Jack from Ohio

There are NO perfect humans. To expect perfection from someone and not be able to be perfect yourself is total hypocrisy. Intentional carelessness, neglect or indifference is a different matter. Doctors are human and diagnosing and treating another human body is an art, not a science.

Any client that is not understanding of a non-intentional mistake by a professional does not deserve our professional assistance. Show me anyone who has not simply made an error from time to time??

There is no automated way to know if all the returns have been submitted. In Return Manager, when you highlight a client, the status of e-file shows at the bottom. I think I am going to adopt the process that easytax recommended, and then regularly highlight the clients and manually check the box in the column I added. If I do this daily, it is not so cumbersome. At the CAB meeting, this was another issue that we lobbied for very hard. We want a column in Return Manager that shows the status in e-file manager. Currently, the two managers are two totally different programs within the ATX program. When you create an e-file, the preparation part makes a file and sends it to the e-file part.

That function does not always work properly in the 2012 program.

That is exactly the process I tried last year and had multiple issues with forms not updating when the return was duplicated. Additionally, If I made "changes to the master" for any forms, when I duplicated the return, the changes would not update in the duplicate return. I don't think I will try it this year. The process of adding forms is very quick and easy.

I am not filing ANY returns until Feb. 7. I will process them, but no submissions till then. I will wait for the annual IRS system crash and recovery before I jump in.

You have missed the points completely..... <<<"With the 1095 forms that onus is off the practitioner.">>> is far from reality. It is only a small part of the reporting. You have been informed, how you choose to use the information is up to you.

SHAKING

No. Unless you don't know what SMH means.

That would mean doing ZERO returns for 2014. EVERY taxpayer will be affected by the ACA in 2014. The questions will have to be answered on EVERY return. If the taxpayer has insurance, numbers will have to be entered from the 1095B issued by the insurance company. If it is employer provided, the employer will provide 1095C. If the taxpayer received subsidies, the amount of the subsidies will have to be entered to see if the subsidy was too large (IRS will take it back) or too small (Taxpayer will get more refund). If the taxpayer does not have insurance, information about his household income will need to be entered to calculate the penalties. How many questions and how much information will be needed will be different for each taxpayer, but it will be across the board. This is not new information.

SMH

Get ready for the question... "Free File is open, why can't YOU file returns?" Free File Opens Today, Offers Free Tax Prep and E-filing IRS YouTube Video: Welcome to Free File! WASHINGTON — To help people get a jump on their taxes before the Jan. 31 filing season opens, the Internal Revenue Service today announced the immediate availability of Free File brand-name software for most taxpayers. Fourteen commercial software companies that provide their Free File tax prep products at no cost began offering their products today -- available only at IRS.gov/freefile. Although you can complete and e-file your tax return now, the Free File companies will hold it until Jan. 31 when the IRS begins accepting returns. As previously announced, the IRS delayed the filing season due to critical system testing following the federal government closure. “Many tax preparers and tax software companies are now open for return preparation, including Free File. If you plan to get a head start on your taxes, remember to e-file. Electronic filing will allow software companies to hold your return and to automatically send it to the IRS on Jan. 31. There is absolutely no advantage to filing by paper,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “If you want to save money and time, just use Free File to prepare and e-file your federal return at no charge.” As Jan. 31 approaches, Koskinen reminded taxpayers that IRS.gov has a range of information and services to help taxpayers prepare their tax returns. “Free File is just one of the many services available through IRS.gov to help people with their taxes,” Koskinen said. “Additional services include Where’s My Refund for timely updates on refunds, YouTube videos with quick tax tips, and many other ways of getting information. We encourage taxpayers to explore IRS.gov as tax season approaches.” Free File, a public-private partnership, is the free way to do your federal tax returns either by using brand-name software or online fillable forms. Free File software is available now to more than 100 million individuals and families that earn $58,000 or less, which is 70 percent of taxpayers. Starting Jan. 31, Free File Fillable Forms will be available to accept tax returns for free e-filing from any taxpayer who is comfortable preparing their own tax return. Nearly 40 million taxpayers have used Free File since it debuted in 2003. These taxpayers have saved more than an estimated $1.2 billion by using Free File. Here’s how it works: At IRS.gov/freefile, select the “Free File Software” button. Each of the 14 Free File companies sets specific offers – generally based on income, state residency and age – to use their software. If your income is $58,000 or less, you will find at least one, if not more, offers available to you. You can review each of the 14 company offers or use the IRS “Help Me Find Free File Software” tool to find an offer that matches your situation. Once you make your selection, you will be directed to the commercial provider’s website to begin preparing your return. Free File is for federal returns but most companies also offer state tax return preparation, some for free. If your income was more than $58,000, you can still do your taxes and e-file them. Just select the “Free File Fillable Forms” button. Again, this product will be available starting Jan. 31. Free File Fillable Forms is the electronic version of IRS paper forms, and it is best for people used to doing their own taxes. This option helps with math but not with step-by-step assistance. Instructions for filling out the form can be found on the IRS website. State tax return preparation is not available using this option. The fastest way to get your refund is by combining IRS e-file with direct deposit. Once the IRS begins processing returns, it expects to issue more than 90 percent of refunds in fewer than 21 days. Check “Where’s My Refund?” for personalized refund information based on the processing of your 2013 tax return. You can start checking on the status of your return within 24 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed return. Updates to refund status are made once a day so you don't need to check the status more than once a day. The 14 Free File companies are part of a consortium called the Free File Alliance, which has partnered with the IRS for 11 years to make these commercial products available for free to taxpayers who don’t earn high incomes. You must access these products through IRS.gov to be eligible for their free offers. There also are a number of products to help spread the word about Free File. Companies, organizations, churches or others that have eligible employees, clients or customers can help increase awareness about Free File. Learn more at freefile.irs.gov/partners.

