elfling

A few days ago someone on here was looking for this info. Of course I couldn't find it then even though I knew it existed. Now that I found that, I don't seem to be able to locate the poster who wanted info. Anyhow, I am sure there are many among us, who deal with various states, that can benefit from this chart. Here's the link: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/charstatety11_fs12_97716_120911.pdf (Hoping it works!) Elfling

I used to agree with file one at a time, a few weeks apart. But within the past 2 years we had 2 cases where we shipped several late returns with the client (had the person physically go there) to the regional office in Bethlehem PA. The IRS reps there logged them in all at once providing a 'received' stamped copy of 1040 page 1 for each year. Within about a month client had a single letter from IRS showing a composite of all back years, refunds & amounts owed, penalties & interest, a bottom line figure, form 9465 and instructions. I was impressed with how well that worked. Clients were glad to have IRS 'burden' (even though self-created) finally under control. Both remain our clients and staying on track so far.

Email from CCH on 10/07 said shipping would begin "soon." Haven't seen it yet.

I also had one with that exact error message. Client died March of 2010. MFJ return for 2009 cleared without a hitch a few weeks after death. But 2010 return hit a wall in March of this year with the error report stating his SSN was used on another return. Called IRS and was told to paper file. Spouse is still waiting for refund. Told over and over that it is in review.

Sure I did ~ right along side the box of cookies a 94-year-old forever client handed my grandson yesterday afternoon when I took him with me to deliver her return ~ gifts are taxable to the giver, not the receiver, right?

AOL news blip this morning on Wallet Pop: http://www.walletpop.com/2011/04/08/tax-cheaters-tend-to-be-young-single-men/?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%7C55301 Our office encountered 3 of these guys this year. #1 was a fella who is not quite single. Separated w/o his child in his home at all in 2010 putting him in MFS status and owing. After our doing the return fully (printed, pkgd, et al) he left it set here for 3 weeks. When he picked up, he paid our fee but chose not to sign for efile saying he intended to file on his own as single. Guess we could "report" him, but why waste the time. #2 was the 25-year-old boyfriend of a good client. He lost a job and pension plan released fully. 1099R w/code 1. (Of course he owes.) Since he was watching the refund figure in that top right corner of the ATX program as we loaded the docs suddenly switch to tax due, he wanted to know if we'd file the return w/o the 1099R. Sorry, no. He tossed me a $10, took his docs, and said he'd figure it out on his own. #3 was actually the female half of a 30-something couple who was told by whoever that she and her hubby would probably be better going MFS. He thought it might be a good idea but wanted a professional's input. Oddly, she brought only her docs. Yes, she would be fine because her income is low enough to see no difference on the tax table. However, hubby has a much higher income (tossed me an estimate) and would hit a nasty point as MFS. Additionally we discussed the issues of itemizing. She gladly paid me a consultation fee and thanked me for my knowledge. I can live with that.

Sure I considered it. $4200 grossed by the student for all of 2010 is a far cry from supporting himself. At $200 per month, his car insurance used up half of that. What's left he does use for things he wants - name brand shoes, jeans, movies, pizza with the guys, etc. - which is partly supporting himself. But Mom pays the mortgage, real estate taxes, utilities, food, et al which puts more than 50% on her side of the worksheet.

True. If the client really does want to go forward with an amendment and face having to pay IRS back part of her refund, I guess that's her call. More money for me. And, right, boy can't claim himself. I expect he's going to try to do it himself, or with a friend, or whoever. His mother (my client) says he's just being "bratty". She about ready to throw him out of the nest and let him fall flat on his butt! :D

Really long story that I won't go into. In the end it comes down to a client leaving a message that she wants me to remove her dependent high school student son from her return because of an argument with him. He'll get more money in IRS refund if he files alone. NOT! I tried explaining the rule that a dependent cannot claim his own exemption even if she chooses not to. I tried explaining that an amendment of this kind will make the return WRONG. I plan to next let her know that I will refuse to do it. My work is solid and correct. What more to do, I just don't know. She and her husband have been really good clients for a good many years. My refusal may end up with losing their business. But, so be it. :dunno:

4 of the 5 clients we have stuck in this IRS delay are doing alright in understanding it is an IRS issue out of my control. BUT the remaining one has truly fallen off the deep end! He got so far out of line that my husband felt the need to step-in to protect me. The confrontation did not get physical, but certainly could have had the man not left our property. We've put in writing to this guy that further communication with our office will result in legal action for harrassment. Of course, this person will no longer be a client. He's more than "fired." In 25 years in business I've never encountered such a thing as this. Scary!! Is the economy really so bad that folks are desperate enough to become threatening? I certainly hope that it's just a case of one idiot. He'd been a somewhat irritating client for several years. Chronically having missed something resulting in amendments. I'm glad to be shed of him, but didn't need the drama!

True. But that is a personal issue. From a tax standpoint, I agree with no deduction no way. Socially, I've been called a bit of a liberal. Kids I work with call me a "biker chick." Most of our family do ride motocycles. My first husband (who died many years back) was the president of the Lost Riders Motorcycle Club PA chapter. He was the stereotypical bearer of cyclist tattoos. My current husband has a combination of native american and age of dragon tattoos. I have 6 tattoos myself, all birds, that most people think are rather pretty. All 4 of our daughters also sport very tasteful body art as do the sons-in-law. Most of the pieces are not exposed during the colder northeast winters, but we love letting them show during warmer months. It's part of who we are and we'd never consider removal. In fact, it takes many months, sometimes years, to decide on having a new piece added because each peice is very personal and is expected to be permanent. On the job front, being self-employed, I don't ever need to cover up my art. My office, my way. But other family members have been employed by outfits where tattoos are not allowed to be visible. That is easily accomplished via clothing or cosmetics, not removal. One of my favorite sayings applies here: Be who you are. Those that matter don't mind; those that mind don't matter.

