easytax

Yes, call me anal ---- All are required starting 2015 ---- does that not mean that all tax filers must receive either a 1095-A or 1095-C to properly file their tax forms (filed in 2015 for 2014)? Therefore the employers who are exempt from the ERS until either 2015 or 2016 are only exempt from the penalties BUT STILL need to send the employee/insurance holder one of the 1095 forms, so the tax filers can comply with the requirement? Therefore all employers (even though exempt from penalties) still need to supply employees with a 1095-C? The tax filers need to know what is occurring in order to give us the proper information to complete their returns. This information (both to protect the filer and us, as practitioner) is required, just like W-2's are required, etc. for employees, etc. Am I mis-understanding something -- the IRS (as I know them) are not really big on the honor system when paper work is required and NOT there. I ask this as I am working on my client letter sharing what the client needs to send/bring me so I may properly complete their tax filings. I was going to state that they need to have a 1095-A or 1095-C from their employer (still checking to see if other new forms might be required too) along with their W-2's, and other "normal" information, etc. as in previous years. Thanks in advance.

JRS, THANKS. This apparently gives ALL the 2014 upcoming forms. YeHa! I also found from ATX site - a DRAFT for the 2014 1040 here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040--dft.pdf I am trying to get a good understanding of what the ACA is going to want on the 1040, etc. so I can share with my clients what NEW forms they should be expecting to receive and from who. That way they just do not send in or come in with the "normal" ones but still need the forms such as the 1095-A so we can complete the 8965, 8962 and such. THANKS again.

Topic says most. I could not find 2014 forms on IRS.gov --- outside of the 1099-misc or the 1040-C. Thanks in advance.

Really like the forum generally. Agree the political side could be saddening. I believe ALL sides have a right to an opinion without someone getting nasty --- although in todays society - it appears sometimes nasty takes over. Your idea of having a truly "general" people section would be nice as it would make it easier to go through the "tax section" items easier if it were just tax things. I haven't been on for a while but maybe also have a "joke" section too. I pirate some of the cartoons that have been posted to brighten days for others. Additionally found things such as the "carrot flute" intriguing. You have done an EXCELLANT job, so I personally bow to your expertise and decisions here.

March 30th is Pencil Day! Happy National Pencil Day! March 30, 1858, is when Hymen Lipman received a patent for a pencil with an attached eraser. The eraser-tipped pencil is 153 years old today! According to the Roanoke Times in Virginia, writer Robert Linsford wrote for National Pencil Day last year that a pencil is called what it is, because: In Middle English the word, spelled pencel, meant artists brush. It was borrowed from Old French pincel or peincel, related to Modern French peinture painting. The French inherited the word from the Latin penicillus, for little tail. Also: Do you know why pencils are yellow? The emergence of Siberian graphite as the standard led manufacturers to associate pencils with the Orient by using names such as Mongol and Mikado and painting them yellow, a color associated with royalty and respect in China. We hope you have a very happy National Pencil Day today! Later on, were going to pop a bubbly and party like its 1858.

From a friend: (loved the last line!) This is so true. Andy Rooney's thoughts on women over forty, Do you agree with him?: As I grow in age, I value women who are over forty most of all. Here are just a few reasons... why: A woman over forty will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think. If a woman over forty doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it’s usually something more interesting. A woman over forty knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of forty give a hoot what you might think about her or what she’s doing. Women over forty are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. A woman over forty has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women. Women over forty couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over forty. They always know. A woman over forty looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over forty is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over forty for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of forty-plus, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some twenty-two-year-old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,” here’s an update for you. Now 80 percent of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

Careful - either of these this could be you as a tax preparer:

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thunder forward Kevin Durant is suing his former accountant for $600,000 over what the star NBA star says are mistakes on his taxes. Attorneys for Durant said in the lawsuit filed last month that California-based accountant Joel Lynn Elliott deducted some personal expenses as business expenses on Durant's taxes without proper documentation. Durant hired Elliott to do his taxes based on his then-agent's advice, the lawsuit said, and Elliott prepared Durant's personal taxes and taxes for his company, K. Durant Enterprises, from 2007 to 2011. In one instance, K. Durant Enterprises paid for travel for Durant and other employees totaling more than $1 million. Some of that travel, however, was for personal reasons, but it was deducted as a business expense, the lawsuit said. ''In preparing a client's tax returns, a reasonable prudent accountant would have conducted a basic inquiry and sought documentation to confirm that each travel expensed for which a deduction was recorded was truly business related,'' the lawsuit said. Elliott also deducted Durant's personal chef as a business expense, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit stated that Durant will now have to amend his taxes, pay back taxes, interests and possibly penalties. The star player is suing Elliott for professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. He's seeking $200,000 for each of the three counts. Lawyers for Durant and Elliott didn't immediately return phone messages left Thursday seeking comment

You might want to check your credit union again ---- some different laws changed in past few years (yes, each state can be different). PA had no business accounts at one point --- then it was OK for some CU who had changed "charter" wording and eventually all CU's allowed some business accounts. Maybe you will luck out and NC changed/adjusted their rules --- also, maybe it was just that one CU's charter that did not allow business accounts. Food for thought.

