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I think we mean we need all the W-2s and 1099s, summary of college payments by date and payer, daycare provider's EIN, numbers for the new bank account they want to use for DD. Stuff like that. Which reminds me of a good one from yesterday: Client: Wife got this in the box yesterday, not sure you need it. Me: Yes, actually, wife will go to jail if this is not on your return. Client: Can I have that back? It was only a 1099-R with 80K taxable.

I did the update and have not experienced any issues except for the one I believe ILLMAS is talking about - and I do not find it to be that annoying, but that's just me. I am not sure about the disablement, but check in your preferences and see if the "display intelliconnect tool tips" is checked. That is under the "open return" preferences. That might have something to do with the pop-ups.

Take whatever password you used and add a 1 to it. Next prompt, change the 1 to a 2. Rinse and repeat. Once you get up to 9, you might be able to go back to 1 - or put it at the beginning instead of the end.

I like your clients honesty.

Most of these returns are simple returns, just go to the IRS and file the forms on the website. ATX used to give you for free as many old programs as you need.

Holy cow their system is horrific.

It was a really bad idea to enable this by default. Don't they have some forms or important issues they could be working on?!

And there is another popup tooltips check box under the "all managers" of the preference menu.

Today I received the prompt to change my ATXpassword. I changed only the last character and it passed muster.

For my "daily" passwords I have taken to using 1Password (password manager) on the computer. However, for the long lists of "never use this again" especially where there are rules that have to be obeyed but are NOT presented until you try something (sorry, must be 9-23 characters; sorry, MUST include special character *^%# or @; sorry must NOT include special characters *^%# or @; etc) I have a password-protected Word document that lives on an encrypted drive. Last time I checked it was TWENTY-EIGHT PAGES long. And yeah, if someone manages to hack into that, I might as well convert everything I own to cash, store the cash in a safe, and never attempt to go online again.

Yep, I couldn't do it the regular way, because the IRS said that AT&T said my cell is not in my name. AT&T said it is; the bill is in my name; my name displays when I call someone. I had to wait for something in the mail. That only let me do that Get My Transcript thing. I couldn't identify myself via telephone, because i get no 1099s/W-2s in my name/SSN (name/EIN plus one that always has a typo, different typo every year, but always a typo). Was on the wait list for an appointment at an IRS center in a distant town. e-Services still rejects me. It's on my to-do list, but who has time now?! Just hope I can get through without needing e-Services.

I am annoyed with the pop ups and will try these suggestions. Starting to feel like turbo tax??????

Here is the checklist. safe attachment. Identity Theft Check List.pdf

I have been using it for about 3 years. Somebody here might have mentioned it. Anyway, it is GREAT and has a lot of very useful features, not just in creating fill ins, but also being able to easily move, delete, rearrange pages and add files to one another. You can correct typing errors on tax returns without having to reprint any forms and it is easy to type in a document. It password protects, has e-signature and many many more features. I love it!

IRS numbers being down can be due to a number of reasons. For one, efile didn't start until Jan 23 this year, so 2017 stats only show 3-4 days of filings. (Many tax pros do not file on the first day even if they have completed returns in order to give the system time to work out the kinks.) Efile was earlier last year, so the 2016 stats likely cover a full week or nearly so. Also, it was well-publicized that certain refunds would be delayed this year, so maybe some of the early-season filers weren't in such a hurry. Call this wishful thinking, but the refund identity thieves file very early in order to get their fake returns in before the real taxpayer files. With all the new security measures and filters in place this year, just maybe they couldn't pad the first week's numbers with a zillion fraudulent returns. I am convinced that was the case in the past, and I am relieved that this year they were out of luck. In our CPA office, we filed a mere handful of returns by Jan 27, about the same as last year. We have noticed that we have more clients' info this year than we did last by this time in Feb. I assume this is due to more payers having to get tax docs out earlier. (Except the laggard broker statements.) With the number of new clients calling, I predict a banner year. We take few new clients each year, but if they call early enough before we get insanely busy we'll consider them. Now that we've accepted some new people we find our regular clients are ready early. Guess working 7 days starts early this season.

Col. Mustard, with the wrench in the observatory...

In case you missed it: https://support.cch.com/sfs ATX says it's the same knowledge base that support uses when you call. I suggested an enhancement for a filter by year of program because on my first use I was seeing articles for 2011, 2012 that were of no use for the newer versions.

