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I have moved to having as many of my clients as possible, drop off information. In my private practice, with ~220 clients, I only do 10 in office preparation appointments. The exception is for new clients. First time, I always have an in office appointment with new clients. After that, drop and I will call. It is much faster to prepare returns when the clients are not in my office. I am able to be more efficient. You are correct, people do not keep appointments and do not have enough courtesy to even call when they know they will not be there. One of the reasons I adopted the "drop and I will call" approach.

You should ignore this thread entirely and if your software company demands verification you should refuse to provide. I'm sure nothing will happen and everything will be perfectly fine.

I don't make appointments, either. I find that the more flexible I am with that type thing, the less stressed I am. Drop off anytime, we'll talk as necessary, and I'll call you when it's ready. I also tell them, if the door is unlocked, whether during official hours or not, come on in. I used to keep the door locked on Saturdays, and always had somebody banging on it like they might die. I didn't find any bodies when I left, so I guess not. Now I leave the door unlocked on Saturday, and fewer people "have to" see me on Saturday. Seems like the way it works.

^ what Jack said! Drop off solved multiple issues for me. No more missed or late appointments, the few that always show up much too early and interrupt other work, and especially the ones that think it's ok to bring multiple very young hyperactive children with them. Most of my clients really like the idea too because it is more convenient for them. My only regret is that I didn't do it many years sooner.

Rita, Is the following -- why -- you really are not worrying about this -- right now? That IS YOU -- right? //// Nov 26 (Reuters) - A lottery ticket sold in Tennessee had the winning numbers for a $421 million Powerball jackpot, one of the biggest on record, officials said after Saturday's draw. The winning numbers selected were 17, 19, 21, 37, 44, with the Powerball 16. No one as yet had stepped forward to claim the prize, which grew in size since Sept. 17, the last time anyone matched all six numbers. The jackpot soared from $403 million to a reported $420.9 million on Saturday due to a spate of late ticket-buying. The prize is paid out over 30 years, with the option of a lump sum payment, which officials said would add up to about $254.7 million.

You might see what modules your bookkeeping software and tax prep software offer. If it's just for you, you may be able to find a good Excel template free or at a low cost to use. Enjoy your retirement.

Deb IMO your computer is fine but it's likely either: a) bogged down with a bunch of junk (MSCONFIG - start up). Things like Quickbooks, your tax software, spreadsheet programs, Adobe programs - you've probably got 30+ programs starting and bad registries and other junk - it accumulates. b - your hard drive is dying - I'd do a full backup of everything you need ASAP. or c) you have a bunch of malware or a few virsus' on your computer. If you decide to go with a new computer - skip a regular hard drive and go with an SSD (Solid State Drive). They last a REALLY long time (no moving parts) and you'll be shocked how quickly software boots. My computer boots in <15 seconds and Quickbooks is up and running in <5 seconds. If you have 8 GB of ram and an i5 processor - you have enough of a computer to run what you need.

If you pre-set the appointments, via the clients' tax organizer, have you considered a courtesy reminder call 2 days beforehand (akin to what doctors/dentists do)?

Judy, I hate to disagree with you but you can already printout a PDF of your efile summary page which is what ATX instructs us to do. The PDF is and always has been available. The-services log in thing is different than the efile verification. Like I said, I already Have what ATX is asking for, it's just that there is no way to upload it to them without changing my efile number again leading me to suspect that I am already verified. ATX has sent me the same info the last 3 years stating the need to verify efile info but I have never had to do it and on their website it states it is a one time process. I guess I will find out when efile service starts or if we get some more communication either from IRS or ATX.

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.

Before shelling out for a new computer, I would try to do a clean install of the operating system (windows 7) first. Those specs seem fine to run ATX. There even may be a restore the OS option in the settings of control panel so you may not even need the install disc to do it. I do a clean install on all my machines about every 18-24 mos. They run like new again.

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.

Finally figured out how to put in the graphic about deer ...

Very Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

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

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.

Happy Thanksgiving !!! to all, be Blessed and enjoy family, friends and even your enemies (it will drive them crazy). and REMEMBER -- watch those deer:

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!