Jack from Ohio

1 hour ago, Possi said:

My client called regarding a letter she received, and the IRS was "closed" due to the government shut-down. I don't think they are doing anything! 

I agree with Possi.  Unfortunately, your client's paper work will be put in/on/under a big stack.  Good luck as to the time it will be processed.

I make a .pdf file of every return, for my archiving.  I print from the .pdf file, and duplexing becomes very simple.

22 minutes ago, Randall said:

I have a Fujitsu ix500 scanner.  It was showing streaks in the scans.  I've cleaned it every way I can using their recommended F1 cleaner.  I have clean scans now on the front side.  But when I use the two sided scanning, I still get a vertical black streak on the back side.  Anyone have any helpful tips on how to get rid of the streak?

Find the other scan window.  Since it will scan 2 sides, there are two glass covers to clean.  It may not be easy to get to, but that will take care of the streaks.

Be diligent about the stick-em_pucky that so many places use.  When you see it, immediately remove it from the papers.

I HATE STICK-EM-PUCKY!

I agree with SaraEA,  Don't want to confuse the IRS.

 "Run Forest Run"

He will always be the PIA clients he currently is.

1 hour ago, ILLMAS said:

I've been digging around ATX and Proseries to see if in anywhere one can check-off to let the K-1 recipient know they qualify QBI or the person preparing the tax return know.  Does it exist and maybe I am not seeing it?  I would hate for the IRS to challenge a TP because their preparer took QBI on a candy store or any non-qualifying business.

QBI is not determined by the person that creates the K-1.  There are several other factors, that determine I a K-1 qualifies for QBI.

28 minutes ago, schirallicpa said:

You have your 20 digit code memorized?  Why?  Most of us don't and didn't know we had to.  Registration codes get filed away with the disk and the purchase docs.  Not on my rolodex. The thing is - why is ATX making us jump thru hoops to log into their "help" site.  

I have it in a secure file on my computer, with a link on the desktop.  ATX has been using the code for verification for at least two prior years.  No need to memorize, when I have it in a file.

Client (mentioned in another thread I started) is a Green Card holder.  

What is the proper citizenship status for him?  He has a SS#, and a U.S. passport.  However, he has not physically resided in the U.S. more than a few days in the past 6 calendar years.

He has an address (his brother's address), in Illinois.  All his income is foreign based.

He has filed 1040 tax forms since 2012.  Is this the correct form for him?  Is he considered an resident alien, with temporary absences, or a non-resident alien?

He has refused to file IL tax returns since 2013, and received a notice form IL concerning his lack of filing an IL return for 2017.

Any help is appreciated.

Clients lose any paper you give them.  I charge $20 for replacement copies of tax returns.  That seems to be the tipping point to motivate people to look...

HSA money cannot be used for insurance premiums.  Simple answer.

Client has a domicile address in Illinois for several years. (His brother's address)

Client is a resident alien, with SS#.

Client has lived overseas for the last 6 years, with only a few days in the U.S.  He qualified for the foreign income exemption on his Fed 1040.

Client filed 2017 1040 and paid the taxes due.  All his income was from foreign sources.

While he has lived overseas, since 2013, he has never file Illinois State tax return, under the guise that, his income did not come from any IL sources.

Now the question.  For the first time since 2013, IL sent a notice requesting an IL form to be filed, and tax paid.

Does IL tax income from foreign sources?  If there is an exclusion, where do you enter it?

This is the first time I have dealt with an issue like this.  Any IL preparers have any insight for me?

The installation code IS your registration code.

The payroll program is a SEPARATE program.  Will is mis-informed.  Installation is exactly  the same as last year.  We installed the programs this past Monday.

I just said no.  I did it for all the reasons you mentioned.

If the person signed the tax return (MFJ), they are entitled to any copy.  No permission is needed.

If they are MFS, or already divorced, they are only entitled to the return they signed.

Institute the increase, then show a discount to those clients you wish to give last year's price.

Everyone is worth their professional fees.  

I am not a charitable operation.

1 hour ago, ETax847 said:

This year, I'm also not filing a return until payment is received.  Tired of chasing people down to collect their prep fees.

This has been my policy, for the past 6 years.  No payment, no file.  I make no exceptions.  Ask them if the grocery store will let them take the products home, and pay when you can?

Sent you a PM.

1 hour ago, jklcpa said:

This has me motivated to get some old equipment out of my office, so my prior 24" monitor is going on FB marketplace but never know what to do with the computer. Is it enough to pull out the hard drive, and what do others here do with your old machines?  After reading that some of you are still looking for Win 7 or 8 machines, I wish it would be possible for someone else to still use this.  What can I safely do with it?

Is your WIN 7 computer still working?  Do you have any specs on it?

I did that, 4 years ago.  Lost 5 clients, 7-8 complained, and I made a whole lot more money.

That was the same year I started taking credit cards.  My increase was large enough to absorb the 3%.

I am also contemplating raising my base fee by around 15% for the same reasons you mention.

2 hours ago, Max W said:

The glitches won't affect most 1040's and those that might be affected would be a small number of Sch C filers , who are not usually early filers.

https://taxfoundation.org/technical-corrections-tax-law-lame-duck-session/

 

We will see....

2 hours ago, ILLMAS said:

Does anyone know when will the system be back up?  IRS website does not mention the day it will reopen.

Sometime in late January, 2019.

1 hour ago, Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana said:

Did the tax and payroll load into two separate modules ?

Yes

1 minute ago, Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana said:

Margaret, I would go to the homes of my two elderly home bound clients , pick up their info, take it back to my office, prepare the returns, then deliver back to the client In a week or so. My ATX is stand alone too. 

AGREE!!!  Your clients will appreciate the special treatment.

If you have ATX networked on your laptop, you cannot use it as a stand alone.  The program will only install one way, or the other. (Standalone or networked)

If you setup your laptop as a standalone, you will not be able to roll over, or have any access to the 2016 information.  Then you will have to export from the laptop, and import it into your main computer in your office for printing etc.

Not nearly as simple as the install video makes it seem.