Janitor Bob

I just e-mailed the author of that article...letting him know that the user base was less than happy

Where did it say that the books had not been set up? I did not recall reading that in the postings here. I respect your opinion and not stating that I am definately correct, but I have found no printed reference that would guide me more to your opinion than mine...if you know of some citation or reference, please let me know...as always, I am trying to learn more each day and improve.

I personally would have no problem in filing a schedule C for 2007. The business obviously did exist in 2007...just no income received until 2008. You would have a loss for this year....pay attention as years go by that you do not exceed the max number of years with a loss....if so, IRS will consider it a hobby and not a business.

When does a business formally begin? With receipt of income or with intent? If he did everything short of actually booking an event (i.e. advertising, supplies purchased, almost all equipment purchased, market researched, LLC filing, etc) I would argue that the business existed in 2007. If all he did was start purchasing a few pieces of equipment in 2007, then I would agree that business did not constructively start until 2008.

I would file a Schedule C for this year...you would have expenses, but no income for 2007...not unusual for first year in business...to help offset, just use the resulting refund and apply it to next year as estimated payment(s)

Client, for various reasons, needs to get their assets, reduced ASAP (for medicare assistance or something)...so they took withdrawal from 401k earlier this month (received check 2008) and want to make an estimated payment to IRS as soon as possible...I know the first estimate would not be due until April 2008...and the last not due until January 2009.....but client wants to pay it all right away. Do you think there will be any problem with this? The current year 1040ES is not yet available in ATX, so I had to go back to 2006, unprotect the 1040ES and change the date references. They did the same thing last year for a 401k that they withdrew in October 2007....I just sent in that 1040ES for this filing year that was due 01/15/08. Man...I hate it when clients get tax advice from their attorneys!

NO....Despite the deceptive advertising it is NOT possible. What these preparers do is prepare a good estimate based on that last pay stub and then advance some type of refund anticipation loan to a taxpayer based on this estimate

....Correction...Terry O....Happy Birthday...have a great one!

One of the hats I wear in my "real" job is payroll manager. My understanding was that W-4 should be filled out at least once per year, but that they could be submitted by employees ANY time AS OFTEN AS THEY DESIRE. However, I cannot, at this time, point you to any rule or publication that states as such.

I would add my opinion, but KC and mchampine have stated it very well. I am just glad that I have this board and everyone on it...both for true tax research assistance and to just be silly with.

That may be so, but I cannot afford all that fancy stuff.

Same here....I made a cake for both of you to share, but I got hungry....Sorry

That would be single Dad...and yes he is active...although I have not seen any posts for several days. I spoke to him by phone a few weeeks ago and he mentioned he might be moving his office from Sidney to Fletcher, OH (small town about 20 minutes SE of Sidney).

Great to see ya booger!! I'm doing just fine....New address, new dog, new girlfriend, same coffee mug, same daughter, same desire to perform quality tax preparation at an affordable price! With all of the changes at ATX/CCH...This should prove to be an interesting and challenging season

Thanks...I was wondering as well...but did not want to call

This happened to me....had to call ATX. They said it was because I never set up a secret question....and, of course I had not because it was never an option ever presented to me when I initially registered...or migrated...or whatever the hell that thing was that we all went trough this year. I am all set now thanks to a very long call with Tech support (this was prior to recent layoffs)... but I still do not know what my secret question or answer is!

Ohio is this late every year...some years it was well into February before I could e-file Ohio state returns....and at that time they had to go "piggyback"...which meant that, If client wanted to e-file their state, they could not send their federal either becaue you could not e-file just the state form by itself....Most of the clients I have lost over the past few years has been due to Ohio forms not being available early....ATX always said it was an issue with the state of Ohio...and I believe them to a point...but the clients that left always claimed that other places (like H & R Block) could e-file Ohio without problems. I would like to believe that they misunderstood and H & R Block could also only e-file the federal portion. Most, however, just choose to e-file the federal only and mail the Ohio return.

Add another form to the list that cannot be filed electronically at this time...Per IRS Quickalert. In addition, as a result of the recent enactment of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, effective immediately, Individual Electronic Filing will not be accepting Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness (and Section 1082 Basis Adjustment), until further notice. These forms will also be disabled for PATS Testing. We anticipate accepting these forms later during the filing season. A Quick Alert will be issued when the forms can be accepted electronically. We apologize for any inconvenience.

It appears that we are all having the same problem....Anyone who actaully gets good info from ATX, please post it here for everyone to share....In seasons past, we had several good ATX folks monitoring the boards and providing help for problems such as these. Now, with the board and most of those people gone....We may have only each other to lean on

Thanks...I do not offer bank products, so did not pay attention to this.

Actually the dog is quite smart...just a puppy though, so does not yet know what she can and cannot eat.

I have seen ATX reference a form titled Audit Shield....What is this?

.....Lesson of the day.....Do NOT leave your cherry frosted pop-tart unattended when Lila (aka The Large One) is in the room. Darn dog ate that pop-tart quicker than I could blink an eye! Now it is just me and the Quaker Oats guy...and he makes me nervous. Also....Lenny the Pirate is back and he has a feather duster....that also makes me nervous

Thanks...I really appreciate both your knowledge and you willingness to share it....I am a much better tax preparer due, in part, to wisdom from yourself and others on this board.

Thanks, KC....but why put anything on 982 line 12?