Margaret CPA in OH

I agree, Kea. I had what I thought would be very good clients a couple of years ago until they were unhappy with my refusal to take certain deductions. Then they disputed the bill and refused to pay. In a letter I was told that it was too intimidating in my office because I had a newspaper headline about a tax preparer being sentenced for fraudulent returns. Not really sure they actually got the connection but I am glad they didn't return. Of course I wouldn't have them return without them paying the previous year. Only time I was ever stiffed.

The massages are for a specific medical condition, severe scoliosis, for this woman. She did have a physician's prescription. I asked when she came over so feel good about that. I wanted to be prepared for a, um, discussion, but the prescription took care of that. And the practioner is a licensed therapeutic massage professional. I need one now!

Yes, aren't we/they all special. Kinda makes me crazy when clients don't want to accept certain results even when I point out all the positive things that benefit them. Never enough.

Today, I think I could be competitive.

mwpope - diabolical - I like it!

I have used line 12 for reported points, too. I think the idea is to show amortized points that are deductible whether or not reported. This distinguishes fully deductible points, too.

I don't see it listed but 80+ year old client with severe arthritis but still working! 3 days weekly at a clinic for the homeless mentally ill has $3000+ expense and $3000+ for acupuncture and $900 for physical therapy I see acupuncture listed as deductible but not massage. Maybe only if prescribed by physician? Thoughts on this appreciated because I think I'm going to get an argument...

Aha, I should have read more carefully. Without reading the section 25A noted, I would say the exam cost would not be deductible nor would the study books be unless, as noted in QF, the books purchase are paid to the eligible... I would not consider the exam in the same 'class' as tuition and fees but maybe you could ask the question. In this case, I may lean to non-decuctible certainly without more info, probably from reading section 25A and checking with the institution. Your mileage may vary.

My handy dandy QF states that books, supplies and equipment qualify if they must be paid to the eligible educational institution as a condition of the students enrollment or attendance at the institution. IRC Section 25A.

Not sure I would want to live today twice - it's gonna be tough but the sun is shining and that's good.

I liked that story, too! How wonderfully strange are our animal companions, whether we choose them or they choose us. Thanks, Catherine!

Thanks, Terry D. Good reminders at the end for us all.

Kea, I was't complaining about what this great exercise cost _us_, rather trying to get at whether the amount in play was worth YOUR time spent and possibly having to bill the client to resolve an issue worth less than that. Turns out at $4000, it was worth pursuing some satisfactory resolution. Are we there yet? Much of the time we spend on this board in these discussions are in part continuing education for some and theoretical exercises for others. I almost never consider the cost to me as wasted because I receive much more than I am able to provide. And I almost never bill clients for time spent researching here.

Hmmmm, just how much in tax is this single payment worth? If we combined all the potentially billable time from the professionals chiming in on this, I imagine it would exceed whatever the tax is. JohnH, the client may have forfeited the use of the funds but the funds did not make it to the agency. I would not take the deduction in 2010.

Alas, mine came yesterday. I replied that the timing could hardly to worse and to please contact me AFTER APRIL 18. What on earth were they thinking? I also received an email to Mark My Calendar for the CCH User Conference in Nov. with registration beginning May 2. I've half a mind (all there is left now) to go and try to make some folks understand the concept of timing.

Pub. 17, page 249. Basically, insulation, exterior doors and windows, metal or asphalt roof, certain heat pump water coolers, electric heat pumps cental air, natural gas/propane/oil water heaters, biomass stoves, certain advanced fans. No dishwashers in the list.

If you click on line 61, page 2 of the 1040, Federal Income Tax Withheld, one of the fields, #9 Taxes withheld (1099-B)in ATX, is blue and you can input it there.

My guess is that your thumb was probably too busy at the time being stuck in a dike to hold back the latest flood. I just replaced a cartridge and am puzzled as to why the print is fainter than the one I took out. We're talkin' name brand HP 49X, the $140+ kind. I've shaken, rolled, whatever. I did order another already just in case this puppy doesn't last as long as it should. First time this has happened.

I received LOTS of information today that should resolve just about everything and make tax go away. Guardian kept saying he was in a home with some assistance. Today I found out it is skilled nursing so, yes, all deductible. I've also put her on task to list supplies and prescriptions but not otc. She also found old returns from 2000-2004 with HOORAY the worksheets with the simplified method utilized. This may have been before he was completely lost to alcohol. Anyway, it is a HUGE help. Unfortunately it looks as if about 75-80% is taxable but that is better than 100% and the medical should take care of a lot. Thanks again for all the help and hints. I'll know a lot more the next time it shows up!

I want JB to do all mine, too. Oh, that means virtually all my clients. Hmmm, how much would you pay for my practice, JB? I want to retire!

I am definitely leaning to extension. The problem is that the guardian said it is a real hassle getting money timely to pay and this will definitely owe. I emailed the attorney directly to see if it could be expedited. I did mention that this could have been handled easier earlier in the year but this is the same woman whose husband is the sued and injured contractor. She's had her hands full. In fact she was going to try to do these things herself because they have so little money. The attorney told her to have the father-in-law's return prepared by a pro because it would be paid from his funds, not hers. Sigh....

Nicely demonstrated from your personal experience, KC. It just didn't seem right to not file WV and you explained why! Now how do I determine in my situation a 'home' state? He is full year resident of Ohio, she of Virginia. Arrrgghhh! Although federal is better by a lot, it is getting too complicated when OH requires the same status but she isn't a resident. Tomorrow, tomorrow, oh wait, that's in only 2 minutes. Yikes!

Way to go, JB! It does seem odd to not file a return for the state where they actually live, though, doesn't it? Might want to check WV requirements especially if husband established residency for the year with driver's license, voting, and whatnot.

So the same program works with 2 monitors, eh? That sounds great. I guess one can input which monitor to do what. I will most definitely try this out - maybe in May. Thanks again!

KC, Ohio must be filed the same as federal which is why I suggested starting there. You do make good points about reciprocity, though. I know it works well in the OH, KY, IN corner. I agree that she was full year OH resident whether working in Springfield or visiting mom in Sydney but OH follows federal filing. Which makes some painful machinations at times because it is not rare for couples to owe significant federal tax but get significant Ohio refunds thus making the split financially worthwhile but expensive.