KINGCHUCK1971

I use VOIPO,

It cost $36 per year, 500 minutes incoming/outgoing faxes per month. You receive your faxes via email. You send your faxes by scanning your documents and save the file to your pc. Log into your VOIPO account and upload the file from your pc.  You can port your number for free. I've used them for 7 years and had no problems. The service is their cloud voip service and their website is voipo.com

It's real,

I had to do the same thing right before the tax season started. Because I don't have a traditional cell phone provider (contract) I had to wait the for the pin in the mail to.  I use prepaid for my cell phone service. But they can't verify that it's really you through prepaid.

Thanks for the info easytax,

Cheaper isn't always better. I got to keep looking to. I'm not willing to pay $1,000 for the premium service either. 

I use Cudasign for $36 for 3 years. My clients are able to view and sign their documents. They can sign their documents by computer, android, or ios. You have to send them a invite by email.

I use voipo.com

They have cloud voip which allows you to receive a email with a PDF attachment of your fax. In order to send a fax you will have to scan your documents and you can save it in a number of different formats. The cost is only $36 per year. I've used them the past 5 years and the price is still the same. The service has been very dependable. You can port your number or choose your own number. You can even choose a 800 number if you want. 

I got the Seahawks. A good defense beats a good offense every time.

I am so tired of needing to stay home and work my rear off until at least May every year. I did take 3 days off in February two years ago and paid dearly for it. My son is going to San Juan, Puerto Rico tomorrow and I could have gone with him with his non-rev benefits. This is happening more and more often and it's really getting me down. Now that I can finally get on a plane and not be terrified, I have to stay here and be terrified of tax season. Now I know why so many of my friends have gotten out of this business and gotten office jobs. That's not much of an option for me at my age and my husband's health is an issue. 

 

I made the mistake of taking an hour and went to the store Friday and ran into a client that was amazed that I was out of my house. I almost cried. 

 

Thanks for listening to my whining. I don't have any local friends that are in the business anymore.

NECPA you have to make time for yourself. From time to time we all need to recharge those batteries. You might want to consider getting yourself a helper. I have a couple of them and it really frees me up to do other tasks.

It's a good thing we have the ATX community for when we get ourselves in a pickle!

You don't know me Naveen,

I just want to bless you and your family I know things will get better. The ATX community is my extended family!

It feels great to enjoy this day off with all my friends here in the ATX community. Here's to a prosperous upcoming tax season. (I'm toasting a glass of wine). 

I used www.coolriverwebdesign.com the owner name is Jen. She's reasonable and she's good at what she does. She also treat you like a person and not a number.

I just finished talking to my ATX representative and was stunned to learn that because of a new Illinois law prohibiting ancillary bank fees on tax returns (fee collect,submission fees, etc.) that the old fee of $ 15.00 for fee collect is about to be raised for clients that use it and also per ATX the same amount will be applied to those cash paying clients the moment I E-file their returns.  Because my practice has both "fee collect" clients and "cash paying" clients, I am caught  having to charge

both these increased fees.  I think it is just a "money grab" by ATX.  In the past, we purchased the MAX program so that we

would not have to pay the nickel and dime fees especially for "E-filing" returns.  Now all that is changed and beside getting

over $1500 per year for software ATX wants to charge an extra $7.50 (which by the way they are calling a supportive charge) for each of my customers. I do roughly 300 clients per year and this extra charge would be $2250 out of my

bottom line.  Of course, ATX says to just pass it on as increase in fees without customer disclosure.  That pretty tough to do with my clients right now--everyone is looking to SAVE money--not SPEND more.  Please let me know if anyone else is

having this issue.  Also, after testing all other software--what is the best you can recommend.

Hey Raven,

I used to live in Chicago so I'm not surprised at all on what's going on. You might want to check out this company called Community Income Tax. They don't charge upfront for your software, banking products, transmission fees, etc. You will be using Tax Act Enterprise Bundle which includes all of federal, all states, all business federal & states, unlimited e-filing, online backup of your returns and more! You will only have to pay $15 per return which will be deducted out of your clients return. If you don't want the $15 fee to come out of your clients return. Then they'll get the fee from you via checking/savings account or credit card. That's the only ongoing fee that has to be paid. Your software and banking fees are all included in that fee. Your bank will be Republic Bank Tax Refund Solutions. They are very reputable and have been around for awhile. I've already signed up. Let me know if you need anymore information.

