joelgilb

Linda, I bought the "PDF factory" print driver that ATX included free in the tax software a few years ago. It's installed as a separate printer so I can just change the printer in the ATX print screen and print to that PDF printer, which then allows me to delete pages.

I just tried using the PDF print button in ATX and it creates a file from which you cannot delete pages.. (dumb). Do you not have a separate PDF printer installed?

Another option would be to scan the doc, and create a pdf email from there.

I have several PDF printing programs, including the Full Adobe, but I also bought PDF Factory (after using the one ATX had bundled), and use it for so much more than ATX. Nothing seems to be as convenient as this program. Worth every penny!

And BTW, makes it easy to add security (passwords) to the file for safe emails and printing of just the pages you want. Also very easy to delete pages you don't or accidentally printed. You can also add pdf pages from multiple programs by continuing to print until you have everything you want in the file. I will even print to if from Adobe Pro to easily combine files.

As for security, I add a password that includes 4 letter of my clients name (sometimes first name, sometimes last depending on their email address) with the last 4 digits of their SSN and tell them that right in the body of the email (not the pwd, but how I created it). So far everyone has had no problem with it. For instance if a client has a name of John Smith, email [email protected] and ss# 123-45-6789, the pwd would be john6789, if email was [email protected], pwd smit6789.

So someone would have to know the name and soc # before they could open it.

Joel

Ok Ok, I did go to the other boards and answered the poll here that I would not. But all I did was direct someone to this board for the same question I asked 5 minutes ago!

<---- Hanging head in shame!

Joel

I have a client that made an 83( b ) election last May. Now I need to attach it to his 2007 1040 return. I am wondering if this can be e-filed and if so, how to do it with ATX.

Also, that brings me to an another question. When we create custom spreadsheets, statements, itemized lits and lists with ATX, which if any are e-filed with the return to IRS? Does anyone know?

I tend to create spreadsheets in ATX for workpapers and also have created a custom "Point Sheet" to help me keep track of missing items and questions and to use a a place mark when I stop a return in the middle etc. Rather IRS not get these.

Joel

I thought we left the bashing at CCH!

That is not what this board is about.

Joel

Member info available for all to see.

When you lose "trust" - and CCH has pretty well destroyed "trust" - it takes quite a while to rebuild that trust. I see some evidence of their attempt to rebuild.....

Renew at this point - no way! Renew even a little early - again no way! Renew in Dec - maybe. Let's see what Mel does.

I would much rather support Mel (and "take a chance on a new company/software) than "take a chance on CCH."

I even think I would "renew" early with Mel - seems like the preferable choice.

As far as price - a $300 increase is less than I was expecting from CCH.

It takes 1000 "ATTA Boys" to get rid of one "Oh Sh_T". Wonder how many "ATTA Boys" CCH needs?

Joel

>>What is his filing status.<<

Based on all you have told us, his filing status could be Single, MFJ, MFS, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower.

HUH???

How do you see MFJ, MFS or Qualifying Widower. Am I getting old?Oh yea, I am... but New Tax? Is this like New Math?

And a W-7 is an Application for and IRS Individual TIN. So I presume she does not have a residency status that allows her to work here, as we all know you can't work legally using a TIN.

(SEC - YELLING AT MY SECRETARY - SHUT UP BENITA, I am not speaking to immigration here and yes I will pay you this week. lol)

Head of Household Generally, you may claim head of household filing status on your tax return only if you are unmarried and pay more than 50% of the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and your dependent(s) or other qualifying individuals.

So, his baby she can't work as doesn't even have an SS# let alone TIN, she has no income, and he contributed more than half the support.

So, HOH seems like the logical choice.

and maybe he can claim her as a dependent as well! Looks like she qualifies. I claim all my illegal immigrants living with me. (Sorry Sec Again - SHOUTING AT SECRETARY AGAIN - SHUT UP BENITA, I am going to claim you again this year!)

