agreement and not on the table for the divorce. I have nothing but worksheets and not even the tax returns as the transaction occurred in 2014. Because I had nothing to do with the bookkeeping, bank accounts, receipts or other records, I have no idea why this even involves me. For all I know he could have bought the other said properties with funds from who knows where. My personal take, there is significant real estate on the table, close to 30 properties, along with other assets, and it sounds like the soon to be ex-spouse is taking him to the cleaners. Another twist to add. The guy gave verbal permission for his attorney to contact me regarding any items he, the attorney, may need. Provided me the attorney's name and phone number as well. I wrote down nothing and did not agree to give out any information unless there was a signed disclosure statement. In this case, I think I will require the disclosure statement to be notarized.

The best part of the QCD for some of my clients is that it may result in less social security income being taxable.

Charge out the wazoo, tracking from when you step out the door to when you get back.

Yes, I agree. I have total trust in my serviceman. However, what is going to happen to that 69% of computers if and when they become obsolete? There isn't any place that you can dump them. I have to believe that before the time comes, Microsoft will have a workaround to update. Fingers are crossed.

I absolutely detest so called experts who are alarmist fruitcakes. Anyone remember Y2K! Current surveys show that 69 % of all desktops are still running WIN 10.

The first round had zero requirement to show need. IIRC, the qualifier (which were stepped up for the later rounds) for the first round was something along the lines of "may" have losses. Every business should have applied for round 1 as any business "may" have had losses. For corps, it could conceivably be a dereliction of duty to the corp not to have applied. Since the funds were not fully awarded (again, IIRC), it is tough to show anyone who received funds kept others from receiving funds. Of course, the round 1 process was possibly tilted by the processing entities, but the later rounds were likely handled better, so those who really had need could have and likely been funded. The complaint would be if it could be showed the processing entities did play favorites in round 1, and a business could have met the "may" requirement of round 1, but not the revised requirements of later rounds. The above is just dollars and rules, just as tax processing is all about paying the required amount, but not one penny more. Morally, the decision, that is an entirely different process. For non corps, easy, decide and move on. For a corp, if all directors, officers, etc. can get a waiver of fiduciary duty, then they could make a moral decision, otherwise, they likely were obligated to apply, and if they failed, could be personally liable.

I would definitely contact my E & O Insurance Carrier. According to the AICPA's Insurance Carrier, Divorcing Clients are one of the leading causes of Legal Proceeding against CPAs. Being prepared is far better than being caught of guard by surprise.

I had one customer get the PPP loan and did experience a loss in revenue and in my opinion, the loan was justified and served its purpose. I do remember, the first round was absorbed quickly, and I seem to remember it being reported that a lot of big firms got the first round who really didn't suffer at all. Those companies should be forced to return the funds or pay taxes on the funds received if the fraudulently applied and didn't meet the criteria. Like Judy said, I am one of those folks who is always concerned about raising prices.

D, My Guru was in yesterday all day cleaning (dusting the insides of) and updating all of my computers. He told me that in 2 years our Window 10 computers will be obsolete junk. I asked him about your issue and he said that most of your Windows 10 programs will work with Windows 11; but it will not be possible to update Windows 10 computers in the future. Therefore, if I were you and buying a new computer, I would opt for Windows 11. He said that he has been using it for 2 years already and he works on a lot of 10 computers; including mine. Just a tidbit for you to mull over.

My clients needed to pay me over time, and had a couple clients die, so my cash flow was slowed. I did receive small PPP loans. My banker actually was the first to notice my bank balance less than prior years and contacted me to apply! Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to renew my software at the early price.

I personally know of only one business that received a PPP loan and that did save it (a retailer with 2 stores) from going out of business while it suffered major losses of during the pandemic shutdown. By some miracle, my other business clients were of the types whose businesses were not affected by the shutdown, continued operating, and did not even consider applying for any PPP funds. My own practice was unaffected other than to tell clients that they would definitely be using the drop box and would not be seeing me in person at pickup.

