Randall

I think the email was just pr, trying to keep as many on board ATX as possible. I don't think they'll really know what the fallout is until people stay or leave for the 2013 program. I think it will take a few years for them to regain users and confidence in their program. For me personally, I haven't begun to check the other programs. Still trying to get thru the backlog of work, and relax a bit.

The subject line mentions W2. I don't think it has anything to do with the W2, unless memo type entry in box 14. There should be no tax consequences on repayments of principal or interest. Amounts noted on pay records of course.

Code name blue is now officially 8.1. I think it is like the old service pack 1, 2, etc. MS isn't going to drop this, they didn't drop Vista, they went to W7 which incorporated the Vista changes and more.

Jack, they will. ccb39, neither would my IT guy. Now my former IT guy, masters in EE, overcharged me for telling me stuff I knew before him, still hung up on xp. Some techies say this, and some say otherwise.

I disagree on W8. Business apps are just behind. They'll catch up. Windows 8.1 is due out later this year and will tweak some things. I like the new look with the tiles. You can toggle back to the old desktop look and 8.1 will make that easier. I do want to better organize my apps though and I'm hoping 8.1 will help with that. W8 should run anything W7 can. I want the touch features and I want the business apps to begin adding them. I also want to sync everything on my office pc, laptop and smartphone.

I love my W8 touch laptop. Didn't use it for tax with all the ATX stuff going on this year, did that on my office W7. Got a smartphone with Windows os. Will be getting a new office desktop later this year, W8. I want to be able to sync all three.

I'm reminded of the old Leon Russell song: The left ones think I'm right, the right ones think I'm wrong.

JohnH, I'm leaning that way too. That is, speed. I'm just tired of waiting on the pauses after what seem to be simple entries. As for backup, I have to consider cost. I think I'll have to purchase one of the forms services to have certain forms available. But as for a whole 2nd program, I'll probably have to go with one of the low end, low cost, limited programs.

You can't win this argument. You on the right. You on the left. Let's all go to Syria. Or to hell in a hand basket.

Don't forget the Lifetime Learning Credit. Better than nothing.

Watch for the state filing requirements. In KY, each SMLLC must file a return with an annual $175 fee.

Joelgilb, thanks. Don't know how you did all that during the busy season. But thanks for the input.

TaxCPANY, it does sound like you'll need one of the high end programs. By high end, I mean top price but also supposedly with that price, the capability to do a lot more than ATX offered or even Drake. For me, that high price is out of the question for my needs. I've had the top price full package from ATX so Drake's price seems to be in that range. From JohnH's comments, Drake seems to be the one but I'll wait awhile for now. Some have commented on Drake's data base or interface or being DOS, so I'm not sure if they'll need some major overhaul. I don't know much about those specific program characteristics. I just have to rely on what I see in the program and how it functions.

I'm small. I feel for Jack from Ohio. But I would consider switching to one of the high end programs. That's a lot of returns. It would seem you would need the higher end program anyway. Good luck. We all have choices to make this year in our own circumstances. Regarding the Drake comments, I haven't used macros in Excel much. I've been wanting to learn more and more about using Excel. Tough to make the time. But the macros don't scare me. If I can start with simple ones to make things go faster and easier, I will learn. Still wondering about all the programs. I think the business is going to continue to be in a flux. There's no guarantee on any of these companies, large or small.

A lot of the evaluations I've read from places like Acctg Today and such are very simple comparing basic functions, costs, etc. Really don't get into much on specifics.

Taxed, good idea about the separate topic for software evals. But talking to software reps at trade shows seems like you'll just get the rosiest picture from a sales pitch. And the people there may come and go like the wind.

Taxed, that's what I'm thinking too. I may go with Drake, then purchase one of the inexpensive programs. I don't think the inexpensive programs will do as much but they may improve each year much like ATX started out.

I agree JohnH. This past year caught a lot of us off guard. I didn't have the early problems and really didn't have serious problems. But I did have some minor problems and it seems the program is slower than ever. There have been minor things in the past I didn't like but I didn't feel the need to change. But now, these past things just came to the fore and caused a piling on effect so I'll be looking at alternatives. Drake has always been my probable number one choice even before this year. I've always used Oct 15 as my dividing date to change software and upgrade hardware. Of course with what happened this past year, many had to make changes in Jan/Feb. I stuck it out and will continue to evaluate thru the spring and summer working on extensions.

Richcpaman, where are you getting the 2.5%? My client is saying they are going to withhold 7.5%.

Anyone familiar with Maryland real estate sales withholding tax? Client is a nonresident of MD, inherited property in MD, tax basis $850,000. Ready to close on sale for about $917,000. They are going to withhold 7.5% of sales price, about $69,000.

Why make the decision now? Why not wait until Oct?

Yes, too late. Inherited IRAs must be a direct transfer. Quirky rule yes.

Yes JohnH, tax season doesn't really end until Oct 15. But it is the end of the deadline rush and long hours. I have more extensions and will need to work longer hours but not nearly as long as pre-April 15.

And the TOD doesn't mean it's a UGMA account. Father was trying to shift income. But the kiddie tax will offset that. And they recently raised the age for kiddie tax for full time students. This will surprise them. Most people don't know about it just like the AMT when they first get hit by it. Say what???

Is the 8879 incorrect or the payment voucher? Does the payment voucher agree witht the return and is that amount correct? Just wondering if the efiled return is correct and only the 8879 incorrect? Or can we even tell what has actually been efiled?