Jim K

Thank you for the birthday greetings. I've reached the time of life that matches the Beatles' song "When I'm 64". Jim K

I'm getting phone calls from clients that claimed the tuition & fees deduction on their 2007 federal returns (new that year). Minnesota did not allow the federal change and now is auditing those returns - my question is why didn't my ATX software handle this properly on the state return? With hindsight I guess I shouldn't have trusted my software to do that, but then again isn't it their responsibility to provide software that's in compliance or update if they missed it earlier.

Thank you for the helpful replies. I'll prepare an amended return and mark it "stimulus rebate return" at the top. Of course, I won't charge for correcting my error - I'll offer to do next year's return for no charge.

A client called wanting to know why they haven't gotten their stimulus rebate. After checking my files, I realized that I had forgotten to include his Social Security benefits on the 1040. This was the only qualified income he had, so that explains why he hasn't received his rebate. My question is should I file an amended return and if I do, will he get a rebate yet this year?

Tech support doesn't know when we can send efiles or receive acks. They're hoping to have things running before long (How's that for a helpful answer). Why does this happen so frequently and why don't they communicate with their customers? Are they the least bit concerned of a mass exodus of customers to other vendors next season? This is not a good way to end the season.

I've got 2 returns that have been stuck in validated status for a few days. "My ATX" advises us to synchronize our returns and that will fix the problem. I've done that and no change resulted. I just called tech support and they're aware of the problem and are working on it. This has been a frustrating season in many ways with ATX.

ATX seems determined to eliminate their Minnesota customer base. With Monday being another holiday we will continue to wait for a resolution. 1/3 of the season is over and I'm hoping to limp through the rest of the season with minimal problems. All we can do now is keep calling and sending emails. It's a sad situation since I enjoy the ease of input with ATX, but the lack of support for Minnesota has become unacceptable.

I received the same message - let's hope this gets cleared up quickly.

My returns that were stuck in validated status are now accepted. I hope the others with that problem can report the same!

According to tech support, there are 3 issues with a batch of returns submitted on the 11th and they are working on the problem. It may be 1 or 2 days before it's resolved. It's nothing we've done wrong. All they can advise is to keep checking periodically. This issue aside, I sure miss the excellent and prompt phone service that ATX had in years past.

I submitted 8 returns yesterday that are not moving to accepted status, yet returns transmitted afterwards have come back accepted. I've sychronized returns with ATX, but the status remains validated. Anyone else have the same problem?

You need to file Minnesota form M1PR, using information that the renter provides on Form CRP. It's not tied in with the income tax return and is filed on it's own.

No, I'm not sure I believe that now, either. Every time we get our hopes up, they get dashed. Please advise when someone knows what we need to do next.

After patiently waiting for 45 minutes for tech support I spoke to Michael who said they are aware of the problem and it has been corrected. Minnesota apparently goofed on their end and we are to retransmit all the rejected returns. He confirmed that a few have been approved already, so let's give it another try.

I'm patiently waiting for tech support to answer the phone while I eat lunch. The batch that I submitted came back with reject code 997, also. Just when we thought that finally we could transmit our state returns. Thank goodness that we can keep each other posted on this. Thank you webmasters for creating this forum! Meanwhile, now that I've finished lunch I'm thinking Drake software sounds better all the time, in spite of what appears to be a significanty learning curve. But, sounds like they know what customer service really means.

Does anyone know what debt code indicator letters "F" and "I" are for? I've got 2 clients whose federal ack's were approved, but have one of these codes on them. Student loan interest, child support, delinquent taxes, or??

Is it true that Form 4136 can't be efiled this tax season?

Just got off the phone with tech support. They are optimistic that before the end of today we will be able to efile our state returns. I mentioned that the date has changed 5 times already, but there is optimism in the air. Let's keep checking in with them - maybe the pressure will help.

After 7 years of using ATX, I would miss the ease of entering data directly on the forms. I demo'd Drake last summer and just didn't care for their mode of entry. But, all things considered, lack of support for the existing ATX product may be why many leave ATX next season. And, those of us from Minnesota are still waiting to efile. That is inexcusable and there's been no explanation from ATX on why we continue to wait. If ATX cares about their customers, and I don't believe they do, they have botched customer relations to the point where many of us will leave them behind.

Yesterday I had an email reply from ATX tech support that reads: "We are in the process of posting acknowledgements for Minnesota, you may e-file when ready". Obviously, that wasn't true. Tech support is sadly lacking this year. Looks like Minnesota and Hawaii are the last 2 states still waiting. I'd rather be in Hawaii right now than here in the frozen tundra. ATX owes us big-time for making us wait so long - last year my first acks from MN came back on Jan. 16. If ATX is still in business next season, they will have to do a lot better. Why can't they give us any reason for this unreasonable delay?

Are there other Minnesota preparers getting frustrated with waiting for state efiling to be approved? The release date has been changed 3 times already. This is the same problem we faced several years ago before William Tasker gave us his promise that things would improve the next season, and they did for the past 3 or 4 years. Thank you, William! Now, we're back at the end of the line once again. How about some total honesty from ATX so we can tell our clients the truth.

The website shows the users guide as being included for no extra charge with the MAX program. When I asked when I would receive it, I was told it would cost $40. I saved the guide from 2006 and charging $40 for that little booklet is price gouging. Just another item for the list of deceptions.