Joel

... Confused clients? I find the greatest confusion this year is explaining the 1040-V. Like they're doing something against the law to cut it. So, I began cutting it before they pick up their returns. Saves allot of time...but they still get confused

Cut the 1040V? I know you are supposed to but why waste the time. I suggest to my clients that they pay by direct debit from their bank and so far almost everyone seems to like this option. For those that don't, I let IRS (or in the State) cut the d**m form!

Joel :wacko:

Hi,

I have a client with very profitable rentals and now has purchased a bed and breakfast where he now presides. He has invested large sums of money to remodel and make availabe for rent.

The Bed & Breakfast has two bedrooms downstairs (600 Sq Ft) that the taxpayer uses as personal and three rooms upstairs (900 sq ft) that are for rental only. The B & B also has common areas (1500 sq ft) of a kitchen, living room and dining room.

Any suggestions on how to allocate depreciation, utilities and other common expenses.

Thanks

I would have expected depreciation rules were similar to using ones house for day care, but for a B & B it looks like you can only depreciate areas that are used exclusively for business and not common areas . Here is a link to the 2007 Master Depreciation guide as I could not find one to the 2008 guide. Note that this answer could have changed and the 2008 guide might be worth looking for as this would be one that I think would be arguable in front of the tax court.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TWptAV2EN...hl=en#PPA130,M1

Joel

I believe it goes on the 1310

As Taxperson indicated the 1310 is only used when you have a refund, and my client does not. So in this case there should not and will not be a 1310.

Joel

On the 1040 EF Info, page 1 upper left, select the PIN type then just below, check the Personal Representative box.

Next, enter the PIN information for the deceased. The Personal Representive "signs" the return.

Under the PIN boxes, in the section marked ©, enter the Personal Representative name. When there's a 1310 in a return with a refund, this field will automatically populate when the 1310 is completed. In your case it, obviously, in't, so the name has to be entered.

Next, go to the Care of Address line in the taxpayer information section and click "Restore".

On the 1040, just be sure the date of death is entered, nothing else is needed. The name and "DECEASED" will print at the top of page 1.

Thanks Much. Looked everywhere for this and I didn't think to look on the 1040EF schedule. Even tried adding a 1310 when I don't need it, but thought that would cause different problems.

Joel

Oh, I think I did not answer your question " Are 24 inch monitors big enough?"

Can any monitor be big enough? I think I want at least a 73 inch 1080P monitor

Joel

I have a client whose parent passed on last year. Will, but no probate as all assets were in a trust. 1040 has income and schedule A deductions, but no tax to pay, so I do not need a 1310 for the representative to claim a refund.

I E-filed the return and received 2 rejection codes and I don't know where to enter the information to clear the rejection. Codes are as follows:

1. 1040US1019 Form 1040/1040A/104EZ Personal Representative Missing, Form: RET 1040 Occurance 1 Seq 1328 - If the status is not married filing jointly and the date of death is filled out then the personal representative information must be entered.

2, 1040US1019 Form 1040/1040A/104E Foreign Address not allowed - If the filer or spouse date of death has been entered then the name of the surviving Spouse or personal representative must be entered in C/O Address field.

I have the information of course, but the problem is, that I do not know where IRS wants me to put this information on the 1040. Does anybody know where to input this?

Joel

I have a client whose parent passed on last year. Will, but no probate as all assets were in a trust. 1040 has income and schedule A deductions, but no tax to pay, so I do not need a 1310 for the representative to claim a refund.

I E-filed the return and received 2 rejection codes and I don't know where to enter the information to clear the rejection. Codes are as follows:

1. 1040US1019 Form 1040/1040A/104EZ Personal Representative Missing, Form: RET 1040 Occurance 1 Seq 1328 - If the status is not married filing jointly and the date of death is filled out then the personal representative information must be entered.

2, 1040US1019 Form 1040/1040A/104E Foreign Address not allowed - If the filer or spouse date of death has been entered then the name of the surviving Spouse or personal representative must be entered in C/O Address field.

I have the information of course, but the problem is, that I do not know where IRS wants me to put this information on the 1040. Does anybody know where to input this?

