Margaret CPA in OH

I was told by Braeden that ATX has something like 35,000 users. Our little group making this switch will apparently not affect the CCH bottom line negatively to any substantial degree, I think. They may benefit from shifting support away although, on the whole, our main support is from this forum, I venture to say. It looks to be another exciting year!

Okay, I just joined the defectors to TRX. Braeden called in response to my email. We had a nice conversation and he agreed to provide the same money back guarantee that Joel received. The clincher was the fact that he likes Skyline chili.

Thanks, Gail. That probably explains it. But now I am concerned about the other thread with changes on the TRX website and no mention of ATX. We'll see...

I hope you do get a call. I am still waiting on an email reply to the one I sent yesterday morning to Braeden. "Hello, I've been following the threads on the ATXCommunity forum with great interest and some reservations. As a 10 or 11 year user of ATX, I am a pretty loyal user. I also am a sole proprietor with limited resources so saving, in my case, $400 is a serious matter. I do have the following questions I have yet to see addressed, although could have just missed them: Since TRX will not provide an archival copy of the program, is it possible for me to burn a cd for personal use or archives or to load onto another computer that does not have internet access? I currently use the 3 computer no extra cost feature on a peer to peer network. Is that the same with TRX? I use the Uniform paper and envelopes for W-2's and 1099's. Does TRX sell those? Thanks for all the information you've provided. I still have a bit of the loyalty thing going on but am moved by the fact that, probably as far as CCH is concerned, I would still be a customer." I only hope that he is so swamped with email and phone calls that a reply will come in due time. Samingeorgia raised some interesting considerations that gave me additional pause. What about timely updates? What is the proverbial plug is pulled or something is not exactly the same? Probably is I used the other features they are including with MAX, it would seem a really, really good deal. Still, for me $400 is not chump change.

You make some salient points, samingeorgia. I am still waffling myself tending to the belt and suspenders category. I would like to save $400 but, but....

:bday: and many more!

Bonnie, I, too, remember great support in prior years including from Thomas Shaw, too. I used to keep his and William's direct line on my card to call. This year's support has improved and, like you, I don't need it much anymore. And this board is such a great resource! I just got a call from Pearl from ATX to renew. I expressed my concerns about the price difference. She seemed clueless about TRX and about this forum. I give her some credit, though. She agreed that the price variance was not insignificant but wondered if the program and support were truly the same. I told her I was still weighing options but took her number. Marilyn, I am surprised that ATX would sell the program to TRX at a price $400 or so more than TRX would sell to us. From TRX perspective, I wonder how Buy High, Sell Low can possibly be a good thing! I am a 10 year vet of ATX, maybe 11 - since Parsons was bought out in 1996 or '97. It's been a great program for me. That tug may very well be stronger than the lower price. Decisions, decisions....

Thanks, Catherine, for sharing your creation. I did download it and will look it over soon. I'm sure it is a great tool because you created it!

I am on the fence still about this situation. Dan, may I ask why you did not renew with TRX? Is it a loyalty thing to support the original seller? I kind of feel that tug and do have some qualms about a reseller despite the assurances here by so many others who have made the switch. I also look at a $400 savings in relation to my very small practice and the current economy. I noticed a few folks that did not return this year and wonder if that was a factor. mcb39, did you discuss the price differential with ATX? I thought of making that call but think that any discount beyond the 10% is not likely to happen. I wish there was a perfect guaranteed solution and I knew what it was!

I am so happy that Booger has chosen to remain faithful in spirit and forum to you, Catherine. Your piteous weeping (love that phrase!) was tearing me apart and prompted my outburst towards Booger on your behalf. I agree that we all can and must use the professional tools that are appropriate to our respective businesses, but a critical tool is this board and our relationships. I feared the worst when Booger mentioned another software choice but am amply comforted that he won't also abandon Dear Catherine and, by extension, the rest of us here. Thanks, Booger!

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

I send a pdf of the returns (password protected) including the page that shows the bank account and routing number. My blurb that accompanies the pdf states to check the bank numbers and print out, sign and fax, mail, or scan and email the 8879 (and state form if applicable) and then I will efile. If there is no bank info, I call or email until I get it and I always insist that it be in writing, fax or email. On occasion I have to recontact folks to remind them that no signature, no efile. So far, so good!

Indeed, congratulations and many, many thanks for all the time and knowledge you've so generously shared with us. I think you must be the most organized and efficient time manager ever as I see your posts elsewhere and understand that you have actual clients yourself! As I have said in other posts here, I wanna be like KC when I grow up!

Booger, you are a CAD! Playing the field and playing with Catherine's heart...how COULD you?

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

that I was told to add the Information Sheet to enter the data that would go onto the 1041, at least n part. I remembered the other day when random thoughts crept into my brain while running. What I dislike about that is that the 5227 then shows up on the Other category of returns, not Fiduciary. Just another irritant which is why is it easier for me to just leave the 1041 in place and, well, ignore it! Sorry for the oversight but I think you got through your returns successfully anyway!

:bday: and many more!

I have had the last five of my computers built by my local Geek who also does a weekly radio show. There is no extra stuff on them. He puts on AVG and uses it himself. For those ubiquitous cookies, I learned, probably from someone here, to self screen. That is, I go to Tools/Internet Options/Privacy/Sites and specify which ones I will allow. Whenever one comes up that isn't on the list, I am prompted to allow or block that cookie. I nearly always block. Occasionally I have to add a site in order to complete a registration online or some such activity, but this has really cut down things discovered when I do the virus scan or use Ad Aware or Spybot.

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

I love that woman!

Hello Jainen! You've been missed! Glad you stopped in again... And your suggestion is indeed worthy and would be most welcomed by all!

Thanks for the update and confirming my experience, that I wasn't just missing something obvious. I just left the 1041 in the return but didn't print or otherwise use it. I have reported (read: complained) about the letter issue for at least 2 years and, like you, have resorted to a Word letter. But then, I have to create client filing instructions for all the local returns here in Ohio. I honestly don't want to complain too awfully much about some of these less used things because I have concerns about price increases. And, on the whole, I would prefer having to do a few things myself and pay somewhat less. With the CRUT's, I think the programming just hasn't kept up with the IRS changes but the demand may also have not been at the top of their list. At least the forms (5227) are correct; we just have to figure out how to keep them working together to get the desired result. And so we have done that!