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250 in my area which is less than Block or Liberty. Rural area but we have more millionaires per sq mile than most places in the US. I got a lot of little old lady clients one year because a firm in town set their minimum to 500.

I think the number was $273 for a 1040, Sch A, and a state return. Can't charge that here. I often wonder if professionals surveyed respond "evangelistically". I had a pastor who would joke about the conference exaggerating numbers. It got to be pretty funny. He started doing it, too: "Well, evangelistically speaking, we had xxx in attendance for Bible School..." Or whatever. He was counting all the parents and church members hanging out in the kitchen yakking and eating snacks and not working. We all understood what he meant.

How much does your firm charge to prepare a 1040? How about other forms? What about the accounting and business advisory services you offer? When was the last time you checked to see if your prices were appropriate? A new survey from the National Society of Accountants (NSA) shows detailed data about business practices, client fees, and spending for tax and accounting professionals. The 2016-17 NSA Income and Fees of Accountants and Tax Preparers in Public Practice Survey Report offers useful benchmarks for firms to use in billing, fee increases, engagement practices and other operations. http://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/news/12300090/average-tax-preparation-fees-hit-273-for-1040-and-one-state

I got one here with two children qualifying for CTC. One child lives with them and one does not. Kinda makes is difficult to answer 10a. But I am giving it the old college try and hoping the next directive is not to complete an 8867 for each child. I noted my dilemma in Additional Due Diligence Information.

also on the IRS newswire that they email out. 27th first day should show up in bank accounts.

I saw it in the Kiplinger tax letter, said refunds extra 2 weeks for direct deposit and longer for paper checks to be issued

In my rural area, we would charge $115 - $130 for that, assuming no ETIC or CTC. But I am sure if I lived in a large city with higher office and labor costs, my charge would have to be more. And believe it or not, our prices are fairly high for this are. Too many kitchen table preparers.

$273 for a 1040, Sch A and One State? I find that to be high, but I'm sure others are charging at least that if not more. For me, who prepares returns "on the side", that return would run between $150 and $175.

This is specifically covered in the 8867 instructions for line 9 where it says this:

OK, no one spoke up to keep either of the old ones pinned and this topic has had close to 100 views, so now the only one that will stay pinned is the new one for tips and tricks.

Yes, I do keep any documents provided by the taxpayer that I relied upon. If the client didn't provide any, my answer is yes. If I didn't rely on any, my answer is yes. I only have to keep documents provided by the taxpayer THAT I relied upon.

I have clients who have been with me since before the kids were born (or since they were toddlers). I've seen the wives come into my office with a big round belly, and gotten the baby pictures by email. They come in every year, I hear the tales of school and getting to take the class hamster home for February vacation, I see the kids coloring in books in the corner, they get bored and come climb on Daddy's lap - I am NOT going to go crazy asking for "proof" these kids are theirs or any of the other gobbledygook. New clients - those I'll ask for some documents.

My dad used to tell me "Charge what the market will bear"

^ Grandmabee is correct and has perfect timing. That email from IRS newswire just showed up in my email 4 minutes ago. If anyone didn't get it or doesn't subscribe, it is IR 2017-16.

They feed right thru my ScanSnap S1500.

IRS site still says it will begin releasing on 2/15, but it seems the extent of scrutiny depends on the content of the return and credits claimed. The quote below is taken from the IRS site and says right there that some of those early filers still may not have their refunds until the end of Feb.

Starting last year the penalty was increased from $100 to $250. And for intentionally disregarding, it went from $250 to $500 for 2016.

I'm pretty sure Kentucky was accepting the 765 by e-file last year. We just couldn't do it through ATX. Like you, I'm glad that won't be a problem this year. Now if only they would approve Form 741 in for e-filing. A girl can dream....

That sounds good, but as to my above devil-may-care statement ("I'll take my chances and to...") regarding my disregarding CTC documents, I'm now not so sure that will fly with the IRS. If you answer "Yes" to 8867 question 5 ("Did you satisfy the record retention requirement), then it demands a list of the documents used (otherwise a "red warning" in the Check Return module keeps you from efiling until answered. Which is okay if you have documents. On the other hand, if don't have the documents and want to answer "No" to question 5, then a list of documents is NOT demanded in the Check Return module and you can efile with no problem. But the question is - how does this look to IRS (since I'm saying "No, I did not satisfy the record retention requirement)? In one sense, the 8867 seems to allow this by its "if any" statement right above the box 5 spot where you list the documents: it says "...list those documents, IF ANY, that you relied on." So, I don't want to say "yes, I retained documents" when I actually didn't, but is the saying "no" enough to make us dig some up and then list them to get along with IRS?

I'm simply thinking of unpinning the post, not deleting it. The post would still be found by performing a simple search of our site.

The dollar limit of $2500 is the least of the tests though. Are you sure that it meets one of the tests for being a betterment, adaptation or restoration and is not simply a repair? http://rsmus.com/pdf_download/is_tax_1015_tars_flowchart1.pdf

Creating Links Between Fields source: http://files.cchsfs.com/doc/atx/2014/Help/14.3/Content/Both-SSource/Creating Links Between Fields.htm Use the Start Link and Finish Link feature to create a link between two fields on any form (including schedules and worksheets). This function, represented by the Start Link/Finish Link toggle button on the toolbar above an open return, links text or numeric values from one field (source field) to another field (destination field). After a link has been established, changes made in the Start Link field are reflected in the destination field. When checking a return for errors (Check Return), the Finish Link field (destination) will be marked as an overridden field. Start/Finish links automatically roll over from prior year or prior period returns. To create custom links: Select the source field. Do one of the following: On the toolbar, click the Start Link button. From the Edit menu, select Start Link. Navigate to the destination field on any form, schedule, or worksheet. Do one of the following: On the toolbar, click the Finish Link button. From the Edit menu, select Finish Link. If it takes longer than 40 seconds to finish the link, the request will be canceled. Destination fields have a green background. Creating links between fields: example of source/destination fields Canceling Relationship between Two Linked Fields To undo the link between two fields: Place the cursor in the destination (green) field. Do one of the following: On the toolbar, click the Restore button. From the Edit menu, select Restore Field. Press Ctrl+R. When the green background disappears from the destination field, you know the link has been removed. Exceptions: When Fields Cannot Accept a Link The following fields cannot be linked: Input or Detail Sheets Itemized Lists Circular references or mathematical loops Whenever a field cannot be linked, you'll receive a message that will alert you to this exception.

Develop your own "Protection Plus" For $50, you will protect them in case of an audit by the IRS or State, free of charge. It's like free money. If 10% buy it, and only 1% may ever get it... You are way ahead. Rich