Just posted on ATX forum a few minutes ago: ATX Version 13.4 Program Update will be Released on Thursday, Feb. 20 We will release a new ATX program update, Version 13.4, on Thursday, Feb. 20. We encourage you to download and install the update as soon as it is available to take advantage of the latest features and functionality. The update will include: Importing K-1 Data on Workstations - Network users will be able to import K-1 data from one return to another.

Agree with no phone cost in this case (although earlier mention of add-on features would be taken by me). As far as IHO - agreed that not possible as the sq. ft. would definitely not be worth the time in this case. There is a big difference between being an employee and running a business --- so always think on the TWO DIFFERENT concepts and requirements. Going to a job is commuting BUT running a business may be something entirely different and the concepts, etc. stand alone /// Look at each separately, as if neither effected the other. Also, no one has discussed the reasonable and necessary wording on ANY business, especially as pertains to Home BUSINESS ---- is it reasonable for her to conduct the business without the mileage (going to shows, etc.), --- my reason says NO -- so therefore it is reasonable for the mileage ---- reasonable and necessary (not always normal perhaps) but if it meets this test, then yes I would deduct it and since I believe I would "win" at an audit --- I am also protected by NOT being frivolous. If the client has a reasonable expectation of profit (even if it takes decades) and does the "business" as a business -- then reasonable and necessary make a BIG part of the discussion and determination.

As I am looking for all ACA information --- especially if free --- this offer interested me and I signed up (many good people here suggested ACA seminars, etc.). From an email I received (HOPE this is a good webinar - do not personally know yet): http://www.nartrp.com/webinar/signup.php?success This is offered by NARTRP (National Association of Registered Tax Return Preparers) and at this URL, allows you to choose several dates and times for the FREE webinar. As most things free --- they will probably have there own sales spin BUT if the information is good and you can hold out and say NO to sales ... Just an FYI - received by me on Feb 14, 2014.

In anticipation of more snow (12 + inches); we in SOUTHERN PA wish to share some thoughts: Have a GREAT season --- snow AND tax !

No setting ---- the number of letters, numbers, rounding, etc. for all data entries are set by whichever programmer section wrote the code for the form. Therefore it would be a request to CCH/ATX to have their programmers do the "rounding" coding. Which by the way, is unfortunately done differently by whichever programmer writes that particular form. --- can be seen in many of the "date" fields on the forms ---- some allow just a day and month and will self fill --- others require day, month, year or you get an edit error --- some require a two digit day or month, some do not ---- depends on the program coder.

When direct deposit was being first pushed --- clients name and social, etc. HAD TO MATCH, etc. or the banks/credit unions, etc. could not accept the deposit. As other aspects of our government change and are not enforced --- today there appears to be no requirements other than the routing and account numbers.

Is it possible that you somehow "moved" the paragraphs, lines, sections, etc. From Manager - In options / preferences / client communications / (you can move the various segments for the different letters up or down). Also from Manager / under "tools" / Client Communication Manager - will bring up letters and templates that allow you to move around the various paragraphs, lines, sections, etc. If you did not move them and ATX support can not help -- then --- MS Word using copy and paste for your "final - client letter, etc." might be easiest.

THANKS ! I was starting to believe I was MORE confused than I knew. Editing as the wording "exclusively" lends a question to the --- administration and/or management done from say a kitchen table or a couch in a living room, etc. ---- the space is not "exclusively" used for the business per say BUT that is where business is conducted, etc. As time and strength, will look for some pubs, etc. to support. Also --- (if we talk absolutes) most business places do not "exclusively" use the business premises for business - staff -- party, sleep, "hook-up", eat, any number of things that might NOT be business use --- but are they denied the "business" use? ------- It just might come down to how big a hammer the "business" owners, etc. have ---- but the "little guy" (would "little person be more PC?) has the harder road with the BIG BAD IRS, etc. Going to sleep now --- rambling once more .........

