easytax

Email yesterday - Nov. 14, 2013 stated ATX 2013 shipping in two weeks (makes it Nov. 28, 2013) with available for download a few days later.. Email today on training videos: New ATX Education Library We are excited that ATX 2013 will begin shipping in less than two weeks. To let you know about some of the changes in the program, we are creating a series of videos and fact sheets and posting them online at www.atxinc.com/education_library.

Unfortunately --- that's the way our leaders have chosen to do things and it's been going that way for years. Hardly anyone "in power" takes a hard fall. For some reason --- ripping off 100's, 1,000's, etc. of people using "paper" methods and fraud don't really qualify as crimes that require "hard time"; only if violent. Just so you know, my opinion is that the people who use the "paper crime" approach should do time with those that are violent (and not several years AFTER they're found out) ---- maybe then (with REAL penalties to the actual person doing the crime) would things start changing. Right now the chances of being caught are statistically low, actually being charged even lower and actually doing time -- almost non-existent. Therefore - NO REAL PENALITIES, and even if time is given; a "club house prison --- "as these folks aren't really hardened criminals" they weren't violent were they? Doesn't matter that they ruined 100's, 1,000's etc. they don't deserve "hard time" with the violent ones. Sorry, pet peeve of mine ---- if they had "hard time" and done quickly when caught --- a lot wouldn't take the chance, etc.

I have (an organizer from last year (not an ATX doc) - done last year)---- BUT --- it does take some work as you need to make the document a "fillable" doc. It may be possible to automate this but I did it on the fly and at the time didn't have any free time to learn, so I did it myself. Maybe I'll wake up and actually learn it, but that's all I have (info wise) right now.

I never get texted --- but then -- when I'm awake, I am almost always right by my computer (and don't get out much). However, should anyone want to text me or want to know how to send or receive texts directly on their PC's --- a simple Bing search on "texting from computer" gives a lot of ways to do it. A FREE and what appears to be easy way is : http://pinger.com/tfw/ .This gives you a phone number (yours alone) and drops everything into your PC. You can also text right out of the PC if you desire. Kind of a split service --- you aren't bothered if you don't want to be, have a way to save the data to the PC, reply when you want, etc. Anyway, just thought I'd save those of you "looking at " texting an alternative idea.

Taxed, Try my ATX account manager for several years - straight talker, nice and tries to answer what I've asked in the past (if he couldn't, he told me so). Will Van Kleef - (800) 495-4626 x 1223. A few steps above Will is Tayler Edwards - (800) 495-4626 x- 5033, somewhere around director level (ended up talking with him when I sent a letter to Jason Marx and Tayler called me to discuss my ideas and issues. Again, seemed to be "straight shooter" and didn't try to blow smoke, good discussion, etc.

ATXaholics Anonymous Have you looked at PDFill @ http://www.pdfill.com/ ?

Even writing code in "old basic" there is an easy way to see if multiple refunds are going to one address .. just lazy. The "rush to refund" is similar to the housing problem caused by the government ("it doesn't matter if they can afford the house --- they deserve the right to get one -- so banks, mortgagors, etc. you guys take the loans and OK them (even though initially these groups fought the idea but were forced to do it - by the government). Initially we as preparers could not have refunds deposited to us (still can't) but the government does not now, even verify the account names are correct for the refund being deposited????? As far as last years AGI --- (government thinking) - that would just slow the refund because you know the average tax payer is too dumb to know where their records are (if they kept them) to look up the number to use this year. My solution is simple (remember -- it has to be to get into my simple mind :-) ). Keep calendar year as reporting date (Dec. 31, ????) for everyone, people and all business AND make it for all data --- investments, stocks, anything, etc.) with the "get to taxpayer date of January 31, ????) with substantial penalties for those people, businesses, companies, entities, etc., that don't. These changes should be combined with tax preparer season starting February 15, ???? and running until May 30, ????. We'd also need to have the government make any changes to the tax code by the end of --- say --- September or it would have to wait until the next year to be implemented. Then the IRS would have the time to get all the forms, form approvals for the software companies, etc. done and not hold up the tax season (see my last paragraph - on confusion). We'd have the same time --- but --- we've have (or should have if clients aren't totally dumb) all the forms, data, etc. to do the job once and done. The government could then have everything computer matched, verified and actually make a lot of the "problems" go away. Our politicians created the current time frames and problems --- tax season starts before all the documents are even due to be in the hands of the tax payers (broker statements, interest, w-2's. Some are due end of January; many not even required until March with some. But the tax season starts a few weeks (unless in 2014 it's Jan. 21)before the "paper work" is supposed to be out to the taxpayer. And then they (government) get upset because the system can be manipulated. Maybe the idea is to cause confusion --- from my law enforcement career, everyone of the "bad guys" (some were actually decent) all believed there was "profit in confusion" one way or another ---- maybe they learned that from our politicians.

I like the red stamp idea! AND, yes the window envelopes might work --- I try to not have extra things (window envelopes vs. regular envelopes, etc. as I easily get carried away with having too much stuff ---"for when I need it" and have in the past ended up with several years of "supplies" --- just in case --- working on my phobia now. Another thought --- sometimes I'm slow at the thinking ( :-) ) --- Has anybody used "click2mail.com" for their mailings? I've used that for some other (non-tax businesses) and it worked well. Over all the little extra cost more than made up for the ease of mailing and NOT having actual supplies tied up, stored, etc.. Had many of the same things; used MS Word, mail merge for addressing, etc.. Saved folding, stuffing, licking, etc.. I have to re-think this for possible use with my "tax side". However, still the question -- has anyone else used/tried "click2mail.com" for tax mailings?

Remember, if you are an ATX person, you get special pricing thru Staples Advantage with no shipping, etc. I've always used the VistaPrint for almost all my printing needs.

