BLACK BART

No bet. It's probably not beyond the bounds of possibility. Maybe since they killed off the EZ (which had previously reduced the "kids" market for preparers), they've decided to take a shot at cutting the "old-timers" market for us (preparers). Wish they'd stop "helping" us so much.

Interestingly enough, I was upset when I first saw this post wondering "Now why do they give newbies 20% off and no loyalty discount for long-time customers?" I've been with ATX for many years and my MAX package ran close to $1,600 -- here it's being sold for $1,431. But after getting over being miffed, I realized that I'm doing the same thing they are. We all want new customers and one of the ways I do it is to lowball a new guy to lure him in, then gradually raise his fee over the next few years and generally not ever going back down unless there's a major change in his/her situation. Giving customers a cut for long-time patronage has occurred to me, but it you do it for one you'd have to do it for all and put a big dent in revenue. So I haven't. Does anyone give long-time customers a discount?

As they say: "Sounds like a plan to me." I'm pretty sure yours is like 90% of other tax preparers in this country (excepting the Big Three/Four/Five/Whatever national CPA firms). HERE'S MINE: (1) designate one or more employees to coordinate its information security program. I ALSO NAMED MYSELF AS SECURITY COORDINATOR. (2) identify and assess the risks to customer information in each relevant area of the company’s operation and evaluate the effectiveness of the current safeguards for controlling these risks. I KNOW OF TWO OR THREE LOWLIFES AROUND HERE WHO WOULD BURGLARIZE THE PLACE IF THEY COULD, BUT I'VE GOT A LANDSCAPE TIMBER UNDER EVERY DOORKNOB AND THEY CAN'T KEEP THEIR STOLEN TOOLS WITHOUT PAWNING THEM FOR LIQUOR. (3) design and implement a safeguards program and regularly monitor and test it. I BUY FILE CABINETS, LOCK THEM, AND PULL ON THE HANDLES EVERY NOW AND THEN TO SEE IF THEY STILL WORK . (4) select service providers that can maintain appropriate safeguards, make sure the contract requires them to maintain safeguards and oversee their handling of customer information. I DON'T HAVE ANY SERVICE PROVIDERS EXCEPT ATX AND MALWAREBYTES. ALL MY STUFF'S HERE AND NOT UP IN THE CLOUDS. JUST HOPE THOSE GUYS AT ATX CAN KEEP A TIGHT LIP ON THEIR END/ DON'T TRUST MAL TOO MUCH 'CAUSE THEIR REP'S IN BORA-BORA OR SOMEWHERE AND BARELY SPEAKS ENGLISH. evaluate and adjust the program in light of relevant circumstances, including changes in the firm’s business or operations, or the results of security testing and monitoring. WELL, IF THE PLACE BURNS, THE FILES WILL GO WITH IT. IF TORNADO, THEN ME AND THE BATHTUB WILL GO WITH IT, SO I''LL BE OUT OF REACH OF IRS. WE HAVE FAKE ADT STICKERS (FRONT AND BACK) PLUS A BLINKING RED ROOM DEODORIZER THAT LOOKS LIKE A BURGLAR ALARM IN THE BACK WINDOW. OTHER THAN THAT, THE OUTSIDE MOTION LIGHTS ALL HAVE WORKING BULBS, SO CAN'T THINK OF WHAT ELSE TO DO EXCEPT MAYBE CHAIN UP A PIT BULL IN THE BACK YARD. BB

I'm assuming you're on ATX. This may sound silly, but have you tried calling support yet? I know it's like flipping a coin as to whether the tech agent is (pick one) good/okay/terrible, but we recently bought two new WIN 10s and had some problems getting the rollovers to work. Since we aren't particularly computer-literate it's (as you may know) like being on the dark side of the moon trying to comprehend the jargon (it's overwhelming). Anyway, we called on a Friday about 15 minutes before closing and described our problem. She said "Well, that's going to take a while to fix; why don't I call you back at ten Monday morning." I thought - "Yeah, sure." But, Monday at 10 A.M. on the dot, our phone rang and it was her. She got our ID and so forth; she already had our past years info, remotely downloaded all of it to us, walked us (each computer) through the whole process successfully. It took about an hour. Her name was Emma and we tried to get her extension number for future use, but they won't give you one - you just have to take pot luck and hope they are cooperative. Anyway, you may have already been through the wringer and this may not help, but just thought I'd offer it. Max support line is 1-800-638-8291 (if that doesn't work call the sales number - that always gets you to somebody). Hours are 8:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Eastern. Good luck.

