Jack from Ohio

Most Americans today would not have a clue about what you just said. Sad, but true. Words like "space," "solar system," "Milky Way," (except the candy bar) "galaxy," and the idea that the earth is moving at all are unknown.

If you are intending tor 2014 to be your last year in practice, your plan will work. If you intend to be here for tax year 2015, better put your learning hat on.

Your questions reinforce my suggestion. Do NOT wait till mid-January. This issue only gets larger and more complicated for tax year 2015. Answers to your questions require more space than should be taken here. Trust me on this.

Turning off automatic form updates is counterproductive. Program updates always ask before installing. Leave the automatic function in place. This is my observed and experience driven recommendation.

Many of the posts in this thread indicate that there is a huge knowledge gap about how the ACA will affect 2014 tax preparation. I would suggest that seeking out training at this 11th hour for anyone who sees it as only a slight change for 2014. If you have not been to adequate training, be prepared for a blizzard of CP2000 forms next year.

You need to get some training about the ACA RIGHT AWAY!! It is by no means that simple!!

You are correct. In the case of a Clergy, it must be added to box 1 of the W-2 and IS subject to SS and Medicare. This is a function of the ACA.

ATX 2005-2014 will work well with WIN7. 2004 and older need to be on an XP machine.

A printout from the tax software is not a legitimate copy of the W-2.

The IRS has no mechanism in place to do any verification. Proper verification will not be in place till tax year 2016. The IRS controls us by the use of fear. I combat that method with facts. For the record, Karen Hawkins IS the Preparer Enforcement Department.

This is a pipe dream. There may be some parts that get the axe, but due to the results of the 2012 elections, it will be with us for the forseeable future.

I applied for my EFIN in 1997. IRS lost the entire first package. 4 months later, I inquired and they had not received it. Started the process all over. Second round took 6 months to complete. Good luck.

And they want more money for these "improvements?" Makes you go hmmmmmmm

The IRS is doing NO verification for 2014 for any of the questions. This from Karen Hawkins directly. Additionally, no preparer penalties for tax year 2014 either. For 2014 there is no need to go any further when the client says they have MEC. There is no verification method, so nothing for me to keep records of. 2015 tax year will be entirely different.

We have all states marked for updates, as we do tax returns for people on all 50 states. Phone call from tech support was a waste of my time. He was searching for symptoms to find a fix. I asked for a level 3, he said he WAS level three. So much for the state of the tech support department so far. I tried deleting the asset folder with zero results. I will investigate the KB you indicated. I know there was a fix, I just do not remember the steps.

This is correct.

Yes. Stepped up basis. Don't overthink it!

Amortize it as start-up costs (15 years) in the year that he makes the condo available to rent. If it is available Jan. 1, 2015, then start up expenses for 2015.

Why do you walk into the minefield of rolling over all your clients this early? Only roll them when it is time to work them. DANGER DANGER DANGER

Better chance of winning the LOTTO than predicting what or when Congress will deal with these. I am already telling clients that filing season will probably be delayed till at least Feb. 1, 2015.

"...and in addition..."

Thanks guys. I will try them first thing tomorrow. I already tried duplicating. This is a bug that ATX will not ever fix. Once I read your posts I remembered! This is the only return, since early March, that a return has not opened. Tomorrow will tell.

I just tried to open a return that was completed and e-file 2-2-14. I get the following message. Forms are not yet available for this return. Check for Updates to check for available forms. The return may be opened after the necessary forms are installed. I know there was a process to repair this. But I am drawing a blank. Can anyone with a younger stronger mind help me out? I really don't want to call tech support.

I have not installed the program yet. If the installation is like 2013, you must be certain to install the correct versions. Install on the server first. Call Tech Support. I am anxious to hear if their support has improved.

Owing over $44K will be tough to set up a payment plan. Been there. If he asks for all years with tax due to be part of the payment arrangement, new vs old will not matter.