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I might be looking forward to only one more year. It depends on the progression of my eye issues. I have already thrown my hat in the ring for 2024, but I have been struggling for the past 6 months or so. The use of frequent eye drops and ointment at night has helped tremendously (depending on the day). This only helps with side effects as there is no cure for Macular Degeneration. I intend to give it my best shot, but honestly, I am getting tired of the spammers and scammers; the computer updates; the computer breakdowns; the constantly having to watch your back for malware, viruses, etc., and the games that Microsoft is playing with our OS. Honestly, it's been a great ride, but it really isn't fun anymore. Hopefully, some R & R will change my attitude. I am tired of waiting for clients to bring in their information, pick up their returns, return calls and take care of issues addressed by the IRS and the States. If it weren't for all of you, I would already be gone. I get my best information here and my best cheering up; as well as the realization that others have it much worse than I do. Thank you again for all of your help and kindness.

This is certainly on the minds of many of us 'of a certain age.' I renewed my license though 2025 and have alerted my clients this year. I still enjoy the 10-12 weeks of work and it pays for my exotic dive trips. But I will be 80 in 2026 so not sure how many dive trips are still in my future. My eyes also have been worsening although likely helped with a new prescription, brighter lights, and bigger fonts. But, like many others here, so many of my clients (now all and only 1040 plus some Sch. E and small C's) have been with me for 20+ years. I did spin off my business clients about 10 years ago when my other CPA retired as I did not want to deal with payroll and monthly reports year round. It was a great decision. As my practice of only about 50 is so small, I don't think there is much value in trying to 'sell' it. I would also worry that they might not be treated as kindly and may blame me. I prefer they find their own. When we had a local chapter of the state society, I was quite active and knew personally many of the small practitioners. Not now since the state closed down the local chapter. I am inclined to think that when I dread preparing one more return, I will know. Unfortunately my long time clients keep providing referrals (I've never advertised) and I just met with another new person last week. It's hard to say no as others may decide to not return for whatever reason. The decision will be easier once my very elderly clients (90's now and poor health) pass away. Meanwhile, let's continue to enjoy and appreciated this great group around our virtual water cooler. I really do miss comments from some who have stepped back completely and am always happy to see something from some who just drop in from time to time to check on the rest of us! Enjoy summer!

Yes; and I can and intend to set those filters this coming tax year. I totally agree with everything that you said.

Agreed. For me, the toughest part is setting things up for my demise or loss of ability/desire. Having just seen (last year) my only remaining similar entity abruptly close, with no path for their customers, it was a good reminder to plan forward. I don't have the capability to do the same, hang on, then just close. The other entity announced their closure, "burning" the remaining customers, then others stepped in to try to help. At that point, there was, in my opinion, a dying entity with a negative value, so I did not even offer to buy a customer list or the code. Eventually, someone bought the code only (from what I hear) so they could more easily sell the former customers on some sort of data conversion. it was, to me, ugly and worst case. Many of those customers reached out to me, and switched, but few were happy. It is oh so hard not to keep being the "one", letting go of even relatively routine tasks is a challenge for me. I think it is what makes us successful at what we do, but is also limiting in many ways.

As a person who has been running a business, mostly alone, since 1992; that is not a question with an easy answer. Many of my clients have been with me for all of those 32 years. Because I am tenacious, thoughtful, loyal and hopefully kind; I hesitate to throw them "to the dogs". I also know that working in some capacity is the best and healthiest thing for me. I am more upset with the outside world and the workings of the electronic age than I am with my internal self. Being born left-handed in an age that considered that to be a handicap; I have fought a battle for a great part of my life. Besides, working helps to pay for the things that make life easier and more enjoyable for my husband and myself. "Retire" has never been in either of our vocabularies.

Best wishes for sure. I find things like a balance scale. As I get older, one side is preloaded with my life, desires, experiences, etc., so it takes more effort for others to balance me. I get less tolerant (hopefully only) of lack of what used to be common sense. My willingness to put up with the baggage of others grows smaller by the second, and my lack of care for what others think grows proportionately. On the other hand, I just found out our granddaughter's mother has changed her major to accounting (a back to school for a new career deal). I think she realized there are endless opportunities, and all work well with setting one's own hours and work location, which works well for having a school age child. I think I taught her there is some amount of money which makes anyone welcome as a client, but there are also clients which are best let go. Most importantly, to be able to set the incoming filter makes work life much easier, compared to getting in a situation where one has to take all comers.

sometimes a poor memory helps us return to an activity (like running marathons). So sorry about your vision issues,

Marilyn, best wishes for you. Much of your weariness reflects a growing disenchantment with the electronic age and all the problems which have multiplied dramatically in recent years. If you have to quit, you are living in a great state. I mail order cheese from WI.

Where I come from is absolutely, a license was paid for. The ATX license terms control, which I do not have. Maybe they are no current license = off, maybe they are like mine, no data added after the expiration. But, where many many many fail, is believing somehow I have their data and can come to their magical rescue when the inevitable happens. No matter the license or situation, one must look at self for not having alternate sources. What if ATX (the company) disappeared this afternoon? What if your computer disappeared too? How about your entire work location destroyed?

My IT person is going to clone my current hard drive next week whild I am on vacation. The clone will be stored in a safe place off site. This is in addition to my full system backups; my jump drive backups of all tax files, etc. It is also imperative with ATX to keep a list of the codes required to install and open each years' program. We even keep a list of our passwords for each year. You just never know when you might need to go back to a prior year. I can't speak for persons who have changed software as I have never deviated from ATX. We also keep paper printouts for several years.

and you paid a license to use those programs that are still on your computer.

