Crank

I just realized that the scanning software that came bundled with a Brother mutli-function ink jet which I purchased a few years ago may be adequate for the task. Its called Scansoft PaperPort 11. They are now up to version 14 and have a business version. If anyone is interested it can be found here. http://www.nuance.com/for-business/by-product/paperport/index.htm

Thanks. Looks good.

Im looking for document management software recommendations for the organization and storing of digital tax documents (w2, 1099, etc). Im using the TRX version of TaxWorks for the upcoming tax season but it doesnt have a document management feature. I would like to be able to link scanned documents to the respective clients if possible. I attended a Drake software seminar last year and they have built in document management software. Thanks

Thanks Ed. I had read that Malwarebytes can be effective for this virus so I've downloaded it. I tried safemode but the virus popped up there also. I also read that people have been getting infected from ads on mainstream news site. I usually have some new sites tabs open (CNN, Fox, Drudge, CNBC & local newspapers). I dont know where I got it from but my kids dont use this computer so I know it wasnt from a download.

No problems here, and Ive had to install it twice. On tuesday I some how picked up a nasty piece of malware called "Vista Antivirus 2012" and had to wipe everything and do another clean install. This is fake virus software that wants you to buy it to remove all the fake malware it discovers (and itself). It locks you out of your internet connection, most files you try to run including doing a system restore. My son had it about a month ago on his Windows7 laptop and I used a recovery disc to perform a system restore to an earlier date to get rid of it. Sadly, my Vista install disc doesn't give a restore option nor does Vista allow you to make a restore disc. First time in 25 years that I had a system taken out by a virus. And Im pretty careful about keeping virus/malware software up to date and scanning. Ive now also installed "Microsofty Security Essentials" and "Ad-Aware". Hopefully they will prevent further infections. This would have been devastating during tax season.

Thanks, I haden't even thought of that. I have been using CCleaner for years also. Its a great little program as are all of the free programs made by Piriform. http://www.piriform.com/

Computers? When I took the CPA exam in May 1994 its was the first time they had allowed the use of calculators and it was all hand written. I still have the calculator they gave me as a keepsake since I passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam on my 1st attempt and only had 1 year of public accounting experience .....which was almost 10 years before I took the exam. Hardest test I ever took, studied for 6 months while working full time with a 2 year old at home ... I had 100's of flash cards. The test was given in a youth center gym with rows and rows of tables with proctors pacing the isles. I still cant believe I passed it on the first try.

Wow, only two locations. How foolish of me to assume that the IRS would make it easy. I have to agree on the competitive advantage as it relates to marginal tax preparers dropping out of business. However, I would hate to see the testing requirements affect seasoned preparers who have a great deal of experience and can offer quality services.

I cant believe that the RTRP test can be that difficult, especially for people who have been preparing taxes for a significant period of time. Wont you have fees to pay as an EA also? So you have to go to a testing center to take the test, I wonder why it isnt internet based with a proctor or at a govt building that is close. There are fees no matter what. I have to renew my CPA liscense every two years and that has now increased to $100. Also, I have to take 80 hours of continuing education every two years and that can be very expensive. I would think that the EA cost and cont. ed. requirements would be similar to a CPA. I thought the RTRP would be the least expensive of the three and have the least amount of continuing education.

I recently did my annual Windows reinstall for the upcoming tax season and since re-installing TRX 2010 I cant figure out how to turn off the program updater so it doesnt automatically run on Windows start-up. I have to manually close out of it from the task bar each time. I know there is a way to have it not load on start-up because I had it set that way since about April . I called TRX tech support and they couldnt figure it out. They said it has to run on Windows start-up. Does anyone know how to disaable the TRX 2010 Program Updater from running on Windows start-up? Thanks.

I'm a CPA and my PTIN renewal number stayed the same as is was last year, which was my first year PTIN. Starts with P01.

I am considering enrollling in bank products this year (2011 TY) but I have a lot of questions. Are they worth enrolling in? Who here are using bank products? Which Bank and why? Thanks!

