MAMalody

Well, I have three returns left on extension, I will try them this way and see what happens. Thanks for the input. Mike

The opposite conclusion was arrived at, at least, at this point in time, on the Tax Book web site on the very same discussion. It also begs the question, what if you only store data after preparation, they have already been filed. I have sent this question to the IRS and will post the response upon receipt. Mike

<<<<However, if you fell for one of those traps where you can backup your computer on some web site...then this will apply to you. >>> Ny reading of the two url's in this posting do not bring me to this conclusion. The two specifically refer to only your own or your company's web site. I don't see a mention of a third party web site that is a backup site. I can see where you could reach that far, but, I think it would have to be a reach. I don't have a copy of the original document that this info is off of. Does anybody have a copy? Mike

Sounds like I was trying to make it too difficult...just because I didn't like to change. How about the 1040 E-file Info tab? Do I just check Practitioner Pin and only use Section A? On a sample return, I don't see any effect of entering a "date signed." Is there one?

It has become apparent that the IRS will cease the current use of Form 8453 in the near future. I have always used Form 8453 for all the e-filed returns. Therefore, I am going to use the returns I have on extension to familiarize myself with the use of Form 8879..or at least try. I have reviewed the ATX info and am a little confused. Is there somebody with a little or a lot of patience out there that can give me step-by-step procedures on how to enter the data through to filing the return? My practice is totally internet based and the client will not be able to enter any PIN numbers themselves. If this format does not lend itself to this type of format, let me know and maybe we could try e-mail. Thank you.

There is an "Oklahoma fix" for this...use a laptop. True you would have to turn it off at night...so when you go home at 2 AM it can get 4 hours sleep. Using a laptop, the power can go off and you will have from 60-90 minutes to turn your computer off. Mike

To bad there is not an H for other. I thoght that I had read that the IRS was no longer processing SS-8s.

There is one difference ATX employee recognition could provide...William. When William spoke everybody listened...maybe he works for EF Hutton now. I mean, we could be assured that the systemic problems were being addressed or whatever. The program operation and form issues are not as difficult as the company answers we sometimes need. Mike

Mr Moderator/Administator, This looks like an advertisement to me. This is the second time this has been posted. It has been shown by KC to possibly be misleading in the wording. I don't know your TOS, however, I hope it does not include allowing commercial solicitation. Respectively, Mike

I wonder if jimtaxwise is the Jim we are supposed to ask for? Mike

<<<What is the number of returns that one must prepare to come under the mandatory e-file rules in CA? >>> Last I checked it was 100 returns. Mike

For the last tax practice I purchased here is what I did. 1. Confirmed the client base was similiar to mine. (If you are trying to expand into a new area, you would want to consider this also.) 2. Looked at the age of the client list. 3. Looked at the return percentage. 4. Looked at the gross receipts from the client list. 5. Had a covenant not to compete 6. Retiring owner agreed to help in transition. 7. Set maximum price for business. 8. Agreed to pay 50% of gross receipts from returning clients the first year, 30% the second year and 20% the third yeard. Did not pay anything down. If I had, I would have netted it against the first year gross payment. Made payments on the 15th of the month following receipts. 9. If #8 greater than #7 them limited to #7. If #7 greater than # 8 then limited to #8. & and 8 hopefully provided incentive for the seller to make sure the clients return. 10. We did a "I'm leaving the business letter" from the seller and a separate " I am here to serve you" letter from the buyer (me) along with and endorsement from the seller. 11. The seller also helped with a letter/calls to set up the first appointments. It worked for me. Mike

I think the issue is not that they phone rep is being abused, but that there is information that they can give back to their supervisor that is impacting sales ( or at least we think so). MIke

While you may be right, it is listed on the IRS web site as directly pertaining to SFRs and example #3 is clearly an SFR. Personally, I never had one while I was an IRS auditor (formerlly or informally) and only have had one while a practitioner, which we handled with a Form 1040X with no additional questions. So this is really out of my league. Mike

You might want to read Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2005-36. This seems to indicate that an IRS prepared return is considered to be the original by the TP. That would seem to indicate that a Form 1040X would be required to change that data. Mike

That's interesting because I thought WA's minimum at $7.94 was the highest in the nation. Jainen are you saying minumum wage or just indicating the purported living wage? Mike

What about the state programs? Mike

Well, I did it. I reupped for 2007. Had to go to Max because of the e-file costs, but I just don't want to take the time to learn a new program. I may have to if the price for me goes up again next year. Mike

Looks like I may have had a paperless office using the Oklahoma Method. Good article. Gear Up also has a tech book out that is pretty good. Thanks for the article. Mike

...and maybe where personal responsibility comes in.

No, she will not be able to e-file. If the death occured in 2007, the IRS will not be able to access that information and the e-file will be rejected. Since this is contradicting the prior answer you may want to call the IRS e-file help desk for verification of this info. Mike

I also have my ATX program set to type in my name...I have found that most people still thinks you need to sign the return. You make an excellent point. Thanks for refreshing my memory. Mike

Now, this is new to me. I have heard of this process, but have never employed it. Does it require a specific program? Do I just scan a signature into, like, MS Pub, Word, etc and cut and paste in a .pdf file. My Acrobat Adobe is an older version, would this require AB Pro 8.9? This may be technical for this board. You can email me at [email protected] if that would be better. Sorry for the trouble, but this may solve some problems. Mike

Hmmm. I could go to paper returns only, however, unlike your practices my practice is entirely internet based. I have not had a fact-to-face interview or office visit in 5 years. About 80% of my clients I have never seen. They contact me through the Internet, receive their organizer in Word or .pdf format, get any additional questions vial e-mail and recieve a copy of their return in a .pdf file. I rceive their F8453 and e-file the return. My office is 90% paperless. All their correspondence, information and docs are kept in electronic files (which is how I receive most of it.). My fax machine comes directly into my computer, etc. It would be a major change for my clients to all of a sudden have to file a paper return. For me, it was a major pain when ATX dropped their web based tax organizer that I could download directly into the tax program. A paper return is an option, as you pointed out. I'm just not sure I want to go that way. Mike

I agree with both replys. The info was on the web site, however, when you call and ask for a comparison, it seems to me that you either refer them to the website, explain the differences or make an apples-to-apples comparison. It may be that 2nd Story is not a fair comparison for me. I have not looked at the states they do, however, they do 42 states and DC and I think that is all that have income tax. I read on some board where they are making a package deal, including unlimited e-file for around $600. I have not really checked out either of these issues, but I will. By the way, I did get a response from ATX in which the responded said, "I seriously doubt that the sales representative you spoke with would have allowed the sale to go through without disclosing the change in e-file fees." The point was, until I began asking specific questions I was told the packages were the same. I don't think that anything was left out of the package just the e-filing charges added. I have ATX software going back to 97 I think, and they have always been forthright about changes before when I have called them. Maybe I'm hyper today, or ultra picky, however, I don't think they were making a fair comparison. I will have to think this over. It was nice to receive a reply, however. I didn't really expect on. Mike