BLACK BART

I hate to ask such a dumb question to this learned group, but I don't want to spend an hour and a half on ATX' jiffy-quick support line, so can someone please point me to the "Comparison Form" referred to inside the ATX program. When you open a client's return and go to the bottom of the page where "Main Iinformation Worksheet" is located and punch it, a form comes up with a square blue box that says "Please review the comparison form to ensure that you have reported all income and deduction amounts for this taxpayer." Where is that form? Since a bomb was dropped on our old 1040 and idiotically exploded into six different "postcards" of incomes, credit, taxes, etc., I was hoping that there would be a non-filing summary sheet somewhere that would let you see if all the different items have been entered without having to go through all the postcards (sort of an unofficial 1040 to look at and save time). Is that what this blue box refers to? And if so, where is it? Any advice would be appreciated.

Ha-ha-ha! John, I've just gotta say that's the first time I ever heard anybody accuse you of lacking a good sense of humor although I think it might legitimately be said of Mr. Golar.

Aw, shucks; if you're gonna be nice about it (as well as being a gentleman and a scholar), then I guess I'll just have to say that's true and you might be right.

I don't think "interesting" is the word you're looking for. Yeah, they're people too, but their circumstances are quite different from you and me. People here would kill for a government job, but you can't get one unless you "know" somebody or are related to them (it's pretty much closed to applicants without a connection). They have pay, benefits, insurance, and retirement that private sector people can only dream about. One low-level government worker's wages would hire three clerks in private business. Plus, as Catherine notes, about the only way to get fired is to pull a gun on somebody. I also have been laid off a few times and there was no pot of gold waiting at the end of my unemployment rainbow. As for the tear-jerking paycheck to paycheck angle; give me a break - many responsible private sector people (with notable exceptions) making much less than the fed group can weather the storm; why can't they?

The trouble with a nine-page letter is that the judge will sympathize with the guy who says "Nobody could read that amount of legal mumbo-jumbo." That's the reason the life insurance companies no longer get only a signature on your four-page life insurance policy app; they make you go through the list of illnesses and initial each one - thereby nailing it down that you don't have each dread disease listed. I agree with Roberts that mine is a blatant attempt to avoid liability, but even if the judge doesn't like it he can't hardly go along with a client's claim that my paragraph was too much to read. I think he'd have to ask "Did you read this? It's fairly straightforward." Still, it's a horse race either way. A lawyer once told me "A million-dollar insurance policy is best. Litigants will sue you, your wife, kids, and anyone possibly or remotely involved." Ha! A couple used to come in every year-hubby never said a word (no hello-no nothin'-stared at the floor). Wife handled all talk-everything. One year they itemized and I got the med records; he'd been a diagnosed schizophrenic for years. Then (comes the dawn) I remembered that every year she slid the engagement letter across the desk for him to sign.

Well, yeah, I've got one, but it's more like a CYA letter (sorta like the one above) than an engagement letter. Here goes - if you don't like it, feel free to complain. . Taxpayers' fee to Black Bart Boondoggles, EA-LLC (Preparer) is for income tax preparation service ONLY; which is made on a professional "best efforts" basis with no guarantee of specific results. The fee does NOT cover the following: IRS or state audits and resulting liability/ bookkeeping and accounting/ balancing checkbooks/ legal advice/ compilations, audits, reviews/ financial planning/ risk analysis/ matching of income, books, and records to bank statements/ checking of Taxpayers' figures for accuracy and completeness/ discovery of fraud or irregularities/ consultations/ stock market advice/ any other unspecified service. Preparer is not required to anticipate or notify Taxpayers of any possible consequences of current tax treatment on future taxes or matters affecting Taxpayers. Income tax returns are prepared from information furnished by the Taxpayers without verification and the Taxpayers certify that they either have or can secure documentation of all income and expense items claimed. Taxpayers release the Preparer and his employees from all liability for their preparation of and/or advice about this tax return and any related matters. I have read, understood, and agree to the above terms of service. The following facts and circumstances for tax year are true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ____________________ P.S. Now, I know the last sentence of that first paragraph is twistin' the knife a dab, or may even be a damned outrage, but what the hey; you cain't be too careful nowadays. Regards, BB

I want my mama!

P.S. The above post is not to imply that those who do duplexing are cheap - we all have our own preferences. I only print one side per page because I have enough trouble just keeping all the many schedules straight nowadays (probably be much worse this year). However ATX generates a lot of superfluous worksheets which I don't print because it seems phony to print A to Z worksheets (Block & Jackson do this frequently) to "pad" the return and make customers think they're getting more work for their money (well, sometimes I do if I'm trying to impress the occasional ingrate who rates my work by the pound). Still, I think many customers prefer to have a paper return in hand which is easily glanced at without making the electronic gizmo translate it. Seems like just another form of the do-it-yourself kiosk approach which saves vendors time and supplies while adding a little more client inconvenience into the mix (at some point the pixels overwhelm us). P.P.S. You're not being a spoil-sport, Mike. Apparently it works for you, so all's well and good. As to the environment, you probably are helping -- office paper sales are down, so toilet papers rolls are now one inch shorter. Too, if you've got the nerve to ask a customer $100 for a hard copy, you're a better man than I am.

