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I AM THANKFUL: For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight. Because she is home with me, and not out with someone else. For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes. Because it means she is at home, not on the streets. For the taxes I pay. Because it means I am employed. For the mess to clean after a party. Because it means I have been surrounded by friends. For the clothes that fit a little too snug. Because it means I have enough to eat. For my shadow that watches me work. Because it means I am out in the sunshine. For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing. Because it means I have a home. For all the complaining I hear about the government. Because it means we have freedom of speech. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot. Because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation. For my huge heating bill. Because it means I am warm. For the lady behind me in church who sings off key. Because it means I can hear. For the pile of laundry and ironing. Because it means I have clothes to wear. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day. Because it means I have been capable of working hard. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours. Because it means I am alive. For my wife who always seems to nag at me. Because it means that someone cares about me. And finally, for too many e-mail messages, posts and messages on FaceBook. Because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

There is no cite at this point in time other than the IRS page I've linked to below, but I think the key word in this discussion is "verification" of the EFIN. Those of us that have efiled and have never changed software vendors already submitted the EFIN letter long ago to our software providers, but at some point soon and before the next season begins that will change, and in order to efile we will all have to log in to e-services, go through an identity verification, register a mobile phone and receive a text to it, etc. We will then be able to print out a pdf (must be a pdf from e-services) where the EFIN was assigned as part of the application process. All of the software vendors will be required to do this by the IRS. This is just one part of the security measures that were developed as a result of the security summit from this past summer that was held between the IRS, software vendors, and other key stakeholders. Another change will be required usernames and strong passwords to access the 2016 software, and with those passwords expiring and needing to be changed every 90 days. At this point the e-services/EFIN requirement was to be implemented by 10/24/16 and has been temporarily delayed according to this IRS page (safe link for those that worry): https://www.irs.gov/individuals/important-update-about-your-eservices-account Also, note that at this point it may be possible to proceed through this authentication process by telephone and waiting for something via U.S. mail that may take 5-10 days and additional steps to complete the process. This will be a requirement for all of us that do not already have the verified EFIN document as a pdf document from e-services on file with our software vendors. It does not count that the EFIN itself was already on file with the software vendor if that information was provided to them from the original letter sent to us from the IRS. It must come from e-services now because there were some fake EFIN letters submitted and relied on in the past. I have seen this on the Drake site, Drake's forum, in an email from Thomson Reuters for their CS fixed assets and tax products (Ultra Tax) as well as a warning right on their main page in large bold lettering, in a direct email I subscribe to from the IRS stakeholders' liason out of the Philly office, and now here.

Hi Naveen, Did you try turning off the automatically installed Windows Defender program before trying to install ATX? The message you are getting is the one generated by that program. You can turn it off by going into Windows settings, then security, and then accessing the Windows Defender program. Hope this helps.

In the Drake FAQ on what Drake requires for efiling one question says: How often do I need to register my EFIN? This is a one-time verification process. You do not need to re-send your EFIN document unless your EFIN number has changed.

Thankful for this forum, and everyone on it, where we get to "Talk Turkey" all year.