joelgilb

On a good day, I can have 3 open.  Joint and both separates.  Makes it a breeze... 

 

How many other software packages allow up to 3 returns open at the same time?

Drake has allowed this for years, with no appparent slowing down of the software when running multiple returns windows.

In fact, right now I have 5 2014 returns open, all screaming along.

Renewed with Drake again

I got a renewal notice from Drake and jumped at it. Their program gives you a $400 discount for renewing early, dropping $100/month-ish until you get up to full price. Fully refundable by 12/31. Refundable minus some kind of fee if you bail before e-filing any returns.

FWIW

Like you, I renewed with Drake. Easiest season I have had since I used to use TAASC.

I had a return extension yesterday that the state rejected. I left it be, to deal with today.

Never got there -- DRAKE support called ME to let me know the state (only) rejected the extension (some stupid spurious character in a state field), and wanted to walk me through fixing it.

WOW.

Similar call from Drake for me. They called to let me know a return was rejected and that I had not dealt with it yet. It was a retun I converted to a paper file, but Drake did not know this.

What service! I was amazed!

See this:

http://blogs.citrix.com/2011/10/13/wow64-memory-mapping-of-32bit-apps-running-on-a-64bit-windows/

KC, not sure why you would stop a discussion with simple differences of opinion on a PC technical matter. No one, with the possible exception of Jack has made any comment that is inappropriate or abusive.

I understand your are the Admin and can do anything you want, but it would be helpful if you please explain your rational here.

From my decades of experience in IT, Jack's advice is sound. Windows has always maintained "resources" that are hidden from the user (think of them as "lists" which get built, consulted, then destroyed) and which run low or become totally exhausted, due to how cranky the applications are. For the common user, the only practical way to recover from a low-resource state is to restart Windows. There may be ways of running utilities that act like the normal garbage-collection processes of Windows that recover some of these inefficiently-allocated resources... but like I said, for the common user, the solution is to reboot.

I have received this error message in ATX 2013 a few times on a new machine with 16GB of RAM. As Jack said, it is resolved by rebooting the PC.

While both these statements are true, this doesn't change the fact that ATX is still not dealing with memory leaks that exacerbate the problem.

There should be no reason to have to reboot every 4 hours, unless a program is misbehaving. Jack simply came up with a workaround to fix a problem/bug in the ATX software. A solution I had previously recommended to friends of mine that are still using ATX.

The only thing that changes when you reboot, is a complete reset of WINDOWS SYSTEM RESOURCES. Do you run tens of tax preparation programs on a daily basis? Your question has no basis.

BTW Jack, I run multiple copies of Drake simultaneously and not just multiple years and still no Resource Limit messages.

Face it Jack, it is an ATX problem. The fact that you found a workaround to deal with the problem, doesn't change that the ATX problem exists.

GOt

I decided to devote some time this morning to updating several macros I had written last year to speed up several data entry steps. I was thinking I'd have to re-write the macros. But when I went to edit, I found that Drake had moved my existing macros into the 2013 program, so all I needed to do was edit a few line entries and I was done. It's really nice to work with a program that anticipates things like this and does them for you.

John, what macros are you using?

And as for being reminded why I switched to Drake... For the first time in YEARS, my season is smooth and I am keeping ahead of the game, thanks to Drake's speed.

In fact so smooth this year, that for the first time in almost 15 years (about how long I used ATX for) I was able to go golfing in Tax Season. Ahhh pressure OFF!

Reboot your entire system every 4 hours of use. This is Windows problem of dwindling system resources.

Jack, I don't think so! I am Not using ATX, but using and routinely running 7 to 10 programs concurrently, including 2 QuickBooks windows (a known resource hog) and NEVER EVER receive that message.

Yet a few of my friends using ATX often do. Sadly I had to tell them to reboot their computers every time ATX leaks resources.

And yes I still provide ATX support to several of my friends that I brought to the software years ago.

Tag, did the above answer your question?

Referral Fees paid to attorneys are a normal part of the practice and are ordinary income.If the attorney is a Sole Proprietor, those fees are normal part of the Schedule C Business income and should be included on the Schedule C Gross Receipts line.

That was really not appropriate Jack. No one is questioning your decision to stay with the software, not even me. You are happy with ATX as are many others and that is your perogative.

You are also extremely helpful to those that also decided to stick it out with ATX and that is commendable.

But in this thread, FTM only wanted to know about what was going on over at the Official ATX Community and I made an attempt to let him know. If you think my focus was too narrow, and want to show him additional feedback from that community, you only have to go there and copy some of the comments to provide him what he is looking for.

Here is a nice detailed article on accountant-client privilege/confidentiality.

http://www.aicpa.org/publications/newsletters/aicpacpainsider/2010/june7/pages/theaccountant-clientprivilegedoesitexist.aspx

Note that not all States have the same rules. Further, the privilege does not extend to tax preparation nor do they reach the level of an Attorney Client privilege and tax preparation is essentially not considered legal representation so not protected under Attorney Client Privilege.