The original duplex printing: While I never actually saw this done, I once worked with an accountant (now deceased) who told me that, as a young man in the sixties, he had worked for a CPA who required that no one be allowed to tear off a calculator tape. All calculator rolls were fully expended without being detached, allowed to fall into a cardboard box, turned over, rewound, reinserted, and printed on the other side used until full usage was complete.

IRS probably DOES love SOME of them for money left on the table, but I believe, overall, that many filers are making more money using TT rather than us. They list as many kids with SSNs as they can birth, borrow, or buy for EIC, etc. and no preparer is asking about residence, relation, or anything that might derail the gravy train (as an applicant once put it to me: "I don't see why you won't let me use these two kids-they're my sister's, she's got 5, said she only needs 3, and that I could have these.") Also, we won't do 'em for 40 bucks, people love a bargain, and there's lots of cheapskates out there. I've only had a few refugees from TT - here's one memorable case: Client: Upper-middle couple - DIYers/salaried medical professionals/one kid. T/P: "I've used TurboTax three years, but I'm not sure I did it right. Will you check these?" BB: "Sure. Call me tomorrow." T/P (next day)"Anything?" BB: "They owe you $1,200." T/P: "WHAT!?..... (calms down slowly).... What's your fee?" BB: "$300". T/P: "WHAAATTTTTT!!!? (calms down much more slowly). Well...three hundred, twelve hundred...three hundred, twelve hundred....well, um, ah, yeah...okay, go ahead I guess." He quit me later - guess I broke his heart.

Five more days and we'll all be in a pickle (trying to extract W-2 info from clients who think nothing's due 'til April 15th).

Dear FDNY-Seuss, Thanks much. We've got a Sam's but not the other two and our Sam doesn't carry them. Found some online but they're the petite style and I want the old-fashioned big ones, so will keep looking with your correct spelling of the name. By the way, what is Ba Tampte (a food? a religion? other?). If the latter, then Merry B.T. to you.

Since this post derails the subject off one side of the tracks, I'll venture to shove it off the other rail; i.e., does anyone know whatever happened to those delicious Polish pickles we used to get at the grocery but haven't seen in many many years? They were in a quart jar with a big, plain, white label saying (oh ye Gads - how to spell it?) "Wyjiske Wyroby" (or something like that). They were soooo good, but have disappeared - at least from here in the boondocks. Maybe some resident vegans know? Oh, and Merry everything to everybody.

I previously heard that last tax season was the final time people would have to pay a penalty for not having health insurance during the year. I know Congress didn't kill the Obamacare program, but I DID think they repealed the penalty. Recently I read something that said the penalty was STILL going to be in effect during the upcoming 2019 season for not having it during year 2018. I don't have many clients affected, but a few have asked. Which version is correct? Thanks.

I feel the same - please accept my sympathy. Selectrics were indeed fine pieces of machinery. My one-time employer had ours fixed at a nearby repair shop. I took our last conked-out model there; computers were just being introduced and some manufacturers were trying to combine typewriters and computers with a short memory together. I asked them to fix our Selectric--they said they no longer repaired them and and tried to sell me a new typewriter with an automobile-sized handbook. I declined, spotted a used Selectric like ours, said "I'll take that one." It wasn't for sale and the salesman sheepishly admitted they used it themselves for billing (no one there could or would figure out the new combined typewriter-computers). Suggestions? Well, this place seems to get the most money (although I've never sold anything on Ebay and don't know how much trouble you want to go to). https://www.ebay.com/bhp/ibm-selectric-i-typewriter

