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Well isn't this ironic timing. One of the 3 I've fired just had his brother / attorney call to threaten legal action against me for improperly preparing his return in 2015. He demanded 2 years ago that i depreciate his rental property BEFORE he placed it into service. I refused and declared he was rehabbing it and you can't depreciate an investment (he had no occupancy permit or working utilities so how could he rent it?). Last year (one of the reasons his questions were so stupid) he demanded I section 179 his residential rental property so that he could get a massive refund and buy another property. Supposedly a real estate seminar he went to said this was okay. It took about 15 minutes for his brother to recognize how uninformed his client is on the subject.

I'd say when you are done, be done, no matter what. No communication at all. Jack's advice to return all data is great (keep a copy in case you are dragged to court or something along those lines). No response from you means no added fuel. (Hard learned lesson.) I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it. George Bernard Shaw Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgebern137450.html "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." George Bernard Shaw

I agree with not responding to communications. I wouldn't block the person but would save all communications given to you. Fired a client about 3 weeks ago. She received a $25 bill from the state for not making estimated tax payments. Said it very plainly on the letter but she declared that's NOT what it said and that I needed to pay the $25 because that's what H&R Block would do. After admitting she never made state estimated payments and recognizing I'd warned her about it for years - I told her to go to H&R Block and never return. These people just aren't worth it. I've fired 3 clients in the last year and have never felt better about my life! I only have one more jerk on my list and I doubt he comes back. He blamed me for an "error" in his return yet recognized in our email communications that I had 2x asked a question to clarify, 2x he gave me an answer which justified my actions yet in his opinion I should have ignored what he wrote and followed through on what he should have said. He had ME explain to his ex-wife why we took the deduction "by accident" because he was such a freakin wimp.

I vote to ignore the email. Sounds like your procrastinator is mad at himself and took it out on you. If so, then any response from you might encourage him to continue his silly blaming and quasi-bullying. Let him just go away.

I decided to get Drake now (Dec), rather than waiting until late Jan as I usually do. The program just blows my mind with its user-friendly features. After paying, the download took 10 - 15 minutes. I set up a few preferences, transferred my macros form last year, and did a printer setup, all in about 30 min. Ran a pro-forma for a client and all looked good. The only thing left to do is install the state programs when they are available. Drake cannot be beat for simplicity and efficiency.

One of my two favorite pig analogies. Here's the other one, which I try to remember when tempted to explain tax rules to some people:: "Never try to teach a pig to sing. All you get for your efforts is bad music and a frustrated pig".

Ignore the last e-mail Block his e-mail address in your e-mail program. If he is on FaceBook, block him there. Block his phone numbers on all your phone lines. If you have any of his information, send it back to him certified mail, return receipt requested Sleep well knowing you have saved yourself another ulcer...

Merry Christmas to everyone!

There is no gift until money is drawn out by the individual whose is name is placed on the account for his / her own personal use. So you can put kid's name on a million dollar account, but there is no reportable gift unless the kid draws out over $14,000 for his own use. See Reg. § 25.2511-1(h)(4).

And Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Thank you my friend. I knew I could depend on you for the special effect. All the best, Bill

Last year I went through the same thing with a client. But she did the unthinkable and made my wife cry. I fired her. She called up and went off on me. I was polite and stood my ground. She called her sister who was a long time client and I lost that one too. Her brother, who was in the middle of getting his last 7 years of unfiled returns cleaned up by me did not even think about leaving. He begged to stay. I think that you should talk to him if you can keep your cool. Explain that you cannot take on his work if he is not going to do his part. You need the records and if he cannot provide them in a timely manner then you will not prepare the return. If this guy "gets under your skin" and causes you to lose your cool, then do it all in writing. Just my 2Cents. Tom Newark, CA

A long time client is being made joint owner of another individuals savings account, 40K, and given exclusive right to use the money as necessary. Thinking joint tenancy, I see this transaction as a gift and if the total is given in one year, then a gift tax return must be done. Only way to avoid the gift tax return if for the donor to give 14K each year. Other opinions please.

I've always enjoyed firing a client because it is usually for good reason and I got peace of mind. They are usually a problem for one reason or another. The last two I fired were a brother and sister, partners in real estate wanting me to be a partner in tax fraud. I politely explained that it would be better to find someone else that may suit their needs. Yes, they got mad and said I was abandoning them but I kept my cool, gave them my reasons and wished them well. Catherine, if your guy calls again tell him how you really feel about his case and what you think is best for both of you. Or, send him to me so I could fire him.