I was completely virtual before the pandemic and completely virtual during. No change whatsoever. Didn’t apply for any of the loans.

I got blue light blocking computer glasses a few years ago and they really help. But I never thought of deducting them as a biz expense! D’oh!

I was in a class yesterday talking about the Jan. 15 loophole when another person in the class got an email: partnerships don’t need to send Jan. 15 letter, but S corps still do.

Sch C, does wife work for the biz? Then set up medical reimbursement plan for wife & get him covered as spouse. And I agree, ACA plan! No need to do all of this finagling to get income low.

Received PPP. Put off a planned price increase for a year. Less overall revenue over the pandemic, but it seemed proper to use the amount by “giving” the PPP to customers, which are mostly mom and pops; although some are medium service providers. I suspect for many, it was a good bene. The problem was no real check for need, which appears to be a result of the desire for expediency.

None of my seven clients that I know received PPP funds experienced a hardship. All had increased sales 2020, increased again in 2021. They are not wealthy, and that means nothing to me; I am still aggravated when I think about it. One questioned me raising his monthly bookkeeping fee $25 recently, and a lot of words barely managed to stay in that thought bubble over my head.

I got the Foster Grant blue light computer glasses on sale. Reading magnification for those tiny numbers on W-2s at the bottom (1.25-1.5), computer distance in the middle, and distance at the top so I can see a client across my desk or look out my window. I don't have to take them off, can walk around in them, sometimes forget I have them on. Also have a lamp on my desk, as well as recessed lights in the ceiling, because good light helps, too. I have a pair on my desk, a pair in my briefcase for going to clients' sites, and a spare that are darker and show up well on Zoom, also. They were a real bargain on sale. Also, have an even cheaper Chinese pair on my bedside table for reading my Nook. By February, my eyes were burning. As soon as I put on the blue light multi-distance glasses, my eyes felt better. When I told my ophthalmologist, he said his own kids wear them. I did buy the three pairs I use for work from my business account as office supplies. Take good care of your eyes!

I will have blue-light-blocking, thank you. kathyc2, I can't do the two different lenses because I only use one eye at a time. Hey, remember that I am 80 and probably won't be changing prescriptions again. At least I might be able to read the MTG without a magnifying glass.

These glasses will live on my desk. He also prescribed progressive lenses in another pair for all around use. We shall see how it goes. Most of the time, I don't wear any or pick up a pair of cheaters. However, lately I have had issues with reading the documents to enter into the tax returns. I really have no qualms about deducting the expense. I am certainly not going to track time. It isn't that critical of a deal. Thanks for your comments. I already know that I will be sorry that I didn't have him put distance at the top because the bird feeders are right outside my office window. Also have wild turkeys and deer walking around the yard quite often.

My current progressive bifocals have a magnification of 15 % above normal. It really helps.

I need slight (.75) magnification for paper/computer work. However, then things are blurry in distance. I solved it by ordering glasses with left lens plain glass and right side with magnification. Much easier to deal with than bifocals.

Make sure you track your business/personal usage so you only deduct the business use!!!

I had a pair of computer glasses for several years, but it was a big pain switching back and forth. Now I do fine with a pair of progressive bifocals although it did take about 6 months for my brain to adjust to the progressive bifocals.

Get the blue-light-blocking computer glasses. Huge reduction in eye strain. Foster Grant has frequent sales if you don't need prescription (just reading, such as 1.50). Look for sale announcements on Facebook.

I sure would........

Perhaps the OP is thinking of the minimun to keep the EFIN active. I can't answer about any EA minimum requirement, but one of the reasons the IRS will inactivate an EFIN is if a preparer has not e-filed any returns in the current or prior tax year. At that point the preparer would have to reapply. There are other reasons that the preparer could lose the EFI N and would have to reapply also.