Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana

The form I received about my stimulus rebate gives the following phone number 1-866-234-2942 Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

I've been using Client Accounting by Howell Software for 10+ years. They are VERY affordable, and very user friendly. The program has only improved over the years. They offer several different programs (client accounting, live payroll, fixed asset manager, bank reconciliation) but I only use the Client Accounting to do the after-the-fact writeup and payroll. Don Roberts in Florida is the owner. I have only good things to say about them. Here's their email and website: email - [email protected] website - www.howellsoftware.com telephone number - (407) 323-1983 Fax - (407) 323-3892 Give my name as a reference. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

All my federal returns and extensions have been "ack'd". But I have 6 state returns (LA) which still show in some other status than "ack'd", either validated by EFC or something else. I went to the ATX website and checked on the status for these returns there. 3 of them show as acknowledged, so I asked for the ack to be sent to me. The other 3 (sent in March) on the ATX website still show as validated even though I've called the state who assure me these 3 returns have actually been "ack'd" and the acks have been sent to ATX. ATX denies receiving the acks on these 3 and say it's a state issue. I'm still waiting for the acks 3 which show as ack'd. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

There are different rules for exempting retirement, depending on its source. But, federal retiree benefits, including railroad retirement, are fully exempt from LA state income tax. Also, state retirement benefits, state teachers benefits, municipal teachers benefits are also fully exempt from LA state income tax. Other retirement benefits, such as an IRA are exempt up to $6,000 for each taxpayer who receives the benefit, if the retiree is age 65 or older. Go to www.rev.state.la.us for more FAQs. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

DILEMMA: I have 3 tax returns which were e-filed (Federal and LA state) on 3/6/2008. The 3 federal returns have been ACK'd. The 3 state returns still show IRS CLEARED. I called Tech Support and was told they'd look into it and get back to me. So far, this hasn't happened. So I sent an e-mail to LA E-file Help Desk. Didn't get a reply by Monday noon so I called LA E-file Help Desk and was told that those 3 returns were ACK'D by the state on 3/7 and the refunds have been sent out. So far so good for my clients. Kathy from LA E-File Help Desk (to whom I had sent the email) called me this morning; when I relayed what has transpired so far she said she'd call ATX and find out what's going on. Tech support thinks my issue has been resolved. It has not. My system still shows those 3 returns as IRS CLEARED. I have done a "synch" with the ATX system 3 times, the most recent one within a few days; those 3 returns are still IRS CLEARED. Tech support keeps suggesting I call them; I think it should be the other way around - they should be calling me. Lynn Jacobs, EA

DILEMMA: I have 3 tax returns which were e-filed (Federal and LA state) on 3/6/2008. The 3 federal returns have been ACK'd. The 3 state returns still show IRS CLEARED. I called Tech Support and was told they'd look into it and get back to me. So far, this hasn't happened. So I sent an e-mail to LA E-file Help Desk. Didn't get a reply by Monday noon so I called LA E-file Help Desk and was told that those 3 returns were ACK'D by the state on 3/7 and the refunds have been sent out. So far so good for my clients. Kathy from LA E-File Help Desk (to whom I had sent the email) called me this morning; when I relayed what has transpired so far she said she'd call ATX and find out what's going on. Tech support thinks my issue has been resolved. It has not. My system still shows those 3 returns as IRS CLEARED. I have done a "synch" with the ATX system 3 times, the most recent one within a few days; those 3 returns are still IRS CLEARED. Tech support keeps suggesting I call them; I think it should be the other way around - they should be calling me. Lynn Jacobs, EA ATX Customer EFIN 720028 telephone 504-469-1025 e-mail [email protected]

Are those really "Health" insurance premiums? Or are they your investment in that contract? Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

9325

I haven't had that response, yet. Mine are still showing "validated by EFC". I've been asking for ACK's all day and have received nothing. Maybe they're now holding off on sending the ACKS until they get that problem worked out. I didn't see anything listed on their MyATX site about your error message. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Are you eligible to participate in the IRS e-services program? If you are then I highly recommend a program - TaxScripts -. The 2848 may be inputted via TaxScripts and, voila', within a matter of minutes your POA is on file and you may download whatever tax information you desire. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Corporate extensions are filed via Form 7004. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

In most instances these pensions are taxable, but not hte full amount. Upon retiring these retirees should have received a notification from the retirement program of how much of their pension would be taxable (or vice versa, nontaxable). So many of them, however, didn't even keep (much less read and understand) these letters. But I have had very good experience in calling the retirement board and getting them to help me with this; usually this is done while the t/p is in my office so they give the person on the other end permission to send me the requested info. Does the 1099-R have any amounts in box 5, "Employee Contributions"? Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

AND his choice of residency will affect not only his income tax rate (MS is higher generally), but ALSO his homestead exemption. He needs to see which state has the higher property tax rate as well (MS is also generally higher). If he files as a resident of LA and nonresident of MS he will maintain his homestead exemption in LA and LOSE it for MS (and vice versa). Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Tom, there is a section for "Elections". You may have to add it to your return. It has LOTS of elections, applicable to general returns, only to 1040, only to 1165, only to 1120 or 1120S, etc. I think once you find that you'll be able to make your 195 election. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

I did that and still the letters don't show up on FORMS list when I click "add forms". They do show up when I click on FORMS to customize them. BUT, I fiddled around within the program and within another tax return and figured it out. Within a tax return, click on "Forms" and a box will drop down. One of the offerings on that drop-down list is client letter. That's the way to add the client letters from within a tax return if they don't open up automatically. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA :lol:

Now when I open a new return the client letter does not show up. I had customized my client letter. Where did it go? How do I get it to show up? Even when I go to "add new forms" it does not show up on my forms list. Thanks, Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

My Assistant just checked for his refund, which hit his account this morning (direct deposit). Yesterday the LA REV DEPT website said his refund had not been processed. That return was e-filed on 1/28/08 and accepted by the state on 1/29/08.

I've been checking the "where's my refund" section of the LA REV DEPT website every day. Just tried to do that and they are currently updating information. Will try again in 30 minutes. Have you been checking there? Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

No, Louisiana does not require that a copy of the 1099-MISC be attached to the tax return. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Yes, they may. Enter the names as they are shown on the social security card, i.e. "John Smith and Mary Jones" Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

I like the idea of creating another section for OT. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, La

When is the last time you did an update? I just updated my system (8:30 pm) and there were several LA forms on the update list. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Hmmm . . . now I know why I am unable to access the MyAtx website. I need to change my password, etc. and wanted to peruse the knowledgebase. Kept getting an error message no matter which link I clicked on. Hope they are able to follow through with his stated committment to 1) better customer service, 2) continuing the ATX product line. Thanks for the post, Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

This must have been one of their cost effectiveness measures - no little instruction guide this year. No one received it. Lynn Jacobs, EA Kenner, LA

Same thing here - the activation code they gave me over the telephone is different from that one that came in the delivered package. Who knows?!! I still have trouble getting into MyATX. Worked fine when they gave me the activation code to use for the P/W, but after a while it wanted me to log in again (after a period of so-called inactivity they lock you out and you have to login again) and the system didn't match up with my newly revised P/W. I figured I'd wait a while to see if their system needed time to update (?!). I called Tech Support this AM about a perceived error in a LA state worksheet. The techie sent it up channel and later I received an email stating that the state tax return works as "designed". Well, duh! It will work as designed but if the design is flawed the return as filed will be wrong. I faxed them the worksheet in question and am waiting to hear back. Lynn Jacobs, EA