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A cute spoof of all the no-tax nonsense we all hear about. Sent by a friend; the link goes to YouTube. How To Pay Zero Income Tax

I have owned a Kindle, one of the earliest, a Nook, and an iPad. I am a tech geek to a point, and they all had their good points. If you are not going to be using the device for anything but reading, I would go with the Kindle or the Nook. My personal preference was the Nook, but my Kindle was old enough that it did not have a touch screen. The iPad (or other tablet device such as the surface pro) is the most versatile, but the Nook, or probably the Kindle Fire, are nice compromises in that you can download books, games and videos on them and they generally are less expensive than true tablets. My husband has a Kindle fire and and iPad, and he uses both devices depending on what he is doing. Going to a store that carries multiple devices and handling them is good advice; you might also check among your friends who are geographically close to you and see if any of them use any of these devices and would be willing to let you borrow them for a day or two to see how hard or easy they are to use. All of my devices are still in use - my mother has my kindle to read on, and my son has my Nook because he can't afford a tablet and I won't give him my iPad. I would base a decision on personal preference for what you will be using it for, and price point for you personally. Although I do think that my first Kindle was in the nature of a gateway drug....

I have an older Kindle Fire which I love and use constantly for reading mostly but also to watch movies, etc. (I have Prime membership) in the winter on the treadmill. I also sometimes use it to check email when on vacation. My husband has the Kindle Paperwhite which he practically has glued to his hip. He reads voraciously all sorts of books and subscribes to 2 online magazines. He rarely uses it to do anything web based, just read. Look carefully at the descriptions of the range of Kindles and decide just what it is that you want to do with it and how. There are even differences in e-readers if that is your primary purpose. I'm sure others will chime in with their favorite device. I also have a Surface Pro not used nearly as much as I should. My Fire is the go to for travel. Maybe go to a place like Best Buy and try them out. Feel and see the differences. And good luck! The technology changes quickly but, if you like your device, it does what you want/need, and doesn't wear out, it will make you happy. My fire is about 5 years old. My husband's is only about a year old but his previous basic reader lasted about 6 years and finally pooped out or he wouldn't have replaced it.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3073457/windows/how-microsofts-nasty-new-windows-10-pop-up-tricks-you-into-upgrading.html Run this (no install needed): https://www.grc.com/never10.htm Or get GWX Control Panel here: http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/

I was having some work done on my computer by AVG today, and I discovered something I didn't know existed. (I'm running Windows 7 on this computer.) The technician kept putting an electronic sticky note on the screen as he was working & making notes on it. It looked just like a regular paper sticky note. Then he would close the sticky note when he finished that task. When I asked about it, he showed me where it is in "Programs" and he said it is a standard feature. Maybe I'm just the last one to the party, but I never knew this existed. I've been playing around with it and so far I've been able to open the sticky note in every program I run on this computer. Does anyone else use this very much?

We both have Nooks (Barnes & Noble) and love them. I bought an iPad Air thinking for travel. Used it for email but not for much serious work, even the spreadsheets that I thought I'd do on it. Now my husband is using it for his travel computer (mostly sitting in waiting rooms) and as a reader and email and internet and everything when he doesn't want to walk upstairs (it's hotter up there) to his desktop computer. Movies, too, and TV like UConn basketball games when I want to watch a TV show. He loves it and uses it all day/night long for all the various purposes. I continue with my large laptop for mobility and my desktop for work (home office) and my iPhone 6 Plus (the larger screen for my old eyes) when it's too much trouble to take my large laptop. So, I still take my Nook with me for reading and minor internet with it's larger screen than my iPhone 6 Plus. I looked at the Surface Pro and loved it, but then loved the Surface Book even more with it's larger screen, more USB ports, and substantial cover for both protection and privacy. A flat, light-weight laptop. I may order the Surface Book soon.

This was bugging me so while taking a break from my barbecue (guests are cleaning up, delegating is one of my strengths), I found it. While in the return go to Tools > Billing Mgr > For This Return on upper left. Gotta go, they should be done, cooks do have benefits, time for a cold one.

You need to find find out whether your client was a beneficiary of the pension benefit or ? Some pensions have a so called "death benefit" which is the equivalent to life insurance, in which case it may not taxable.

