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When I used ATX I did something similar for every DE client that had credit for taxes paid to other states. ATX never got to the correct credit without overriding, so I'd link the lines for those overrides to the appropriate lines on the other states' returns in case there was a subsequent change to the returns, I wouldn't have to manually recalculate those credits again, it was automatic.

Catherine, you are positively correct on that observation! The idea that they are "educational institutions" intimidates them to the point to where they get what they want...how in the world are they to argue or disagree with them without the educated beings making them look like the people they really are (not that bright)?

Ryan and Abby, Thank you very much. I got everything I needed. I think I might actually be able to use this site in the future. That was pretty slick. Tom Newark, CA

Yeah, it's pretty impressive. I also link my most common state forms and connect them to the federal as well. It saves some time. Also, there are a lot of times that a client does not come in to sign their returns on the day they say they are going to sign it. Now you only need to change the date in one spot and it auto populates the rest.

Every time is see this thread I see 1098 Tissue

We stopped using our spreadsheet and just use ATX. We assign sequential client number as they come in and sort on that column. Also have three user defined columns: Date In, Date Done, Year End.

That one item I track on my spreadsheet, and also work on clients in the order their documents came in. That only seems fair!

If you look at the instructions for line 9 of the form, I think that you don't need to allocate any of the amounts from the 1095A if that policy doesn't cover anyone outside of the H-W's tax family, and if no other tax family purchased coverage for anyone listed on the return you are preparing. If that is the case, I think you check "No" on line 9 and fill in either annual totals or monthly amounts for the wife only.

I don't think you have to worry. They won't be back. And you are right.

Proving my point that the main effect of new rules & regulations is merely to change the details on how to get around them....

AZ sent out 2015 1099G forms showing 2014 tax refund information to taxpayers. They caught the error before submitting the 1099G forms to the IRS. AZ Is mailing corrected 1099G forms out this week.

I roll over as they come in too, and I also use my tax program to track progress like others here do. I do still have a master spreadsheet for all clients' work and ones by month that I still use to indicate projects' final completion dates.

This is what I do too. I also like to check 'Incomplete', sort by create date and print a list so I have a to do list in order they came in with info (and how far I'm behind).

From the IRS website: Steps Employers Can Take If They See the W-2 Scam Organizations receiving a W-2 scam email should forward it to [email protected] and place “W2 Scam” in the subject line. Organizations that receive the scams or fall victim to them should file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3,) operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. See also: Affected employers and companies should also alert the state tax agencies by notifying [email protected].

Just a bit of info that may help. The IRS only looks at the first four characters of the last name. So, if you have a hyphenated name try shrinking that name down to the first four characters of what would seem to be the last name. This situation is true for a lot of Hispanic folks. JMHO.

Thank you all for the assistance!

Agree with Jack. The IRS computer takes info from the SSA computer, so your client has to start with the SSA to discover the mismatch between what the SS card says and what the computer stores. Only after the SSA updates information can you really start with the IRS. Paper file. Are you sure your client didn't have a name change? Did you e-file them last year? Do they have one of those ID theft PINs?

I think this one is the 2016 version of what I have; you can check out the .pdf: https://www.bulkorder.ftc.gov/system/files/publications/pdf-0009_identitytheft_a_recovery_plan.pdf If you like it, order -- it's free, including free shipping -- and share with other professionals in your area. Or, drop some off at your church, broker, lawyer, town social worker, local small businesses, etc. (Introduce yourself and leave a business card.) The flyers look good, too, for a checklist of what to do, and you can easily print those one-pagers as you need them. Look at the other titles (and other languages, depending on your neighborhood). Click on them and check out the .pdf version.

Mine was a 2013 edition, but someone was passing them out at our January NY/CT-ATP meeting. I do see it as a .pdf publication now: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0009-taking-charge.pdf And, lots of other related titles. I'll take a look at their site again.