Use Admin (case sensitive) and leave the password field blank. Then go in under security settings and set them up the way you want. The username and password ARE case sensitive. Updated.... User Names No Longer Case-Sensitive In ATX 2013, user names are no longer case-sensitive. Passwords remain case-sensitive. For more on setting up user names and passwords, see Adding Users to the System in Program Help.

I tried that process last year. I found issues with the forms not updating properly when I duplicated the basic return I had created, especially later in the season. I have not tried it in 2013 as I abandoned the process last year. I spent more time dealing with issues that did not show up till I tried to e-file the return than to just create all from scratch. If everyone that liked the template function will send a suggestion to ATX, it may possibly be added next year. Don't look for it in 2013 though. Already heard that it is not on the radar at all.

Currently there is no way to set up specific forms for a new client. Since the demise of templates with 2012, ATX had decided this is not an important feature to include. This topic was pushed very hard at the CAB meeting with ATX this past September. Go to the MYATX site, find the suggestion box and send it to them. When you rollover a return, whatever forms were in the previous return will rollover into the new return.

You need to go get actual seminar teaching. You are missing so much. Your competition is or already has.

Now you just need all the tables, charts and explanations about how it is all calculated. You better seek out some training seminars. Those FAQ are far from adequate to learn and understand what we need to know.

So many one-liners, so little bandwidth....

I have attended 3 different seminars for 2013 taxes that all spoke and provided the information for me to give my clients an estimate of the penalties if they are not insured. I also am now equipped to explain how the penalties, and subsidies are treated on 2014 tax return. The information is out there. The first one I attended was in early December.

You are always free to choose the path you think is best. If you have to choose to run the item as administrator, you need to recheck your user account settings. This is all part of the security protocols that I mentioned. There will be NO fixes to the 2012 program. I know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that 2013 is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than any previous year. Not everyone at tech support is as knowledgeable as they should be. Trust me on this. I stand by my statements as I have been using ATX since 2002 and take care of the network at my firm using the processes and procedures I outlined. I have also "fixed" several other systems for people using ATX for 2013. The advice I gave is based on my knowledge and personal first hand experience. You may choose to use it or ignore it. I will not be offended either way.

Yes

Paula, you can't use ATX and keep your security setting on "total paranoid." Make sure your router has a robust firewall in it, loosen the security and things will work. In fact, in our network, none of the systems, including the server, have any software firewalls turned on. This may solve your problem as well. The other possibility is "internet security" software. You only need ONE anti-virus and anti-spyware program. Remove all but one, and turn off all the other "junk" those programs put on. Now your comment about 2013 has no relevance. I have posted many times that you must forget everything you knew about how the program installs, runs and updates that you knew for all prior years. 2013 is unlike any years before.

I would say $25, $50 and $100 respectively!!

In Return Manager, click on returns in the tool bar. Then click on print packet. These setups will be global. When you are in the print packets window, click on support, then choose Quick Tutors. There will then be a choice for "Global Print Packet Setup" that will run a video instruction guide complete with visual demonstrations. If you make print packet changes in preferences, that user's settings will override the global settings.

What would they do with Gain on stock sales? If the client owed, it could be a real Downy experience. This is a new Era for tax preparation. We must try to clean up the messes the clients have made.