Carolbeck

Yes that is true in other states, but for NY: Additional Benefits for the APTC Premium Payment Program • To use the benefits of the APTC Premium Payment Program and potentially reduce your premium to $0, you must be eligible and select a Silver Level health plan and use the entire amount of your tax credit. You will still be responsible to pay any cost sharing, like co-pays for doctor’s visits or prescriptions. Your maximum out-of-pocket costs may change if you do not select a Silver Level health plan.

I just spent over 6 hours on a new clients return that now owe $1,350 due to excess APTC. As they actually purchased a "Gold" plan and therefore should have not even qualified for the APTC (Has to be a Silver plan) to receive. Supposedly their "Navigator" from local county office setup everything for them on the exchange. Estimated half of their income and allowed them to take almost 2X the APTC. 1095-A is correct. A couple with no kids making $43k per year - wife does not work. Of course I am the messenger, so of course it is MY fault. Client wants to get a "second Opinion". Please come and get your tax documents so that you can get your "2nd opinion". And please stop calling every 15 minutes with another question about the same thing I told you during the last conversation regarding this. I have not been able to work on any other return today because of this! Sorry to Vent, the crazy late clients are coming out of the wood work! Then the few I have not heard from decide to drop off at the last minute at the same time! And on a Sunday late afternoon. Of course I have no Family or a life..

Maybe Inventory to be Amortized? Resale of farm produce? Unusual to amortize items with less than 1 year life. Could be did not want a loss as stated above.

Not to sound mean, but maybe a few of the "Texting" and driving people would swerve off away from me instead of using my car as a steering bumper to keep it between the lines.

Yes you can, it is in your ATX Preferences. Options, Preferences, Open Return, Auto-Save. Sorry my Chrome will not let me "Snip" and Paste the screen shot. Hope this helps!

The other issue regarding the early withdrawal is they "forget" about having any State Tax Withheld. NYS loves to tax these unless you are over 59 1/2. The problem I had is a person who did this EVERY TIME she changed jobs. EVERY TIME she owed Mega bucks to NYS. EVERY TIME I explain about the 10 % Penalty and the 25% Tax Bracket Federal and the approx 6% NYS Tax, so that about 50% is going to taxes. Never Listens.. "I needed the money" Than whines about owing..

That is why we only have accounts with a Credit Union. Have had our accounts with our Credit Union since 1988. I will not deal with any Banks especially Chase or BoA. They really do not want any personal accounts except to charge outrageous bank fees for every little thing. Our Credit Union has been great and especially with the home town touch. Personal attention and calls for any issues. Know us on a 1st name basis.

We have this as one of our Christmas Decorations....

I had one client only who had the advanced EITC. So few used it because it was not a huge refund all at once to spend as soon as they received their refund. Didn't make a difference for them living paycheck to paycheck.

I agree, 2013 was much better (but I also had a better PC to use than 2012 - Both Dell's, but for 2013 Win7 Pro and 8Gb RAM vs Win7 Home and 4GB - Go Figure it would make that much of a difference). Both Stand Alone except for Wireless Printer (Color) for my letters). HP LJ 3015P for all else. I also hate the letters, cumbersome and they look unprofessional in ATX. I setup a template in word to use for my letters, copy pasted most of the ATX letter with the refund or balance due info, then tweaked it in Word. It did not take but a few minutes to tweak. Had my letterhead, etc and it looked much more professional than the lame ATX Letters. I also waited to the last minute to renew and I paid a down pmt in January and the rest in February. Actually received a better price than 2012. I never renew early as they take the money ahead of time with free use for a measly 10% (wow $100!) discount. Not worth it to me. I also remember prepaying for software back in (1995 - 1996?- had 2 girls 1 and 2 so memory is foggy) and then the company went belly up and lost the prepaid amount. I tried ProSeries Intuit that 1st year - Very Expensive, then I switched to ATX for 1997. I have never renewed early since then. Just my random thoughts - Sorry!

And then seeing the news about the huge bonus's received by IRS Employee's who are not compliant with their own Personal Tax Filing responsibilities. A case of "Do as I say, not as I do". Do you think that sets a tone for the average taxpayer civic duty of tax compliance?

Our dogs do the same thing....

