Margaret CPA in OH

It's likely I am missing something that is obvious but I am not finding the data entry field for tuition and fees PAID, not just what was billed. My son's form has only Box 2, what was billed. However, he paid a chunk of what was billed in 2014 in January 2015. ATX is carrying only Box 2 amount for paid. For 2014 data entry, one enters the amount actually paid in a blue field. For 2015, it just carries over the amount billed. As part of what he actually paid in 2015 is tuition and fees, I am struggling to find the place to enter this amount. The difference mean about $300. Any help is welcome!

This, too, shall pass though not nearly as fast as one would like. (Head shaking in sympathy...)

You do know, though, that you are still very welcome here. Not all of us use ATX but we all have tax issues and complaints and need the kind of support available here.

Hmmm, I just rolled over a return and preparer info was there as was payer list. I guess our mileage is varying!

And you are tempting us to click on it? Hmm...

Check your Options/Preferences and review all the check boxes to select everything that you mentioned. Go through each list on the left to select your choices. Once you've done that, all should be there.

Hmmm, I'm about to learn something new, I think. I tried a couple of returns in 2014 and 2015 to see about this Tools>Last Year's Comparison you mention. I couldn't find that but am hoping to learn. I've always used the form Planner which lists the current year and allows future planning but it would be nice to see in the current program the figures from the prior year. On all my returns, I include the form Tax Summary 1040. It shows the summary for federal and all states in the return as well as any carryover amounts. When I click on that box in the upper right, it shows federal and state on the summary. But one does have to click on it. An extra keystroke, alas!

Thanks for this tip, Tom. How crazy is this? I always hate to uncheck the Completed button as that usually brings in updated forms, etc. Wouldn't it also work to duplicate the return so the originally filed return remains intact? There may be no actual changes but it still makes me skittish.

I haven't noticed much light colored print alone so much as black backgrounds with white or light print. I simply cannot and will not continue on those and usually submit a comment if easy to do so. I think the black background is a faddish thing appealing to younger folks/eyes. They successfully turn me off as I am clearly unwanted, like a lot of other advertising, not being in the 'desired' marketing age range.

The one from AICPA is just a few lines over a single page, single spaced with 5 paragraphs. I think it's fairly readable and doesn't use big words. As I describe to new clients, it states who is responsible for what. I've never had anyone refuse to sign but, of course, they wouldn't be my clients if they did refuse. My insurance is through AICPA, Aon, and they provide sample letters to use. If used on 'most' engagements, it's worth a 5% premium discount and a lot of support in the event of a conflict. I use them every year. Even I couldn't handle 8 pages, though.

Yes, not using ATX letters is unfortunate but I also use the AICPA letter which is recommended by my insurance. If I was smart enough to do a mail merge, it wouldn't be so bad but I never learned that. So I just change the address and names, print and go on to the next. Then sign each one, too. Then make a copy for the client. Hmmm, time to retire.... But I just got two more clients within the last 2 weeks!

I use only specific organizer pages for the handful of clients that actually use them for their Schedule C or E. It helps to remind them what certain expenses were for the previous year because we know they can/will not look at that return themselves, amiright? I do include the checklist to everyone more as a reminder of what documents are needed and raise questions. I really appreciate the enhanced checklist from Abby. I will possibly incorporate one or more of those next year. The one addition I always have to make under Other is Did you make any internet, mail order, or out of state purchases on which you did not pay sales tax? If yes, what is the total of untaxed purchases made? To efile Ohio one has to answer that question and I won't make up the answer - it has to be on file from the client. Every year I get complaints as to how on earth they would know that and every year I explain, as the year before and the year before that, just how. A handful have finally reconciled themselves and do provide the information early on.

A client family moved to Australia 3 years ago and are applying for citizenship later this year. They love it! I may have to do some field research...

