jklcpa

My files created properly and it took me a few minutes to remember where the program puts them: C: Program files(x86) Payroll 2012 W2 Efiles From there, each client will have its own folder. There should be 2 *.asc files, one for federal and one for state (if you created a state set) and a zipped file too. Be sure you are looking in the "Program files(x86)" and not the plain "Program files" foIder. If you still can't file them, I'd do a search as NECPA suggests.

Catherine, just hit ok or whatever choice is in that message block about the Accuwage. I downloaded it from SSA to my desktop but I also keep getting the message. I think it's only a warning reminding you to test the file with Accuwage before uploading to SSA. Create the efile, test it from your Accuwage from your desktop, then submit. I've already submitted a few with no problems.

I rollover shortly before the client arrives for their appt or when I receive their info in the mail. In that way, the "created" date in the manager also serves as my date received.

I don't think any administrator here is gonig to remove the post. It is a legitimate complaint that a lot of users are expressing right now. I'm feeling the same as the 2 posters above right now. I've been with ATX since the beginning, but I'm not sure at this point if I'll continue as a CCH customer in future. I feel stuck right now being already into the season and I don't want to learn a new software program at this point or go through file conversions. I hope you do know that this is an unofficial ATX forum that was started by long time users, and we don't have anything to do with CCH except that we purchase the program. The official ATX site is accessed through the ATX webpage by clicking on MyATX. Just thought I'd mention it since it seems there've been a couple of new people that thought this was official one. ETA: - I paid for the program with the early renewal discount in May or June. Anyone want to venture a guess about getting a refund now?

Getting a PTIN used to be free. Then came the RTRP program and the PTIN fee or its renewal was supposed to help pay for instituting and monitoring it the program. It's one more fee that I'd like to not have to pay.

JB, do you have your program set to update automatically when it starts up? Perhaps it is because there are more files to be updated at the 5:30pm startup after the program has been idle for those 24 hrs and the on the recheck an hour later there aren't any updates or less of them. I finally set my update preference to manual because I was having major problems with my internet connection being knocked offline due to needing new outdoor cable installed, and the cable company having some now-resolved interference in their lines. I don't know about this year's program, I'm assuming it is the same as the 2011 program that needed internet connectivity at startup if the update was set to automatic, otherwise the program wouldn't start.

I've always done overrides for the exemption each year too. With your post though, I thought maybe I'd missed something. At least the AMT exemption will be a known amount from now on.

Joan, would you mind giving a brief example of something you feel Drake might not handle easily? I've been with ATX since the beginning when the tiger first roared (what's that, about 15 years now?), but for the past several years I've thought about switching to Drake. So far I've only rolled over a test return because I don't have any really simple returns, and I'm not using the program because no one has come in yet. After reading some of the other posts, I'm dreading this season more than ever. To KC, in another post you mentioned getting the software after the season ends. Would the user then rework existing returns on a practice basis and as a tool to learn and test, or why would this be beneficial to get the prior year program? Or to do conversions well in advance of next year?

Joan, does your planner have the updated AMT exemption amounts? I just ran an update of 2011 a few minutes ago and my planner still has the old amounts. I didn't think ATX was updating the 2011 program any more now that 2012 has been released. The AMT was an issue for many of my planning clients too. ETA: my 1040 planner form is version 22.

Joan is correct. No I don't work for ATX, just a user and a member of this forum. You will find the official ATX forum from the MyATX on the ATX web page.

Maybe the software isn't working for you because you are using it in a way it isn't designed to work, even though you've managed to do these things for the last 7 years. And I have to say that this forum isn't ATX customer service, and you have no business demanding that anyone here answer any of your questions, especially after a whopping 7 posts in total. Pretty nervy of you!

Go to Preferences menu, then click on Client Communications. The first section contains check boxes to include cover sheets and other items to include as defaults.

Tom, I'd check the box marked "complete disposition of passive activity" and that *should* tell the program to allow any suspended items, if any. I could have sworn there was a check box marked "final" on the input screen. Obviously, check the return for correct calcs and if the K-1 input comes forward to next year, delete it. Not for you Tom, but I only put the info in about the proper handling of partnership returns relating changes of ownership, short years and technical terminations so that someone possibly reading this thread in the future wouldn't be misled into thinking that filing 2 short year returns is correct in all instances. Judy

Tom, the effects of your client leaving the partnership should be included on the K-1 if the partnership redeemed his interest or if other partners bought him out. You would simply check the "final" box on the K-1 input screen in ATX. Checking this box will tell the program it is the final reporting and will allow the calculation/inclusion of any losses that may have been limited in prior years that would be allowed because of this being the final year. ETA: at the partnership level, two short year returns would only be completed in a year when the partnership had more than a 50% change in ownership causing a technical termination, but if less than 50% interest changed hands or was redeemed then the partnership files one return for the entire year with financial activity reported to the partners either by closing the books and records through the date of the change in ownership and using those actual amounts, or by prorating the income/loss/etc. based on the number of days the partner was in the partnership during the year.