That's the first thing that occurred to me and was worried about the first time, but I timely applied for and got my PTIN back then, so nothing came of it even though it was February before it got cleared up. This time I've already applied and received my '20 PTIN even though I (officially, I suppose) owe them money. The bit about debtors' prison is just big talk, of course - I'm sure I'll pay it twice more if it comes to no pay-no file. I extend my condolences. You've one-upped me!

Don't have any now; cancelled about twenty years ago after carrying it for about fifteen. Only thing that ever happened to me re litigation when I had it, is a lowlife suing his ex-wife to make her pay his delinquent taxes threw me in the mix because I'd done her taxes that year (don't know what that had to do with his tax - lawyer probably told him to sue her, her dog, her relatives, and all others possibly-involved). The debt was seven years old and a lawyer friend told me the court wouldn't do anything on such stuff old than five in AR, so I didn't even call the insurance people - just went to court and judge threw it out - told him to take it up with IRS. Didn't particularly want E&O involved anyway; I've seen/heard of them paying off undeserving people instead of fighting a good case just to take the easy way out.

Almost cannot believe it. IRS processing must be eons behind. Last year I efiled my extension return in October-mailed check the same day-they cashed it five days later-then immediately billed me for that exact amount stating I owed them for the income tax. I mailed front-and-back copy of cashed check to expedite correction (against a board member's advice to just let it work it's way out). Thus began a series of IRS monthly letters, each advising they had received my correspondence but needed an additional 45 days to look into the matter. The fifth letter (five months later) stated that yes, they had, indeed, received and cashed my check after all and to forget the whole thing. Same thing this time; efiled and paid October 1st, check cashed October 9th, received IRS letter October 21st demanding payment of same. This time I WILL take that advice; they'll throw me in debtor's prison first.

Your clients sound just like mine - they say (while polishing their halos) "Why, I certainly would have wanted to pay the right amount of tax on that..."

Okay, thanks. I don't see the box anywhere, so maybe we're home free.

Oops, indeed! Don't know what our line of thinking there was - maybe "If he's insuring them, he surely must have them." But you're absolutely right; all that did was prove he had insurance on everybody. I had a few divorce cases like that, but he could've been in Miami and the rugrats could've been in Nome.

You're right - I missed it. But didn't forget the main part - line 61 on 1040's schedule four. Didn't hear any squawks back though (only had 3 or 4), so I guess as long as they sent the money all was okay.

Yes, thanks Deb (and you too CBS) for that; I'm aware that several states are continuing on with the penalty (AR is not), but I was mainly interested in the IRS portion of it. Don't know if you use ATX, but last year inside their 1040 "information input" we had to check a box indicating if clients had insurance for the year. Of course (penaltywise) that wouldn't be necessary this time, but wondered if they would be asking us again to maybe check up on their 8962 clients. Also since the penalty was killed off, but not O-care itself, are WE finally (except for 8962s) cut loose from the thing. P.S. Good point about the 1095s Randall. I have used those as backup for the credits too. P.P.S. to Judy - I haven't seen the 2019 draft yet, but the 2018 didn't have a checkbox on the FORM either. However, there WAS a checkbox inside the ATX "info input" section. Thanks for the input.

I know employers still have to make 1095s and I know some people still buying O-insurance have to settle up with IRS for the over & under payments, but what I'm getting at is this: do WE still have to do anything else (make any marks anywhere on a tax return) if we aren't the unfortunate souls preparing those 8962s?

Without mentioning the dreaded O-word, does anyone know IF we will have to be concerned whatsoever in any shape, form, or manner whether anyone did/did not have insurance this year? I know the penalty's gone, but are we finally through with the mess (except for 8962 under-over payment cases which I will REFUSE to do) and can I drop this 10 lb. stack of related data/junk in the garbage can once and for all?

