Gail in Virginia

I think it is ridiculous that when you purchase software and it doesn't work you then have to pay someone to "fix" it. If I bought an appliance and it didn't work I would expect it to be fixed or replaced, but that isn't the way it works with software. I understand that sometimes the problem is with my setup and not their product, but I still find it incredibly frustrating.

The internet can be a dark and scary place....

I don't know. I have had clients file as single for years, and then when they pass away I find out they have a spouse I never knew about. And at no time does the IRS catch this. I assume that unless the return is audited, and maybe not even then, the only way this is caught is if one of the taxpayers actually files MFS and puts the other taxpayer's social security number in the correct place.

Edsel, if you look at page 15 of the New Jersey 1040 instructions, the third column, fourth paragraph, has the quote that I used in my answer to say that they could file separately on the New Jersey return even though they filed a joint federal return. This does assume that neither of them changes residence to the other's state within the year.

Christian, since only one of them (your client) is a Virginia resident, the Virginia instructions state " If you and your spouse filed a joint federal return, but only one of you is a Virginia resident, the resident must use Filing Status 3." Filing status 3, is of course, married filing separate. The New Jersey instructions state "If during the entire tax year one spouse was a resident and the other a nonresident, the resident may file a separate New Jersey return." So they can file jointly on the federal and yet separately on the states. Calculations of income and deductions might become a bit hairy (think higher fees!) but should not be so very complicated.

I don't have a birthday in Autumn, but I still love the cool nights, crisp breezes and beautiful colors of fall.

But the sock full of nickels can get them ready for the Rita hug, if used correctly!

and AMEN!

Smart hubby! I am sure that it will only be a matter of time (maybe minutes, but time) before scammers use this to their advantage. I did go to Equifax's site and check, and my information is among that which is compromised. Fun, fun.

Caller ID helped for a long time, but apparently technology has advanced to the point that scammers can spoof actual numbers and use them to call me. I normally don't answer my home phone or cell phone unless I recognize the number, but I have had a couple of calls come through with the name of local businesses as the caller and when I answer it turns out to be someone trying to sell me something. Seems like they are always a step ahead.

I am not from PA and don't know how the real estate laws work there, so take this with a grain (or a truckload) of salt. But I am wondering if this could be considered a life estate situation since Mom retained all of the incidences of ownership (paid the taxes, repairs, etc) and continued to live in the house. If it is considered a life estate situation, they may be eligible for the stepped up basis on mom's death.

In my area, several local banks will waive monthly service charges and account minimums on checking accounts provided you have at least one direct deposit. This might be why the employee wants direct deposit. Or maybe she finds it inconvenient to go to the bank. Who knows? I figure the employee is allowed to ask for anything, and the employer is allowed to say no, unless it is required by statute.

We were in about 92% eclipse band, but we had plenty of clouds too. I saw it for a second, then the clouds came back. I'm glad I got my glasses for free! Maybe I will see more in 2024.

I had a taxpayer a couple of years ago that did some workshops/seminars in Canada. They used her social security number on her Canadian form that reported her miscellaneous income. The number was divided into three equal parts (XXX-XXX-XXX) instead of 3-2-4 (XXX-XX-XXXX) but it was the same digits. Canada deducted the taxes directly that they wanted, but I told the client that I did not do Canadian returns if one was required. I don't think that she was required to file anything since the taxes were deducted directly.

One single six-month extension now.

We are in the .92 magnitude for the eclipse this time. My mother and brother had already scheduled vacation for that week, and will be in the .99 band. If my niece goes back to college by then (and I think she plans to) she will be in the 100% range. We all have our glasses, and my husband is talking about dragging out his telescope to use the attachment on that. I really doubt any work gets done that afternoon here, but that is okay. The last solar eclipse I remember is from 1979 (I think).

I don't think you can claim a dependent in a foreign country unless the country is Mexico or Canada. However, you can file jointly with a spouse provided you report world wide income for you and the spouse. But that is just what I remember, and sometimes I remember rules from 30 years ago better than the ones from last season.

Actually, I took home economics in junior high school because I couldn't get into the class I wanted (Algebra) and the teacher taught us to measure liquids that way. And the cup must be sitting on a level surface not held in your hand at eye level. So if it is a new recipe and I am not sure how forgiving it is, I still measure that way.

@Catherine, Nobody does it better! Except ME!

I really don't have time for this Catherine, but after your post I just had to look up isomorphism, And you know where that leads....

I love that analogy, Catherine! " A bit like knowing someone is OCD and making all your pictures crooked before they visit "

The phone has been behaving like Monday today, so I really had not been paying attention to what was going on on-line. Nice to know you are all still here.

If they file the federal return jointly, can they file the state returns separately? And can they do direct deposit to multiple accounts so that each gets the portion of the refund (if any) they are entitled to? If not, I am not sure how you will handle this.

Hear, Hear! I have long maintained that ethics education is not the problem - 90% or more of the time, people KNOW the right thing to do they simply CHOSE not to do it for whatever reason!. If more fraudulent tax preparers were prosecuted, and the information made public as a deterrent, I think that would do much more good than additional regulation. And I am not talking about preparers who make an occasional error; that can happen to anyone. But I don't understand why electronic filers cannot be traced to weed out those who prepare returns and don't sign them or who routinely have changes made on audit for unsubstantiated information. Education and certification are great things, and I don't see how people can hold themselves out as professionals without getting continuing education in a field that is as complex and ever changing as tax preparation, but there is no substitute for integrity.

Tone is a tricky thing on the internet - which is one reason it is difficult sometimes to discuss things people are passionate about. I did not notice a problem with your tone. You have been very patient with all of us! Thank you so much for everything that you do to keep this running smoothly and for giving us a virtual hang-out.