jasdlm

I need to make better use of this. You should do a webinar after the season!

ATX won't let me open two returns at a time; even simple ones. I clearly have something amiss in my setup.

All my clients who needs this form have multiple hatchlings, and I can't believe the inefficiency in going between 4 different returns to tally all of the information for the 8615 and the Family Schedule D worksheet. What am I missing? I feel like I have to be taking the long way around this field. Is there a path through the center that I'm not seeing? As an aside, I don't hate 8615 as much as I hate 8283, which I hate with the power of 1000 suns.

I think this is a pretty good rule of thumb! https://www.unclefed.com/ForTaxProfs/irs-wd/1998/1998-041.pdf

This really sums up my world and how I'm feeling. Hugs to you. (NOT the Rita kind!)

Anyone else behind where they usually are this year? I still have 150 returns to process; returns are in the office longer than usual. I have worked solidly (until at least 11 each night and sometimes as late as 1 a.m.) and all day on weekends. 4 hours off on Easter, 3 hours last Sunday because my son was confirmed, and 9 hours for my son's track meets). I had a few grouchy clients call about estimates today. (Both had enough carry forward in my first draft of the return to cover 1st quarter). I'm feeling down. Am I just super slow this year? I'm really trying to figure it out. Did you go through every return and calculate estimates, or only those whose 1st quarter estimate would be sizeable? Misery loves company ... looking to see if I'm alone ;).

I'm trying to figure out if I have some sort of configuration error or what could be going on. I've used ATX since 2002. I had problems in 2013 (we all did) and now this year. I have a brand new Windows machine (set up by my tech people last fall), and I'm running ATX on my local server. I have 8 licenses (I'm the only preparer, but I have people who do data entry, checking, etc.). I'm restarting multiple times/day, closing the software often, and trying to minimize other uses of the computer (let's face it, sometimes one has to be in QB and ATX at the same time), and I'm struggling with the time suck. When I restart, for example, it takes several minutes to open and then to populate the Return Manager and Rollover Manager screens. SEVERAL minutes. Grrr. I have special tech talents.

I am doing this right now (on the buyer side) in much the manner Catherine states. Are you selling anything other than your client list? (Building, equipment, software, etc.?)

Thanks so much to each of you for the help and levity! I'm not certain I know what 'restart of services for all years' means. Does that just mean restarting ATX for the years I'm using?

Anyone else having problems? It's becoming almost unusable. Constantly 'could not connect to the server' - 'try again' - the software freezes up or has a HUGE delay moving between fields. I have restarted the software, restarted the machine, prayed to the tax software Gods, and done a 'connectivity ceremonial dance'. Any other suggestions? My software is up to date, but is there a separate patch or something I'm missing?

Yikes. Best guess: Lots of work. Invalid joint election and lots of extra steps when amending. IRM 21.6.1.5.7 I have never had this occur, so I am NOT speaking from experience. Eager to hear what others have to say. I'm also interested in whether past invalid filings actually triggered the start of the Statute of Limitations. I'm thinking the answer to this question would help determine how far to go back? This could be an interesting discussion.

I feel really stupid, but I can't figure this out.

Does anyone know what happened to OldJack? He hasn't been on since October of 2019. I hope I didn't miss a post.

I am highly entertained by people who label things for me. One client actual prints out a full sheet of paper "Husband's W-2"; new sheet of paper "Wife's W-2". Thank goodness; I might not know what these were, otherwise. It entertains me when they drop documents off in this fashion, but if they set a meeting and take 30 minutes of my time just to tell me 'this is my 'W-2', they move to the front of the line for a good ole fashion 'Rita Hug'. I did have one client who had a big orange smear across her 1099-ssa. She drew an arrow to a conversation bubble and wrote 'This is Squash'. That's one of my favorite all-time labels, and I was awfully glad to have it identified.

I had clients who melted down one time because I threw away all of the envelopes (from the unopened pile of mail they brought me) and she needed them for her 'filing system'. I still recycle envelopes. Don't bring me that junk. If they are precious to you, keep them at home!

Here's a hug.

New client with carry forward on 8582 from 20 years of time-share losses. Is there a good reason to continue to carry this forward? Basis calculation? I'm trying to wrap my head around carrying forward a nondeductible loss. Seems like a recipe for an error down the road. (It's been on Schedule E, because he occasionally rents the unit and the preparer would show the income with offsetting expenses on Schedule E.) Thanks much!

I have a new client (1120 S); over $1,000,000 in accumulated depreciation, but no depreciation schedule, and the prior accountant won't respond to requests for the depreciation schedule. I think there are some health issues surrounding the previous accountant on top of spotty organization to start with. Has anyone experienced a situation like this before? What are the options? Thanks!

I hope I'm wrong, but I think you're going to have to call with a 2848 and permission to move the payment. I've had numerous examples of clients getting dunning notices while there's a payment 'out there' hanging in the incorrect spot. I've tried moving them before with simply the preparer authorization on the return - total no go. I'd be interested to know if anyone has had better luck than I have in this arena. I was encouraged by the thread indicating that many of you had been able to move estimated payments erroneously made to the correct year. This is from the IRS website (payment option choices): The purple bit is what makes me think they'll leave it hanging out there waiting and dun your client for the balance due. Eager to hear other thoughts. ********************************************* Proposed tax assessment (e.g. CP 2000 or a Notice of Deficiency) 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ Health care (Form 1040) Current calendar year or prior years going back up to 20 years Make a full or initial payment for a proposed amount. Payments of this type may post in advance of the actual tax assessment. If you have an installment agreement, select Installment Agreement as the reason for payment.

Wow. I'm going back to review my confidentiality/proprietary agreement with employees right now!

Thank you very much!

To confirm, if there is tax to be paid on the distribution, can it be paid on the student's return with parents taking the AOTC on Parent return? (1099Q is in SSN of Student)

How is your daughter? I've been thinking about her and keeping her in my prayers. My son has Celiac, so I understand the autoimmune concerns!

Interested to hear what folks on this board think about the potential liability to preparers under a 2848 vs 8821 (receiving notices and not responding, for example, because you no longer represent the taxpayer). I haven't thought much about it, but I have read a couple articles discussing the issue. How many of you go through the step of terminating your 2848 after you resolve the issue you requested the same for? I might have a summer project. Thanks!

Dependent has a 529 distribution from an account in his name. I want to add back the earnings and take the AOTC on the parent return. Is this like scholarships, where I can add the 1099Q earnings back to the dependent's return since it's in his SSN? Then take the AOTC on the parent return? Doesn't pass the sniff test, but seems to line up with the treatment of scholarship income. I can't seem to find anything on point in trying to research this. Thanks much!