Nope. Long and arduous path to get this corrected. It will take months and lots of documents being sent. This is a very strange situation to me. I have never seen the Service have the wrong number. Be certain of the source of all your information, lest you have egg on your face.

Thanks everyone. Yes, the phishing scam in Forbes is the one, started with corporate employers and then morphed to other organizations. I received an IRS email notice just the other day about this. I'll do a 14039 if we find out if he was actually compromised (been there a few times) but is there a way to find out if a return was filed without filing and getting a reject? My concern is this, he is a high earner with multiple K1s that I have sent in big bucks for estimated taxes, but don't think that is at risk as a fraudulent return would only be based on the compromised W2, I would think. I think I heard here the IRS is delaying refunds even further out than the 2/15 date, maybe because of this scam. But am I putting too much faith in the IRS that if they are notified by the employer (last week), that those returns with the employer ID in question will be further scrutinized or held up? Would the IRS computers be able to do this, I'm not so confident. I will be calling the hotline to hear what they have to say on Monday and report back. I never thought to ask him what was being done to help the employees. I'll relay the FTC ID Theft book to him, great info Lion, thanks. I hope the company is offering free credit monitoring too.

Definitely as needed. Including when needed to file extensions. For all the reasons stated above.

I roll as returns come in. That way I know how old a return may be in the system. Gives me a heads up on order to work returns if all info is there.

Steps to take if you become a victim If you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends these steps: File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft.gov. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records: Equifax, www.Equifax.com, 1-800-766-0008 Experian, www.Experian.com, 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion, www.TransUnion.com, 1-800-680-7289 Contact your financial institutions, and close any financial or credit accounts opened without your permission or tampered with by identity thieves. If your SSN is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these additional steps: Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided or, if instructed, go to IDVerify.irs.gov. Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if your efiled return rejects because of a duplicate filing under your SSN or you are instructed to do so. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail according to instructions. If you previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution, contact us for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490. We have teams available to assist.

I roll over as needed until 4/1. Then I go to rollover and check the Not Rolled Over box and roll over the rest to file extensions. Do the same for entities except we do it on 3/1. Even with the new due dates, we find it more logical to do all entities on 3/1.

With all the updates that come, I believe it is prudent to just roll them when you are ready to work on them. That said, before the lightening speed of todays computers, one time I rolled them over all at once. After several hours of my computing time being tied up, I swore never to do that again.

ONLY at the time I am using it. Trust me on this. Too many potential issues to roll them all ahead of time.

He might benefit from electing out of capitalizing preproduction cost through Reg. 1.263A-4. He would then use alternative depreciation per 168(g)(2).

IRS Pub 225 Farmers Tax Guide is a good resource

Crank, I really think it is okay to ignore the 1098T. The IRS does. And, like Lion says, tell your client to expect an audit notice. We have lots of AOC audits, mainly because the IRS does not trust the 1098Ts either. (Last summer we had 6 or 8.) IRS does not match the numbers on the T to the return because they (rightfully) don't believe them. I wonder now that we preparers have to do due diligence for the AOC, if the audits will decrease or maybe increase (so they can fine us). Add up how much the tuition and fees were, subtract the scholarships applied to the relevant semesters, and use that amount as the amount paid. In Ultratax, if you enter a number in the "amount paid" box, you don't enter anything else (amount billed, scholarships). The program works with the correct, defensible, number you entered. No it doesn't match the T, but it's correct.

Agree, go back to 2015 and do both years correctly. Yeah, the amount billed has always made me laugh, and it includes billing for part of the next year. It's so screwed up. I do believe IRS looks at it for some purposes, however. My client I mentioned earlier got a letter because she paid amounts billed in 2014 in 2015. They picked right up on the fact that payments exceeded billing. Complete PITA for a credit of $292. I faxed letter with the Bursar's statement showing payments. Probably get the all clear by the time the kid's children go to college. Hope the 1098T is usable by then.