For paper filing: https://support.atxinc.com/download/formdevelopmentstatus.aspx under MyATX Download Center /// ATX forms schedule (also a link to the e-file forms. For e-filing: https://support.atxinc.com/efile/jurisdictionstatus.aspx under MyATX Efile center

Ok --- I need a lot of help here ---- Taxpayer makes widgets at home (does taxes, vet, sews, does consultation, what ever) --- garage, kitchen table, whatever --- has full time job besides. Sales widgets at fairs, shows, etc. but business is from home. Leaves where "business" is to do off site things, etc.; but "business" location is home/apartment, etc.. Now, taxpayer can not take home office deduction because they have no "specific use - 100% area" but does the administrative work, billing planning, books, arranging, etc. at sometimes kitchen table, sometimes den, etc.. From what I understand from what is stated here ---- Because taxpayer has a day job, taxpayer CAN NOT have a valid business??? ///Can a taxpayer even have a qualified home office for a second job? I'd say the same thing--a taxpayer can only have one principal place of business. ///. Are they NOT two separate businesses and maybe concepts. Granted the mileage from day job to "fair/show" would be business BUT what about say weekends --- from home (where there is no "official" home office) to that same fair/show ---- it is one trip (not home-job-show, etc.) and that mileage would be deductible SINCE taxpayer is going from "business" (taxpayer does admin., production, sales, etc. to a show/fair/client/customer, etc. and back to "business". Taxpayer is doing this to have profit (hobby,etc. not in discussion), so valid business deductions are allowed ---- including mileage, etc. Maybe I am getting "business" and "job" mixed up ---- although can not a referee be in the business of officiating??? The IRS tried to say the 2 out of 5 years needed to be profitable but the court (no, I do not have the cite BUT it was BIG news years ago) clarified that all a taxpayer needed was a profit motive/intent so if businesses can survive without a profit ---- as long as they are looking to be profitable (eventually) the 2 out of 5 looses out. I know several people who run their "businesses" when they get up ---- go to a "day job" and run their "businesses when they come back ---- all without having an "official" home office because they do NOT meet the "only space test, etc." --- but they conduct business from their locations, etc.

Kind of agreed with your thoughts ---- HOWEVER --- it was their choice to be academic and not private industry --- along with the school/research facility/institution to send a 1099 rather than a W-2. Therefore, if they do not pursue this for themselves --- why do/should you? (I know, your heart is in the injustice but if they won't -- don't get trapped) Personal responsibility --- they can go to the facility; have things changed; amend later when the facility issues the W-2. Yes, it will cost (payroll tax, etc.) but they will get their deductions and credits, just like everyone else. They can make the choice --- from your information to them (make sure it is not "legal" advice, so you do NOT have liability).

REMEMBER ------ the NSA has all the details of the conspiracy being planned here and THEY KNOW who you are!

Take a look at : www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460 It is Mouse without Borders is a product that makes you the captain of your computer fleet by allowing you to control up to four computers from a single mouse and keyboard. Works great with win 7 for my desktop and laptop when running both. Hoping it will work when I have my dual monitors setup.

Some additional questions on dual monitors ... (if this needs to be put somewhere else, please do). According to my computers spec's (both desk top and laptop) they will run dual monitors. Now, does this mean I can run one VGA cable to one monitor and one HDMI or maybe a DVI cable to a second monitor? From the posts above, I believe that simply putting in a splitter (for any of the options - HDMI, VGA, DVI, etc.) would just allow the same "screen" on the various monitors but to get capabilities for each screen to show something different --- the splitter does not work. Therefore they would need to have a separate "output" to each monitor --- do they have to be the same type or can they be different? As I am just going to try this and do not want to spend a lot of money (YES - read -- VERY cheap), what might be the basic specifications for a reasonable monitor; i.e. LED, HD, LCD, plasma; 20 ms refresh - 8 ms, is higher better or is it the other way?; 1280 x 1024 // 1680 x 1050 (other variants?); aspect ratio 4:3 ??; contrast ratio 500:1 ??; whatever else that may be important ... I think I know some of the answers BUT contrary to what my spouse thinks --- I "might have been wrong" once or twice with what I thought was correct. Therefore, any good shared knowledge is appreciated. Thanks!

The alpha is correct, needed to go alpha as more people and forms are filing --- so they needed to keep all unique. Added alpha to expand since apparently right now they are limited to the amount of actual numbers in that section. The whole number is a mix of EFIN and (forgot the rest) but different sections to keep it unique for each submission.

Notice --- that in the "big co." ad how many pallets they showed --- to be a billion ----- well, they could not even get that correct --- See how "big" your billion" is in this PDF (maybe to be fair -- the "big co." used 10's or 20's -- this PDF uses 100's), but --- they still seem to not even be very close. By the way, it shows what a trillion is too. how big is a trillion dollars 012214.pdf . Have a good season.