MAMalody

Try looking up an outfit called Frontsite. I think they are outside of Vegas. I don't know there fees but I get tons of e-mail from them.

When I was an auditor the audits were driven by dif score and projects. Time of filing was not really relevant.

I would be interested in the No CA meeting.

I do this as a side ministry for pastors and religious workers only. All others I send to other preparers in the area. I have filed 196 returns so far and have 46 in the hopper on extensions. My problem is, this year I have done returns in 30 states and for missionaries in 4 or 5 countries. Really slows me down to make sure they are correct. Thank goodness there are people like Catherine who is willing to bail me out on a state return that I can't seem to get straight. I should have expressed my appreciation for all you folks before now, your knowledge base has proved to be a big help, and then there is Jack solving all my computer problems. This year would have been a lot tougher without all you folks here. Thanks. Have a great Easter! Remember, He is Risen!

Catherine, ATX is ripping me up for the way I have the HC filled out. I must be reading something incorrectly. Would it be amiss of me to send you a copy of the HC to see if you can direct me to the error of my ways or the "fix" it. While I do cry easily, no is an acceptable answer.

Thanks for the input. I will let you know if I need the EIN.

I am completing a return for a son of a client. He is a dependent on the fathers return and therefore does not claim the personal exemption on his federal return. I am assuming the same happens on the MA return (Form 1). For the life of me, I can't figure out how to do that. Am I right in that he should not be claiming himself on the MA return and if yes, how do I do that on Form 1? Sorry for being so dense.

I can't tell if we are talking about two different denominations or three, anyway, here are my thoughts for what they are worth...two cents. 1. The IRS considers a change of denominations to be a change of faith. This opens up the two year window for form 4361 consideration. Remember this is a theological decisiion not an economic one. 2. Being in children's Ministry does not automatically qualify a pastor for a housing allowance. Remember he must qualify as a dual status pastor to be able to receive a housing allowance. 3. Based on the denomination, working on Ordination, may mean he could not qualify as dual status therefore not be able to receive a housing allowance. 4. Assuming he is qualified in the Children's Ministry to have a housing allowance, can he...I would lean towards no, for tax return purposes. A housing allowance, is a housing allowance, is a housing allowance and overlapping is not allowed. The answer here is to pick the larger one as housing and discontinue/disregard the other.

1. The distribution can be treated as housing allowance as long as it is designated prior to distribution. 2. The rules governing premature distributions would apply. 3. The distribution is not treated as SE income as a regular housing allowance would be. 4. The part of the qualified housing allowance that is properly used for housing would be entered on LIne 21 as a negative figure. This will balance out the taxable reporting required by the distribution code 1. 5. This could be a plan established by a church. It does not neeed to be established by a denomination. I cannot tell from the OP if this is an active pastorate or note. The problem we may have here is that the IRS position is you cannot be actively involved in ministry, receiving a housing housing allowance from a church for current services rendered and receive a contemporaneous housing allowance distribution from a 403(b ). The designation of housing allowance by a retirement plan is determinative in whether the individual qualifies only that the plan is designated as sure or the pastor has requested such designation. All the distribution docs I have seen have always indicated it is the pastor's responsibility to determine the correct taxability of any distributions, that is one of the reasons box 2 of the 1099 R is normally blank.

I go with the do nothing.

PTL...they were accepted.

It goes with the 8453.

I took the IRS.gov route. Have the number. I still object to having to use a number I am not required to have.....but, you know what they say about city hall. Now, let's see if this puppy will file.

I am sure i will have to update my file,however, if my memories serves me correctly. the PTIN replaced the SSN a couple of years ago on the tax returns.

Duh. I did not know it was that hard to find. Thanks for the hint:>)

I don't deal in this area at all. So I can be lazy, what is the url for this - i assume it is online.

I have just completed a MA return on ATX and when running the check it says "MA DOR requires the nine digit Paid Preparer EIN when PTIN used." It was not this way last year. I am a dba with no employees and not required to have an EIN. Does this mean that client will have to paper file the MA rtn?

I agree with Pacun. Everything seems to be a reach.

I would increase my normal bill by $300-$400 because of the 6 additional states and the foreign issue. I would tell her up front to help do away with the sticker shock. If it turns out to be less work than you thought it would be you can always give her a discount.

My personal recommendation to any church is to make all their statements the same, regardless of any amount specified in the statement. In this way they are not making any decisions, they are all made by their contributor. I also recommend they place something like: "No goods or services were received, only intangible religious benefits were received by the donor" on all statements. Of course, I give them the other criteria that should also be on the statement. I get a dozen or so every year that I have go back and get a redo before we complete the return.

Hey I will be in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area in June. We ought to have a foursome.

They sure can. This thing here is the statement comes from the church not a printer. I don't know of very many churches that will fudge a date. Most of he ones I am aware of are pretty straight and just want to do things right and let the chips fall where they may.

The problem with the printer date is it is established by the info input in the computer or printer not the organization issueing the letter. To be honest, given the time available I would try to get a new statement property completed. I have not seen where the IRS has rejected a printer date, however, you are looking for a contemporaneous statement and the printer date does not confirm than.

I have been wondering what happened also. He morphed into Mr Pencil, but seems to have disappeard around the 1st of February. I am praying that he is just swamped with work and nothing has happend to him.

Now that I am reliable, my answer is probably wrong:>)