Jack from Ohio

The salary vs distribution does not look "reasonable" by my way of thinking. The IRS is really tracking this situation lately. John H is correct.

Why? We do not even think about those things. We have clients. Not assembly line tax return preparation.

I/we have never computed such a number. More items are far more important. The last 10 years, at the firm, 30,000+ returns, 5 total audits for returns that we prepared. Preparing returns is different than a factory production line. I have a higher regard for our business than that. Therefore, ratio, and all the other indicators I see used in this kind of discussion seem to trivialize my profession. These discussions feel like the method the big box stores use with their "customers." I have clients, not customers. There is a difference, and I will ALWAYS have clients instead of customers.

In a world where no two tax returns are the same, please define for me "half as much work as the other?"

You will only get an increase if your earnings are greater than the top 35 earning years prior to your retirement.

If every tax return was exactly the same, your question could have a valid answer. Given the reality of our world, an accurate answer to your question is not possible. I prefer a knowledgeable, precise and ethical person to a fast person.

Ten things I have learned in my 19 years of marriage: 1. Chinese Take-out containers are NOT to be thrown away! 2. The toilet seat is meant to be left in the down position. 3. Its easier just to give her the remote. 4. Whatever she cooks is delicious. 5. Her outfit always looks great. 6. There really is a difference between purple and violet. 7. Its easier not to complain. 8. Its not clean until its bleach cleaned! 9. Its worth the investment. 10. I can trust her!

I was at my young nephew's house. I said: "Give me a newspaper." He said newspapers are obsolete and handed me his I-Pad. The fly never knew what hit him!

Is this the same computer problem that deleted Lois Lerner's e-mails? I think it was caused by the CYA_no_one_will_get_in_trouble.IRS virus.

The numbers match exactly. The only difference is the penalty.

I am surprised that this has not been taken to court. If he did receive the notice in February, he waited 4 months to send us the information to do the return. Not likely that the notice, if he did receive it, was the impetus for them to send their information to us.

Thanks everyone. Called the practitioner line. Client SWEARS they did not receive a "Demand For Return" notice. However, FTB says one was mailed 2/11/14 with a required response date of 3/19/14. We received the information to prepare the 2012 return on 6/18/14. The person at the FTB said the client should write a letter and prove that the client did not receive the notice. Me: Just how is he to do that? Him: Well he has to convince us to remove the penalty. Me: If you had to prove that he received it, how would you do that? Him: Uhhhhmmmmmmm We could not. Me: Most tax agencies send letters of such importance Certified. Was it sent Certified? Him: No it was sent regular First Class Mail. Me: So when my client writes the letter, what is in your system trumps what my client says, even with no proof on your part of delivery of the notice? Him: Yes, that is the case. Me: Thank You very much. You have given me the information I was looking for, and much much more. "Click" GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR One more item... Him: Did the client know the return was late? Me: I cannot answer that question because I did not specifically ask my client. Him: But did he know the return was late? Me: Does the statute say that even without receipt of the notice, if the taxpayer "knew" the return was late, you can assess the penalty? Him: No it does not say that, but if the taxpayer knew it was late, even without a notice, he should not object to the penalty. The statue has been in place since 1996.

Using a tablet in a totally networked environment like a Doctor's office during business hours is entirely different than most people use them. My laptop still does everything a tablet does and much more.

Your situation is not in violation of the agreement. A second place of business requires a second license. If you are meeting clients in a second location, that qualifies. The license is address specific, Just like your EFIN. Still waiting for someone to say that their rep told them they could have a second business location without purchasing a second license. I have a steak dinner on this one. Any takers??

What state is your client in?

We filed the return 7/8/14. It was acknowledged 7/9/14. Notice is dated 7/16/14. I am still confused about what information the FTB could be referring to.

We electronically filed this client's 2012 Fed and CA returns. Acknowledged on 7/9/2014. They just received this notice from CA FTB. This is a new one to me. They were to receive a refund of $388. Has the FTB become so desperate for money that they are imposing this penalty now? CA_Notice0001.PDF I personally filed 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 for a client in CA in the last 6 months. All refunds received and not a single notice like this one. Any ideas from you CA preparers? I am at a loss about how to respond.

If it is a REQUIREMENT of one of the courses she is taking, it can be added as additional expense for calculating Education (American Opportunity Credit) expense deductions on 8863. Otherwise, no deduction. Must be REQUIRED, not just suggested. The information provided her for that class will tell whether it is required or just suggested. 3 kids here, total of 11 years in college between them. I have very extensive first hand experience about this stuff.

And these are the reasons, friends, that we have job security.

KC, remove the link...

That is a great idea, except, he does not even have contact information for the other partners.

If there is a partnership agreement, my client has not seen it nor signed it. He is the odd man out for many years because his deceased father did not like his wife. Both partnerships were established in 2013 after the passing of his father. No clue about TMP in the name. I could tell a lot about what his happening if he can get the 1065s. He is as honest as the day is long, and is hesitant to stir up things with his family. He is actually TOO MUCH of a nice guy in that respect. It is not in his nature to be deceitful or dishonest. He just wants to know. I created a letter for him to the tax accountant "requesting" information. We will see what that stirs up.

The Accountant that prepared the 1065 will not talk to him or give him any information at all. Not even the name of the TMP. This family drama is very deep, very old and the worst I have ever seen. Seems the other family members do not wish to talk to or give my client any information at all.

I know about the K-1 requirement. My client received a K-1 with $2,000 rental income listed. He has not received a penny. Lots of drama in his family. (It is a family owned partnership)

If you have a competent and knowledgeable I.T. person, a robust desktop will work. Raid 5 with three drives is recommended.