Gail in Virginia

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Is it possible that the Employer's Payroll tax includes SUTA and FUTA, and maybe even workers comp?

A lot of people really like Drake, and for customer service I don't think that they can be beat. However, I never could get used to filling out a bunch of worksheets and then pulling up a separate window to see how everything had gone to the form. I like to prepare tax returns directly onto the form so I can see how everything is flowing as I do the return. This is probably because when I first learned to do returns, I learned with pencil and paper. That being said, I really like the ATX software. I like the way I begin with the 1040, and bunny hop to the supporting forms and schedules. I like the number of forms provided with ATX. We have always used software that had 1040, 1065, 1120, 990, etc. but ATX was the first software we found that had payroll forms such as 941 and W-2's included. I really like being able to enter the data onto those forms and print them out instead of trying to either type them or use a separate program just for payroll forms. I also really like the enhancement this past year that let me do a partnership or 1102S return and have the K-1 information flow directly to the individual tax return. The software is not perfect (whose is?) but for the most part I find it to be very intuitive for me, and so far it has the features that I need the most. Until they get rid of the software, change it dramatically, or jack the price up to intolerable levels, I will probably put up with CCH's ownership of ATX.

Can't they sign the same 8879, just at different times?

Being too busy might also be the previous accountants way of firing this client for putting words in his/her mouth.

And I think the IRS does sell email addresses if you attend the forum - otherwise, the vendors would not be satisfied to just scan your badge, they would want you to fill out some type of form to give them that information. I could be wrong...

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I believe that VMS, which was started by some former ATX employees after CCH abolished their jobs, offers that service. They used to monitor this board regularly but since Kyle has left them I don't believe that they do.

And I am sure that I missed some birthdays while I was at the IRS Forum in Atlanta this week - so :bday:

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If the only income is the 15, 554 interest, the 1,435 from the 1099R , and social security that grossed 21594, then none of the social security is taxable, and the tax is zero. Even if the person had been single and under 65, only a small amount of social security would be taxable if this is all the income. If this is everything, you just need to do a return to show that there is no tax due. However, I would look at a transcript for the year first as someone else suggested since it sounds like the IRS is correcting a previous return in one place, and then charging for failure to file in another. I had a client who swore he did not need to file right up until the IRS assessed the tax and the letter showed that they were basing it on his 401K withdrawal. He did not think that was income since he was just getting his own money back. So while it sounds like the IRS is in error, and they very well may be, the problem also might lie with your clients not understanding something about their situation properly.

You can always claim that you didn't get out in time and the CO messed up your mind!

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I am always interested in seeing what other people are charging for tax prep, but I don't usually change my fees as a result of it. I live in a rural area, which has lost most of the manufacturing jobs that were once available and where construction jobs seem to be stalling out about now. It is not a good time to raise rates. But I don't try to be the cheapest place in town - I will leave that for the shops that are making their money from the RALs. I do try, however, to be the best in town and I think this board helps a lot with that. :)

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If it were me, since I sign those 941's that I prepare them, I would prepare them for the quarters they were due for, tell the client that they screwed up, and write the IRS a letter begging them to waive the penalties this time since the client was new to this and thought that taxes were only due once a year (assuming that is true.) I would not knowingly falsify a 941 by saying the wages were paid in the fourth quarter if they were actually paid throughout the year. But maybe I misunderstood your question.

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