Today is Friday May 27. This morning when I came into work, I turned on my computer and began a normal day. But then as I visited this forum it occurred to me this could have been a very stressful & aggravating Friday. As I noted in my reply to your post on Monday of this week, since I had clicked the "x" on the Win10 installation window, the sneaky Win10 install had been scheduled for Thursday night without my knowledge. I only discovered this after running the utility you graciously provided the link for. Since I switch my computer off in the evening, I suspect that when I turned the computer on this morning the Win10 install would have been sitting there waiting to pounce. By the time I made coffee and started trying to work, I would have been bogged down in a frustrating cycle of "what's going on and why?" So again I just want to say "thanks" for the heads up you gave on Monday. Many thanks.

You're welcome! Never10 mostly changes a Group Policy (I bet you didn't even know you had Group Policies!) to enable 'turn off upgrade to latest version. It also makes the same change in your Registry (AllowOsUpgrade = 1 (off)). Those are things most of us might be uncomfortable doing. If you want to see your Group Policies, open up Run (Winkey+R) and type gpedit.msc. Just don't change anything!

Also see this IRS page on the WOTC and additional requirements on the employer to verify that the employee is in one of the targeted groups: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit-1 Because this was retroactively extended, there's transitional relief with extended dates for Form 8850 described in Notice 2016-22. Links to those are also on that IRS page. The deadlines differ by target group, but all are coming up in a couple of days or about a month depending on which group it is. Form 8850 is used by the employer to request certification from the state agency for each employee that certifies that the employee is a member of the targeted group.

Form 3800 employment credits. Specifically, work opportunity credits. Form 5884 that then flows to Form 3800. WOTC Chart Form 5884 at IRS site

A family friend (lawyer) came to me with a laptop a couple weeks ago. She has all Macs in her office, except for one Windows laptop that she uses for a specific piece of software. After refusing Windows 10 updates for ages, it finally decided it was time to upgrade itself, and it went badly. It got stuck in a boot loop with the Windows 10 update only half baked, and I couldn't find any information about reverting to the previous system without actually being able to boot into Windows 10. I worked on that stupid laptop for hours trying half a dozen of the least destructive solutions first, but finally I had no choice but to put the laptop back to factory settings. Thankfully her software vendor had excellent support and was able to tell me exactly what needed to be backed up before wiping the system. I don't see how Microsoft can, in good conscience, be so heavy handed about an OS upgrade, especially without some method to revert to the previous system if the upgrade goes badly which is not an uncommon occurrence.

If Books and Pro are arguing over a sale price, the only thing that is important is the current fair market value. That would have nothing to do with old records. The succeeding accounting must any pertinent and timely information, not you. Your information is so old that it cannot still have any relevance. I would be very tempted to ignore everything about this unless served with a subpoena. If that were to happen, then I'd contact E&O. Please don't lose any sleep over this. The attorney fees start piling up and then 99.999% of the time they agree on some sort of settlement.

I turn off my computer every evening. When I came in this morning and started it up, it was nice not to have to deal with the annoying Win 10 popup, since I ran the Never10 utility. Thanks very much for that link.

The only thing I would add is don't hire your own attorney. How would you know who to call, what their experience is in these matters? Contact E&O first, let them pick the attorney when and if one is necessary.

Yes, that's the right place to click. Then if you have the option to run the file, do that. If the run option is not available, save the file somewhere you can find it, then double click on the file to run it. If it comes up with the green message that Windows 10 OS Upgrade is DISABLED, you're all set. Just exit the program. If you get the red message, click the disable button. It only takes a split second.

When in doubt, hug it out.

If you can get Rita to give them each a hug, I have a client with a backhoe and a huge plot of forest land...

You will have to start with her return and amend to add his information. Who is primary will have no effect on tax or penalty consequences. Amending to include his unfiled information will NOT eliminate penalties and interest. Amending to MFJ will make her jointly and severally liable for penalties and interest. They chose the path/actions/procrastinations. They are the cause of the penalties and interest. Be sure you charge adequately for your work.

While my legal education does not extend past Perry Mason and Judge Judy, please don't take this as legal advice. But I feel compelled to give my opinion as I had a similar experience with H and W shareholders and it makes me angry seeing someone try to take advantage of a friend for their own gain, which is what Books is trying to (blaming you for his carelessness, ignorance, and greed). In my case I had all hard copies and notes, but as you say you had to make adjustments so wouldn't you be able to retrieve hard copies of the returns and amended returns if prepared? From your synopsis it appears your memory is good so why not re create notes, and explanations, especially the reason for Pro not being able to deduct losses, from your knowledge of what Books was telling you and the continuous statements from Books of unreported loans and other items. I don't think this is a violation of 230 as they are both questioning and answering the same situation, I don't see it as talking about one without the other's permission. I think your being prepared will show them they are barking up the wrong tree.. Getting a consultation from an attorney and speaking with your E&O will give you good preparation as to what you might expect and what you should do. Count me in for the drive by if needed, and let me know if you need me to call Brooklyn. It's not you, it's them. Good luck, Bill

Thanks. I had clicked the "x" in the upper right-hand box this morning (as always) without looking carefully at the screen. Sure enough, when I checked the status, it told me Win 10 was scheduled to be installed this upcoming Thursday. So I went through the extra steps to cancel the upgrade. Now I think I'll run one of the above blockers. Talk about sneaky - this is unforgivable behavior by Microsoft. They really are accountable to no one.