Mine go out today. My engagement letter is based on AICPA verbiage and printed on my letterhead so I don't use the ATX one. I do like their content, however. It is very similar. I print out the basic questionnaire to include as well as information about Use Tax (clients really don't like to be reminded of this), and for a few I print out some pages for rentals or Sch. C with the prior year data and list of assets. Most folks don't complete them but I think they are good guides. I would love to get back the signed letters right away but more and more folks are waiting to include with their documents so planning it a bit tougher. And then I wonder about the one or two who just drop off. Fortunately that doesn't happen often but I think it would be nice, after several years, to receive at least an email stating that they won't be back. Just so I know - and I promise not to badger as I am not unhappy having some attrition naturally.

Did you have an engagement letter or some document describing this engagement? I always use them even for the most basic engagement to, well, c my a. It also lays out expectations including the responsibility of the client to respond timely. As BHoffman noted, you seem to be the initiator of all correspondence even when no reply has been received from a prior contact. It is very difficult to care more than the client, isn't it? Yet we often have that nagging feeling that somehow we will be blamed. You might want to check with your insurer for advice. I've had to do it twice in 20 years and received good advice and a measure of comfort. Yes, it might be time to fire this client but be sure to document pretty thoroughly the sequence of events, your advice and a list of tasks yet to be done for which you will no longer be responsible. Send certified, return receipt. And don't look back. If you haven't been paid, think about how much cheaper emotionally it is to be relieved of this situation. A year from now, maybe sooner, you will be so glad.

I plan on working until 70 - next March - and beyond. I still mostly enjoy using the brain cells I have left and some of my clients have declared that I cannot retire until they die. That won't happen for some of them but sadly has already happened for a few. I did spin off my businesses when my other CPA retired 4 years ago, though. No more payroll or monthly or quarterly reports to do. I didn't want to hire another and chose not to do it myself so my practice is quite manageable now. For AICPA and state society purposes, I am retired as I work primarily during tax season. You are correct, though, that we do need some younger folks here. If this forum disappeared, I would have to retire because this is my 'firm.' You are my colleagues and research fellows. And friends...

I think that was the law firm at Hahvahd Squah but I like them for accountants, too!

A few years ago they had available on their website a very long list of all they had to that time. I printed it off and will try to find it. Indeed, they are so clever and funny. I still listen every Saturday morning, 10am here, even though all are repeats now. The website is still full of valuable car information and current, too. Great stuff!

Hmmm, another Car Talk aficionado amongst us?

Thanks, Tom. that was my thinking, too. I just wasn't sure if it could be included on an amended return. I believe if the church has a properly dated copy and can provide that, it should be good. People do lose things and it is not at all unlikely that this was lost - if the church sent it. We shall see. Thanks for confirming!

An acquaintance, not client, has asked about filing an amended return with forgotten stock gift to her church in 2104. She cannot find a written acknowledgement. I have suggested that she check with the church to see if there exists a dated copy. I'm not sure whether IRS will allow the deduction even if the copy is dated prior to filing the original return. Any clues? I couldn't easily find this circumstance. Thanks!

Thanks so much for this, Catherine! I saw it on FB but the link didn't work. I am in awe of such talented folks, the dancers and the folks who put this together!

Thanks, Bart. I had also found those but the links were sort of intimidating. My old one was http://get.adobe.com/reader, simple and easy. That link now gets you to Adobe DC. I guess I will still use it but in my verbiage simply mention that they must have, at minimum, Adobe Reader 10. Then the client can choose 10, 11 or DC. I was a bit confused with all the languages and updates. Simplicity no longer exists...sigh....

Well, I just checked out a couple of client portals including PortalSafe in ATX. In every case, a password is required to access the presumable secure information within the portal. How is this any more secure when passwords are typically shared in an email exchange? I'm still leaning towards using Adobe Pro 10 with 256-bit encryption and stronger but obvious to the client password. The issue I am now having is finding a good link to Adobe Reader 10 as I think most clients won't have that. Adobe Reader DC seems to be all over the place but I am uncomfortable requiring clients to download that as I personally find it obnoxious. Ideas?

Thanks, Judy. I wonder about the rationale for that along with many other odd decisions. At least I feel better about not being able to find my way around that site. It's increasingly difficult to find my way around anywhere nowadays!