I'm so very sorry KC.

I've hardly been on the board at all this summer, but I'm sorry to read your update. You and Don are still in my prayers.

It's $250 to be an LLC in Delaware. General and limited partnerships also pay $250. Corporations pay less. A more detailed explanation is in your other post about a 2-member LLC.

Are you asking about fees to keep an entity in good standing with a particular state, or are you asking about state income taxes? It seems like you are confusing the two. Here in Delaware, the franchise tax fee for LLCs, LPs and genereral partnerships is $250 regardless of the number of members. Corps (both C and S) have 2 methods to determine their franchise tax. The minimum using the authorized shares method (for < 5,000 authorized shares) would pay a $50 filing fee and the minimum $75 franchise fee, so would pay a total of $125. These are fees/taxes paid to the Del Sec of State to keep the entity in good standing. Each business entity is also required to have a Delaware business license that is $75 per year in addition to whatever city licenses might be required. I've seen plenty of partnerships not ever bother to set up the franchise tax, and also plenty of Sch C businesses not have a state business license, and I've never seen the state go after these fees either. Delaware piggybacks federal income tax laws and makes some modifications starting with federal income: LPs, GPs, and LLCs that are taxed as partnerships: In general these entities do not pay state income tax and the income or loss is passed through to partners to be reported on their individual Delaware income tax returns. S corps also pass-through income to its shareholders. S corps in general wouldn't pay income taxes if all shareholders are Delaware residents. For nonresident shareholders though, the S corp does pay state income tax at the highest Del rate on the nonresidents' proportional share of income. The tax paid is reported on the Delaware S corp Form A-1 (similar to fed K-1) as an estimated payment paid on behalf of the nonresident shareholder . The nonresident files a Delaware nonresident income tax return and reports the income and the estimated payment. If the nonresident's Del tax bracket is lower than the max, then the amount paid by the S corp on behalf of the nonresident would result in the nonresident receiving a refund from Delaware. This taxpayer would also request a credit for taxes paid to another when filing his or her resident state income tax return.

I am so happy to read this! Best wishes to you and your husband on his return home.

Thank you to everyone that contributes here. I, too, miss having colleagues to bounce the ideas off, so this board is a definite resource. I haven't contributed as much as in past years, but I do follow the posts and always learn something or have an adjusted perspective that I hadn't considered. I'll still be around, but for those of you that are taking off soon, I'll wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous remainder of 2012. Judy

It's annoying that a message saying that the 8878 is required pops up on the EF tab even when no funds are being paid.

Me too! The last one going out was picked up yesterday. I have 7 extensions, 5 of which are complete but won't be out before the deadline, and the remaining 2 are 99.99% complete. One is waiting on a K-1 from an estate, the other needs basis from a mutual fund.

Perhaps this couple checked around and found that the H&R or the other big chain preparers would charge them a higher fee to prepare their returns than they've already paid to you, and now the wife is trying to get a return from you to file. They've probably already done that, received the same result as your return showed, and they, or the wife, have again demanded their documents back and refused to pay, this time under the pretense of the return being wrong. I think you could ingor the whole thing and be done with it. Or you could attach Form 8948 and also get the signed statement from them that they've requested you not file the returns electronically and give them a completed package. If you do give them a complete package, be sure to attach any W-2s and 1099s showing withholding, and any other required attachments. You might tell the wife that there will be some nominal charge for printing, assembly and signing the return since those functions were not included in the amount they already paid to you. I would not simply give them a copy of the return if you go this route.

An acquaintance asked me how to change the address on their tax return in Turbo Tax. I think that's even worse than not being able to print. I haven't seen the home version of TT, but I'd think that one could type the address on the 1040 form itself. If home users of TT buy the program year after year, does the information roll over from the prior year?

Jack, that $1 could be chalked up to rounding. The difference in reporting $1 and your hypothetical $1 million is that the $1 will not affect the amount of the tax liability calculated on the return, but you already know that. When we complete a Schedule D, I hope that we all tie in the total proceeds reported back to the 1099-B, but in order to get to that number, sometimes it is necessary to adjust one or two of the sales by $1 to make the total work out. Does that make it a lie? I don't think so. What about the cost and net gain or loss? Rounding on entering each individual cost basis sometimes yields a difference of several dollars in the totals of the cost and gain or loss as compared to those totals reported by the brokers on their summaries when not rounded.