Still I tend to feel it precludes you from turning your client in and possibly from turning in the prior preparer as this is probably not in the best interest of your client and essentially the same thing as turning your client in.

FTM,

Since you don't have access to the ATX Official Board, I thought you might want to know that although there are less complaints over there than 2012, the number is still fairly high and the drama still exists. Suggests that CCH/ATX still has not gotten the program fixed for everyone.

Guess you made a good decision to move on.

From ATX Board:

It's clear by the types of errors that users are encountering, especially after this latest update, and the very alarming increase in cust. support hold times, that there are some very serious problems with the program again in 2013.

It would be a nice gesture on your part to let us know that you are aware of the problems and are actively engaged in finding answers to them.

Everybody that bought this program for 2013 took a huge leap of faith that the catastrophe they endured last year would not repeat itself, yet that seems to be exactly what is happening.

We deserve some answers, sooner rather than later.

I don't see anything wrong with this engagement. Offer to amend the prior year and explain that you are required to tell her about potential consequences of the fraudulent return, which include criminal charges as well as additional tax, penalty and interest. Encourage her to report the preparer herself, with your help if she asks for it. Then give her an organizer and engagement letter in your professional way, and prepare the current return for your ordinary fee.

Totally agree!

You are under no responsibility to force them to turn themselves or their prior preparer in. You are also not required to FORCE them into amending the prior return, although you should of course recommend it. You should advise them of their rights and responsibilities. Advise them of the risks of audit etc and if you take on the engagement to prepare the 2013, do it correctly to the best of your ability.

Further you should not turn your client in to IRS.For licensed professionals turning your client in when you have a confidential relationship with them is malpractice!

You of course can refuse the engagement if you don't trust the client, but it sounds like they need competent and professional advice.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised it was Kimmie. She did seem to have it in for you.

As for Drake, it is probably the most forgiving software as far as old and slow systems go. All software vendors tend to exaggerate the hard requirements, because this way they can blame your system when something isn't working quite right (ok that is the conspiracy theorist inside me talking).

I have Drake running on a state of the art pc and an antique pc and it screams on both of them.

Anyway, they have a free demo of prior years and will have a free 2013 demo available probably in May (it is fully working software btw). You should download and try it. You might be amazed that even on Old Hardware it screams.

ok here we go and so fast too.

From a member over at the Drake Forum

... if you were referring to the signatures for Ohio, Setup|Options|States|OH then check the Enable Alternative Signature Options (Not for OH Cities)

Why you can't use it for cities will remain a mystery since they accept them.

Drake members are really quick to respond over there btw.

Afraid I do not know the answer, but I took the liberty of asking this question on the Drake forum.

Will let you know when an I see an answer.

I have read your posts.

Corporate CCH has changed VERY LITTLE in their attitude toward customers. Nuff said.

That alone should be enough to move onto another software company. So, I really never understood why your company renewed.

No offense please, because none is intended, but it is hard to believe we beta tested the same software.

FTM, I also did not renew ATX 2013 and still have access. I have to believe that the Powers that Be at ATX made a conscious decision to ban you. After all, Kimmie was not much of a fan of yours.

Anyway, I really don't see much of a reason to go to the community board over there, if you are not an ATX user. Most of the discussions there are ATX related stuff, with little technical help on tax law or tax code, and that to longer matters to me at least.

I commend you on your decision to change software, and would love to know how you feel about Tax Act. Me, loving Drake! Haven't been able to prepare returns this fast since the early days of TurboTax and Intuit ProSeries.

Since the day CCH closed the community in 2007, I have not even logged in or visited the "Official Community." All the quality members moved over here. I WILL NOT participate in the Official Community. I stated this to all the CCH management people at the CAB in no uncertain terms.

Jack, since you are still using ATX, you really should get over what they did to the forum in the beginning of CCH HE!!. The forum there is fine now, except of course for the obvious drama of people still having trouble with ATX 2013.

No big surprise there either. My Beta Test experience and yours were apparently vastly different.

Drake's support alone makes the software worth the price. Phone calls answered within 3 rings and tech that actually has answers.

And for the first time in 15 years I am knocking out returns as fast as I did before I started using ATX. Roughly in 1/4 to 1/3 of the time of ATX before 2012!

Sometimes fate works in funny ways. I might never had switched, had ATX not messed up its software and seen the Grass is Greener on the other side.

By signing upi for these types of deals, you lose both control and a major money maker. Doing the audit yourself is always more lucrative.

I would take it to appeals if you don't get the result you think you should. Appeals Officers are fr more reasonable and want to get cases closed, so more likely to give you more on both expenses and penalty reductions