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Do you like Blue triangles? I do not like them, A-T-X. I do not like Blue triangles. Would you like them Here or there? I would not like them Here or there. I would not like them Anywhere. I do not like Blue triangles. I do not like them, A-T-X.

had a new client come in last week, native of india with india income but a Canadian citizen filing in the US. Husband an India w-2, brokerage account in Canada and she is self employed here in NY. She dropped off all her stuff over 2 days [2 trips] and email. Then she started calling each of the next 3 days as to when her quarterly estimates would be ready for 4th quarter 2016. I wished her well and told her she can pick up her papers at my reception desk 9-8 7 days a week.

I got an email earlier this week: Sender: Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft LLP Subject: Fraudulent card charge Message: Who the f&@k are you and why is there a charge from att.net on my card? Here you can view my statement, get back to me asap. Link to "b of a card statement" Thank You Fred Evans This one almost got me. I never click on links (as many of you here know - even on this board I am very careful). So I hit the reply button and very politely explained that if there was a charge by my company on his card he should send the information in the body of the email. The reply email was undeliverable, meaning this was a scam. There was nothing in the email header to tip me off that this was not a legitimate email. It was only the link in the message that sent up my radar on this one. Be careful out there folks. It is getting harder and harder to see this crap. Remember when it was only the African princes who needed us to cash their checks for them? It ain't like that no more. Tom Newark, CA

YoU aRe GeTtInG SlEePy....SLEEPY...sleepy.....sleepy......sleepy.............

I am jealous that you are getting a good night sleep. Tom Newark, CA

Thanks for the heads up. Almost makes one start to think that two separate systems are needed for us in this business. One that has absolutely no client information on it that can be used for email and web surfing. And one strictly for doing client work.

I got that same one last week.

Don't you also need my social security number and bank account numbers? I've already got the buy low/sell high thing covered, thanks to some sage advice from Will Rogers. I put all my money into a stock that's going to up. If it don't up, don't buy it.

After a good night's sleep we all realize LOTS of things that we should have known.

Well said, John; well said. Many thanks for your kind words (you hand out more grease than we render from a hog-killin'). While, like that country singer, I have (sometimes high) friends in low places; a bank president also once availed himself of my services (wished to confirm that April 15th thing). But anyway, to save you the drive, I'll just furnish a quick summary: Re: taxes - (a) file promptly and (b) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES sign up to "pay pennies on the dollar". Re: investments - I find it best to buy low, sell high. If you still feel the need for outside assistance please send me your pedigree/particulars via PM (don't forget hair color/ favorite ice cream flavor) and I will forward then to Ms. Tennessee on her very next call.

It may not be a scam. I, for one, would drive to Arkansas from NC to avail myself of your services if I needed tax advice. Money would be no object, and distance would not discourage me. It's entirely possible that there's someone else out there having the same level of discernment that I possess.

Please use this topic for posting tips, tricks and workarounds. I'd suggest that we use either a larger font, caps, bold, or a bright color to make the subject of the tip stand out in case a discussion ensues within this thread, something like I've done above.

I believe it is the $28,995 is the starting point - because if this had been a cash-only transaction, that would have been the price paid i.e., the fmv. After you take that starting point, then you have to deal with the trade-in of the old truck and possible depreciation recapture on it, and all the other adjustments. But start from the final cash price.

This should come with a warning for epileptics!

From Return Manager, click on Forms menu (not icon), then choose customize master forms. I find it's best to open all the common forms at once because what you see on a form sometimes depends on another form being open.

As you know there are news stories lately about fraudsters targeting tax preparers. I think my secretary (okay, okay; so it's my wife) may have heard from one this week. She said it was a lady from somewhere in Tennessee who said she'd found our office on Google (news to me - I'm not there unless IRS gave me up). Gosh, it's kind of flattering even if you know it's a lie -- to think my infamy has preceded me to the extent someone's willing to drive hundreds of miles to Hole-in-the-Road, AR to in hopes of accessing my extraordinary 1040 skills . Oh well; them's the breaks!

Those things are covered in the term "pedigree" (see reruns of NYPD Blue).

Great idea! I have already been hit once, and I am extremely careful now, but then again I thought I was then too! But the second computer would be great, just don't have it connected to the network or it still could infect the other computers.

And keep in mind too, that we are preparing 2016 of which Trump was not the president and had no authority, therefore I do not see how an executive order signed the following year when he began his presidency would affect this filing year. Perhaps 2017, but not 2016 unless he signs something else that will retro-active it back to 2016. Just my 2 cents worth!

Thank you.

The RE taxes go on Sch A but the mortgage interest can only go to Sch A if they don't already have a second home.

Box 3

No go here either with ATX. Even with a blank 8965 it won't work. Jack must have the magic touch! Most clients say it's unaffordable regardless of the 8.13%. If only we could use "client math" instead.

Telling the client that the money becomes taxable income may be the impetus she needs to suddenly find "copies she had forgotten about" or to get new ones from the day care provider.

Enter Zero for Business Use % Enter 0.001 to make the business use % zero.

Well, my version is still 16.5.6229.31762. Is anyone besides Jack able to create an e-file for a non-dependent in ATX while ignoring the issue of health insurance? If not, I'm keeping my trap shut to clients until something changes. No need in getting them excited about a return I can't even e-file.

^ that. BHoffman is correct that the IRS system will still accept an extension even if a return has already been filed. Haven't some here filed extensions for clients that haven't brought data in when it gets close to the filing deadline, not knowing whether or not those clients will be coming in or have moved on to other preparers? In those cases, the preparer filing an extension in that circumstance doesn't know if a return was filed by someone else or not.

Your client could check with the county (superior) court to try to find out if it's been settled. If it hasn't and if a co-executor was named then that person would be asked to take over the duties. If no co-executor and not settled, then the court must appoint someone. It wouldn't fall on your client, but she could petition the court to be considered for the role.

Well, My take is that we do not have any official memo from IRS that we should stop ACA related calculation. I am worried about circular 230 problem. I will continue to follow the current rule at the time of filing. My ATX MAX does scream if box is not checked or 8965 or 8962 calculation.

My program is up to date and I can not create an e-file without line 61 checked or the Form 8965.

Extensions can be efiled and accepted AFTER the return has been efiled and accepted. The extension will not be rejected. I have done it myself on my own return by mistake

I understand your point - but filing an extension will NOT prevent a false return being filed by someone else. I have some clients for whom we filed extensions last year (because we did not yet have full docs) and when we went to file - could NOT - because someone else already HAD. That was VERY disturbing to me -- but in a case like this, I would have no trouble with my ethics filing that "place-holder" and nearly-blank return to prevent fraud.

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.