joelgilb

This board has become very popular and shows up on all the search engines now. I am sure the Tax software competition keep an eye out on this board for opportunities. And who would blame them.

For those of you that don't want to switch to TRX after how CCH handled us in the ATX takeover and don't want to save the money. Well I am just confused. But, what I can say is thanks for making sure CCH is profitable enough for those of us that choose to switch for better pricing, and better support.

Don't be jealous, just pick up the phone and call them if you are interested. Think I received a call because I downloaded demos a couple of years ago and have been in there database. didn't buy then as it was Taxwise But did sign up today for ATX with a written money back guarantee if they somehow can't provide ATX

From ArkWorks Website: "ArkWorks was developed by RedGear Technologies, the makers of TaxWorks – Professional Tax Software. ArkWorks was released in October of 2005 as a premium Document Management solution." And (Red Gear) TaxWorks Software was purchased by Block in February 2007. http://www.taxworks.com/spring_2007.aspx

Of course it is going to backfire somewhat when users of this community, used to paying more switch to TRX.

Currently it looks like your only option is to file her MFS. So may be best to just file her returns as MFS and then tell her to get her divorce attorney to deal with Court orders or getting him to agree to amend and then file MFJ. Of course as others have indicated its to late for 2005 as this is now a closed year. Generally, the Court will not force either of them to file jointly, especially if there was a reason not to. Even when I got divorced I couldn't force this issue and my ex (to my detriment I might add) lied and through her attorney swore she would sign the joint returns and he even sugested she filed them (I had presigned). Of course she filed MFS as well, causing me to be late on one return. And of course we had increased her WH to cover any shortage on my taxes. Judges answer (short version) "To Bad"! As an attorney, I have filed 2 divorces and now find I want no further part of this business. I can also say you want to stay out of this battle. They have attorneys, so let the attorneys deal with it and then direct you on how to amend if necessary.

Important for me to have OCR ability, so I can batch scan my documents and then use the doc mgt software to search file names and inside the files for specific text. Not even concerned if it requires me to have separate OCR software, so long as it will integrate and control the ocr scanning process

Just spoke with Art on the phone. Thought a quick synopis of our conversation would be helpful to everyone, so I am copying an email to him regarding scanners from an online store called Scantastik Inc (great place btw) "Art: Just found my invoice on the scanner. Was a little cheaper than I remembered (about 1650.00, purchased mid-year in 2005 and still runs great) and it was purchased from Scantastik Inc. Duty cycle is 1,000 pages per day and looks like it is slightly slower than what you are looking at (30 ppm / 60ipm). Still more than sufficient for my purposes today. I know that this level of performance has come down in price some. I am guessing it can be had in the $800.00’s now. I also think the Kodak i1220 has replaced it (same speeds) and allows you to buy the scanner with and without a flatbed. It also has more advanced features than mine and due to size can fit right on your desk, something mine is too large to do, due to the integrated flatbed. After seeing this one, wish it had been available in 2005. And it looks like Kodak has reduced the price on the Capture Pro Software as well. Still I don’t think the additional features are necessary for the small practice. Have a client that has two of the Bowe Bell & Howell, Sidekick 1200 Scanner (one in IL and one in CA) which they are very happy with, and I have used. Personally I think the Kodak is faster and a better buy; and although the software with the Bell & Howell was good, it was not on a par with Kodak’s. But I also know that the software on the Bell & howell is different now, as my clients software was discontinued." Skantastik is very helpful and will help those looking to upgrade their scanners to the correct model and not oversell. When I purchased I spoke with them and Kodak. The good thing is Kodak confirmed everything Skantastik told me. Why did I end up with the Kodak? Well I needed the flat bed and I was restricted in space and this one fit the bill. Their new i1220 does a better job, becuase the flatbed is seperate and the i1220 can be set to use minimal space right on your desk. Skantastik has a video of this unit at http://www.scantastik.com/hardware/kodak/k...anner-i1220.htm about middle of the page is the link to the video.

My first tax software was Chipsofts "TurboTax" later Intuit's. Then Intuit decided, hey we can cripple Turbotax and jack the price from $39.00 to 1000.00 and get all this extra money from the Professionals. So I "HAPPILY" shelled out the extra dough and converted to Proseries to get what I had before at $39.00. Slowly but surely they continued to jack up the price (until I was paying $3500.00 - yes almost 100 times the original TTax) and then one year totally changed the program and interface. The new "Proseries" was a total piece of crapola and I did something I never thought I would do. Out of absolute frustration form all the bugs in the new software I switched Mid-Season to Tassc. Best thing I ever did, drastically improved support and no more work arounds. Until, Intuit raised its horrifying head and bought Tassc and discontinued the product. Well I had been looking at ATX for years so made the switch. Support improved 1000% over the Intuit days and was on a par with Tassc. Well CCH did ruin the support for a couple of years and they are still having problems there. And ATX is not of the caliber of Lacerte, Ultra-Tax or Prosystem Fx, but (except for speed) it can hold its own against Proseries. Also, when something goes wrong, support does issue fixes and program updates, plus we can open the excel sheet and fix it ourselves! Also - A major point - INTUIT COMPETES WITH US! Do we really want to support that? Remember they still sell TurboTax and suggest we are not necessary! Thousands of forms that no other software even has, from Sales Tax to State Incorporation Documents and Annual reports. Payroll forms - 941's W-2' and 1099's without buying additional software. Hard program to beat at the price. Of course it has its limitations. It is slow by any standard. Often finding the correct input sheet is like weaving your way through a complex maze and it is certainly not the highest level software program out there. If I were leaving ATX I would not look to any software from Intuit for all of the reasons above, but especially the one regarding competition. If you are going to leave ATX, look to Prosystem- FX, (I trust Lion's opinion here) or Ultra-tax, companies that support professionals not compete with them.