Joel

I recently purchased a Scepter 24 inch monitor and atx runs on it beautifully,less but you still have some scrolling. Took my old 19 monitor, turned it sideways and put it to the right of the 24 inch and now can drag programs across the 2 monitors.

So due to the width of the Sceptre, I am able to put atx 2007 on it, Adobe next to it on the same monitor so I can see my clients faxed or emailed data (my fax auto converts files to PDF) and last years taxes on the old 19 inch monitor.

Great productivity, should have done this a long time ago.

Joel

I have noticed a problem with the ATX client letters. Whenever I change or add a custom paragraph to the letter, the first letter of one or more of the other paragraphs disappears. To correct that at this point I have to duplicate the first letter of the sentence.

ie: It changes to IIT.

Joel

Good Morning,

Does anyone know what Mercantile BankShares was selling for back in September, 1973. They have merged with PNC, NA. and I can't get any info from the internet.

Thanks,

Tom Liberto

Is it possible that it was called Mercantile Bank Corp. (MBWM) not Mercantile BankShares and if so, you can get the history from many sites, but I tend to like yahoo. Here is the link for MBWM on Yahoo. http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MBWM

If this is not it just search Mercantile and you will get more choices.

And I am not kidding.

<----- Not Booger.

Joel

BTW, I made that stock price up.

Booger

Sometimes you can be a real booger, Booger. lol

Joel

Have a client whose father died last year. Father had a living trust and all assets from his estate were or went directly into the trust on death. The kids/beneficiaries took a substantial amount of the personal assets and then contributed them to various charities.

If I treat the contribution as made from the trust I do not see anyway to pass this through to the kids and there is no income at the trust level to offset.

Since it is the kids that actually made the contribution, does anyone see any issues with treating the personal assets as a trust distribution and then as a contribution from the kids directly?

Joel

I don't know how good it is, but apparently you can download a version of Pacioli software at:

http://www.advlog.com/files/updates.htm

Thanks, but I checked this out and its not the same company. This co makes a high end accounting program of the same name. The Pacioli I am talking about was created by M-USA. They made a Windows version before they went out of business and that is apparently they are looking for.

Joel

I began using PayCycle in January this year for approx. 6 clients to date. I found them through a recommendation from QuickBooks. It seems that they were formally a partner of QB and had severed their relationship.

I can say that the setup is easy and customer service is responsive and you can't beat the price. They do it all and for me it means that I unloaded the entire burden of payroll processing and compliance back to the clients where I sincerely believe they belong.

I was unaware that they are owned by CCH. This may be a blessing in disguise for CCH of how to treat their other corporate affiliates like ATX customers!

Good luck

Mike Dubin CPA

Anyone have some suggestions as to what would be a fair charge for online payroll services?

Joel

I'm NOT a rabbi or an attorney, but I play BOTH on TV.

Booger

Bless you Booger!

Gesundheit (properly pronounced Gaze und hite)

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

I copied this quote from another post, as I thought it provides another option. One I had never heard of before. Looks like this company charges a $299.00 membership fee and then provides the software with unlimited efile. Don't know anything about the capabilities of the program, but at $299 I wonder if it is a bit on the lite side.

Joel

Joel, if I recall correctly, there was a small connection between Paciolli and DacEasy. I recall that the developers of the two products started out together and then later split, hence two products. My memory is kind'a fuzzy about that, if I ever did really know. When I came to DacEasy in 1989 they were well established, (on Version 3), and Paciolli was already about gone.

If you could find a Paciolli package you'd have to have to have a pretty old machine to run it on. It'd be interesting to see the tech specs on the package. Probably DOS 3.0, and an 8088 processor. I can't imagine what circumstances would constitute a "need" for that software.

I have a Kaypro II w/ CPM, and an Toshiba T4500, w/ a 486 & DOS 5.0. Sorry to get so far offtopic.

You are correct that some of the developers of DacEasy created Paccioli, might have been the founder after he sold DacEasy.