This, plus cbslee and Jack's experiences pretty well match mine except that a few years ago I had a good thing going straightening out state stuff (always had better luck with AR than feds). Had a great state's Taxpayer Advocate (first-name basis) & she had some of that scarce "compassion"-a T/P's wife was going off the rails mentally & she offered to slash his old $11K & change bill to $8K flat if we mailed cashier's check and dr. bills within four days-we did and she did. Some interest deleted (never been able to get IRS to do that). She's now retired and replaced by some nitwit (government service-the last refuge of the incompetent) whose mantra is "They need to pay their taxes!" Well, hell; I know that. But, as Jack said, "you can't fix stupid." Last case I had with my "good Advocate" the T/P (in exotic animal biz-sold 2-3 mass loads per week at $3k per-can't figure WHAT he did with all the dough) called and said he owed AR about $2,500 (had stacks of letters) and did I think maybe they'd go away if he did nothing. Told him it was possible but not likely (states are generally hungry). Six months later he calls and says deputy sheriff is loading his truck on a flatbed-what to do? Called my rescuer and she said "Okay, tell him if he will go to the Swampbog county seat right now, pay the sheriff $235 collection and deputy fee, then I will call and stop the collection. Then, if he brings you a $500 cashier's check tomorrow; call me saying you have it in hand and are mailing it, and I will set him up on a payment plan." Next day I called him - relative said they hauled off his truck. I haven't seen or heard from him since. No money on that one either, so I swore off. Post-mortem on first T/P-he should have stuck with derailed wife-while nuts, she could figure payroll; divorced her and last year wife #2 paid $1,000 for some guy to drive 50 miles, put up their Xmas lights, come back, take down, and store 'em for her 'til next year & another $1.000.

This reminded me of a funny occurrence: My late niece was a true, dedicated animal lover and as a kid brought home every stray cat, dog, and critter anywhere found. Her mom was horrified once when she showed up with a pig who promptly blew its foamy nostrils on mom's dress shoes. She later became a free-lance computer programmer, made quite a bit of money, got married, bought a 40-acre ranch in Texas, and promptly began filling it up with livestock. At one time she had approximately fifty animals there: horses, cows, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs, sheep, turkeys, ducks and Heaven knows what else. The inventory grew since the farmhouse across the road had burned down a few years previously - the owner, another pet-lover known to take in all strays, left and never came back. But people remembered the area and began leaving their unwanted animals on the road there near her house and she collected them all. Anyway the funny part was this - she said feed prices became very high one year and horses especially were increasingly being abandoned because many people couldn't afford to feed them anymore. She and her husband, returning from a show with horses in a trailer, stopped at the house and dropped off the horses, but didn't unhook the empty trailer and went on to a nearby national park where they went hiking. Returning later that afternoon, they were astounded to find two live horses now inside their horse trailer. They took them home and cared for them, so I guess that would qualify as a true "Horse Rescue" operation.

Well, I know ignorance of the law is no excuse and I sure am sorry about it but I don't have any idea what a "gif" is; much less how to derail one. Is it anything like those PDF things (I can't find them anywhere either)?

The consensus appears to be that you are absolved, my son. Go and sin no more.

Ain't it the truth? I swear they stay up nights dreaming up the most unlikely of possible scenarios to illustrate anything. They'll say something like "a part-time exchange student from Bora-Bora who designs software during the week and picks fruit on weekends is an HB-1 non-resident alien who also sweeps out the premises of a non-profit organization nights for amounts which vary according to the phases of the moon. The amount of his earnings subject to {whatever} is..."

Personally, the last thing I won was a cakewalk when I was eleven years old. But...I always enjoy it when the "poor guys" win instead of the well-off (doctors, lawyers, etc.). I once saw a Missouri boy who hit one for half a million bucks or so interviewed on TV. He was a factory "hand" in jeans and baseball cap; humble and unpretentious. Asked what he was going to do with it, he said "Well, first thing I'm going to pay off my truck; then I need to catch up on some electric bills. Next, I'm going to get my teeth fixed and I have to help out my mama." "And then?" the reporter asked. He grinned and said "We're all going to Disneyland!" I know such remarks seem sort of simple given the enormity and magnitude of the situation, but it was his good character that was impressive. He was sincere.

That's one good thing that came out of the PTIN mess. Before that a client paid me with a third-party check that bounced; then stole my SSN off his return copy and opened two rent house accounts under my name in a nearby town. Six months later the power company called demanding payment of my long past due electric bills. No, no...you're being much too hard on yourself. Granted, no one could ask that you do more, but see, you just need a little adjustment to your outlook on such things. I, for instance, subscribe to the view of the late Groucho Marx who famously remarked "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would be willing to have someone like me as a member!"

Nice catch and congratulations! A lucky day for both you and Columbus.

Well yeah; now that I've read Randall's reply and realize that IRS hardly bothers with it, it is yawnable. However, it could have been serious because it would be just like them to screw it up, send you a notice stating you can't efile until the number's verified as renewed, but no problem since it will be fixed no later than May 1st.

What ??? ... You really did this? My fear is always that even when you try renewing early, some dope at IRS will louse it up or lose it or otherwise foul things up. Since they generally can't solve anything in less than three months that would leave you without a renewed number until after the start of tax season. I figured that the IRS EF people might not process your returns if the number wasn't renewed. But you're saying you didn't get renewed last time, filed as usual, and EF gave you no problems - is that right?