Mike D

I received a call from TRX a few days ago and decided to purchase the $699 program for 2009. I had received a renewal notice from ATX in the amount of $2.668.10 after the 10%discount. I have used the network version and have some other bells and whistles as well. I feel the that in these economic times, that the risk is worth the reward. We'll see. Mike Dubin CPA

I don't understand, could you elaborate a bit for me? Thanks Mike Dubin CPA

When preparing two or more state returns, for example NY & NJ, the taxable income and tax paid from one state does not automaticaaly carry over to the other state and must be entered manually. This really becomes cumbersome when there are adjustments to be made, you must manually remember to correct these fields with each change. It should be noted that in other higher end CCH as well as many other manufacturers tax software applications such as ProSystem fx this is not the case. There is seamless inregration to these fields. Therefore it shouldn't be that much of an effort to fix! Thanks Mike Dubin CPA

I just received a renewal proposal from ATX which appears to contain appox. a 10% increase over 2008. That said, I called TRX and discussed the ATX software that they are offering for 2009 @ $699. They are comparing their $699 product to ATX Total Tax Office @ $1,695 I asked the following questions: Conversion will be required! As explained more like porting ATX to TRX platform, not a line by line detailed conversion. E filing included free for all entities and all states. No additional cost for network system. ATX charges 50% of license agreement per year. Should be able to download original release and all updates similar to ATX. No Kleinrock research included, will be available at additional cost? I asked if they were going to do a comparison chart to what you get or don't get from ATX and they are in the process of compiling one. We all know the old adage, "if it appears too good to be true", etc. They have all of my contact info and I will keep all of you apprised of my progress. Mike Dubin CPA

I was recently informed by one of my staff professionals that he could not access the Kleinrock CPE. Upon further investigation, ATX stated that they removed this free feature effective September 2007. I do not recall receiving any notification of this modification to my software license agreement. Needless to say, I have requested to be contacted by someone in authority at ATX to discuss this further. I have purchased the networked version of total tax office to support about 14 professional staff for the past 6 years. They have used the CPE extensively that was offered to them as a benefit of their employment. The outcome of this issue may result in shopping for another software package that includes free CPE such as Drake. Please let me know if anyone was aware of this change. Thanks Mike Dubin CPA

I just finished posting this on the ATX Client Board and thought that it would be appropriate for all to hear. I am hard pressed to believe that Form 1041 NOL is not available for printing on March 14, 2009. I have many friends & peers that use other than ATX software and they do not share this problem. This is not the first time nor do I suspect the last that ATX has been lax in keeping up with the program, i.e. Form 1116, etc. Is it deliberate or are you just not getting it? Please respond Mike Dubin CPA

I use Pay Cycle - Online Payroll Service and find it to be one of the best that I have used. They have an accountants program that costs about $20 per month that includes everything from quarterlies, annual filings, W-2's, direct deposit, etc.. It could cost less depending on how many clients you have. I used Quick Books and left them years ago due to high fees. Here is their website https://www.paycycle.com/external/home.jsp Good luck Mike Dubin CPA

These are the approved release dates from the IRS web site for form 1040-X Inst 1040-X Instructions for Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 0209 02/21/2009 Form 1040-X Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 0209 02/21/2009 Again your suspicions are real! Mike Dubin CPA

I can't recall in the 6 years of using ATX waiting this long for almost any form to be approved. I did a little research and found that this form was approved by the IRS on 12/09/2008. In addition most of the high priced software that CCH offers has this form approved. ATX has extended the relaease of this form at least 3 to 4 times to date and now has just posted a 3/02/09 release date. What's wrong with this picture? I don't want to speak for all of us but I personally have witnessed the wrath and arrogance of CCH in the past and find myself asking why? I am holding up the filing of 8 returns as of today and just received a few more that will require this form in order to complete their filings. We as a group have the ability to pressure these ivory tower execs to comply or face losing major revenue. Any suggestions? Mike Dubin CPA

Imagine yourself as this potential client! I would certainly not want someone who is filing a corporate return for the first time working on my initial tax submission. Elections, methods of depreciation, capitalization vs expense, tax credits, startup costs, etc. as just a few of the issues to be dealt with on an initial return. I suggest that you work with a professional in order to learn the ropes before you endeavor to provide services that you are not at this time preared for. That is exactly what most of us did in our forative years. Take college courses, become an enrolled agent and/ot CPA. In addition after 30 plus years of practice my mantra has always been to not file anything nor provide any information that was not statuatory and/or requested by taxpayer in writing. This could be potentially create a dangerous situation for the taxpayer. Good luck Mike Dubin CPA

Hope I'm getting wiser, not just older? Thanks guys, nice touch. Mike D

I received mine yesterday. Mike Dubin CPA

I just sat for 3 hours of ATX torture, approximately 1 full hour was spent on technical difficulties and the remaining 2 hours on topics and issues that are available to all who can read. This was given to me for free upon renewal for 2008. I guess the old adage, "you get what you pay for", is appropriate. The only possitive outcome is my 3 hours of CPE. Can't wait till next year! Happy and healthy holidays to all of you and yours. Mike Dubin CPA

