Janitor Bob

Thanks...that just how I did it last year too. Only this quarter I have to include the 940 and it doesnt want to create efiles for the two of them together even though both boxes are checked at the top of the EF form. Oh well....guess it's too complicated for ATX to handle more than one thing at a time. I'll separate the 2 into 2 files and it should work. Good think I have this site to rely on for support!

Last year I bought super glue and stuck two 940s together and made one 1880....This season, I'm going for a triple!

"Mel, I agree 100% with you. There is probably little power in individual complaints, but "class action suit" would certainly carry enough weight to get CCH to reasonably address a settlement."

Benjamin Franklin said in the 1800s "Common sense is very uncommon." It hasn't gotten any more common. Where is the logic??? When is the insanity going to subside?

Gee, wasn't it this week that we read about the number of ridiculous lawsuits that were proliferating? Perhaps half of my professional life wouldn't be spent requiring clients to sign CMA documents if there weren't so many lawsuits. If you don't like the product don't buy it again. If the coffee burns you, perhaps you should wait until it cools before you drink it. I don't remember when in our society my life became so burdened because of "safety measures" that everyone from my banks to my investment brokers to my doctors choke me with because of litigation, but it not only exhausts and irritates me, but I'm tired of paying for it.

By the way I'm tired of paying for government rebates when we are running a deficit; where the heck do these people think the money for the rebates come from? In my never humble opinion this whole bipartisan effort is a very expensive ad campaign that I'm paying for.

Well after that diatribe I feel better, I don't know about the rest of you. lbb

Man...I could really use a cheeseburger righ now!

Pub 526

Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services

Although you cannot deduct the value of your services given to a qualified organization, you may be able to deduct some amounts you pay in giving services to a qualified organization. The amounts must be:

Unreimbursed,

Directly connected with the services,

Expenses you had only because of the services you gave, and

Not personal, living, or family expenses.

Table 2 contains questions and answers that apply to some individuals who volunteer their services.

Underprivileged youths selected by charity. You can deduct reasonable unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses you pay to allow underprivileged youths to attend athletic events, movies, or dinners. The youths must be selected by a charitable organization whose goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency. Your own similar expenses in accompanying the youths are not deductible.

Mileage is also mostly allowed.

THANKS...excatly the cite I was looking for!

As of today all of my Illinois returns are stuck in the IRC Cleared land too. Must be something with Illinois and not ATX.

All of my Ohio e-files state "IRS Cleared" as well....spoke directly with Ohio and they have all been accepted a few days ago.....There must be a huge delay at ATX in updating the status

On the Form 9325 Acknowledement, does the program automatically fill in anything other than the number 2 box? Do we have to fill in the rest of the boxes if they apply (such as 2a) It seems as though these should be filled in automatically once the return is accepted.

It seems like it should...but it never has in the past and so far this season, it has not....I have had to manually type in the location that e-files were sent to and the date it was accepted.....seems odd to have these fields and the associated information,...but not automatically fill it in

In regards to the mileage deduction I would say "no" - Mileage is allowed for transportation, travel expenses incurred on behalf of a charitable organization "if there is no significant element of personal pleasure" If your client goes to a movie etc, personal pleasure.

In regards to the cost of the litle sisters meals I would say "no" - It has always been my understanding that a charitable deduction either monetary or non-monetary must always be paid directly to a non-profit that has the appropriate 501 status with the IRS.

When I donate directly to my local church I get a deduction, but if I invite my priest to an Indians Baseball Game the cost of the tickets, food, etc is not a charitable donation.

Good Luck

P.S.

I notice that you are in Sidney, have you used the "Ohio Cities" Module from ATX Yet?

thanks

It is tempting...As I spend a lot of time splitting income between multiple localities (Construction workers)...But Im did not purchase that mosule for two reasons:

1) I do not do enough quantity to warrant the high price tag

2) With the CCH-caused problems this year, I may not be back with ATX next year...assuming ATX even exists next year

Don't worry if the PIN status says 8453 required, it said that in most prior years as well for many returns no matter what signature option you selected. As long as you used the PIN method the 8453 is not required, even if the PIN status column says so !

I had this problem last year...no fix for it was ever issued.....ATX finally gave up and told me to "Ignore it"

Client is a "Big Sister" to a young child. I know this is a charitable organization, but here is my confusion. Can client deduct mileage for trips where she took the little sister to events such as baseball games?

Yes, it is charitable, but client received enjoyment from the trip so I hesitate to claim mileage for such trips?

Here is the text of the e-mail from Big Berothers/Big Sisters to my client:

It's that time of year again to begin calculating and filing your federal income tax. BBBSA is pleased to inform you that Bigs are entitled to the following tax deductions:

Deduct $.14 cents per mile incurred in picking up and driving the Little around.

You may also deduct the cost of meals, movie tickets, museum admissions, etc. which you spend for the Little. However, you cannot deduct the costs you incur for your own meals, tickets. etc.

While BBBSA encourages quality time rather than money spent on the Little to be most important in the relationship, we trust that you will find the above information welcome and useful.

....I thought you could not deduct donations to an individual...only to the charitable organization.

Any advise on this issue from all of you smart people is appreciated!

I have customized the master MFJ vs. MFS form. It now will take data from the Ohio tax return and help me decide if it is better to file MFS or MFJ. (In Ohio, many times you can save clients money by filing MFS.) I can not remember how to change the print range for the modified form. When I print the form, it only prints the original section of the form. I have done this for a couple of years, but I can not remember how to change the print range of the customized form. Does anyone out there know how to do this?

If anyone is interested, once I get the form completed, I will be happy to share the form.

Thank you!

Rich Rhodes, EA

That would be great!!

