Margaret CPA in OH

Good one! Wish it would happen to me and my clients!

Thanks, KC, for your usual thoroughness and on point research. I have mostly kept up with these same or similar articles but have limited influence in the church. The likelihood of audit is extremely low for the church but I reiterate that the point is to follow the rules, not to avoid an audit. Well, I tell the same thing to clients, too, every tax season and sometimes in between. As yet, none have been audited for these things but I keep thinking it will happen yet!

Thanks, Jainen, for your usual good advice. I don't consider the employees' individual tax situation myself and I don't think that is or will be an issue. You hit it with your second statement about the church protecting itself. Unfortunately I am only one voice on this committee and one member. The latest issue, as of yesterday, is the pastor's desire to have wireless access throughout the church. I have already expressed my concern about data security with the existing situation and am very anxious about opening up access even more. At least my computer guy is the one who will evaluate the possibilities and cost and he knows my security concerns. We'll see how that goes! I did get the administrator to back up the church software database twice weekly to our website, at least. But I still have angst with the volunteers using the computers.....

:bday: and many more!

Isn't it just wonderful? I like your idea of selecting the specific pages from both at the same printing. I didn't think of that even though I had both organizers in those that needed Sch C and E. I did like being able to print them all to pdf and just go eat dinner then add in the few extra schedules I needed. I, too, really appreciate the signature line. Kinda helps bring home the message that the info listed is the client's representation.

This doesn't answer your query directly but may be informative. In the September issue of Church Finance, published by Christianity Today International, Richard Hammar JD, LLM, CPA, editor, a column addressed this. The question actually focused on usage of a church-provided computer but the answer extended to all listed property. Without typing the entire response, the mention of "de minimus fringe benefit" led to the distinction between occasion use and usage several time each month for significant time. It goes on to say that "many employers, including many charities, have adopted "cell phone and internet usage" policies. And personal use is taxable. Cell phone usage substantiation is still stringent but the income recognition for personal use is the same. What several employers have done is to adopt a policy with the following features: (1) the employer no longer provides cell phones to any employee (after current contracts expire); (2) the employer grants employees (with a need for a cell phone) a monthly taxable stipend with which the employees can purchase and pay the monthly fees for their own cell phone; (3) the employer grants employees (with employer-provided internet access) a monthly stipend to cover the personal use of the internet. This is an increasingly popular way for employers to handle these issues." I am a new member of our church administration committee and dealing now with both the internet access and cell phone usage. I have recommended that we follow these policies. We'll see how they are received and I will practice ducking quickly!

I am truly impressed at the type and number of significant improvements made. I really appreciated the return of the condensed organizer although disappointed that the detail sheets for Sch C and Sch E didn't reappear. For those handful of clients that I have with those, I added the comprehensive organizer, too, and printed the pertinent sheets. I edited the cover letter (I don't make appointments, etc.) and then added the condensed organizer at the top level. I then printed them all to pdf and discarded those not appropriate. It was easy to add the other C and E sheets, too. I am in awe that they have actually included the Ohio MFJ/MFS option, too. I knew it was available in ProSystem FX having used it years ago. Like KC, I find it hard to swallow that CCH will simply put this puppy to pasture so soon - at least that is my most fervent hope! Thanks, Taxbilly, for the link to the listing.

Woo Hoo! Congratulations! It is so great for those of us not masters of anything to be in the company of Masters! Thanks for 1000 posts of erudite knowledge!

Can you efile the corrected W-2? I file through ATX to SSA. The instructions for W-2c state: File Forms W-2c and W-3c electronically by visiting SSA's Employer Reporting Instructions and Information website at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer, selecting "Electronically File Your W-2cs" and logging into "Business Services Online." SSA's "Create Forms W-2c Online" option allows you to create "fill-in" versions of Forms W-2c and Form W-3c for filing with the SSA and to print out copies of the form for filing with state or local governments, distribution to your employees, and for your records. If you prepared the originals through ATX, you should be able to follow the above instructions. The AccuWage program checks it and allows you to go to SSA.

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

KC, you have no idea to know how good it is to see that some of us are not alone in overlooking the obvious!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

Hmmmm, no diving for me in Australia! I am not typically afraid of sharks but have not yet seen or knowingly been in the presence of great whites. I WAS thinking of a trip to South Africa in a couple of years that includes a great white dive in a cage. Rethinking, rethinking...

Wow! I am so very glad that KC and others know so very much about this amazing software (ATX). I admit to not spending nearly the time needed to more fully utilize its capabilities despite using it since 1996. I hope it stays around a very long time - at least until I retire! Thanks once again, KC, for sharing your knowledge about oh, so many things! Picture uploading included...

:bday: and many more!

Hmmm, I'll have to learn how to do that, too! I guess there are several folks here that can help, though, with so many pictures already posted. Hopefully, it isn't too hard. I'm hoping by mid-November or Thanksgiving at the latest to have it at least mostly completed. We all know what is lurking in the shadows around the holidays so I know I won't have time come December.

Wow! Thanks to all of you! I knew there was a wealth of non-tax knowledge out there-this proves it! Mike, it was a live aboard. That's about the only way I dive now (other than teaching) these days. It is so worth it! Here is the link <http://www.archipelago-fleet.com/pages-adventurer-2/a2-main-01.html> Others I've done were in Galapagos Agressor, Palau (http://www.fishnfins.com/n/Welcome.html), and Fiji and land based in the Caribbean. MAS, thanks for the requirements list. I will dutifully check on each of those. This is for my laptop/dive business computer. I think it meets all that, but will check. Jainen, by restrictive I meant that Picasa seemed to restrict one to uploading only to the Picasa websites. In the Terms and Conditions, it also seemed to lay out some other restrictions but my eyes began to glaze over. On the Top Ten Review, Corel came in second and was way cheaper, too, but seemed a bit less flexible. Decisions, decisions... When I finish this project, I will put a link to my dive website if anyone wants to see. Thanks again for all your help and advice. It ain't just about taxes...life, that is!

Thanks, Diane. I looked online at the Top Ten Reviews and saw that Serif was #3. Photoshop has a deal now for the same price, though, $79.99. I'll keep reading and looking and learning. It's great to get feedback from people actually using the products. Thanks again!

I recently returned from 2 full weeks of scuba diving in the Banda Sea in Indonesia. I have nearly 2000 pictures some of which are actually great! I need some editing software, though, to add back some red, crop, burn to cd's, upload to my diver website, etc. I am clearly a novice at photo editing (my Fiji and Palau photos are still just sitting there...) so need something that I can understand. I looked at the Picasa free stuff but it seems too restrictive as to usage (uploading to MY website, not Picasa's). Several folks have mentioned Photoshop but without specifics. Any and all suggestions most welcome!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!