True. Very personal. I simply cannot imagine any fire personnel having a leg exposed while on the job. Since clothes/gear would already be covering it removal should not have been necessary. Plus there are extremely good topical concealers on the market these days. Just my 2¢.

Hmm? "Obviously suitable for street wear" is a somewhat subjective statement. I try to take into consideration specific factors. If the franchise name is anywhere on the component - screen printed, embroidered, etc. - it is definitely a uniform and not something most would where everyday. Shoes are a debatable issue, but I figure if nurses' cushioned solid-whites are allowed then so are waitstaffs' soft-soled solid-blacks. Steel-tipped safety boots and reflective vests could be worn anywhere on the street, but most people would not. Still, they are deductible in PA. Will be interesting what others have to offer in comments.

Click the tab along the bottom of Form 2441 (Ln 2 - Qualifying person) and enter spouse information on one of the blue lines (#21-24) lower down on that spreadsheet. It will carry through to page 1.

Okay, I thought it was just me really tired a couple nights back . . . created copies of 2 returns that needed comparing for various reasons, then deleted those copies. Opened original returns the next morning and info was missing on both. So am I "losing it" right along with you or was it some weird program glitch? Hasn't happened again that I can tell.

Got ya beat! IRS is asking for 2003 on a long-lost, wayward client that returned to me from who-knows-where.

Has anyone else noticed an "across-the-board" delay in refunds to tp who had the 5405 repayment on the return? We have 5 of them and that went from 2/25 potential deposit, to expect 3/1 deposit, to now showing delayed via Where's My Refund. One client is especially steamed. I know there is nothing we can do, but I was wondering if anyone else is encountering the same.

That seems to be the norm as well. Have a least a dozen from last month. Took the typical week or more to be accepted but DCN doesn't show. Elfling

Thanks, Pacun! I knew that. Just one of those "Duh?" moments when I couldn't pull it up in my mind. Absolutely makes sense that a deceased tp is insolvent. How'd we get so tired so fast?

Okay, brain freeze here ..... Client died November 2009. Only heir is a minor child now in her grandfather's care. Decedent's 2010 income = 1) W2 - $2000 bonus due to him was paid in Jan 2010 -- IRD, 1041 line 8. 2) SSA-1099 - $5000 2009 SS disability paid in 2010, noted as such via * in lower left -- does or does not impact 1041? 3) 1099-C - box 1 dates 1/13/10, box 2 amounts $1897 + 2932 -- again, does or does not impact 1041? List where? If cancelled debt counts, I forsee potential for over $1000 in tax due. Blah! Quick research coming up empty. No time just now for in-depth re-study of 1041. Appreciate any input from the board. Thanks! Elfling

Janien, I have no question of the "IF" .... Letters from both the finance company and the truck dealership prior to the 1099 showing up clearly state refund of interest. Had client been charged the correct amount of interest in the first place he would not have a refund of anything. He simply would have paid $842 less for his truck. I would not have expected that documentation from the finance company. But the letter from the dealership did not surprise me at all. Family-owned, small-town company that is attentive to thier customers. Had great experience there buying my latest vehicle. Elfling

My husband (sweet guy that he is) has been out chopping the 2+ inches of ice off the sidewalks since 9:00 am. It's everywhere! Closed office to all walk-in traffic for today to not risk anyone falling. Didn't totally work. 4 people handed Ed paperwork to bring inside to me, mailman dropped off 2 more envelopes, phone constantly ringing. Rescheduled most of yesterday's cancelled appts into next week due to the 2+ inches of snow that fell and is now trapped under the ice. Two callers threw a fit when I told them there are no evening appts until Feb 15 and no Saturday openings until Feb 19. Finally changed answering machine msg stating that and stopped answering the phone. Now hearing the multiple hang-ups when they hear the msg. Care to join me in going bonkers??? Isn't living in the northeast a blast?? Elfling

Client received 1099-MISC, box 3, other income $842.57 This money, gleaned through a class action suit, is a refund from a overstated interest on a loan for a truck. The truck was strictly personal use. Never entered into a tax return in any way. Interest paid was not deducted on a tax return for any reason in any year. Seems to me this is not taxable income. (Looking for confirmation of that thought.) Should this somehow be shown on the return? A positve, then a negative? If so, how would you do it? Elfling (Linda)

According to the paperwork and the webinar POS use of the money card is totally free. So there would be no cost encountered to get an extra $10 or $20 cash back from a retailer. Taking a $10 PA refund check somewhere to cash and have to pay $3 to cash it seems silly but may the only way to gain that little refund. I'm sure it will be just one more interesting issue to try to explain.

Good point. I popped onto MyATX and struck up a "chat" with ATX rep, Ashley. Due to the newer MeF associated with Efiling, State-Only is the only option available. So the PA-8453 check box will be the only option. From my end, I am going to continue to have clients sign and I will keep PA-8879 since it is an acceptable form according to state rules. While chatting with Ashley I was able to get my earlier posted question answered. Although the webinar stated that federal and state refunds will be loaded to the Western Union MoneyCard, this MeF change to state only means PA refunds will arrive by check. That is certainly bothersome. Clients taking advantage of the new card many times will be the ones who do not have a bank account. In our town, no bank account means no free avenue to cash a check. Guess it'll be $3 at WalMart to cash that refund some of which aren't much more than that. Pfft!