Daune/CA

I have seen posts on other boards about and the users seem very satisfied with it. I have a very small practice and ATX is working towards and has just about succeeded in pricing me out of business. With required Ca continuing ed price increases and software increases, a small practice like mine is on the down hill slide. So, like most everyone else, I am looking for alternatives and $299 for unlimited Fed, state and efile, to me, it is worth a look. But after next week.

Yes, I have used them this year and am very satisfied with their program and customer service. As I have stated before on this board, I am a very small operation now, and they fit my budget.

More after 4/15 and a short timeout.

Daune/CA

Just wondering...the rest of the return was relatively basic (W2's, interest, dividends, 1 K-1 and Schedule A). About what would you charge for something like this?

FYI, I have a client that would have several k-1 partnerships and stock transactions for around 150 sales each yr, Sch A etc. My fee has averaged $500 for the past several years. It takes alot of time to just enter that many transactions, and even more time to determine basis etc for some. [if it was a profitable venture, then the fee would not be as noticeable as if it resulted in losses ]

Good luck, but don't sell yourself short, remember YOU are the professional!

"$1200 from sale of depreciatable assets on 2007 return"

If they sold assets in 2007, then something was done in 2007 regarding transactions of the business. (My thoughts) Therefore, I would include the expenses on the return, and the resulting negative income for the business and SE.

Have a client that just asked, "Since his wife now has a 401k where she works, and he does not have any work retirement, can his wife's IRA be rolled into his, without tax consequences for either?"

It comes to mind that it is still rolled into a vehicle that is the same, IRA & IRA, but am reluctant to say that husband's and wife's can be co-mingled w/o tax consequences to wife. Any references or help on this would be appreciated.

I have been comparing it to the "Saber" which I had for 3 yrs, and then the "office package" from ATX the last 2 yrs. The only feature that I really liked on ATX that was not as easy on TRX was "elections". I really do like the feature of entering the "zipcode" and the city and state enter automatically.

I hv some residential rentals and commercial rentals along with Sch C and numerous Sch D entries, with the rest regular filings of non-complex returns. Very small client base, now, but at one time did over 1500 per yr. Slowing down with old age and getting turned off by changes being placed on EAs and other preparers.

Don't know if it was mentioned, but the $299 + 29.95 shipping fees, included all available state returns. I only used CA, but others were available if needed.

Do you have to keep an eye on the depreciation and amortized points year to year or only when you converted from ATX.

I too have used TRX Pro this year. Hd to chk Depr when converted, but do not see any problem later. This is my first year with them and the change over has been relatively easy. Have never had to wait longer than 7 minutes to get support help. Instead of hving me try to do the things they need done, they take over my keyboard and complete what is necessary to solve the problem, which saves me time in the long run. Very courteous on the phone and I have not had any efiles rejected, federal or CA. FYI, they stated that they have had a 350% increase of customers this year, and they still give good customer service.

The $299 is a far cry from the nearly $600 ATX wanted. I am a small business remaining on the verge of ending within the next year or so. I still would consider what Mel may have available.

Depends on date of birth, it is taken as of 12/31 of last yr. If DOB is in early months of yr, and person is now 61, it would only show 60, because it is as of 12/31/07.

FYI--IRS is offering through ATT another phone conference on March 26, offered at three different times. You can check at IRS site and click on Phone Forum and register at www.attevent.com EA receive one hr certificate for 50 minutes with the teleconference. They send the materials to you via email for use during the conference.

TRX is currently offering a payroll system for trial. I don't know if it is on their website, but you can call their 800 number for sales and ask about it. I do not use it, but have been using their tax program this year, after 5 yrs with ATX. Conversion went very well, some input required for PY depr and setting up depr sch. More on that after tax season and we report our experiences to each other on this forum.

TRX phone to Sales=866-829-9777. I have not any wait over 6 minutes to get Tech help and they have stayed with me until sure it worked, in one case over an hr.

Daune/CA

T/p has a property that has been a business rental (barber shop), his own business property (photographer) and a personal residence all at the same time, for over 10 yrs. Due to a major slow down in business as a photographer, he is contemplating bankruptcy. His mother paid off the mortgage ($100k) and he transferred ownership to her in June 2007. (This would be a loss for the business portion, however sale is to a close relative) To add to the maze, he is collecting the rent and paying property expenses (taxes, etc) out of the rent received as fee for handling the property.

