MAMalody

Well, deleting and reinstalling the program did not work. I am able to go to MyATX and download the program updates, it is a pain but not too bad. The problem is the forms. I did returns in 18 states last year and some for overseas. The forms download is a nightmare because you have to individually indicate each form you want. Jeez.

I didn't think of the reinstall. Let me try that prior to the forms download. Thanks for the ideas.

Since my program does not download the programs updates and forms updates via the toolbar icon, I have been trying to do so from MyATX. I have been able to do so for the program updates, however, when I download the forms it says follow the instructions for importing into the program.. The problem I have run into is that I can't find said instructions. Anybody out there have step-by-step instructions or know where I can find them? Mike

I appreciate that info, however, as you can tell by my positngs I am on the computer challenged side. I can follow step-by-step, but....

I have used the last four digits of the SSN preceded by 1 for the first name listed and 2 for the spouse. For mine I use my zip code. As a point of clarification, I thought that the required use of Form 8879 began with tax year 2008 not calendar year 2008. Do I remember this wrong? Mike

Well, when I tried the slower download for the program update, it worked. I got the update, however, my program still freezes up when I use the tool bar option. I havn't tried the forms update yet, however, at one form per download it doesn't sound too practical. I ran WinDr the other day and discovered that I am short two .dll files. I wonder if that might be part of the problem. I am in the process of locating the files and then somebody to tell me where to put them (be gentle now) and maybe I will be back in business. If you know the steps to install them, let me know. I am running on XP. Mike

I'll try it and let you know. Thanks.

When this happens, there is absolutely nothing going on in my computer. I did go to preferences and only tried to do the federal download and the same thing happened. I did leave the area for about 10 minutes to see if it was just a long item. My CPU usage shows 100% but I don't have a program activity light on. I called tech support and got right through...their recommendation was to go to the atx site and download everything individually. So I went and thought I would try the program update. Got the icon on the desk top but said unable to connect to the server. Hmmm. I could connect to the atx site, so I'm not sure what that means. Does anybody have williams e-mail address? Maybe he has a clue.

I have been having an unusual problem the last three days. Every time I go to update my program it locks up the program and I have to use the task manager to close the program. I have tried the automatic download and the manual download with the same results. I have downloaded successfully every day since I installed the program simply by clicking on the icon on the toolbar. Any ideas? Mike

I would like to be kept up to speed on this also.

Good ideas, KC.

Is this where Tax Slayer came in...an user owned company? Anyway, I, also would be interested in how this develops and given the time of year there are investments, would be interested.

<<<I agree 100%...but here is the kicker....she has no job...although she has submitted many applications....So she can not possibly pay....I assume that, until all costs are paid, she will not be able to drive....and that hurts me, not her...as I will be back to driving her around instead of doing taxes. I am hoping that the judge gives her priveleges to drive to and from school. >>> How would any other person pay a fine when they did not have a job...maybe this is part of the lesson. Other than school (and that is questionable) why do you have to drive her anywhere. I'll bet if she misses a few functions, parties, etc., she will be a lot more careful behind the wheel. I doubt that the judge will suspend her license, that will probably be up to you, the Dad. If you should "suspend" her license, you may want to consider only letting her drive you places. In that way she will maintain and improve some of her driving skills and you will be able to monitor her progress and give good advice, when necessary. This is all easy for us to say because it is you. However, as a father of four, I can tell you the price is cheaper now than later. Every time I chose to step in, it usually came back to bite me in the foot. We don't have to go out of our way to "hold our kids back," but unless the pain of changing is less than the pain of the status quo, they will not change, there is no reason for them to do so. Good luck as you walk down this path, it will probably be more taxing than tax season.

There shouldn't be a problem. Make sure he annotates the check properly in the memo section. Then pull a transcript after it has cleared his bank to make sure it posted properly. A little extra work but should be no problem. A few years ago I had a client that made a deposit every week for ES taxes and no problems.

I have used both books and find them to be fairly similiar. They each have information the other does not and they seem to be equally accurate. I think the updating of the Tax Book is better than that of QF. They both require multiple volumes to cover the major tax divisions. I have used QF longer so I do find it a little easier to use, but I do like the WebCD setup that the Tax Book has.

<<<<According to a former employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the firm announced the layoff to the affected employees Thursday afternoon, and the cuts took effect immediately.>>>> Just addressing the above comment and not the other ATX deficiencies, I normally recommend to my clients (when asked how to do it) that when they are going to terminate an employee to have it take place immediately. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I also recommend that the date of termination would be the last day of a payperiod. There is simply too much damage a terminated employee can do to a firm before they leave. I also recommend some type of severance package that can help the transition. I am not trying to start a new thread of thought or to co-op this one. I also am not one of the employees that has been terminated, however, I can appreciate their feelings.' The issue that I don't understand here is the quality of the help that is being displaced by other less qualified help. Most companies have learned that you get what you pay for and a minimum wage "tech support" employee is not the same as an experienced, trained, knowledgable tech support employee. I have always wanted to pay am employee so that they did not want to go to any other business...in so doing, I always had good employees and good customer service. I got what I paid for, excellence.

There is one under your federal forms.

I totally agree with the prior response you have been given. I have run into that group before and have talked to a one of their "attorneys." I sure wish they would discontinue those seminars. 1. They can have as many bank accounts as they wish. It is not unusual, especially for larger churches, to have six or seven accounts. Obviously, what the right and left hand are doing is harder to keep track of but it is not illegal. (I don't recommend this many accounts but it is a church specific decision.) 2. The payroll percentage issue is a joke also. There are two things that could be issues here. (a). When a churches payroll reaches 40% of receipts it normally begins to infringe upon other ministries and if it reachs 60% it normally will shut down the church. ( There are some compensation guidelines for "overly compensated pastors." They are not percentage based, although that could be looked at. 3. While there is no requirement form retaining offering envelopes I also recommend that they keep them for at least four years if not seven. While I do not profess to know everything there is about church, clergy and religious workers tax laws, I do specialize in that field. In fact, I don't do any other type of tax returns. Just from what you have presented it would appear that you could have done a better job doing the seminar than the presenter did.

No, "dumb" is the right word. Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

Hmmm. Today vs. 1/11 Is this a right hand left hand thing? I vote for the right hand.

I am kind of slow in this area, among others. Can you please clarify what you are talking about and how I might go about what you are talking about. My setup is very simple. A wireless received to a wireless router to my laptop. I am not aware that you can install a firewall in my router (Netgear). Sorry for the "dumb" question.

This is why I don't have any automatic renewals. I set up Outlook to remind me (actually twice to ensure I see it) and with Norton, I update it weekly and when I get within 30 days of expiration, the software asks you if you want to renew. Works for me.

Janitor Bob, you are such a cut up!

I use the password protection through Adobe and am in the process of checking out the encryption.

My entire practice is based on internet use and e-amil. It they can't, don't or forget, I send them along. This gives me an electronic record (backed up daily) of all activity with any client. It is also included in my engagement letter (sent via e-mail). The return is delived the same way but password protected. I have zero problems doing it this way. As a side note, I repond to any e-mail when it is read. If I need to look something up later, I send a reply that I have their mail and will respond within the next 48 hours. My client base has been told over and over if I don't respond within 48 hours I did not get it and to resend their question or information. Works for me. Mike