I love going to the Scottish games when they are here in August. The calling of the Clans, I could listen to Bagpipes and Fiddle all day! Keep up the good work and you will do fine!!! Nice to be involved with something totally unrelated to Taxes!

This is exactly how I handle these. Sometimes a little more sometimes a little less. I usually show the Fee on the parent's Invoice with a discount down to $25 to cover the costs. Though this year I had one that just irked me. High Income couple that due to her Student Loans requires her to file MFS so that eventually her loans will be paid in full as she is a teacher with her Masters Degree. There is a special program that allows the elimination of debt if she files MFS because it is based on just her Income. So that means actually 3 Returns, as I have to show them what MFJ would be like and what each files as MFS. Then I have to explain every line as to why it is better to file this way, what the tax savings are, etc, etc. What a struggle this year just getting paid the $100 I charged for all 3 returns. They asked to file just the wife's to get the refund on hers, and wait to file his (Always owes) and pay me when they get their refund. Then they thought I could do his 16 yr old son's return "If I was not going to charge them anything for it". This would have been a $56 refund. It just irked me me with their attitude, Together they make 4 times what our family makes. So I just told them that I could not prepare the return as I was not a "Paid Preparer" and suggested they pick up some forms at the Library.

Congratulations Jack! Not a Grandparent yet, but oh how I miss the "Baby Fix" It is great to hear how involved you will be as a Grandparent. I wish my in-laws were the same.

Me too! You have made this tax season the best with your knowledge and sense of humor. I am not afraid of you. Keep up the good work! Love your posts!

This about what my situation is. I have approx 136 clients that I file Federal and State for, down to 1 Partnership. Some of these are quite complex Farm Returns and Stock Sales. Most of the Farm Returns require quite a bit of bookkeeping (Say No to Shoe Box Accounting). Sometimes some people who use Quickbooks should not be allowed. Takes longer to correct. I no longer do Payroll as I can't compete with what ADP does and is not worth the hassle. I also work full time in a Tax Department at a large global company that usually requires a 60 to 70 hour work week. I complete approx (With 1 other Co worker) 25 (Large) Corporation Consolidated Federal Returns along with numerous State returns that are either Separate, combined, or unitary. The Massachusetts Unitary return is the most difficult. At least these returns are on Extension until September 15th. But I never get to see the Summer Sun because of it. I just am not able to complete more returns than I do for Individuals as there is not enough time during the filing period. I wish I could! It seems like this year there was not 1 simple easy return to do. All seemed to either be missing info or more teeth pulling. This part time work does help with the Finances greatly! My husband is disabled and it helps pay for college expenses for my 2 daughters.

I just finished my last return, sent efile signature pages and return pdf via email for signature. Have a few on extension that have already been efiled. Just waiting to hear back from clients with efile signatures. Efile, and wait for ack. Have 2 pickups on Monday. I am so very tired. This has been the longest Tax Season ever (Not in days available), but slogging through. Best Wishes for everyone!!! Hope Monday and Tuesday go smooth and everyone gets to take a break. Talk to you soon. Yes, I did attend the Cornell Veterinary School Open House with my daughter today. So glad we went and had some special time together. Worth it being up to almost 4:00 AM!

Everytime I see the word "Anvil" I think of poor Wiley E Coyote and the 'Anvil" falling on his head... I have 3 different Staplers. I autostaple for the 2 efile signature pages, 1 mid size Ratchet up to 60 pages, and the big Kuhuna heavy duty one for more than 60 pages.. I really hate when the big Kahuna jams. Usually have to reprint because of the bleeding involved.

This site is my sanity break. Thank you Eric for keeping this site alive. Happy Birthday!!! and Happy Birthday to KC, who is always there to help. I have been with ATX since 1997 also (Still have the 1997 CD's), when I switched from Parsons to ProSeries (Very Costly). Thank you everyone for all of your insights and help. I was a lerker for a long time, much more productive being interactive. I still love to see all of RitaB's Posts the best, they make my day. She could be a Stand Up Comedian in her off Tax Season. Thank you again everyone! Hope everyone survives the end of Tax Season. At least next week I am off from my "Normal" day job, and can concentrate on my remaining tax returns and extensions!. Carol

That was another one of the problems. "We do not have any money" I got them caught up last time as a gift and did not charge them that much. Not counting all the Bookkeeping (as they had a shopping bag full of receipts) and then the Tax Returns. I charged them $200 per year including the Bookkeeping. At this point in my life, these clients are not worth the stress as I am not able to go the 36 hours of no sleep anymore. I have 8 other returns in the hopper to be completed before the 15th. As Jack in Ohio has always said. "Poor Planning on your Part, does constitute an Emergency on my part". Sometimes it is just not worth all the $$$ in the world. I really want to spend Saturday with my 18 yr old daughter and go to the Cornell Veterinary School Open House. This is her dream. So I think I will!

