Margaret CPA in OH

That's clearer now. I am not an attorney but don't see anything immediately wrong with the situation you describe. The fact that gifts were made to the trust rather than to the son directly wouldn't make the trust invalid or be a problem, I should think. Hopefully, KC will weigh in on this but it seems that someone could create a trust and not fund it immediately or ever. I also don't see why contributions/gifts/whatever cannot be made to the trust from people or other sources besides the grantor. If a trust has interest-bearing investments or stocks yielding dividends, that income would not come directly from the grantor. KC?

This is confusing. When was the trust created? Did the client put the money into it after having first received the gifts from the parents? Were the gifts inheritances or gifts while they were alive? I am no attorney but don't understand how decedents can be grantors of a trust. I can understand someone creating such a trust with an inheritance specifying that the trust be a beneficiary of an estate. Is it possible that the client meant that the parents contributed money to the trust rather than giving it to the client outright? Best to read the trust document for further enlightenment.

I have scanned all files including 8879's and burned to cd's in duplicate. See page 30 of Pub. 1345. They must be retained for 3 years but "EROs may electronically image and store all paper records they are required to retain for IRS e-file. This includes Forms 8453 ... and Forms 8879 and 8878."

Have you checked your Return Manager/Options/Preferences/Rollover Manager and Preparer Manager to reflect what you want?

Yes, you are supposed to check the asc file. The zip is to send. Lisa from SSA (the second person) was trying to tell me to not necessarily send the zip files and gave instructions if there were problems. She said some software company last year changed something that created issues. Mine was successful in sending as a zip but I am hanging onto her alternate method in case. Good luck!

I had an error yesterday that somehow resolved itself - RA. Then I couldn't get the file to upload to BSO. The message was that the file name was invalid or something. I spend over an hour on the phone with SSA - Wilma kept saying it was a tax software issue. ATX said, no, if it passed AccuWage the issue was SSA. Finally this morning I got an experienced person who led me through allowing SSA to be an approved site for security. Now it works. While I was on hold I browsed through much of the BSO website to find the error codes. I can't find the specific list again at the moment but here is a start for you - http://www.ssa.gov/employer/bsohbnew.htm Also, the tech support number 1.888.772.2970, answers pretty quickly. I just hope you don't get Wilma!

Lynn, the status column is to the far right on the Return Manager. Ken, do you just change the status "note" with each update or have a string of characters? I like your style! Did you drag the status column to the left to see on the screen more easily? I think I will try this along with my system. To have everything on the screen is helpful although my clerical person utilizes my "status" list, too - not so easy on the software screen.

This is in MAX. For efiling I don't create the efile until I have the 8879 signed and in hand. When I create and send, I check daily for acceptance after transmitting. When accepted I check the Complete box in Efile Manager. Then I print out the 9325 in the return, email or mail with any desired printed copies (most now are happy with just digital copies) and any local or state returns that must be mailed in. Only then do I check Complete on the Return Manager. I also keep a log of when I received the engagement letter and the organizer/client data (sort of FIFO), the returns (Fed,State(s), Local, received 8879 if efiled, the date mailed out or emailed out, whether there are estimates to track, Billed/Paid and if other notes. It helps keep me on track and organized. To date, knock wood!!!!, I haven't experienced any "forgotten" returns. Hopefully my good luck will continue through my "golden" years!

:bday: and many more!

Yo, Elrod! Good to hear from you again! And I do hope we hear from JB soon. Tax season will be much more bearable with his pithy comments. Good luck unloading the banananananananas...

I just tried it on a 941 data sheet and it worked fine. It did not work on a W-2 file. You can also, for one page or the current page, just click on the icon across the top that says "Page." Does that one work for you?

This is very curious and I guess I should consider myself lucky. I ordered Max through TRX, well, I guess it is TTO. I received my Master Tax Guide a couple of weeks ago and last week brought both 1040 Express Answers and Business Quick Answers. I was very aggressive, however, early on when the issue of ATX from TRX was kind of iffy and somewhat in doubt. I emailed and called to clarify just what I was receiving and from whom with the money back guarantee. I still have that email, too. Keep trying through both vendors, I should think, but make sure what your receipt from TRX actually says. And good luck!

:bday: and many more!

Chiming in here with the other good folks - Happy New Year! May it be healthy, happy, and prosperous by whatever your definition of prosperous!

Don't despair! Just today I received both Business Quick Answers and 1040 Express Answers and received the Master Tax Guide about 2 weeks ago. I guess the mailing schedules are random. I, too, ordered TTO through TRX.

:bday: and many more!

Hmmmm, makes you wonder if there is a lurker or three out there. Methinks your vent in this place may have resulted in this positive response. I hope "they" are out there, "listening" and thoughtfully responding when appropriate. At least you got good news this time and, by golly, hold Gill accountable! And let us know the next chapter.

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

We are all thankful for the success of your surgery. I, for one, admire you and all who have had this done and then shared the good news as a result. I am nearly blind in one eye from untreated amblyopia and am nervously anticipating the surgery on the good eye. It is so scary because, should anything happen to that one, I would be blind. Your positive experience is a good sign! Continued good healing to you and your husband!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

I echo the above sentiments and envy those who have mastered the skills to insert color and size changes. Maybe 2010 will bring my skills up to that level. I looked at the options, tried some and failed miserably. So imagine large, colorful letters wishing you all Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Who needs reality shows on television? The bonus is that we actually learn some things along the way. It is interesting to follow the thought trains of some very bright minds, too!

:bday: and many more!