As for the machine that this runs on, I believe it is an older DOS only machine. The friend/client that uses it is a small local RE Title company. I have been trying for years to get him to port his accounting over to one of the more modern software programs, but he insists that that Paccioli does some things that the others can't. He uses it to keep track of not just the companies income and expenses, but commissions earned by his attorney title agents, myself included.

He believes that Paccioli made a Windows version prior to closing its doors and was hoping to get a copy of that before his DOS machine dies aa natural death.

Joel

I have been biting my tongue about this 'announcement' because I fear that you all will think I am trying to cause a mass exodus. Unfortunately, I can't seem to keep my mouth shut and think back to the statements right before the end of the year about how nothing will change and then voila, there it is.

Tom, things are progressing, but not as fast as I would hope. I wanted to have a test version for people to comment on by now, but I am not going to let anything out there that crashes every other time I hit print. Eventually I will be able to work full time on it and should be able to find/eradicate the bug, but for now that is limited to a few hours a day plus the weekends. A month from now and you all will have more time on your hands anyways.

I think we are all with you Mel, myself included. If you need another beta tester, I would be happy to help.

Joel

Rabbi Joel,

I appreciate your point of view, but I am not buying it. CCH will want to keep us because they paid for us, but they have not shown any inkling that they will treat us with respect. Negative comments about the software, if listened to, result in better software, because the company takes the situation that caused the criticism, examines it, and tries to improve the software experience for the customer.

CCH has not even acknowledged their backhanded add on charges for bank products. They screwed up the MyATX login without telling everyone what they were doing. They changed bundled packages without telling anyone. And they cut support staff for our product, which is our livelyhood, right at the beginning of the tax season.

Remember how they put on the William Tasker dog and pony show on this board to calm the masses after they fired all the MAX support techs? Where is sweet willie now? On his way to the unemployment office! They used him to keep all of us from asking for our refunds. You think they did not know that they were still in the 30 day window and a ton of us would have jumped?

The management of CCH is going to have to do much more than "say" they are going to keep the product and add a shell of a monitored board to earn any type of redemption for the mountain of distrust they have created. I don't believe a single word that comes from them.

I am really holding out for Mel to pull off the miracle for next year. I want a company I can trust to partner with. I am not drinking any of the CCH kool Aide.

Tom

Lodi, CA

Joel,

How much do you want to bet that there will be all these really good sounding releases from CCH about how then have big plans for ATX next year, and it will come right before the early renewal period begins? All the BS veiled promises will come out about how they have no plans to discontinue MAX or the other product lines. Just sign right up for next year.

BTW - are you really a Rabbi? A Rabbi who does taxes, lives in Las Vegas, and has an avatar that looks like Orville Redenbacher strikes me as a funny combination.

JOEL's response

I think I need to respond to 2 of your posts in more detail.

First I am not really a Rabbi, but an attorney and a CPA. The Rabbi comment was a joke since I made the comment in my previous post "use it religiously".

Second, I honestly don't have a lot of faith that they will do what is needed. Still I think it is important that they hear things like your comments in this post that they need to listen to negative comments. Now, that said, there is a big difference between constructive negative comments and bashing. We are an intelligent group of individuals here that should know how to give constructive criticism rather than bashing them. I would hope that they would not delete that, but respond accordingly.

The MyATX login does work, although it is and was a pain in the butt! And it adds no additional security for us, but for them. Nuff said there.

As for cutting support staff, I was as angry as anyone about that and what they did to William. I have sent them suggestion after suggestion constructively complaining about this one. The way they did it and the timing was just wrong. However, as a business man, you can not fault them for doing what it takes to try and save the business they purchased. Everyone makes mistakes, and they made more than their fair share of them. Now I hope that they learn from them, but I agree with you, in that I don't think they will.

Third, I was the one that started the post to look for alternative software.

As for Mel I am 100% behind his effort and hope and pray that he can do this. He has a monumental task!. Like a few others out here, I agreed that if he can the answer may be to purchase both ATX and Mel's product to give Mel some extra time to build a product with the sophistication and completeness that we have come to expect from the ATX product. CCH are you listening????

At any rate, let's not sink to the level that they did in dealing with this.

Joel