I used to just pass these around and tell them to shut up until I was finished......WoW!... after an hour... they loved the results....

99% of my clients are returning clients so I know their situations and the due diligence is a little easier, but I NEVER prepare returns while clients wait...that just invites technology Karma...printer will jam, PC will lock up, etc....not t mention, I don't like the stress of clients waiting on me.

Let your cat walk around your desk, batting the mouse around.

I have some that require 20% be changed, so I have a ten-character password where I change two characters for those requirements. I have some that can't take my last four or last 20, yes 20, passwords that are more challenging. And, then there's the online banking and pension websites for our church that I have to make the changes that two other treasurers and our bookkeeper can use also (all part-timers and only one paid, so lots of hands/eyes on our finances). Hubby uses Dashlane. I keep a BOOK. Separated from my computer. But, if anyone stole my book, he could get into anything and everything.

Just wondering - who does CE DURING tax season?

That's generally my method but with the complex style and my software requiring at least 2 changes (so 12 becomes 23?), I have a print out taped to my laptop with my 2 tax software passwords. When they have to be so freakin complex PLUS they change so often, I'll never remember it and I take my laptop with me. Plus my software has a 15 minute kick out so that means I'm entering it 10x per day. Horrific system. The computer is encrypted so nobody is hacking into it. Literally to get into my tax software from boot up in the morning I have to enter 3 different passwords.

He probably prefers the wife in jail then paying taxes.

It may not have all the bells and whistles of Adobe, but it has everything that I need. The version I have was a one-time $69 - much cheaper than Adobe.

Other than tax issues, tell him to freeze his accounts with the three credit reporting agencies. Anyone: do you know if filing an extension would return a reject if someone has filed a return with that SSN? If so, that could be a method to find out....

See form 14039, Section B, number 2. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf Might be an option...

Marco, If no children to be claimed, SINGLE is her filing status

I would call and ask ATX. They might give it to you for free since you have been with them for over 10 years. Talk to a salesman there. I bet they could work it out with you. Tom Newark, CA

I doubt they will use any cash wisely. NC is taxing us to death. I think they are trying to be number 1 with the most taxes in the Country. Look out MA we're taking over. However, ALL State employees, especially teachers, are at the bottom of the list Nationally in pay scale. Now that's what I call striking a balance.

Nope. You always get a DVD with the program on it. I never use it, I download the install files from the site.

Not sure if there is a download only option. I had the option of downloading or installing from the disk that was sent to me. I do not recall the option of just download. But just the same, if I was that unhappy, my first call would be to the sales rep - and my first comment would be "get this fixed - you have 5 minutes to make me happy - if I am not happy in 5 minutes, refund my money - why are you still on the phone, the clock is ticking". Having had several years of experience in selling and having a degree in marketing as my first degree, I can tell you that you should never discount what a sales person can accomplish.

and change taxpayer name to FUTH459TRYG8

I entirely agree. My computer has a login and password and, of course, the program once - I wish still! But it's just me in my home office. Changing every 90 days isn't too awful but this time out thing is driving me, well, I'm ready for a drink, too. You know, sometimes you just have to look through some papers, maybe answer the phone, look up a reference, double check something in last year's return and BAM! locked out. Grrrrr.... This is about the umpteenth time I've said retirement is looking better by the week, sometimes by the day. I do want to get through this and 2 more tax seasons to wring out the most from my license but am sorely tempted.....

With tax software the way it is, why do you require 100% of the information before starting a return? It would take me longer to try and determine if I had everything prior to starting than if I just worked through what's available.

I make clients drop off information. I try to only meet with client where it is absolutely necessary. I just don't think I could prepare a return with a client sitting there. It would inhibit my ability to get on this site and post comments regarding said clients :).

Same here. Makes you wonder how many more hoop-jumpers "they" can come up with; the triple-column 8867, the long just-so password, the annoying 30 minute time-out (haven't tried that workaround posted here yet), and the password-change notice that just now popped up. Between engagement letters, affadavits swearin' it's all true, privacy notices, and this junk I sometimes wonder that there's time to do any actual tax-work.

I don't do any returns while the clients are here. I rarely have anyone that brings me everything the first time. Especially with the new due diligence.