How shud this be handled on 2007 tax return, can he show rental income and expenses without depreciation, since he does not now own the property?

And they wonder why we tax people are losing our hair after they do these things without talking with us first!

If it's never rented again, what happens to the c/o? Is it just lost?

I like the thought. Something to do after all the tax season turmoil. It sure would be nice to know ahead of subscribing to a tax program if it meets your particular needs.

IRS is holding a phone forum <[email protected]> on 1/16/08 regarding EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) Due Diligence.

Actually, you do have a right to file amendments, up until the 15th of April. And the IRS has too much real work to do to waste time trying to sanction preparers who file amendments because the client asks them to.

Isn't it a "Corrected Return" if filed before April 15th and an Amended Return if filed after April 15th?

That could indicate that the preparer was presented additional information resulting in a corrected return instead of filing an incomplete return. Just a thought.

I took plastic when I had the Tax Centers in the Montgomery Ward stores years ago, they required it. Have not used it since, use "no ticket, no laundry" method now. No return given until payment received. Works very well!

Thank you, Daune. Things are looking better, but we have a long way to go still. When you get into your 60's you just don't heal as fast, I think. But my many friends on this board do bring joy into my life.

KC,

Just a word of encouragement to let you know that the healing does happen, I am in my 70s and went through what your husband is going through now abt 18 mos ago. Doing fine now, just hv to pay attention to my limitations. It is difficult to admit that we are faced with limitations, but the Lord helps us along the way. Follow Doctors orders and God's and things do work out wonderfully in this great world the Lord has given us to use on our way to a more abundant life.

Daune

That was cute. I tried lay down and I got a response instead of an action. Love the kiss.

FYI, "lie down" works.

KC, I hope someone brings as much joy to your life and you bring to this forum. I pray that your husband will be back home beside you soon, and you can continue to bring joy to this forum.

Daune/CA

Is there a penalty for refusing to complete the survey?

There can be a penalty if they choose to persue it. It is usually required by law to complete a Census Bureau questionaire, and if you comply with most of it, and not be a harda__ , with Rep. they generally will not persue it. However, if you are belligerent with the Rep, they may take you to court--it has been done and won by them.

Most of the Reps that I worked with or knew are just ordinary folks and will work with you in the completion of the questions. If you get belligerent with them or threaten them they will turn you over to higher authorities.

They are just like all of us, who do not appreciate being degraded or threatened.

I received several emails from "Caroline Stone" but since I had no idea who that was I deleted all of them without opening them.

It appears as though I did not miss much in doing so :)

Having worked for the Census for a few years, I was also involved with the ACS survey, before I moved into a county with a lower population and was not needed. If you doubt the survey they should have an 800 number listed to contact regarding its authenticity. If you do not respond by mail within a specified time, they will come to your home for a personal interview, so you can either respond by mail or wait for the Census person to come to your home. All Census Representatives MUST have an ID, which they are required to show you when calling on you in your home.

These surveys are being conducted all the time, not just at the beginning of a new decade anymore. The information is used to track various trends and community information. Your response can be helpful to future planning for your community, and/or state.

You and your husband are in my prayers. God's grace and love will provide you with the courage and strength to meet this trying time, and He will bring the healing strength to your husband. I offer you this scripture as a prayer for you, Ephesians 3:14-21.

Anyone know if they qualify for CA CPA CPE? Now I'm gonna say that real fast three times....

I know they qualify for EA CPE, you would have to chk with CPA to see if they qualify with them.

FYI, next phone forum is on "Payroll and foreign workers" on August 15. Check at www.irs.gov/business/small/article/0,,id=166814,00.html for Conference Access Code for whichever one you want to register to attend. Register at www.attevent.com

They hv available for the different time zones.

Daune/CA

Isn't that what the State 1 & State 2 are for on the W-2, where you withhold for work state and residence state providing both hv income tax?

Just an inquiry to see if you are aware of the "National Phone Forum"? Tomorrow the IRS is holding a phone forum beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET, on Power of Attorney and Centralized Authorization File Unit.

It is probably too late to get in on this one, but you can register for others. Check at SBSE National Phone Forum [[email protected]]. Get on their email list to receive advance information of coming forums. It also qualifies for EA Continuing Education.

Chk [[email protected]] for upcoming events.

Daune/CA

Apparently the 10% discount is still available from ATX. Got a call from a gal with ATX and she said the discount time has been extended and wanted to know if I would like to sign up now.

Still checking other options right now.