As a short time member, My THANKS too. Also, an extra THANKS for NOT thinking of using the "Raven Database". :-) :-)

Just a question -- by the way, my mailings at present are less than 100 and I do have the time --- given my current circumstances. With that said, last year I used the mail merge as you stated BUT printed, rather than labeled my envelopes. It seemed I got a better response and folks paid more attention. Just a thought, as before many of my customers just looked at the envelope - saw labels and --- got rid of it without looking any further. They direct words when I asked about receiving my mailing. I know --- finally the question --- would printed directly on the envelope get a better reception??

Just re-read account and yes paid by credit card --- although given product would be declared defective, credit card would have no problem with dispute. Agreement does state that service fee of $20.00 per e-file (starting with 2nd e-file) would be due up to amount paid BUT no additional fees would be due - should there be more e-files @ $20 than amount paid - no additional monies would be due. If the software does not work, I wouldn't be e-filing anyway with ATX and even if I do some e-files to be sure --- I have 5 @ $20 for my test. Again, except for the "Progressive Accountants" article where the CCH senior staff has no clue on what happened with the 2012 CCH product and service; I'm still convinced/hoping ATX 2013 is fixed and future years WILL BE much better too.

I renewed under these terms. For me, it was easy --- gave them around $100.00 now, balance by end of Feb. 2014 --- if the program works as promised, etc. If it does not, then --- I'll use the money they (CCH/ATX) would have been paid to pay toward whatever tax software I need to go to - to continue taking care of my clients. If they care to contest NOT BEING PAID --- they can, as I will simply answer with "receiving a faulty product" that caused damages to me and my clients; causing irreparable harm, etc." --- thusly NOT getting what I ordered and would have paid for. Simple math; simple logic ---- works in my "simple mind".

Just a side comment ---- notice they have never adjusted the Social Security levels (25K; 32K).

For those of you who missed "Trick-or-Treat".

I've not only had several clients in the "homes", etc. (yes. 80-100K yearly is usual) but I had to spend over a year in one myself. Unfortunately, basically I became a "ward of the government" as most of my assets went toward that time until I "qualified" (read had next to nothing) for Medicaid. Thankfully under PA's "impoverished spouse" rules I was able to at least "help out" my spouse and we had enough for when I finally figured out HOW to get out of the "home" and off Medicaid, to basically start over again. Even several clients (healthy) looked at assisted living (not a lot of medical, just basics (food, room, etc.)) and found that the decent facilities still charged over $4K monthly. Most of them also wanted "lifetime" requirements for my clients to "give them" (facility) the family home, etc.; should anything happen and more stringent medical care (more than just assisted living) was needed --- for them to stay with the "facility" (this was a requirement BEFORE the facility would "take them in". These all had look backs of at least 3 and usually 5 years from when the application was written to the facility.

Almost ALL STATES have the "look back" provision when it comes to Medicaid picking up the costs after "known" assets are used up. Also, may or not be true in your state(s) ==== Gift tax, whether federal or state can be/are different from inheritance taxes; which sometimes with senior care can have previous to death look backs. Inheritance taxes are also very different from gift taxes. My jobs done ==== I've muddies the waters again/more ---- Ed.

Main CCH/ATX sites down for maintenance SATURDAY 0600 - about 1600 hr. 10/26/2013. The electronic sending stuff is down until maybe Monday evening 10/28/2013 (I might be wrong and it will be up Monday AM but I believe evening.

Under "client communications" there is a "preferences" section where you check off the ---engagement letter---. Then it should show as addable, just like the organizers.

********* PART to answer some of your question ************ The April 15 tax deadline is set by statute and will remain in place. Doesn't matter WHEN we start, they still want their deadline ----- Washington NEEDS the money ---

Auto download of ATX 12.19 update directly from CCH when opened program. Downloaded alright, installed alright, tried it on a few returns; worked alright. My system is stand alone, HP Pavilion dv7 with 8mg ram, ter. hard drive, fastest processor for Intel I7 chip (think its 3.4mz.). I only send 1-2 organizers as my folks all pretty much say, "if I fill out the organizer, why shouldn't I fill out the forms, etc.. Basically nice tool, but not a lot of use here. Trying to give to "new" clients when they ask what kind of information to send/bring, etc. but I also have a document that pretty much answers that need. Given my initial discussion with new folks and my document (revised yearly pretty much) that works well for me. NOTE: small one person office with a limited number of clients currently (had more but medical, etc. had a bunch leave). Rebuilding with emphasis on service and knowledge is my key, so the personal touch is still and will be important.

Sorry, Since using ATX 2012 --- That's way above my pay grade ...

I finally figured out WHY I'm a tax preparer ... OMG, I have finally discovered what’s wrong with my brain: On the left side, there's nothing right, and on the right side, there's nothing left.

Kea, Yes, you are correct --- you must register with NY as a practitioner. The good news is that it can be online and does not cost (unless you do 10 or more). Also, you do not have to be a CPA or EA, just a person willing to tell NY you do returns for dollars. See this URL: http://www.tax.ny.gov/tp/reg/tpreg.htm to register.

I am a small one person operation and VERY CAREFULLY have to watch costs and still stay lawful. With that in mind I had a practitioner tell me about "dropbox.com" (no quotes) that has a basic FREE 2 gig (expandable by 500 mg up to 18 gig with each "other person" who signs up (free service counts too) service. Please look this over to see if this will serve your needs. Given the information from an earlier post (as shared below) as to size, above -- this seems to be a winner (unless you need the private branding, etc.). This pertains to sharing (back and forth) encrypted files, NOT to long term storage or leaving the files for an extended period of time. SecureFilePro Plans and Pricing * Capacity estimates are based on an estimated average document size of 500 KB.