 

Now thru Nov 21^st- continue efiling individual returns for 2013, 2012, and 2011 tax years

o   when IRS opens 1040 efile in 2015, returns for 2014, 2013, and 2012 can be sent. No official start date for efile has been announced. 

·        

       Now thru Dec 23^rd – continue efiling business returns for 2013, 2012, and 2011 tax years

o   when IRS opens business efile in 2015, returns for 2014, 2013, and 2012 can be sent.

 

 

·       Nov 21^st-  1040 efile ends

o   EFC stops sending 1040 efiles to IRS at 6pm Friday Nov 21st to allow ample time for state return processing and ack retrieval.

o   IRS shuts down individual efile at noon Saturday Nov 22nd and we will continue requesting acks until noon. 

o   Acks not received by the ERO will become available again when efile opens in 2015

 

FINALLY!!!

 

I agree Jack,

Definitely long over due! 

KINGCHUCK1971, why would a transcript for her 2013 have her EIN on it?  It has, as does her 2012 return, AN EIN but we are not certain whether it is the correct one.

 

I have called the Specialty and Business line but now she must call.  Although I have POA for her SSN, they cannot talk with me about her EIN even though it is a SMLLC, not recognized by IRS. They will, however, send out reconfirming letters to both EINs to the addresses of record.  I had to convince the agent that the client would receive hers because she still lives at that same address.  The client also can have it faxed to her.  Of course, client has no fax so will have to come here to call and have the fax sent here.  I believe she is off tomorrow so can do this.

 

I truly understand the privacy issue about SSN's but not so much for an EIN.  Hopefully it will all be resolved soon.  Her letter will arrive within 10-14 business days or by fax the day she calls.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.  Now I wonder about billing her... do I take into account the wine?

I was referring to the 1099 Misc information that'll be on the transcript. It'll have the payer, amount, and so on. Enjoy your pumpkin pie! I have to try it one of these days. I can go for the wine though.

If she can't get the EIN from the bank. She'll be able to get it by calling the IRS and request a transcript for the 2013 tax year. It'll have that information on there. Make sure she request for the free transcript.  They actually have one that you have to pay for.

I'm keeping my rates the same this upcoming season. I charge a $240 base rate. My clients haven't complained about my rates and have been faithful clients for years. I don't hang on to the PITA clients no more then 1-2 seasons. Some of the PITA clients miraculously changed and I have reinstated them as clients. 

Do you make copies of your clients records?  

I'm with ILLMAS,

I make copies of all my clients documents. Then you'll know for sure if you used everything they submitted to you. If you forgot to use the IRA information then the penalty is on you.

I've been busy acquiring new customers in my area. I picked up a lot of small businesses doing their bookkeeping and payroll. I'm also trying to work out something with my neighborhood school as to where I would provide free tax preparation services for the working students. The teachers and faculty will receive a discount as well as the parents. It's just a win win for all involved. 

Times are a changing! Hopefully all of the states will jump aboard with this. 

Keep in mind that criminals advance their skills just like technology advances. If they want something bad enough they will always find a way. It kind of sucks because if they put forth that same effort towards a positive lifestyle. They would be quite successful at whatever they choose to do.

Tell your soon to be client to put on his big boy pants and contact his soon to be former CPA and end it himself. He shouldn't be dumping this on you.

If you don't value your own work,

How do you expect your clients to? Your clients follow your lead when it comes to your services and prices.

Just finished up my tax return. I'm closing 3 hours early today at 4:00 p.m. CST I have one client who procrastinated on getting her information over to me. She's the only extension I have. This is my first year with ATX and I'm very happy with the service. I have a stand alone system and it's been flawless. I've been able to knock out my clients returns the same day I receive the information. Now I go back to my M-F 9-5 schedule starting on Monday. I can't wait.

What about the fee the client owes you? I like John's approach as well as SFA and will probably do likewise. But I use a different approach for the client that owes me. I send them a friendly reminder letter of their balance due, then send a certified letter with interest calculated that includes a demand for payment upon receipt. Then and this depends on the amount, a decision is made as to whether to use smalls claims court or not. Only have had a couple over the years do this. But, I am getting ready for one this year who is already two weeks late paying me. I know all about the bank producs and try to save my clients money but next year I will go back to them to eliminate this problem.

I know the feeling Terry. That's why I use Fee Collect plus it's not expensive and I pass the cost on to my clients.

Just wait and see if the IRS want you to do anything else. They'll let you know if they do.