I figured they probably are getting many letters from the IRS and that is what it took last time to light a fire under them. Honestly, I do not know how people who operate like this can sleep at night. I would be worried sick.

Had a couple a few years ago 2005 to 2009 finally get their act together and we filed all of the returns to get them caught up. Refunds etc. Took forever getting their info, had to stay right on top of them. Filed the 2009 in Oct 2010. Never heard from them after that. I called, mailed, etc. No Response. Yesterday, after getting home from my day job at 7:30 PM, message on my machine: "Hey can we stop down with our tax info (Like we just talked the other day), oh and by the way there are prior years included". Can we have these completed by the 15th? 2 Self Employed people, no estimated taxes, 2 separate business, etc. NOT Happening. I told my husband if they try to drop off anything, to tell them I am not taking on any new clients at this point. They will have to find another preparer. Unbelievable!

Governor Cuomo Announces New Regulations to Protect Consumers Who Hire Tax Preparers Warns New Yorkers to use caution when selecting a preparer File a complaint about an unethical tax preparer by calling 518-530-HELP [1] Albany, NY (March 3, 2014) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced historic new regulations that will better protect New York consumers who hire a tax preparer. The regulations make New York one of only four states that regulate the tax preparer industry. The comprehensive rules - covering 40,000 paid tax preparers throughout the state - will reduce errors and omissions on tax returns, reduce fraud and increase the level of competence and ethics among preparers. "With 70% of New York taxpayers depending on a tax preparer to file their taxes, we need to ensure clear standards exist to prevent fraud and protect consumers,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new regulations will better protect New Yorkers who use tax preparers by requiring minimum qualifications and professional practices within the industry. In addition to these changes, I urge those putting their trust in a preparer to also do their homework: check the internet, get a referral, and make sure the person you hire is legally registered with the State Tax Department.” Preparer scams to avoid Governor Cuomo warned New Yorkers to be on guard for unethical actions by tax preparers, such as: Advertising or promising in-person to do an income tax return for a low price, but then billing the client for a much higher fee, arguing the return was more complicated than originally anticipated. Convincing a client to have their refund deposited into the preparer’s account instead of the client’s, and then the preparer covertly steals a portion of the refund. High-interest loans – often with unclear terms - offered by preparers prior to refunds being received. Taxpayers should also avoid hiring tax preparers who offer to use illegal means to increase the amount of a refund. “What unsuspecting taxpayers don’t realize when they agree to file false information on a return, is that they, in the end, will end up paying – perhaps steeply - for these fraudulent filings,” warned Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox. “They are paying hard-earned money for advice that jeopardizes their future financial stability.” Identifying and stopping fraud The Tax Department continually investigates and arrests preparers for criminal activity. In addition, a new Fraud Analysis and Selection Team (FAST) detects large-scale tax preparer schemes. In just the past year alone, FAST has identified and stopped more than $26 million in improper refund payments. Recent examples of tax preparer arrests include: Joseph Barrios, Jr., [2] 50, Mahwah, NJ, who will serve 6 months in Riker’s Island Susan Pemberton, [3] 43, Rockville Center, sentenced to up to 3 years in prison Crystal Sweet, [4] 38, Gloversville, sentenced to up to 6 years in prison Christopher Curry, [5] 40, Westbury, sentenced to up to 3 years in prison John Berry, [6] 42, Dunkirk, charged for filing returns using the names of 42 deceased people Chiara Hudson, [7] 24, Bronx, sentenced to up to 4 ½ years probation New York’s first tax preparer regulations Since 2011, the majority of tax preparers have been required to register annually with the Tax Department. Building on the registration, for the first time in New York State, most individuals who are paid to prepare at least ten New York State tax returns in a year will be required to: Pass a State competency examination Be at least 18 years of age and be a high school graduate, or possess the equivalent of a high school degree Meet applicable IRS requirements Take four hours of annual continuing education Beginning tax return preparers (with less than three years of experience preparing New York State tax returns) must take a 16-hour basic tax course Violation of the new standards could result in a range of disciplinary actions, from remedial education to suspension or cancellation of a preparer’s registration. Attorneys, certified public accountants, public accountants and enrolled agents are exempt from the regulations, but are required to meet specific professional standards set forth by their licensing agencies - and may be subject to formal