Christian

On a personal note, I retired from a regular job some six years ago. I began drawing full social security benefits at that time. My tax prep business was and is a part time endeavor going back some thirty plus years. Like everyone I continue paying social security taxes on my self employment income. I was under the impression that after three years or so I would receive an adjustment for my continuing payments to the system as my dad did when he continued working after formal retirement. To date I have received not a dime of increase after having paid in some five more years. In talking to social security I did not receive what I considered a great explanation of why my benefits have not increased. Just wondering if any of you have had this experience and what you found out about your situation.

Thanks Jack. I'll put a note in her file. It's no biggy but every little bit helps, right? This is for 2014.

She advises it will be around $100 or so.

A client called asking if a software program needed for taking a daughter's college course is deductible. Her daughter is in her junior year of a four year degree program. Why this software is not included in her college expenses is not clear to me but she advises it is needed for this course and is not provided by the school. I am wondering if this is a Schedule A deduction or can it be taken off elsewhere. This for me is one of those seldom encountered items since my clients are primarily older folks.

My client file backups have always been in the client's name.

Thanks guys. This is a 64 bit machine running win 7 pro. In view of what was said I think I'll leave well enough alone.

I notice ATX has left the 2013 hardware requirements in place for next year. I am thinking of adding 4gb of ram to my existing 4gb which will give me 8gb in total. Has anyone else found this upgrade to materially increase the speed of their machine ?

Maybe but it does not sign me in on any other site I use.

I have noticed that entering the forum I am already signed in. I always sign out on leaving. Is this a new feature ?

Egad ! I may at some point have assigned 7 year status to a structural component.

MY thoughts are never random.

NOW that's what I call a reply !

Only the IRS could construe a Dead Horse statute enacted in 1884 to pay for deceased livestock as a justification to regulate some 700,000 or so tax practitioners in the 21st century.

Good luck Rita on the huge discount olive branch.

I renew by credit card each year. I've never known them not to take the full amount in the month I renew which has always has been May for as long as I can recall.

My Lord ! Well I finally received my quote and have decided to renew with ATX. When I said form entry I meant entry on the W-2 ,1099-Int or whatever. I review the 1040 line by line as I progress. I may opt to change vendors down the road I simply was not familiar with their system and will need time to make myself comfortable with it . Like many of you I started in the pen and ink era with the tax computed manually or from the IRS tables.

I guess some of us are low on the totem pole. Usually you get a renewal offer from ATX by now but I have seen no mailing or email. How about y'all ? I checked out a competing software but they do not allow direct form entry which I much prefer.

I have been with ATX before there was an ATX since about 1990. I am going to check out OLTPRO just to see what they have. I had planned to renew but looking at an alternative can't hurt. I downloaded the 2013 program from the ATX website. Even though this is an option they still hit you with the delivery fee for a cd.

Good grief. We are not expected to fill in two additional federal forms for EACH client Jack ? Somehow I feel faint.

Jack an old duffer like myself can always depend on you for correct and detailed info. That answers my question and like you I see fee increases coming. I'm sure the big chains are licking their chops over what's coming.

I note that also Gail. I suppose they will need to indicate if dependents are covered under the employees coverage as we have no way of knowing. Judging by the amounts being paid for coverage you would certainly think the kids are covered.

Like most of us I have begun acquainting myself with the requirements of the ACA with regard to how it will affect us as practitioners. Most of the folks I work for are covered by Medicare or through their employer. As I understand it an individual purchasing coverage through an exchange will receive a form from the insurer much as they now get a W-2 or other federal form. I would assume they would have to bring this along with their other info in order for the preparer to indicate certification of insurance on their tax return. For individuals covered by the employer, would they also receive a form certifying coverage? Any input on this subject would be appreciated.

Recently I find a number of completed returns which have been saved to a thumb drive will not open. I have to import the offsite saved copy to open the saved file. Anyone else having this problem ? Of course the original return is on my C drive but that's the one that will not open.

Your point is well made John. My question involved whether it was mandatory for him to report these individuals and I can find nothing in the Scehdule E instructions which specifically requires it. As a precaution I'll require him to furnish me a list of these folks with names and socials just in case the Service comes calling. I'll need to prepare him three 1040-INT forms as well . That way I am in the clear.

My feeling about this is that it will pass muster without the seller info. I am sure the client will not want to obtain it and equally sure the sellers would prefer not having to list it on their Schedule B's. None of these properties are going to show any rental income for this past year. It just occurred to me that it might be MANDATORY since there will be no 1098 forms from any financial institution.