I downloaded my 2008 copy from the ATX website and after 15 minutes I was in business. No snags, delays,eyc. All I need to do now is update online every time I open the software. I have not installed from a cd rom since the downloads became available and with the horror stories you guys are portraying I can't see why any of you would put up with these issues. I did receice a fedex yesterday from ATX appologizing for providiong an incorrect activation code along with the correct one to use. This may be the problem with some of your installations? Good luck & happy holidays to all. Mike Dubin CPA

I attended the Drake training seminar this past Wednesday and if not for the 4 hours of CPE that I earned, it was not very informative. They provided 2 technical moderators who between them knew very little about taxation. So the focus was on the process of Drake, not the accuracy and/or completeness of the software. I did not like their product off the bat due to it being menu driven and not forms driven like ATX. I met a few attendees that were using Drake and seemed to be contented with this product. One additional note, Drake provides their research software through Thompson Publishing, RIA, who also own Ultatax. I inquired as to the likelihood of their being absorbed by Thompson Publishing and they were adamant that they would not be! Sounds familiar to me! Hope this is helpful. Mike Dubin CPA

I had attempted to click on the plus sign on all schedules. Mortgage points in TRX cannot be amortized, merely entered! Thus my comment. Mike Dubin CPA

I have used ATX for 5 years after switching from Microvision Tax Relief that was purchased by Ultratax. At first I found ATX to be adequate however each year thereafter they seemed to add features and enhance the product. That being said, once they sold to CCH we all know the drill. I reviewed TRX software this week and conclude at this time that it offers quite a lot for the money however in my opinion it is a far cry from ATX. I spoke to tax support twice who are represented to be CPA's and found that their expertise left me wanting. The software from a user friendly prospective is poor. There is no print preview and printing in itself is cumbersome, and to create a PDF file takes quite a number of key strokes. While I was processing my second return, I lost my entire schedule a data. When I asked tax support why, he responded that I probably deleted it! There are no interfaces with Excel and no apparent method of notating information that will carry forward each year. They claim to have free online training however you need to purchase the software to preview. There is no mortgage point’s amortization calculator and due to not having spreadsheet capability I would need to maintain a separate spreadsheet file for each incident. Needless to say I would need to remember another work around. By the way when I inquired with tax support about this feature they responded that you can write off these points in the first year, enough said about their expertise! I personally would only consider this software should ATX abandon us once again. Good luck to all Mike Dubin CPA

I posted this again yesterday on a different thread however I think you will find this link both appropriate and entertaining. Simply follow this link. http://www.youtube.com/user/VPYNCHON Let me know your reactions. Thanks Mike Dubin CPA

Ithought that you should see this site that I believe was posted on this board. http://www.youtube.com/user/VPYNCHON That should answer your inquiry. Good luck Mike Dubin CPA

I began using PayCycle in January this year for approx. 6 clients to date. I found them through a recommendation from QuickBooks. It seems that they were formally a partner of QB and had severed their relationship. I can say that the setup is easy and customer service is responsive and you can't beat the price. They do it all and for me it means that I unloaded the entire burden of payroll processing and compliance back to the clients where I sincerely believe they belong. I was unaware that they are owned by CCH. This may be a blessing in disguise for CCH of how to treat their other corporate affiliates like ATX customers! Good luck Mike Dubin CPA

I happen to have a colleague who's wife is a tag sale agent. I use her expertise from time to time and have always followed her valuations. Therefore I use tag sale agent. Good luck Mike D

I have been using ATX for 5 years. I switched from Microvision when they were purchased by Thompson and raised prices considerably. By the way one of my colleagues who had swithch to Unitax when I switched to ATX has had second thoughts about continuing with them in the future as he has encountered many updates, late compliance, reliability and customer service issues to name a few. I have found ATX to be as dependable and comprehensive as other softwares that I have reviewed such as Lacerte, Drake, Tax Wise, etc. That being said, there is no such thing as a seamless solution, any firm that insists that they have a seamless product I run away from immediately. Changing software for me as I'm sure with many of us is a big decision as to the learning curve, conversion issues, reliability, work arounds, etc. Maybe it's me, but I can't comprehend how CCH is prepared to lose so many ATX clients after they paid such a hefty price for them. I will of course consider changing software should we reach that crossroad. I will review a few of the players after the tax season and report back on the appropriate thread. Good luck to all of you. Mike Dubin CPA

I currently use npsystems, website http://npsystems.safeshopper.com/. I don't do as many as you but find it quite reliable and user friendly. In addition, for my clients that process their own in house payroll they are required by me to use an automated service such as ADP. I fould Pay Cycle - Online Payroll Service, website https://www.paycycle.com/external/home.jsp who are also quite good at a reasonable price. Good luck Mike D

It appears that my word file was too big to upload. i will attempt to condense it and try again latter. Thanks for your patience. Mike D

I attempted in my spare time to create a logo. I couldn't color nor format exactly as I would have liked, however the attached word file contains said document. Let me know what you think? Thanks Mike D