GeneInAlabama

The first time I BOUGHT a house, it cost less than $10,000.

One thing I like about this board is that we can discuss other programs without feeling like traitors. BJM, think you for sharing your feelings. I also have been with ATX since about 1995 and was very disappointed with the change of ownership. I considered changing, but decided to try them one more year. We'll see what happens from here. Gene

If I remember correctly, the first disk last year only contained W2 and 1099 forms, but at least, that is a start. Gene

It is my understanding that he will have to file a state return in every state that he performs in. Most if not all states allow a credit for taxes paid in other states, but since Texas doesn't have an income tax, he will only owe for income earned in each state he has earned income. I also have a musician (new client) that performs in several states, but he hasn't filed in several years years and I am waiting for him to get the information to me. I guess I'll get the info when the IRS puts enough pressure on him. I do charge by the hour, so the easier he makes it for me, the easier it will be for him. Gene

I have been in business since 1979 and I have only had one person ask if I take credit cards. He then wrote me a check. If I had a Visa or Master Card emblem on my window, probably quite a few would take advantage of it, but why bother? Gene

I just looked at my invoice for when I ordered my ATX software for this coming year and I don't see a transfer fee on it. They do show a shipping charge of $69.00, but no transfer fee. I have been using ATX since 1995 if that makes a difference.

Seems like I remember seeing a notice that the IRS isn't going to send a letter out this year. I may be thinking about something else. If this is legitimate, seems like it would be a lot more efficient to notify everybody by email rather than by voice mail. Also, seems like this would be more of an IRS concern rather than a software provider concern. Just my initial thoughts. Gene

Pacun, you are right on target. I have bought Max for the last several years and I use only a very small fraction of what it is capable of, but the rest of it is there if I need it, and if I had to pay a nickle and a dime for each part I do use, it would cost me a whole lot more than what Max costs. Also, I have used Microsoft Excel for quite a few years and I also use only a very small fraction of what it is capable of, but what I do use is well worth what I pay for the program. Gene

All the recommendations sound good, but if we are not carefull, we may be asking for a high end program at a low end price. I don't think we will get that. I would rather keep the features AND the price the same as now. Gene

To lock the date on the 1040, just type the date you want over the date that shows in the field. This will lock the date to whatever you put in that field. Gene

Thanks KC. I thought the rule was the same for all types of winnings. Learn something new every day.

But why is it that poker winnings have to be reported only if they exceed $5,000.00 and other gambling winnings have to be reported if they are over $600.00?

Good ole IRS. Leave it to them to confuse things.

I'm glad to see that our men and women in the military are being protected from the sharks. They have enough problems without worrying about what their own people are doing to them. Gene P.S. Sorry if I seem to be a little cynical this morning.

I am continually amazed at our tax laws. Why wouldn't poker winnings be treated the same as other gambling winnings? Oh! I guess some politicians are poker players. I wonder if they don't report winnings on their tax return that isn't reported to the IRS. Gene

I don't understand such strict security for a tax program. My bank isn't as security conscious as ATX seems to be in this new procedure. I have been using the same user name and password with my bank for as long as I can remember (which by the way, isn't very long). Gene

If he does, I would most certainly check into it. Gene

??? Tell us about it. Sounds ineresting. This is the first I have heard of it, or are we just hoping? Gene

I like ATX because I do a little of this and little of that and ATX Max handles it all. It would not be feasable for me to buy separate programs for all the things ATX will do and I will quit before I go back to manually preparing reports. I just hope that ATX stays around and stays affordable. If it doesn't, it will be time for me to quit. Gene

Since I'm not a baseball fan in any way, shape, or form; it would be worth about 25 cents to me. He can use what it is worth to me in establishing the tax for the first time. Since it is only worth a quarter to me, I would consider the sale of it as a $749,999.75 gift and a sale of 25 cents. At least if he was my client, that is the way I would figure it. Of course, if the person that bought it was my client, it would be a different story.

Hi Laurie, Looks like we are next door neighbors in a broad sense of the term. I did attend school in the 9th grade in Augusta, GA and the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in Columbus, GA. Gene

I have never heard of it either but I found this on google: "HART Gift Program Website Housing Action Resource Trust (HART) is a California 501© (3) non-profit housing and community development organization located in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. HART was established in 1995 with a mission to provide affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the United States. HART launched its Down Payment Assistance Program in July of 1998. Since the inception of the HART Gift Program, thousands of families across the nation have realized the dream of homeownership with a down payment gift from HART! The HART Down Payment Assistance Program assists prospective homebuyers nationally who qualify for a first mortgage loan, but require the down payment and closing costs necessary to purchase a home. HART is also actively rehabilitating homes in revitalization areas and developing affordable housing in many communities across the country. With the Flexibility of the HART Down Payment Assistance Program, the dream of homeownership is a REALITY." There were a number of organizations listed using the term HART, but this seems to fit the email you received. Since the IRS is concerned about it, there may be something fraudulent about it. Gene

Marilyn, why not hook up both monitors to the computer since you already have two good ones. Gene

Joel, I am running a pentium 4, 3.4 GHz with 1 GB of RAM. On most returns, calculations and going from form to form is instantaneous except when I am doing a return with lots of forms. Then, I have to wait a second or 2 when going to another form. More RAM would probably help there. I am using MAX. Gene

According to Kleinrock 1040 Express Answers page 2-7 under nursing services, it states that services need not be performed by a nurse as long as they are services generally performed by a nurse - such as giving medicine or changing bandages - OR if they are services connected with a disability, such as bathing a patient. It goes on to say that if an attendant also provides household services such as cleaning or cooking, the wages and taxes paid for time spent on these tasks will have to be calculated. Gene