sanctioning if they fail to meet those standards - as part of their professional certification. For more information Fact Sheet: New York’s First Tax Preparer Regulations [8] Aware of illegal or improper conduct by a tax preparer? Call 518-530-HELP, or File a complaint online [9] Considering hiring a tax preparer? Confirm that he or she is registered [10] Consider free tax preparation options Find an IRS-certified volunteer site [11](income max = $52,000) Visit an AARP Tax-Aide site [12] (no income limit) Read the Consumer Bill of Rights [13] Fact Sheet New York’s First Tax Preparer Regulations Effective December 11, 2013 Applicability As a general rule, the new regulations apply to anyone who prepares a substantial portion of any tax return for compensation. Tax preparers who meet the eligibility criteria will be required to register with the New York State Tax Department. The regulations impose additional requirements on “commercial tax return preparers,” defined as persons who:  prepared ten or more returns for compensation in the preceding calendar year; and  will prepare at least one return for compensation during the present calendar year. Some individuals who prepare returns are exempt from the regulations:  attorneys, public accountants, enrolled agents, certified public accountants, and their employees  volunteer tax preparers and employees of a business or partnership whose job is to only prepare that business’s or partnership’s returns Professional standards To ensure that New Yorkers receive quality tax preparation services, the department imposes the following requirements on commercial tax return preparers. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements The regulations create two different continuing professional education requirements, depending on the experience of the preparer.  Commercial tax return preparers with less than three years’ experience are required to complete 16 hours of CPE coursework by the end of the first calendar year after the department has certified CPE providers. These individuals will have to complete four hours of CPE coursework each year thereafter.  Commercial tax preparers with three or more years’ experience must complete four hours of CPE coursework each year. Competency exam  Commercial tax preparers must pass the IRS competency exam, if required for federal purposes.  Commercial tax preparers must pass a New York State competency exam by the third calendar year after the exam is made available by the department. Grounds for Denial of Tax Preparer Registration The Tax Department can deny the registration application of any tax preparer who does not meet the registration requirements, who is not in compliance with certain laws and obligations, or who is otherwise not in compliance with the regulations. Registration requirements In order to successfully register, a preparer must:  be at least 18 years of age, and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent  fulfill continuing education and competency test requirements  commercial tax return preparers must pay the registration fee Compliance with laws and obligations The department will deny the application of preparers under the following circumstances:  criminal conviction where there is a direct relationship between the conviction and the preparation of tax returns  noncompliance with tax obligations.  failure to comply with child support obligations.  willful violation of the Tax Law  failure to satisfy IRS requirements.  adverse disciplinary actions within five years. Discipline must relate to tax return preparation, violation of trust or fiduciary obligations, or the misuse of confidential information. Other conduct warranting denial The department may also deny registration applications for the following reasons:  the issuance of a registration would involve an undue risk to property or the public welfare  fraud or deceit as a preparer or with registration as a tax return preparer  dishonest or unscrupulous behavior by a preparer Discipline of Tax Return Preparers Preparers who do not comply with the regulations are subject to discipline by the department. In addition, the department may coordinate with federal, state, and local taxing authorities; and professional licensing or other regulatory authorities to exchange information and make disciplinary referrals. Conduct warranting discipline As in the case of registration denials, the department can discipline preparers who do not meet the registration requirements, who are not in compliance with certain laws and obligations, or who are otherwise unfit. Registration requirements Preparers who fail to register, pay the registration fee, or complete educational requirements can be disciplined. Compliance with laws and obligations Preparers who violate any law, regulation, or obligation related to tax preparation are subject to discipline. In addition, the following conduct can result in discipline:  criminal convictions involving an unreasonable risk to property, safety or welfare  adverse disciplinary actions in connection with conduct relating to tax preparation, a violation of trust or fiduciary obligations, misuse of confidential information  failure to comply with child support obligations  willful noncompliance with tax obligations Other conduct warranting discipline Preparers can