Margaret CPA in OH

Thanks, bcolleen. I will need this for 2009. So nice to know ahead of time!

Well, I wouldn't say exactly gone snippy, probably Tax Stress. But here in my neck of the city, we don't have friendly farmers. We have, well, other characters, not so friendly, that keep pushing buttons and time limitations. One example is a client who wants to take a double deduction for her home office for self employment and for the work she does as an employee. This would be deducting her internet access for both, computer usage for both (she already claims 100% business), and cell phone usage. Take that back - she is reimbursed for 70% of her cell phone and claims the other 28% for business. Hmmm, no personal use at all? I forwarded Pub. 587 and asked her to review Qualifying for a Deduction and get back to me.

Guess I am a bit testy...I will try to restrain myself or at least not reveal my true feelings!

Ooooooo,, I like that one! And I do have at least a couple of folks with whom I am sorely tempted to share this piece of opinion/advice.

I'm bumping this up just in case someone has some insight...or even knowledge or experience to address this. I need to put something in the field soon. Thanks!

I must say it is hard for me to grasp the fact that folks cannot grasp forms-based software. I mean, if one doesn't have a basic understanding of what the finished product should look like, grasp how the data of forms interrelate, how can one know whether a return is correct or handling the input correctly?

It seems that what you may be saying is that knowledgeable folks like us who, in many cases have more sophisticated client returns, will be forced into a much higher priced software (pro fx?) because we know what the end result should be and the lower priced CCH product is geared towards those who are, basically, data entry people.

I guess it is time to look into retirement when what I can afford in my practice is no longer available. About two years, you say?

Kind client wants to pay the tax due for his ex (as of January). I think direct deposit to an account without the client's name on it wouldn't work, but would debit work? The payer's name is listed on the MFS return. QF is silent on this.

I also do that. Additionally, whenever I am called with any details, I ask the client to write it in an email or document and fax. I use the reason that I often transpose figures and/or misplace notes but always keep emails and faxes in their files...which I do in their electronic folders.

I do have those triple copy message thingys but have used them rarely.

:bday: and many more! As with so many others, I would be far less capable in my practice without the knowledgeable, friendly, helpful colleagues here. Sure, there are other forums, but this one is truly special. And we do profusely thank its estimable creator, Eric! Maybe someday you will be able to actually benefit as much as we do! Lots of donations need to come this way again. Mine surely will be!

:bday: and very many more! Hear, Hear also to all the other sentiments expressed by others. While we all contribute to this community in our own small ways, they pale in comparison to the wonderful guidance, advice and support that you always generously provide. This place wouldn't be the same without you!

:bday: and many more!

Thanks for the video. I am duly impressed and will definitely look into this. I seem to recall that I considered it or another similar Fujitsu a couple of years ago but it was much more expensive. I really like the double sided scan feature. That's worth a bunch!

Whew! Thanks so much for this information. I finally just extended these folks - fortunately they have substantial overpayments. I'll give ATX until Monday but I think the override is in my future. The only problem I have with the MA worksheets, though, is that the lines aren't the same as the K-1 lines. It seems they are meant for K-1's from businesses not CRUTs or non-profits.

Thanks again!

It's about those trusts again. I went to the MA website and my reading is that all grantor trusts must file MA2. But the revocable trusts don't file a federal return as they are in the SSN of the grantors and all interest and divs are just reported on Sch B and security trx on Sch D. And this all flows through on the MA1. So do I really have to prepare MA2 forms for accounts in the SSN of the grantors? Thanks for additional insight.

Meanwhile, the regular trusts with 1041 K-1's are not flowing from the data entry sheets to MA E3 on the individual returns. I called support, exported the file and they haven't yet determined the problem. I was told that if I input line 1 and 1 figures from the K-1 onto lines 5 and 6, the amounts would flow to the MA E3. I less than politely pointed out that it wouldn't work properly for the federal return then, wouldn't be the actual data from the K-1, and was not a solution. Does yours work properly?

A couple of years ago I bought a Brother MFC 7820N for copying and scanning because it had a document feeder. It's my primary copier although I still keep a Xerox Workcenter because it can reduce and enlarge. My office assistant does the majority of scanning with that Brother. Then last year I bought a Brother MFC 5460CN also with a document feeder to have by my desk when I wanted to quickly scan something. The second one was so cheap I bought one for my son. Then I found refurbished 5460's on Staples website with a rebate so the end cost was $20 - I bought one for a non-profit client.

These are little workhorses and I am very pleased. The 78xx is laser; the 5460 is inkjet, the most expensive part. I rarely use the printer part but still have to replace the cartridges every few months so that it doesn't jam.

Both came with PaperPort but I upgraded that to the Pro 11. I think this setup, for me, is great and am quick pleased with the overall cost and experience. I am very low paper now and love it!

My primary printer is HP LaserJet 1320 which I love as I can print double-sided.

Good one! I was breathless with anticipation of the outcome. Or maybe I'm just slowly dissolving....

That's a very good line to remember - the cost of liability coverage for being an LLC. Nothing is free, the mileage may vary depending on the vehicle.

This is great! I can't tell you how much I am learning here. Who needs CPE when we have these resources?

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

Do you file through SSA online? I have filed corrected and it was easy. It was not, however, within hours of the original. That might not matter.

Two clients decided to try their luck teaching English in Columbia. One lasted 3 months and returned. The other is still there but trying very hard to get a job back in the states.

Neither meet the criteria for either bona fide residence or physical presence (although there is small chance the second may meet physical presence if she stays) criteria. So I believe they are both temporary and do not qualify for any 2555 exclusion. But I cannot figure out how to report their earnings and credit for foreign tax paid. I have done the currency conversion, thanks to links earlier this year on this board. Now what? They certainly do not have W-2's!

I don't know how critical 9325 is. I use it because it provides my clients with all the information on how to check on their returns, shows exactly when it was received and where. I put together a package for my clients that includes the federal and state letters, the 9325, the tax summary and comparison. On the rare occasion when I've had a phone call, I refer to the 9325 for details so they can follow up, if needed. That's my practice and it works for me. I don't have walk-ins and this has been my process for several years.

And you think for a minute that none of us do any of those things, too? I think it's called something like professional discretion or good time managment or we could make up a unique term.

Yes, I'm sure. I just checked on one I did today. See my reply above. It went from 429 to 459.

I just checked all my 8879's and they all have DCN's on them but, of course, they aren't the same as the 9325. I'm not convinced that is absolutely crucial because the 9325 has the actual DCN. In fact, if an efile was rejected for some reason, maybe an out of date form, one wouldn't have another 8879 signed, correct? Then the DCN wouldn't match.

In any event, I am now aware of the issue and agree that it would be nice to have the federal hold function. But now I'm baffled as to exactly how my 8879's get a DCN if they don't get all the way through to Create. I guess when I try to create without the date, the system assigns a DCN anyway. I just checked the most recent one I did. When I created the pdf, the DCN ended with 429. I efiled an hour or so ago and the DCN on 9325 ends with 459.

I will probably change after this season. I only have a couple more to do that I know will be efiled. I'm still not certain this is a terrible thing since I faithfully send the 9325.