The $699.00 has a lot more than these few books and many of us do need and use the other features. I for one want the full research capability of Kleinrock as well as 1099's, W-2's, payroll, and the ability to efile business returns. Trial balance is an extra that is of use to me but limited and I think the ATX Document Manager isn't worth the paper it is printed on and it is not on paper (if you get my drift) Speaking of which has anyone seen a reasonably priced "Good" and "True" document manager. The only decent ones I see cost several thousand and are actually overkill for me. hmm maybe this is what I put my savings towards

Vegas Baby! Oooops I mean "Guru".

I bow to you Oh ATX GURU. You need never fear the hangman! Love the title! You deserve it!

Several of us have been communicating with TRX and then I started a thread in ATX Community - General Chit Chat which was closed to move the discussion to the TRX Forum. Most of the questions above have been asked and answered there, so it is a good starting point for your research. That said. the $299.00 package is almost the same as Max, short some research and efiling of businesses. The $699.00 packages is essentially the same as Total Tax Office a $1695.00 not $1110.00 package. Several that had switched to TRX in the past have indicated that their support is better than ATX and includes technical support for tax questions not just ATX software questions. For me this forum is almost all the support I need and when I have used the ATX support, (since CCH took it over only) I have found it woefully lacking and poor at best. Long waits and support personnel that are unsure of the more technical questions. I must say I have rarely received a correct answer from them and most often fixed the problem myself after they put me on long holds, or came here and had my answer quickly posted. Again go to the TRX forum and you will find many of your questions answered. And Eric or KC, maybe this thread should be closed as was the original I started. The TRX forum is a better place for these issues. Also maybe something can be Pinned to this Forum directing everyone to the TRX forum to keep this discussion in one place.

never mind was able to find out that since employer is an out of state/ multi state employer, we will need to call EDD with the DE-1 information

Thx Don

I stopped reading this thread as I thought it was about H&R trying to buy our practices. Thanks to Don, I now see the thread took a turn and shifted to CCH abandoning or combining Taxwise and ATX into one product. As a former user of Tassc, I can see the advantage of developing a new product that takes the best of the forms type of tax software and combines it with the input sheet style of tax software. I would hope that CCH see the strengths in both packages. I for one would hate losing the features any of ATX, but can see an advantage in adding an input sheet "OPTION" for tax return preparation. The ability to switch between either interface on the fly would also help us where finding the ATX input for a particular item is difficult. I do not want to lose the ability to edit the Excel base forms, or the huge base of forms available in ATX vs all other tax software. Maybe its time to let a software company know what, we as users want in a tax software product

Don't see how outside force can stop Mel. Mel will continue so long as there is a profit motive. And, I hope and trust the TRX situation will not detract from any incentives Mel has from moving forward with his project. And who knows, maybe if CCH does discontinue ATX, TRX will partner with Mel

which post talked about CCH abandoning both Taxwise and ATX?

Mentioned in another post but since we are starting a list: E-file Status in the return manager which automatically updates and pulls the efile status directly from the efile manager

Any additional or special employer registration forms besides CA DE-1 (EDD Reg for Commercial Employers)? And does DE34 need to be completed when the independant contractor is incorporated?

Never mind. Finally found it. Form CA DE-4.

Have a client that has a multi-state real estate business. They are for the first time going to hire employees in CA to deal with their properties there. I am trying to provide them all the Payroll forms they need for the employee and have already sent the I-1 and Fed W-4, but can't seem to find out what form is the equivalent to the W-4 is California. Anyone from CA that can let me know?

That's the old Jainen that we have been missing! Welcome back!

John Nailed It! There was a previous discussion here on this same issue. Same analysis too.

30 years here and still a ways from retirement. But I have cut back on the 1040 grind and shifted the practice to other things to try and even the year a little better. Most 1040's I ever did in a season was just short of a 1000 returns in a one man shop. Almost killed myself and next year I hired a couple of staff. Now more like Terry. Never again will I be a chop shop! (that does include a number of extensions that year)