Schirallicpa, Wait...did I just hear you that you "are hopeful that the preparer does not wait til Oct 15 to get the return done"? Then, if the taxpayer is not going to have you prepare his tax return even though the other preparer didn't do his job correctly with not filing the electronic extension, etc... what in the world are you wasting your time for? Or maybe not....I hope your fee was extremely gratifying once you collected it before giving the person his 1040-V....as you know it's not over yet as IRS won't send him/her the NYS payment even if it was made out to the NYS Department of Revenue....so you are not through with the client of the MIA tax preparer! Or just be sure to tell the person to have his preparer include the NYS payment in his estimated payment figure he uses on his return....which should have earned you an additional fee for that knowledge. Cathy

You could also put in full amount as reported on 1099-B, then on the next line enter as negative 1/2 of the proceeds and as negative 1/2 of basis. I believe that would resolve any IRS matching issues and client coronary issue that might result from an IRS letter.

Restore QB from the end of the year being audited. No entries for years after. Then, close out all prior years. In order for anyone to see the prior years info, they will need the associated password. The agent will only be able to see the year in question information. If your client does not have backups for the end of each year in his archives, he is SOL. If he does not have backups, THAT is not your issue. After you close all prior years, create an accountant copy. Then create a .qbm backup file to give to the auditor. This copy will not be able to be modified.

What they are also looking for is when JE's were posted. Some decisions in accrual C Corps cannot be be made and posted retroactvely, for example, profit sharing bonuses calculated and posted during the Corporate Tax Return Preparation Process.

The suspended losses are released at the disposition of the asset. ATX handles this really well. Just proceed with the disposition as normal and it will flow through to the 1040 properly. Tom Newark, CA

You might want to read this article in the Journal of accountancy: http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2012/jan/20114540.html. I found it by googling IRS and Quickbooks. While I would prefer not to just hand over the quickbooks, i am not sure there is realistically any choice.

I'd be afraid the IRS would send both the extension and the check back if you used an extension form. Honestly, I'd have the client come in and use IRS Direct Pay. It will save them penalties and interest because it will post sooner.

I would use the extension vouchers, but I don't think it would make a bit of difference. Who knows? Maybe the one who handles it hasn't slept all week and says, "Eh, automatic extension granted. Let me get back to Rita's new client asking me to resend notices cause he left them in Scotland and has been trying to get her to give him advice without a notice." I am joking, of course, but I don't see how it would matter what you send with the check as long as the tax year is clear.

Same thing in CT. They scan the bottom of the checks, and the scanners don't read the "pay to" line, just the account and routing numbers. So they get to cash a check made out to "US Treasury." Now if I tried to cash a check made out to Abby or Gail, how far do you think I'd get? I think my boss is right: the clients are getting stupider. The preparer who dealt with Schirallicpa's client likely chose a paper extension because a payment was being made and s/he didn't have the bank info to electronically pay (or the client didn't have the money in the account at the moment). Client gets the vouchers, instructions clearly highlighted in yellow, and stuffs the wrong check in the wrong envelope. I had a client who actually discarded my envelopes, made checks out to the US and state, and hand-addressed two envelopes to the state, which happily cashed them both. Didn't realize what happened until he got an IRS notice, I asked for copies of the front and back of the US Treasury check, and there it was: deposited to the state. He initially blamed me for the mistake, backed off and apologized, and is now my new best friend. I try to make a habit of never blaming a prior preparer until I know both sides of the story. Just today I responded to an IRS notice for a client whose preparer she had for decades left all the stock sales off the return (but included the interest and dividends, so I know they had the 1099). I just said that at the height of tax season when most of us haven't had sleep or food for days, stuff happens.

Turn off automatic windows updates and do them manually when you are bored (or leaving for lunch). Too many times I've been leaving for a meeting or trying to avoid rush hour traffic on Friday afternoon and my laptop went into update mode. Now I do a manual monthly update when I go to lunch and I know what's being updated.

