elfling

We've been fielding calls all week from people wishing to schedule appointments in advance. Most are asking for the last week of this month and the first week of February. For us, that's unusual. We typically have heaps of people who wait to call until the day before they want to come in. Seems like it's going to be an interesting tax season.

"The basic problem is that you know you are submitting a false return."

One couple that was desperate for cash last year (2006 return) asked me to file the return that way. The initial return went right through and the refund was direct deposited on schedule. We followed with an amendment with form 8863 a few weeks later and that refund took 3 months to arrive. There were no questions asked, audits, or any other actual problem. It just took a long time to get the added money.

For several years we have used StopSign by eAcceleration on 2 stand alone and one laptop. It works well for us.

Seems like everyone else who replied is running an HP. I purchased a Canon MF3240 last year and love it. It is an all-in-one which may not be what you want or need but suits me space-wise. Elfling

Deb, The supplier was MegaToners. In the past we used MegaToners for all types of ink. The MF3200 is my first laser machine. I knew the X25's were remanufactured as that is how they were advertised. The problem was that these cartridges were listed for this machine but they failed to work. Upon contacting MegaToners by both phone and email, I got the run around. Supposedly I was being sent a way to make my machine accept the cartridges for use. That never happened. I phoned for replacements and received no word whatsoever. Follow-up letters went unanswered. Prior to the cartridge issue we encountered several Canon and Brother ink failures but the price was so minute that to return ship would have been ridiculous. MegaToners' return policy is just plain rotten, the customer service reps are disrespectful of the customers, and the owners do not seem to care if customers walk. For more than a year now we have been buying all our ink and toners from 123InkJets. This outfit is much, much better. We have not had any ink failures of any kind. The return policy is quite good. I did run into a snag with a remanufactured X25 last month. When I pulled the security strip the toner was gaping and a spring went flying. A call to 123InkJets and all was well. Within minutes I had a pre-paid return label via email to ship the defective. Two days later I had the replacement cartridge in hand. No hassles, no double-talk, and super quick all the time! Elfling

Slappy, We encounter similar experiences to the one you describe but occassionally we DO see one again. The person shows up in the off-season because IRS has sent a letter questioning figures, requesting documents, and/or disallowing deductions and the "crooked" preparer can't be found or flat out refuses to help. Our first step is to set an appointment to listen the taxpayer, watching the body language very closely. At times it quicky becomes apparent (forelorn vs. beligerant) that the taxpayer was a player in the fraudulent numbers while others are victims of a crafty, ill-educated preparer. Sometimes we take the person on as a new client, sometimes we don't. It comes down to whether or not we "feel" the person is sincere in wanting to straighten out the mess no matter what the cost. However, we also lay it on the line that if they don't want to truly follow-through we will send them packing. And we are responsible in saying outright if a case is so complex that it reaches beyond the education we possess or will simply encompass more time that we can devote. In those cases we offer suggestions of who to speak to in our area. Elfling & Elven Princess

Hi Everyone! Due to an argument with a supplier I have 2 full, remanufactured X25 toner cartridges. The boxes state for use in: CA.MF5500/5530/5550. The advertisement was less specific. These will not work in Canon's MF3200 series machines, which I own, and curiously use X25 toners. Both boxes have been openend and the seals removed as we tried them, unsuccessfully, in our MF3240 machine. Our purchase price was $93.88 for the pair. We would like to recover about half the cost if possible; $47.00 for the pair or $23.50 for one. Shipping to anyone who could possibly use these would be better than sending them off to the regional landfill. Anyone interested can contact me directly at [email protected] ~Elfling~

Encountered one client last year that insisted on filing early without 8863 and then running an amendment. The 1040X amendment took months to arrive. Since I charge by the form the client was charged for the amendment. I am more curious about the Schedule 2, Form 1040A. If form 1040 with form 2441 is used instead will that be subject to the delay? Elfling

Thanks for the reference. It helped but I would still like to find something in print as to the actual regulations. I am sure it is out there, somewhere.

I don't know if this will be a "private message" or not (new here), but I'll gladly take one. My address is publicized all over anyway so I don't mind if it is viewed here. If you gave them up already, would you tell me how I can request a demo for myself. Finley & Finley Accounting PO Box 286 792 Mauch Chunk Road Palmerton PA 18071

I have looked through what seems like endless pages of information on the FAFSA website and cannot find an answer to the following: When are a student's parents no longer a component of a FAFSA application? The situation that triggered my search is this: Andrew is a 22 year old college student. For 2006, his W2 earnings were more than $15K. Andrew's parents are divorced. Dad is on full SS disability. The school has never included Dad's SS income in regards to FAFSA. Mom was unable to work most of 2006. Her income totalled only $3K. If she were not living with a friend who graciously took her in, she would be homeless and living on the street. But the college is being insistant about Mom's income as a factor. Andrew was not a dependent on neither parents' income tax return for 2006 because he provided more than half his own support and did not reside with either parent.