A few days in Dec? Have 600k in income that could use a little Sec 179 against it... This is restaurant number 2. 150k in Equipment, and 1million in Building. Only a portion of the building? Place in service the kitchen area, but not the dining, restrooms or parking?

Apparently, the IRS site is backup. All of my credits have been sent to the IRS as of 12/23. Just thought others would like to know to follow-up on the status of their CEU's

ADP battery backups have worked well for me but replacing the battery is quite expensive. I too have a generator to plug in but as Medlin said it is important to swap between appliances and electronic items. A gasoline generator cannot hold a steady rpm and therefore produces a ragged AC sine wave which electronic devices do not like. So, if I am running the office, nothing else is running that would cause the speed on the generator to vary.

Judy, I am a bit confused by your original statement and what the exact short period you are filing for. Is this short period from Jan 1 thru 31, 2017?? If, so then I agree with the 2017 date you mention. One thing I know for sure, nothing is as simple as it should be with the IRS. I adamantly stay on top of my payroll clients to make absolutely sure then are paying the correct amount for the correct period. Had a client that over paid his payroll tax. He brought me on board to help. A simple entry on form 941C to show what period the over payment would be applied to took an unwelcomed visit by an IRS rep, office audit, and tax payer advocate over a period of three years to get straight. Nevertheless, I understand your concern for the proper filing date.

The new house I bought came with a gas generator that automatically kicks in if the power goes out. I have no idea if we've had a power outage! But yeah, I'm out in the country now too.

I can't cite any authority on this but the way I understand it if the participant contributes the catch up in the year he or she turns 50 then they are fine whether they are employed by the employer or leave employment by the end of the year. Then again, like you say, many government rules are stupid.

B, I would call the number on the letter at 6:30 CST and you'll get right through. They will verify your account with a few questions about your 2015 tax return, especially any 1099 payers and amounts so have them handy. Takes a few minutes. Good luck, The other B.. Merry Christmas, Bill

I'm going to bet it's Ok. There are probably other people who never registered with eservices. I only used it once or twice when they used to let us enter POAs. Merry Christmas!

FNDY......You are a fine poet.......Well done...

Merry Christmas and an even HAPPIER NEW YEAR !

Joy and happiness to all. While it is often said Christmas is not like it was when we were young, nothing says we can't still think young. Merry Christmas.

Peace on Earth, and Goodwill to all on this board! Dan

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! May you all have a blessed holiday and a healthy and prosperous 2017.

Gosh, I dunno. These situations are such personal things (between them and their quirks and us and ours) that it's hard to generalize. I guess the question is: Would you take him back? Under the circumstances, I don't think I'd do anything but wait and see if he phones or comes in to talk in person. If he apologizes and you're willing to do the work, then all's okay - if still hostile then I'd tell him it's his fault, that I notified him monthly and he ignored it, so I'm not doing his taxes anymore. This works - I did it once, but the downside was he gave me a cussin' goin' out the door which I ignored (he was quite large). Besides, it's against the law to shoot anybody not moving toward you although, just in case, I keep a .38 in the desk (you never know). Hmm, come to think of it, that scenario doesn't need to be repeated -- probably would just go smoother following Rita's suggestion (let it blow over).

No way. You don't really want this client, do you? I would politely state what you have said here, that he never signed engagement letter or any binding agreement and that your monthly reminders did not spur him into acting on them. That being said, even with no engagement letter, unless you specifically addressed his procrastination in those monthly reminder emails and the fact that you continued to send them may have given him the impression that this was business as usual, especially if this was typical of your relationship with this client over a number of years.

He's throwing a tantrum. He missed the 10/17 date for 2015 taxes and has given me nothing - but now is upset that he has to find someone else with "no notice" claiming it's like he walked out of a job halfway through a kitchen renovation (contractor). No, it's more like he walked away from a job that was discussed but never had a plan approved, a contract signed, or a deposit paid.

You don't duplicate it, you do a rollover. When you click on the rollover tab, you have two tabs: 2013 and last Month/Quarter. Choose Last Month/Quarter. Then choose the return you want to do a short year on. This will make your beginning depreciation and other rolled over numbers correct. As for efiling it, it sounds like you have to call ATX to get them to allow it. I've always just paper filed.