Jack from Ohio

It is not Jan. 29, 2018 yet. E-filing W-2 forms is simply uploading files to the SS site.

What about the questions dealing with the information on your personal tax forms? Just because they choose not to hire proper people to take care of their security, we have to give up all this information?

I use no encryption or passwords. If you want to know more, send me a message. My son is a lead software engineer for a company that writes security software. The world is awash in paranoia about this subject. The paranoia is baseless.

Those are scam companies. Send them to an actual debt counselor like suggested by Deb. Otherwise, they stand to lose a lot of money and increase the level problems they are having.

Not likely. Besides, since it is a prior year, what difference is a couple of weeks going to make?

Did she tell you where that is written in their information? I never trust just words from someone on the phone...

So all of us with any OS other than WIN10 will retain the vulnerability?

When the IRS opens up e-file in a couple of weeks, you will be able to efile 2017, 2016, & 2015. Not until then. Remember, ATX charges $5 each for efiled prior year returns.

No comment.

You act like the current exams are so radically different. Unless you have taken the modern version, you are uninformed about how much must be memorized to pass the test. As for doing all the calculations by hand, I have a calculator and a computer to do the calculations now. Far more reliable than anyone with a pencil. I had to memorize formulas, thresholds and the like to pass the test. It is NOT reality in 2017. As for regulations, if I have even a small question, I go to my computer accessed information sources and the books I have. No need to memorize the entire tax code, as taking the test requires. In real life, I just need to be sure of where I need to go to find the correct answers and information. It is 2017, and my computer is a tool that makes me much more productive than relying on my memory or just a pencil & calculator.

I don't think so, unless they meet the un-affordable requirements.

Passed the E.A. exams in Dec. 2015. I have used NONE of the things I had to memorize to pass the test. There were hundreds of things on the tests I already knew.

The same time they start accepting 1040 e-files. ATX only e-files the 1099's. W2's are uploaded to the Social Security site.

I used Gleim. My recommendations: Study part #2 first. Remember, you are studying to pass the test. It is the most difficult. Once you pass #2, then move to #3. I recommend reading Circular 230 (the latest updated version) to get familiar with it. Be sure to have lots of caffeine around when you read it. Then take test #3. If you have prepared a variety of personal returns, parts 1 & 3 should be reasonably easy to pass. Once you pass a section, you have 2 years to pass the others.

I never use the CD. I download the install file and use it. Then when updates come out, I download the update file and run it. If I have to reinstall or install on another system later in the season, I download the latest install file. It will have all the current updates in it.

I guess the person in charge of the cyber-security division told thousands of us at the Nationwide Tax Forum things that are not true? Unless you, or the Pro Series user has information from the IRS that is different, I will go with what was presented. It IS in the regulations. Those items cannot be changed in the software.

This is an IRS mandate for all tax software starting with tax year 2016 software. The same goes for requiring a password as well as changing it every 90 days. All IRS mandates.

I can say the same thing about the E.A. tests. Once I figured out to study to pass the test and not to expect any of the study to be used in my practice, passing the tests became a lot easier.

Nothing new here. Besides, the IRS is not verifying 1095-B or 1095-C. I am not getting all excited about complying when the IRS gives their blessing to groups not to comply. The IRS IS verifying 1095-A, just as they have for the last 2 years.

I choose not to have to backpedal, once the bill is passed, if it does.

Everyone seems to ignore the facts. There have been no tax law changes yet. The process of passing the Senate is a minefield, and the bill will not be the same as it is now. Why waste time "assuming" what will be in the bill. There is also a strong movement to prevent its passage. I have better things to do than play "What If?" Once the bill is signed, I will be in it up to my ears. I prefer not to play with political gossip. All talk BEFORE the bill is signed is just gossip.

That ability died with the 2011 version of ATX. Not available 2012-2016.

Why would I do that? Nothing is law yet. If you feel like sticking your foot in your mouth, go for it. Me, I will wait for dry Presidential ink first.