No, not a barefoot, long-haired nut in sackcloth and ashes entering a bar carrying such a sign (prompting patrons to say "Quick, another round!"), but instead the state of my outstanding clients' returns. I've got two left: one's a straight-up businessguy who will appear tomorrow morning for sure and pay up all due (even my fee); the other's a maybe yes, maybe no - they owe IRS an arm and a leg so it's iffy -- we'll see. And how many have YOU got to go?

Mine's working okay just now. 9:40 P.M. (Central time) 10-5-19

Nah. No war. Everything's copacetic. And you are right ("to thine ownself be true" - who was it said that? Howdy Doody? Hamlet?). As you said; it's important to keep on keepin' the kids straight. Mine are gone now--only IRS left to confuse. I'll mention the SE (and the warner) but it's like trying to sell overcoats at a July rummage sale - SE is "later", this is "now". Anyway I'm keepin' my fingers crossed -- don't want to break a winning streak. Friend, Bart

Ha-ha! Girl, I just hate to argue with you about tax because you're always just so...so... (what's the word?) conscientiously right! And I have to give you credit 'cause those thinned-out Tennessee filers surely can't be as easily replaced as Lion's high-rollers from New York. So anyhow, keep that integrity intact; meanwhile I'm gonna see if I can scratch out a few dollars from cabin-flippers near Dogpatch. If it doesn't work out, stop by sometime on visitin' day. Best regards, BB

Well, I like it, but...would the style lead a customer to expect maybe a 19th century saloon inside? Maybe okay though since lots of my office equipment is from that era (but I did junk the Comptometer - wasn't twain-compliant). Very catchy layout. Unsure whether or not to tout "college-educated" (went to a cow college here-not a sprig of ivy anywhere). But overall it's tasteful, price is right, and it carries a little sense of pleasant adventure (unusual for our profession). Nice find.

No more drinks for you today, Max.

My approach is about the same as this. Of course, in the 1098 case described in my previous post there was no choice or "maybe" about it, but I still think the house flip is a judgment call to be determined by your above factors. Regarding your experience of "In 27 years, I have only undergone 3 audits, all over 20 years ago." - that very closely resembles my track record.

I do too, but I'm not fine with it (Unisom helps with the sleep). Low audit odds and lax enforcement seems to be stacking these up during the last few years - a perception is being created that we don't (pick one): get in out of the rain/ know as much about taxes as the big-box people. Aw, okay; so you guys aren't buying the ethically-challenged approach. I guess I'm still smarting from a last-season loss: long-time client questioned about a second 1098 she wanted to deduct and finally admits it's on a (never-before listed) rent house, but says "We don't make anything off it; it only makes the payment" (bet you've heard that before). I rejected, she left, took three relatives' cases with her, and was at Block's down the street an hour later. Oh well; I have my ethics courses (if I can keep affording them) to keep me warm. Hey - client joke: COP: Where did you get these drugs? PERP: Some dude ran by and gave them to me. COP: One of these days I'll arrest a guy named "Some Dude" and the judge is gonna throw the book at him!

Thanks for the stats, cbs - odds are a little better than I thought. While, as Max said, three's probably enough to call it a business and, as you said, your five probably did nudge that envelope, I'm fairly sure nothing will come of it AND I'm tired of losing clients on toss-up cases. If it's debatable, clients frequently later run to Block who says "That guy's crazy - you're not in business. We'll amend and get your money back." They do/you look bad/that's the last you see of your former client. That's why I say (if it's not a huge amount of money/risk) let the client make the call.

We will keep you, those lost, those not, and those still struggling, in our prayers, Bill. Thanks so much for all that you and they did. And we won't forget...

I think all the guys' answers above (maybe yes, maybe no) are right on the mark. There's no bright line and mostly it's a matter of luck whether IRS reels him in (chances are good you'll be okay with a "D" nowadays). It's better to let the client decide (unless you can't count the houses on one hand) and get them to sign off on it. One thing I'm pretty sure of -- after you advise SE would be due, the majority will maintain those flips were incidental and no business was involved.