Margaret CPA in OH

That is puzzling that you don't see them there. What you can do is right click on the icon and select Properties (last option). Choose Shortcuts tab and you should see the path where the executable program resides. I haven't checked, but there may be helpful information in the Knowledge base, too.

Thanks for sharing, indeed! I do need a little help, though. For some reason I am unable to view the Choice of Entity video. It has a brief bit with a robot that says, Just refresh the page. I do that, click on the start and it simply repeats. I admit to be challenged here, no more pride. I enjoyed the others and would like to see that one, too, so any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks, bcolleen. That makes sense; I guess I will figure out how to indicate that. I also guess, with tax due and paid, it may be less of an issue than filing a 1310 for a refund!

Client had POA for now deceased mother, but that died with mother. There was no probate estate so no court document stating that client has power to sign return as executor. I suspect, based on prior year, that tax will be due, but don't know who signs when there is no 'official' document designating someone. There will likely be more of these in the next few years, too, as we all age....

Thanks, Jeff, for the information which, frankly, I had completely forgotten. Since I efile all returns except those that cannot be due to forms that are not efilable, I guess it didn't stick to my brain. This is also the first year in ages that I was unable to attend a state/local update. In any event, I did pull up, from the state website the form and saved for potential use. Since it is fillable, couldn't you just complete it and add to the return as it says to do? How many clients refuse to efile? I have a handful that still insist on the paper check to or from the gummint (keeping that bank account secret, you know), but my policy, clearly stated, is that I efile all returns possible. Thanks again for setting me straight!

I run the amended return process in the older version to get the correct figures then create a new return, just 1040X and state if needed, in the current program and fill in the figures. It's a bit more work but I want it to be accepted.

I'm puzzled by this question. To my knowledge, there is no mandate to efile in Ohio. I just reread the instructions (I may very well have missed something), and see nowhere obvious to me this requirement. If you are sure that there is, what form are you describing that you found on the website? And if you found it there, why not print it out and use it or use the pdf version (I think virtually all OH forms are fill-ins)? After all, if this is a decision not to efile, wouldn't there be a paper form to complete?

New returns like W-2's would be new returns

Wow! This is one you surely are better off without having as a client. I just hope he doesn't owe you any money!

If the POA is general and authorizes such actions, I believe so. I have a client with MS that is totally incapacitated. Her long time partner has POA and I always include a copy with her returns. For about 10 years this has not been a problem.

I don't actually _tell_ my clients any of that because it is all in the engagement letter. The first time I work with a client, I carefully explain all the information in the engagement letter so that it is very clear (based on AICPA sample letter). If I have questions or doubts about any information while preparing a return, I ask for clarification or more details. I may also remind some people that I don't need to see support documentation but to be sure to retain it in their records in case of audit. Then again, I do not have walk-ins, about 99% of my clients are returning clients of many years and others are referrals who may need help for one or two years based on specific circumstances. The couple of clients that were iffy never returned. For several years I had posted on my file cabinet in sight of clients a headline about a tax preparer being imprisoned for fraud. I never said anything about the details, but one woman told me she would never come back because she thought I was trying to intimidate her. My thought was, if the shoe fits...

As mentioned, the percentage of non-Ohio income should be calculated. Form OH IT-2023 can prove useful in allocating the income whether or not 'required.' It is especially helpful I think with interest and dividends and other non-W-2 items when you know where earned but the system doesn't.

Hmmm, I guess you could change your message to something like, Please limit your message to 15 seconds please along with the number where you can be reached. I stop listening after 20 seconds because I have to call you back anyway.

I hear you, Marilyn. I had to join a user group and go online to find out. It wasn't any where in the user manual and I guess I'm too old to just 'know' how to do those things. The silent mode was the same issue.

I keep a pdf of each client's return because it is easier to resend if needed; I don't need to back up the entire program to have a client return copy; if my program crashes I still have access to the returns in a usable form; I create a pdf to send to the client to review anyway, password protected, so why not keep it?; I have a copy of the client's return right with all the supporting documentation in one place. There may be even more reasons such as, I've always done it that way, but I haven't and I like the other reasons instead! Diff'rent strokes...

This is so good - and so needed! RitaB, you are funnier than anyone I know RAMing to the place of virtual memory - just priceless! Keep it up and keep sharing. My clients are ever so boring compared to yours.

My QF update shows that the 15 year MACRS recovery period for qualified leasehold improvements, restaurant property and retail improvements is extended to 2010 and 2011.

That seems odd to me as Medicare is not a family plan but an individual insurance plan. I would think that the insurance deduction for a self-employed individual would be the plan that covers the individual and, IF a family plan that covers the family, family. I may be crotchety but it seems there should be a limit on what all the rest of us taxpayers should subsidize for others. If the instructions say that the amount must be paid by the owner of the business, how can it possibly be true about a spouse's Medicare premium which is deducted from that person's Social Security and clearly NOT paid by the self-employed owner of the business. I try to be aggressive with clients, too, but there have to be some limits and I would not do this. I don't believe it can be justified.

The spouse's Medicare premium would go on Schedule A, medical deductions subject to 7.5% of AGI.

The topic was Negative Loan Origination Fee on Feb. 3. I don't know how to link but I'm sure you can find it.

I raised that issue a couple of weeks ago. I'll try to find the thread. Consensus was to add to basis. Crazy, isn't it? Our financial institutions further obfuscating transactions...

If they are specifically asking that question, you could still reply that you don't efile 'those' returns and be truthful.

I no longer staple the OH returns. I tend to follow instructions. Many of the munis are now going that way, too. I do have concerns about lost W-2's, though.

Off the top of my head, anything in Box 1 is reportable, taxable wages. With all deferred to SIMPLE, Box 1 should be 0 so I think it is correct even if it looks weird.

That reminds me, KY also wants to make up the difference. I have a handful of KY residents and noticed that inclusion on the return. Soooo, I print out the sheet and ask for completion and signature on that, too. What a royal pain in the patooty! And I come off as the baddie.