Randall

I've got three Samsung 23" LED monitors. I'm not sure if they are the 'multi screen' types you mentioned. Two are for me and the 3rd is for the client to see. The 2nd (on my right) is an extension of the 1st (on my left) and the 3rd is a mirror of the 1st. I can hold the Microsoft icon key down and use the direction arrows to position an open window to show only on the left or right side of the monitor. So I can have two items open showing on each monitor (total of 4) at the same time. I've not had any problems. I'm not sure what the difference in our hardware/software is.

It may be health insurance. But the question is was it pre-tax or after-tax. Often the client is right in that he is paying for it with his money. But they don't realize it's pre-tax money. Most often, it is a FSA or 125 type item.

In the Efile form, I use the Preparers Note tab.

I think with the 1040-ES, you need to look at the options menu. There are several items to check or uncheck to get the vouchers to print.

The partnership is definitely insolvent. It's done. But I thouht these items passed thru, especially since the partners were guarantors on the loan.

This is indeed tricky. I can't address your situation. But here's one of my own. LLC, 2 members 50-50 owners, 1065 reporting. Bldg sold for 550k, basis 680k, debt 800k. Debt in LLC name, members as guarantors. No 1099-A or 1099-C issued. But bank sent letter stating that if bldg sold at the 550k price, they would release members from debt balance. Form 1065 has a question asking if any debt was forgiven so must answer yes. Since this is recourse, I'm showing sale at 550k minus basis 680k, loss of 130k. Cod income of 250k. Round numbers. On 1065, sch k will show loss of 130k, cod income of 250k. Each K-1 will show half, box 10 loss of 65k and box 11 code E cod income of 125k. Correct so far? On 1040, if memeber is insolvent, would full 125k be shown on 982 and zero out the cod income leaving the loss of 65k still showing on 1040. Or would I net this loss against the cod income, leaving 65k cod income and showing only 60k on the 982 as amount not included. Then the 1040 would show loss of 65k and cod income of 65k. This seems stange and I'm wondering how this gets reported and flows to the 1040 properly. Any help is appreciated.

During tax season, the last thing I do everyday is copy the ATX backup file onto a flash drive (which is encrypted). I take it home and bring in a 2nd flash drive the next morning. I alternate the two flashdrives. I do the same with two external HDs (encrypted) to backup everything, but not as frequently.

I don't give any specific advice on this. I just tell them I personally don't recommend it. But if they want to pursue this, they need to find a custodian who specializes in this and they have to do their own research on this and at their own risk.

Same here. Get on W-2 salary for 2011. Hopefully it's not too much for 2010. Or maybe reclass distributions to 12/31/10 bonus and do the payroll late.

Then, shareholder must have W-2 wages and employer SEP contribution is deducted at corp level, 1120S. Won't show up on personal return.

I do it Margaret's way. Use the old amended form in ATX, create a new amended form and fill in.

Only change in W2 is Fed wages Box 1 and State wages Box 16. W2c is printing both Fed and State change amounts. But W3c only prints Fed change amounts. Is this correct that the W3c doesn't need to show the State change amounts?

I use the manual system. Maybe I'm not understanding the auto ATX filing system but it seems to file by year, then all clients. I like to file by client, then all years listed under the client. Maybe I should look into the file manager system and learn more about it. But that'll have to wait now until the off season.

Interesting comments. I'm still with ATX. Probably will stay but who knows down the line. I think CCH has improved a lot from the initial buyout. I only heard of TRX last year. It seemed they were simply selling ATX and Taxwise under their own name. Now it sounds like they have their own program. Is that correct? How many years have they had their own program? From the comments, it sounds like they are still in the improving stage. ATX has improved every year. I wasn't really affected by the buyout since I didn't have to have much contact with support. Lucky I guess. What's the price of TRX for new people, not returning discounts, etc. All in all, I will stay with ATX, but if something major happens, I will look around. I have had Taxwise and Drake at the top of my list to check out if ever I want to switch. But if I hear more good comments about TRX, I will add them to my list in the event I do want to switch. Also, is TRX a small independently owned company like ATX used to be? No doubt, the owners will want to cash out when they've built up their client base to be attractive enough to one of the big boys.

Another thought I had, how can it be a deduction on Fed 1040 if it were pre-tax dollars? So it seems it would be a deduction on KY if it were on 1040, line 29. I'm trying to think of a situation where the two would differ.

Yes, I'm familiar with all that but was curious why it didn't automatically link this year but did last year. I agree, the probable answer is so that we would review the insurance being eligible for the deduction.

For any KY preparers, I see that the SE health insurance deduction from 1040 automatically carries forward to an addition on KY Schedule M, but does not automatically carry forward to a deduction on KY Schedule M. Did I miss something in KY tax changes? I'm thinking it is still deductible. I think last year, it automatically carried forward to KY Sch M as both an addition and a deduction.

Thanks. I thought so. But that was my next question.

Wouldn't such large amounts be prepaid? It seems high to be just for one year. But I too wonder how are we supposed to know.

I agree. Usually, the check is made out to the insurance company (a big corp), not the agent (who may be a sole proprietor). So for 2011, no 1099 needed. For 2012, corps come into play unless they repeal this, which most people think they will.

Side question. Can gold be held in an IRA? Or an ETF on the gold metal itself?

We may get lucky next year and not have this problem since the Dec law was good for two years.

I have a Fujitsu ScanSnap S500. For filing, I'm a one person office so I just use Windows Explorer and make up my own file folder names. For more than one person offices, I think you would need a program so the filing system is consistent and everyone can save and retrieve in the same place. I've heard File Cabinet is good but I think that cost $800 or more.

I suppose there are pros and cons. But I like to be able to find the client easily. Since I've been scanning, I can receive a call from a client and with a few clicks while he's still asking his question, be looking at the returns & info and usually answer his question on the spot.

Does the 1099-R show gross and taxable amounts the same? Is the box checked for Taxable amount not determined? I would tend to think this is part of his cost too but not show on line 21, rather input the lower taxable amount on the 1099R input sheet.