Randall

ATX is not letting me create an efile with clergy worksheets. Message says to paper file the return. 2009 Form 8453 does not have a line item for the clergy worksheets. 2008 Form 8453 did have this line item. Is IRS no longer requiring the worksheets? Or is it just ATX that is preventing an efile creation with the worksheets in the return?

Yes, I would complete for all copies. I wouldn't want to give the client a copy that wasn't the same as the original filed.

Congratulations on retirement. I agree, let the shredding begin. Enjoy your retirement.

I did just that. It took time and it was a slow process. You probably have more volume than I had. But I too like to keep those worksheets. All the more beneficial to just access that with a couple of clicks. When a client calls, I can be clicking while he's still asking his question. Many times, I can be looking at what I need to see almost by the time he's finished asking his questions. I would start with the current year and avoid adding to the paper pile. Then gradually work on the back years. It's a little scary at first to not have that crutch of paper in the file or boxes.

Kleinrock Practical Tax Expert under Tax Rates, Tables and Charts

no

If taxpayer's wife is deceased and he is receiving her state teachers pension, is he eligible for the $250 credit. It seems she would be if still living but I wasn't sure about him.

Yes, this is my problem within the ATX program. My computer is a little over 4 years old (getting a new one this year). But my boot time is not that long and my opening of ATX is not that long. Some one said 25 minutes for boot (Are you kidding me?) Some one said with his brand new computer 30 seconds for ATX to come up. That's about my time with my old computer. My printer prints fairly fast when I hit print after making the selections. But hitting the print button in ATX and waiting for the print menu is what takes a longer time than I expect. Once I have the print menu and select what I want printed, everything goes fairly fast.

I'm in a similar situation. My computer is probably being slowed by 'stuff' (Norton), etc. But I'm going to wait until later in the year. Definitely W7 64 bit and 64 bit hardware too. I'm also waiting for Office 2010 which is due out this year.

I started with 2005 keeping only pdf copies of returns, client info, etc. Like you, I had full files, boxes at the office and boxes at home. I began scanning them in a little at at time. I did it myself, took a lot of time, but saved money. Got all the boxes done, still had the filing cabinets full. In November, downsized office space, began scanning the remaining files in the cabinets. Couldn't get it all done by busy season, still have some boxes left. Smaller office, more efficient, saving rent money too. For backup, cross your fingers. Just kidding. Have two internal HDs, two external HDs, rotating office and home offsite. Encrypted.

I can tell. It's written all over your face.

Thanks for the tips on cleanup and defragging more often. My computer is getting old, XP, plenty of HD space, upgraded to 4gb RAM a year ago. Will be getting a new system later in the year, with all the latest, W7 64 bit, etc.

Yes, did that type of thing before tax season began. Thanks.

My print menu is slow to come up. Very slow. I don't know if my system is just old or it's the ATX program. I know ATX is a spreadsheet type program but it just seems extra slow. Especially the bigger the return.

Is this just for 1040s? I've been efiling most of my 1040s for several years now, but the 1120S and 1065s, I've held up on because KY has come on board with the piggyback system (or at least ATX) yet.

To think of it another way, the $400 on line 63 doesn't affect the tax on line 60 (total tax). But rather, it makes up for the lesser amount on line 61 (lesser withholding throughout the year).

I hate it when they borrow from their 401s. But it's usually too late by the time they see me.

So are you saying the support test is the key? As long as the client is providing more than what he's receiving for the child, he passes the support test, can claim the dependent and not report as income the receipts? This is how I was seeing it.

Do you have a reference on this?

When printing to the PDF, ATX takes me to their document filing folders. I've been using my own filing folder system and now I have to go thru several clicks to get to where I want to save my files. Is there a way to change this so when I click on the PDF print option, I can be directed to the folder I want?

What's clean cut skin?

Same here. I have two sources of tax update info coming in throughout the year and I'm sure I saw this, but had forgotten about it. This was a good reminder alert for me.

I had this problem. Tried a number of things but didn't work. I just entered my info again. Checked in preferences for the info to load in the returns.

I try to keep it as simple for me as possible. I don't enter the completed check mark until paper return is delivered to client or 8879 received, returned sent, and acceptance notice received for both Fed and State. I then add completed check mark. Print a paper list of uncompleted returns and keep a close watch on the list.

I originally installed using three codes that came with the disc. I got some kind of MS runtime error message. The program seemed to install ok. Later I received an email from ATX saying that only the first two codes should have been entered. The third code for Payroll Compliance Reporting should not be entered. I re-installed and I did not receive the previous error code. I have not looked at the program other than open it and see the blank return manager. Hopefully all will be ok.