also be disciplined for engaging in the following conduct:  engaging in contemptuous conduct in connection with a return prepared by the preparer or in practice before the department regarding that return  giving a false opinion, knowingly, recklessly, or through gross incompetence or engaging in a pattern of providing incompetent opinions on questions arising under federal, state, or local tax laws  willfully using false or misleading representations to procure employment or intimating that the preparer is able to improperly obtain special consideration or action from the department or any officer or employee thereof  providing false or misleading information to the department  assisting noncompliance or tax evasion  misappropriating client funds  improperly influencing official actions  aiding the practice by non-registered preparers  willfully refusing to sign a return  disclosing confidential information  willful violation of the law including the Consumer Bill of Rights Duties and responsibilities of tax return preparers The department imposes certain duties and responsibilities on preparers. A preparer that willfully, recklessly, or with gross incompetence fails to adhere to these duties and responsibilities may be subject to discipline. Communication and interaction with the Tax Department A tax return preparer must:  provide non-privileged available records to the department  provide information concerning unavailable records  promptly dispose of pending matters with the department where the preparer has prepared the subject return. A tax return preparer must not:  interfere with lawful efforts by the department  participate in false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading solicitation and advertising.  willfully, recklessly, or through gross incompetence submit returns, or advise their clients to submit returns to the department that lack a reasonable basis  take an unreasonable position or willfully attempt to understate the tax liability or is in reckless or intention disregard of the rules or regulations  take a frivolous position or advise a client to take a frivolous position on a tax return, affidavit, or other document submitted to the department, whether in paper form or electronically  seek assistance from persons whose registration has been refused, cancelled, or suspended Communication and interaction with clients A tax return preparer must:  make reasonable efforts to learn of client’s omissions  act diligently to ensure filed returns are accurate  not charge unconscionable fees  return client’s records  advise their clients of potential penalties. A tax return preparer must not:  endorse or otherwise negotiate any check or other form of payment issued to a client by the government in respect to a federal, state or local tax refund  advise a client to submit a tax return, affidavit, or other paper or electronic document to the department, if the purpose is to delay or impede the administration of federal, state or local tax laws; the document or return contains a position that is frivolous; or the document or return contains or omits information in a manner that demonstrates an intentional disregard of a statute, regulation or established case law unless the preparer also advises the client to submit a document that evidences a good faith challenge to the statute, regulation or established case law.  prepare a return for a client or represent a client before the department in a matter that would cause a conflict of interest with another of the preparer’s clients unless both clients waive the conflict  ignore the implications of information furnished to, or actually known by, the preparer, and must make reasonable inquiries if the information as furnished by the client appears to be incorrect, inconsistent with an important fact or another factual assumption, or incomplete In addition, any person, whether or not a tax return preparer, who has (or persons who have or share) principal authority and responsibility for overseeing a firm’s practice of preparing tax returns, claims for refunds, or other documents by tax return preparers for submission to the department must take reasonable steps to ensure that the firm has adequate procedures in effect for all members, associates, and employees for purposes of complying with the regulations. Forms of discipline The department may discipline noncompliant preparers in the following ways:  refusal, suspension or cancelation of a registration application  denial, limitation, or placement of conditions on the preparer’s right to prepare or file New York State tax returns. Such conditions may include placing the preparer on probation, or ordering the preparer to attend remedial educational classes before being allowed to prepare or file returns.

I had "My Engineer" tell me that I made an "error" last year with only applying his $5,200 Investment Fees on Sch A, subject to the 2% limit. His "Broker" told him he could write it off to ST Loss on Schedule D if he was at the Schedule A Limit. Would I be so kind as to Amend.. NOT, I did ask on here about that as I never heard of that before, maybe my brain was fried.. Not my imagination, but his "broker" sure is trying to pull a fast one. Rita, you have the patience of a saint!! How did you not smack him upside the head with his tax return?