Sounds like a perfect place to mention ---- have this in your engagement letter or at least as part of the policy you share with the client --- I will keep documents until you pick them up //// up to 3-4-5 whatever years and then destroy them /// this protects you should they then come back complaining ---"I did not know; was not informed, etc.. In today's society -- protection is the way to think ---- (again, an enemy is less likely to harm you -- because you do not normally let them close /// while a friend, family will -- because of who they are --- they have access).

I agree with Jack. We have some in the back drawer that are 3 years old. Just waiting. We do the work and then one day they wake up and say "this is the day". Or they get a letter from the IRS or State and they have to do something. They show up, we get paid. I show no judgement. But forget about it. They don't care. No telling what's going on in their life right now. I had one last month that I've been sitting on for 2 1/2 years. I did 3 years for the client and then he dropped off the face of the earth. He calls pays me $1200. I thank him. And everyone is happy. The problem is we care, they don't. Remember it's only business.

What I'm going to suggest is unpopular, but here's what I'd probably do. Maybe I'm just feeling overly generous today. I assume he owes about $1,300 based on what you said. Unless it's a terribly complicated return you are best served to get rid of it. I'd print out the return and mail it to him via certified mail with return receipt. Add a fee to the bill for paper filing if you are inclined to do so, plus a charge for the certified mail/RR charges. I'd include a note that he is incurring about $12 per month of charges (interest plus FTF penalty) on the $1,300 as long as it remains unfiled, but if he doesn't file by Oct 15, IRS will add another $65 per month to the aforementioned. Recommend that he file the return with IRS using the same method you used (certified mail with RR). The certified mail with RR proves he got the return from you, and the letter gives him proper advice on what happens if he delays or doesn't file by Oct 15. Maybe he will pay and maybe he won't, but at least you don't have to think about the situation any longer. If he cheats you out of your fee, at least you'll be able to prevent him from cheating you again in the future. Sometimes the best stress relief is to claim the high ground and move on.

Can you text or email or snail mail a note? I can't get over the people who won't check voicemail. I'd say your guy has gotten the message, but just in case, I'd try another method of reaching him. Then, I'd just wait on him to pick up. It's your only chance of getting paid, and we do this to earn money, after all. There are two kinds of people, and he's in the second group. They experience zero anxiety about stuff we think about at 4:00 in the morning.

I kinda disagree with that statement. The way a video blogger makes money is to test out products and blog about them. It is for the purpose of promoting those products so the viewers will go out and buy them after seeing them on the blog. The blogger can get paid by the company whose products are sold. So, in a way, the blogger is trying to drive sales. Tom Newark, CA

Looks like I am the only person who didn't know about this feature. Thanks for all the great additional tips Judy. I'm storing them on a sticky note.

With my developer hat on: Cloud removes some very nasty headaches. No support for installation, maintenance, updates, backing up data, etc. Factoring in support for just these issues is a HUGE part of software cost. Like it or not, modern computer users are insulated from having to know how computers function, and expect software vendors to train them if needed. This is not a bad thing, as it means more can use the wonderful tool, it is just different. (Imagine if GM had to teach me how to drive, give directions, make repairs, fill the gas tank, etc., all for free, because I bought a GM vehicle.) Much more easily to handle proper licensing as one can monitor exact access and cut it off as needed. Costs go up as one has to charge enough to cover customers being online 24/7 and moving large amounts of data. But, those costs get passed on, and if the customer is not all that active, I might make more money. (I would not want to have to run a meter and bill for access.) Unless I am sloppy and do something incorrectly, I have zero liability for lost data, so no new risk there. The bad is all on the customer. Outages. Intuit has suffered them, as has Amazon. If these two, expecially Amazon, cannot keep up 100% of the time, then how can anyone else? Intuit's online payroll was unavailable for more than 24 HOURS not too long ago... Amazon is the back end for MANY cloud services, so it is safe to say they are the best, and yet they cannot be perfect. If data is lost, the customer has likely trusted they did not need an online backup and are in bad shape. Slower data entry is almost a given, and a bad thing for even a lousy keyboarder. For safe data, each entry must be stored and added, slowing down entry. Well, unless you live in a Google fiber area and your cloud service is in the same loop... (For example, I am writing this using a remote connection to my main computer, and even at slow typing, I have to "wait" a few ms for the remote software to send the keystrokes to the main computer, update the display, and send the restults back to me and update my display. This is a very fair comparison to cloud or even network based software speed.) So for now, we remain softare installed on the customer's computer and do not require internet access at all. We continue to consider a cloud offering, but nothing on the horizon.