taxxcpa

If they don't have William, there is no one who can replace his knowledge and experience. So this means they just don't care about anything except cutting costs regardless of the ill-effects.

I moved in May last year. I'm preparing TWO separate forms. If you combined them into one you would have to come up with weighted average figures, then change them next year since the weighted average numbers would roll over. This might look strange to the IRS if you changed the cost of the home from the figure shown on the Form for the last part of 2007.

Here is the ultimate solution: Report the gross amount on the 1099 as income on Schedule C. Issue a 1099 to the person who overstated the 1099 for the amount he overstated what he paid. You could justify it as an amount he 'WITHHELD" as a fee of some kind when he paid you

If you don't have PDF factory, you can download it for a small fee at www.fineprint.com. You can also use Google to find several free PDF printers, including PrimoPDF which permits you to encrypt your emails so hackers can't access confidential information.

If you have your name PRINTED in the signature spot, that works just as well. I always use a printed signature. It helps especially when you e-mail a return to a client since you can just print and send a PDF of the return without scanning in a signature page.

I think you have underestimated TaxAct. The only problem with TaxAct is that it does not include all State non-resident tax programs (unless this has changed) and it did not include the TX Franchise Tax (and may not include the new TX margin tax which replaces the Franchise tax.) OTHERWISE, it is just as good as the more expensive programs. The program is about $100 plus a fee for each e-filing or $500 for unlimited e-filing. One problem is that it does not include a program to convert from ATX or other software. I switched from ATX to Drake this year. I've had no problems. You get immediate help and if you e-mail them a question that they need to discuss before answering they call you back promptly. They have a forum where you can usually get answers from Adam Drake or other employees or from other tax preparers. They also include a Client Writeup program which can be used to keep sets of books--or for payroll and creation of 941s, 940s, W-2s and 1099s. I've used it for all of these payroll features and for e-filing 1099MISC. I don't use it for keeping books since I've used Peachtree for accounting ever since it was an MS/DOS program. I am also a former user of ProSeries. I quit since it was more cost effective to use a program that provided all type return-preparation for a single price. I tried Tax Slayer. It was the worst one I tried, but it may be a lot better now. When I first tried Drake, I didn't like it, but it has improved considerably since 2003 when I previously tried it.

I efiled 1099s using Drake and uploading the file to the IRS 'FIRE' web site, and got a 'good' status from the IRS immediatel The message said that if I did not want to make any changes the filing would automatically be completed in 10 days. Maybe they also wait 10 days for filings thru ATX

It was awkward at first getting used to Drake. I have devised a 'cheat sheet' which tells me which screen to use for input to each line on form 1040. With the 'cheat sheet' in front of me, I can work just a quickly on Drake. The biggest problem I've found with Drake is in dealing with car expense which varies based on circumstances. I have a preliminary version of my 'cheat sheet' in the files section of TaxPro Exchange. I'll post an updated version later.

I believe it is the state Attorney General.

The microwave is the best way to cook bacon. It curls and cooks unevenly in a pan, but cooks just right in the microwave.

Thanks to all who replied. I suspected it might be something like that. I called my tenant and told him to throw it out since I wasn't going to renew. Atticus

I changed residences in May, but did not notify ATX since I'm not renewing. However the man to whom I've leased my former residence said he received a Fed EX package with the ATX 2007 tax software. Are they shipping it to everyone including those who did not renew? Or is it actually a late update to the 2006 program? If those of you who are continuing with ATX received it, please let me know what it is.

ATX is no longer the user-friendly program it used to be. It seems like they are deliberately trying to create dissatisfaction. As soon as they dropped the message board they sent the first signal. Now it seems like that was only the tip of the iceberg. Next year look for the updating process to become more complicated and for technical support to become more difficult to reach. It is sad to see such a once-great company completely changing in its customer relations.

Great idea. If you have to change passwords every hour or two, no problem. I can't understand why someone wouldn't enjoy the challenge of frequently making such changes since it is so easy. I can't understand why all banks, credit card companies and tax software companies don't compete to see how often they can require such changes. To make it more interesting, they should also have constantly changing 'challenge questions' such as "Who sat next to you in the first grade?" " What were you doing at 11:00 A.M. on October 15, 1996? " Another suggestion: Require a series of six passwords before allowing access.

I'm not one of the cheaper preparers , but I'm not one of the highest-priced either. My comment was not based on my own practice since I'm not trying to attract new clients--so even having CPA is not geared toward that end. Since EA is not as well known as CPA, or MBA, the MBA after your name on a business card probably carries more weight with anyone who does not ask you what EA means. As an indicator of tax knowledge, an EA is probably better than the CPA designation, but most people do not know that so it has less selling power for your practice unless it is explained to the potential client. In your case having both EA and MBA is probably advisable.

I am both an MBA and CPA, but only show the CPA designation on business cards. Too many letters after your name might be overkill and scare off some potential clients. Could you afford to go to someone like Joe Sixpack, BBA, MBA, PhD, JD, LLD, EA, CPA, CFA--a guy with all those credentials probably charges a fortune for his services.

Some people who might be inclined to use the form might think twice when they realize that they have to pay their half of the SS and MCare.

It is NOT unfair if I have more money than you do. What would be unfair would be if YOU had more money than I do. Fairness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder (or the pocketbook of the beholder).

My clients all pay promptly or I drop them as clients. If they can't afford to pay promptly I always recommend that they go to HRB and get a RAL.

I believe that Buffett may believe in what he says from a philosophical point of view. I can see why someone might believe that everyone should pay more taxes, but unless it applies to everyone they do not think they should pay more than their share under the present laws. In my opinion, everyone should pay LESS tax, but I do not think I should start the ball rolling by paying less than the present laws require me to pay.

I've been using Peachtree accounting ever since it was an MS DOS program. If you are an accountant, Peachtree does an excellent job, but for a non-accountant, Quickbooks is probably the best bet. I have no idea whether the ATX write-up is better or worse.

It does NOT seem fair to me. A fair tax is a tax YOU pay. An unfair tax is a tax I pay and I'm paying tax on 85% of my social security since I failed to spend every nickel I made and saved and invested a few dollars so I wouldn't have to live on Social security.

I don't think he is just another blowhard. Haven't you ever noticed how all those people who are so concerned with the plight of the down-and-outers will do anything for them other than invite them to their tables for dinner. Buffet probably really favors high estate taxes and high income tax on the wealthy since he already has so much money that he could afford to pay 100% of all future income without any change in his standard of living. If I had a billion dollars I wouldn't be as concerned about income tax as I am when all I have is $ 100. If they took the $100 but waived the tax on future income, I would be happy. However if I had a billion, I would rather see taxes on my income rather than a capital levy.

By the time I got to page 879 I gave up on it.

It looks like there is more sympathy for the banks than for the poor grunts who they want to fleece with usurious RAL fees. I can remember how we were gouged at every opportunity when I was in the service.