I also see it as a strange time, where it is tough to get someone to come in to be groomed to take over/buy, or even just to get someone to buy. I have seen a profitable vet clinic close, because no one would come in with no money down and only a pittance of payment for the clients/equipment. I have seen my last similar competitor of mine go away, where even their programmer did not want to keep it going. Our family orthodontist has been wanting a partner/replacement for some time (high end very successful) and his prior attempt failed for some reason - yet those low-cost chains are still popping up and churning through the freshly minted DDS'. Thinking about it, maybe it is us who are failing at setting up for replacement, if so, by keeping too tight of control and not documenting things well enough to be replaceable - at least in the eyes of those who could replace us. Or maybe it is just the fear of being responsible for themselves that has less willing to step up.

Bonnie. Hopefully your rehab has worked, and you are doing well. Your question is likely first served by contacting ATX directly. Going forward, and for all of us, it is imperative you print (paper or PDF) and retain all items and have several copies. Assuming PDF, on your computer is a good start, removable media stored in your office is handy, but having at least one set in a separate location is imperative. Relying on your computer, software, and data to be there when you next need it is never enough. Unless the rules have been updated (and they were put in place in the 90's, so they should be updated), what you describe, not having your data or reports, is actually a reportable to the IRS issue. I am not saying the IRS is going to hunt you down, but that the rules (again, the last time I looked anyway) are very strict and often require proactive reporting of any actual or potential inability not to be able to produce required information.

That... doesn't seem correct. But I've never left ATX, so I can't speak from experience. I do, however know that the ATX database resides on your computer, so all of your information should still be there. I'd run the database repair files, first.

If I was primarily working with personal tax return clients instead of monthly write up/payroll/tax business clients I would probably be retired now.

If it's not enjoyable, why not just retire?

I'm 57 and the only reason I'm working is to pay for health insurance. 3 more years and I'm done (baring a complete stockmarket meltdown).

I have been training a very knowledgeable girl, who could be a great success on her own, for four years. However, things have gotten stagnant. She has made no preparations to either take over or move on. I am certainly not going to hand my office and equipment to her on a platter. I guess that I have made things too easy for her. Even my clients would go with her willingly, but I only see complacence. I could quote almost everything that Margaret said except for the fact that we had 279 clients this year; a mixture of everything from simple 1040's to Partnerships. We don't do payroll or other Business entities other than many Schedule C returns.

I don't like the sound of that Lee. I have never let my ATX subscription lapse, but if I did, I didn't think I would lose access to a year that I had paid for. I can see them not cooperating with file restoration if you're not a customer, but I assumed (I know, never assume), I could load up ATX for a certain year and upload my backup into it.

Depending on how important is to get that information, you might need to buy the package for this year. It is important to know this information. So the year of your retirement, PRINT EVERY RETURN (at least to pdf) and keep it for your records.

I wish you all the best for your future.

Nor do I, for sure.

ya I am realizing I do not nowhere charge enough for the calculations I do for my clients! D/WI

Yep, new IPIN in the mail in January every year to use for the new calendar year for any and all returns e-filed/mailed during that calendar year only, including prior year returns and amendments. Not at all easy to explain to clients!

I found out this year that a new PIN is issued every year. I used previous PIN for a client and efile was rejected. As I contacted the client, I reviewed their current year info. I saw that the spouse had written a different PIN down by her signature on the questionnarie form. I used that PIN and return went thru. I had previously been under the impression that the PIN issued was good on going. Not so.

I just got back to the office and was looking over this thread to make sure all of your points were answered. The PA-20S/PA-65 IS the main Pennsylvania partnership return. If you aren't signing and e-filing as a paid provider/ERO and she is mailing it in, at a minimum the filing will require: Form PA-20S/PA-65 PA Schedules RK-1s for each resident partner and NRK-1 for each nonresident partner. Like the federal, copies of these schedules are to be provided to each partner for use in preparing the individual PA return. PA-65 Schedule M - Reconciliation of Federal Income/Loss to PA Income/Loss Any other schedules that the PA20S/PA-65 line items requires, depending on activities for the year A complete copy of Federal 1065 and all of its attachments including the K-1s and 7004, if one was filed. Sch M has its own set of instructions. This form "classifies" the income for PA purposes and then after that has sections for PA adjustments for items where rules differ from the Federal. Just a couple of examples that many businesses have that differ for PA are bonus depreciation, meals & entertainment, gain on sale of an asset.... I'd suggest more closely reviewing the instructions for the PA20S/PA-65 form, especially beginning on page 5 under "What to File" and on page 7 for detailed instructions for "Assembling ..." that includes the order of attachments since this will be mailed in. You are probably familiar with the PA rule differences from the federal, especially regarding depreciation since you handled the B&B on their personal return too. Wasn't that a PA property too? If you aren't and need an additional resource, you could start with the comprehensive PA PIT Guide for Pass-Thru Entities that has the rules for depreciation, when MACRS can be used and under which rules, bonus depreciation, and sec 179 rules for PA purposes. Have I mentioned lately that I dislike PA returns?

Better late than never? The FAQ on IP PINs changed recently: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-identity-protection-personal-identification-number-ip-pin#q22