No Ohio Acks yet for me either.

I spoke to somone at Ohio today (Karen Fisk's assistant, I assume as Karen is out until 01/28)...E-files "have been posted" by Ohio....I assume this means accepted, but if so, Why not updated in ATX?

E-file worked fine for me since opening day...25 or so Accepted files

I did a Automatic Update today as I do every day...

Soon after that I was getting an EFC Reject Error...

Returns do not validate and are kicked back almost instantly as a reject...

ATX Error 998...Validation Error

ATX suspects that a recent form update may be causing it.

ATX tells me I was the first to report it...

Is it happening to anybody else?

Thanks

Just heard back from ATX Tech support who called me back and said this is a known issue...they are working on it and will post details on the My ATX site in Latest News when it will be fixed.

Any updates on this? I see nothing on the ATX web site....I am afraid to update today until i know this problem is fixed

I have not received my 1040 Express Answers.

Neither have I....does it automatically come with MAX...or is it additional charge?

At the firm I work at during the day, our first e-file Jan 14, the client received BOTH of her refunds yesterday.

So the returns must be getting to Ohio.

I spoke to someone in the Ohio e-file dept. They confirmed that Ohio had received the e-files and accepted them....but why will ATX not mark them as accepted?

I sent some last April...but sorry to say all I have sent this season so far are positive thoughts....Maybe if some clients would pick up their returns and pay me, I could send some to erc (and pay my electric bill).

IS SHE A MOTHER IN LAW??

Obviously you do not know my mother-in-law (lucky for you).....She would never pick up her taxes or bring her information to me.....NOoooo...I must go and pick up her information....several trips until she really has everything. Then I can do them (for free, of course), then deliver them to her at a time that is convenient for her.....So she can then complain about how long it took me to do them.

My wife passed away last March.....You would think she could start paying me since she is really not my "mother-in-law" any longer....Yeah, right

I really like onion dip, but it makes my breath smell horrible....I really want to "rush" a client this evening when she drops her stuff off (and not get into a lengthy social conversation that consumes half of my evening)......hmmmmm

I think onion dip for dinner is in order

E-file worked fine for me since opening day...25 or so Accepted files

I did a Automatic Update today as I do every day...

Soon after that I was getting an EFC Reject Error...

Returns do not validate and are kicked back almost instantly as a reject...

ATX Error 998...Validation Error

ATX suspects that a recent form update may be causing it.

ATX tells me I was the first to report it...

Is it happening to anybody else?

Thanks

Just heard back from ATX Tech support who called me back and said this is a known issue...they are working on it and will post details on the My ATX site in Latest News when it will be fixed.

Thanks...I will not update until resolved

Jack, IT IS APPROVED for paper-filing as well.

Booger

Yes...I have printed and e-filed several....although getting an Ohio ACK is proving troublesome

I am not aware of any IRS guidelines concerning which parent claims the children in this kind of situation. I personally have chosen the way that is best for the client in terms of refund. I have been doing this for over 9 years with no issues to this point.

I don't think the IRS will concern themselves with such a trivial issue.

I have developed an Excel spreadsheet that quickly shows the benefit good or bad for filing separately versus filing jointly. On the sheet, I also include my extra fees for the second return in the comparison. If you would like, I will be glad to send it to you for you to check out. It also makes it real handy to print for the client.

Thanks!...That would be great! Please e-mail to me at [email protected]

About 2/3 of my married clients here in Ohio benefit that way, anywhere from $150-$400. I decide which children go where, so that neither parent has to pay IRS. I don't think it matters which one claims them, since they are married and living in the same household.

couple is married and living together with the kids all year. Neither client will owe in any event, but if I put the kids on the husband's return (lower AGI) the federal refund is approx. $50.00 higher....but I hesitated putting them on his return because I was always taught that they should go on the return with the higher AGI.

Is their specific guidance on this from IRS or is it taxpayer's choice?

I'd hate to get a correcttion or raise red flags on something this petty.

Are the parents living together? Quickfinders Page 4-10 says that the parent with whom the child lived the greater portion of the year. If the child lived with each parent the same amount of time then the parent with the highest AGI gets the deduction. However, remember that MFS does not allow them to take EIC, Child care credit, tuition deductions. See page 4-7 for chart of disadvantages and lost credits and benefits for MFS.

That is what I thought....In this case, none of the disadvantages apply...their Federal refund is less, but Ohio state refund is much better is MFS...All added up, MFS is better by almost $200.00

When a couple is married filing seperately, do all of the dependents go on the return of the one who provides the most support (highest income)?

Thank you, but let's not take a vote. lbb

Well....I vote YES...Nice to have you here!

The debt was non-recourse and client never re-financed...So debt was secured by the property only and buyer is not personally liable for the balance...thus no debt forgiveness...thus no taxable income...correct?

The debt was non-recourse and client never re-financed...So debt was secured by the property only and buyer is not personally liable for the balance...thus no debt forgiveness...thus no taxable income...correct?

I got it!!

I figured out how to delete the old account information, and get things working properly. The process is a bit lengthy... In a nutshell:

1) Uninstall the 2007 program using the uninstall from the start menu on the desktop

2) Move the entire folder - C:/Program files/ATX2007 to another directory in another folder. Where is not important, but knowing where you move it is.

3) Re-install the software using the new installation codes. This will completely start the process over.

4) Do all updates

5) Set all preferences

6) Rollover a test return and associated preparer info, etc...

7) If you had already done returns, use the import function to bring them back. (this is where knowing where you moved the old folder comes into play. Your files will be in the database folder of the ATX2007 folder you moved.

If anyone needs more detailed instruction, please send me a message, and I will be glad to give you whatever help I can.

YOU ARE THE MAN, JACK