Upon install it states that it supports: 1) Electronic Signature Pads: (Also in >Control Data>Forms> "Check Box - Use Signature Pad to Sign Returns") Topaz SigLite LCD TL460 Topaz SigLite 1x5 TS460 Topaz SigLite TS461 Wacom STU-300 LCD (I'll have to do some research on the above items such as cost, reviews, other brands supported, etc.) and 2) 2-Dimensional Barcode Readers Can anyone please shed some light on these items. Are you using them? What are they used for? Do I want / need either of these? I'm particularly interested in the barcode reader and if this can replace the new scanner I am about to purchase. What items are barcoded that would make this useful? Thanks!

Received mine today, havent had time to install yet

I was leaning toward the online version of The Tax Book. Its cheaper and downloadable into .PDF's You could, if you wanted to, download it and burn it to a CD or DVD for archive purposes.

Shipping starts tomorrow! Hopefully. :;

I was going though some old TRX flyers and saw that it was supposed to come with a Document Manager. It wasnt on the CD for the 2010 filing season so I never received it. Has anyone been using the TRX document manager and if so what are your thoughts? Also where did you get it? Im looking for a Document manager for the upcoming 2011 filing season and I dont believe TRX offers it. Im looking for something that can manage all of the scans and allow for easy searching, printing and acrhiving. Thanks

Similarr story here. Was with ATX since it was Saber (1996 I believe). Switched to TRX (Taxworks ) last year for the 2010 filing season and it went surprisingly well. I had very little problems with the conversions and the learning curve wasnt too bad so I decided to go with Taxwoks again this year (the 2011 filing season). I agree that the homegrown product looked a bit rough around the edges whenI first looked at it but it alos lokked like it had some nice feature that TaxWorks didnt. Eventually they are going to drop TaxWorks and only offer their own product, maybe as soon as the 2012 filing season. So I'llhave to cross that bridge when come to it. The one thing using TaxWorks last year taught me is that conversions are nearly as bad as I imagined it would be...at least that one wasn't. And since TRX is currently selling TaxWorks I would think that they would make an extra effort to make sure that their in house product would be very good at a TaxWorks conversion. And you cant beat the price and the guarantee of $299 for all that you get.

Thanks for the input... much appreciated. :)

Do you buy the books? (If so which ones.) or do you use The Tax Library? Considering The Tax BooK Deluxe Edition, All States Edition & FastTaxFacts Master Set ($190) or The Tax Library + States ($130)

Yes, I completely missed the CPA expiration date and it notifies you of it on the last screen when it does an audit. Just had to back arrow to the appropriate page, enter it and forward to the submit screen to fix it.

Thank you!

I am considering trying either The Tax Book or Quickfinder for the upcoming tax season. Every year I look over their mailers and finally decided its time to find out if they are as good as they say they are. I am leaning towards The Tax Book. Any input from people who have used either of these products is appreciated. Thanks

Had a guy call to meet with me about his taxes and review his 2010 because he felt that the previous preparer missed some deductions. What I found out is that he took the first time home buyer credit to buy the house then propmtly rented it out complete with a lease agreement. Well I guess he didnt have enough to itemize so he took the standard deduction plus the extra $1000 increase for property taxes. No Schedule E reporting the rental. He wanted to know what to do. I said well you should probably speak to an attorney first but I would amend the return with the home buyer credit and repay that, noting that the IRS would probably add interest and penalties and want to know why he took the credit and never lived in the house. His reply was because it was a bad part of town and he didnt want to live there. I also suggested amending the return to include a Schedule E and report the rental income/expenses for the property. He left saying he would think about it. This seems like blatant fraud to me but what do I know, I'm not an attorney. Also, I dont believe I am under any obligation to report this guy but I am not sure as I havent researched it. Also, I told him that the only way I would do his upcoming 2011 taxes was if it included the Schedule E and the past amendments. Since I'm a CPA am I under any obligation to report this to the IRS? Comments are appreciated.

Getting ready to do my annual computer spring cleaning. Format & reinstall. Is the current Backup folder which contains the individual client .CLX files (and settings, etc)all that I need to backup to restore all my clients? Has anyone done a complete restore from a backup folder? Thanks John