Abby Normal

Copying files over a cable between computers would take forever. The last time I tried it was with windows 95 or 98 and it was so slow, I ended up burning CDs to move files. Can you have the old drive temporarily installed in the new computer as a second drive and copy drive to drive? That's probably the fastest transfer. If not, using flash drives or external USB drives (especially an SSD) would be your best option. Here's ATX's video on transferring just your ATX databases: https://support.cch.com/sfs/solution/000048812

I don't think I've ever heard you complain. You seem quite laid-back to me.

No, you run it once and you're done. It tweaks some setting in windows somewhere. But the 18.3 update disabled LAA for ATX 2018, and I only learned about it accidentally on the official forum from a fellow user who had been told this by support. So I'll be checking LAA after every update from now on. And, yes, I did notice ATX being sluggish after LAA was disabled. I was worried ATX had serious problems or that my computer might be ailing, but all was good after re-enabling. Speaking of updates, it's sure been nice these past two years only having 3 updates. Really, it's only 2 updates because x.0 that comes out in the fall is obviously a preliminary release, so x.1 to me is the real release and I usually wait for x.1 before I even install. I don't use the payroll function. Hmmm, I need to suggest to ATX to split off the payroll as a separate product, so that those of us who don't use it, aren't paying for it.

Did the bank actually refuse to deposit the check? Can you e-deposit the check?

I've suggested that ATX include a small number of support calls (6-10) in the base price, and then charge a fee for each additional call, to cut down on people who lean too heavily on support. And perhaps email support could be free. When I encounter an issue I can't resolve myself, I email support and move on to the next return. I've had them call me within 10 minutes of sending an email, and often within an hour or two. Caveat: I haven't needed support in over a year, so I don't know if this is still true. I don't understand people who constantly complain about things like ATX crashing during printing, but then balk when the solution/workaround is suggested to them to close ATX before a big print job, or to print to PDF only, because it "should work". I timed it and it took me 10 seconds to close/restart ATX. But, whatever, you do you.

I used Drake two programs ago. I switched from Drake to TaxWorks and was blown away how much more sophisticated TaxWorks was than Drake. Then TaxWorks went away and I switched to ATX and was blown away how much more complete and how much faster I could do returns than TaxWorks. ATX is better for people with above average computer skills and self-starters who can solve their own problems. ATX's biggest problem is memory usage, but the solution is simply to close ATX after every return, especially big ones, to clear out the memory. You can install, and I highly recommend it, Large Address Aware, a 3rd party utility that let's ATX work fine above the 1 GB memory limit that 32 bit programs suffer from. Instructions for LAA are attached. Large Address Aware Instructions.rtf

Pick up an older version of QuickBooks on ebay. One time price, unless you need payroll. Or go avant-garde with something like Wave or Xero.

If you buy a Dell (or any brand name computer) have your IT person wipe the hard drive and just install windows. That's the only way to get rid of all the crapware those computers come pre-installed with. We always just build our own computers.

Even complex clients who were always deep into AMT.

I just list myself as preparer.

I've only had two of these ever. I usually just claim enough SEHI so they don't have to pay back the APTC. I've yet to find examples for this Catch-22.

Because I know my way around the kitchen.

So glad I've been an ESET user since the 90s. Never had an issue in all that time.

More info: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-is-slower-after-april-2019-updates-according-to-users/

Bite me, Medlin. Jeez.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3387984/widespread-reports-of-freezing-with-yesterday-s-win7-and-8-1-monthly-rollups-kb-4493472-and-kb-4493.amp.html

I just deleted 11GB of backups of Payers and Companies. ATX stupidly makes thousands of those every year when they ought to limit the backups to 10 at the most. You don't want to delete any backups of tax returns or settings but the payers and companies backups are absurd. Yes I have a 2TB drive with just over 1TB free, but those files are simply unnecessary and every time you backup or clone your drive they add time and wear to your computer. And, yes, I'm a bit OCD. The wasted space files are located at c:ProgramData\Wolters Kluwer\ATX 2018 Server\ATX 2018 Backup And they're named like "Companies (2774).atx18backup" and "Payers (4737).atx18backup". And when I do this again in the fall, it will be back up to around 10GB again, I'm certain.

I tell my clients all the time, you need to have x% withheld, and they ask me, how do I do that? I tell them to either work with their payroll department or try Single 0 and see what % that gives them. Of course, it's confusing if they have pretax items, but... it just shouldn't be this hard!

We had a husband wife bookkeeping/tax prep firm close and leave town because both had heart attacks. Last fall, we started getting calls from businesses who needed payroll NOW, and we've been picking up a good number of individuals from them this year. It's a mixed bag though because they were crap at both bookkeeping and tax returns, so we've had to do a lot of clean up work/amendments, which is not fun. But in the long run, we added a lot of great new clients.

Duuuuuuude. Here's the symbol for pot:

My idea for a W4: Enter the % you want withheld (min 8%). You can still claim exempt if you expect your EIC or other credits to zero out your tax. This will help part-timers, especially if their hours vary and sometimes have no tax withheld due to low hours in a pay period. Then everyone will be having a discussion about what % they're having withheld and people will start to understand what their effective tax rate is. And if they're under/over withheld, they can easily increase/decrease the %.

People barely understand the old W4, so let's make it crazy complicated!

No download fee?