taxtrio

Just efiled another dec'd taxpayer, filing as surviving spouse. This one went thru... no reject!

I think he means ATX should merge the information from efile manager to return manager. I agree. That is what Drake and Proseries do. What's the matter with ATX?

When I have 600 clients to keep track of, "clicking" on each file individually to see the efile status still takes way to much time. I understand the concept of creating an efile and putting it on hold to keep track.. but when you are missing information that prevents creating the efile (childs soc sec #, direct deposit information, etc.) You can't create the efile until you have the last bit of information. So still have people that may fall through the cracks.

I work alone and have spend many hours trying to find the perfect system to tract efiles. Once they are efiled you can tract them in the efile manager. But before the efile is created it becomes a "manual" process. I used to print the return manager list and the efile manager list once a week and manually compare the two lists to "catch" any returns that had missed being efiled. Usually the scenario was that the 8879 had to be sent home to be signed and then returned before efile could happen. The client might mail me the 8879 or drop it off. Working alone occasionally one would not get efiled. I have always asked ATX why they can't put an extra column for efile status in the return manager that would automatically show the efile status in the return manager. Then you could sort that column by status by just clicking on the top of the column (just the way we can sort all the other columns) and we could easily spot the returns that had not been efiled. But instead they give us this year a handy tool that shows the efile status in the return manager but only if we click on the clients file name in return manager one file at a time. Not much help for "tracking" efiles! This was one of the reasons (among many) that I decided to give Drake a try this year. The Client Status Manager has a column for efile status that shows "efile pending", "efile accepted", etc. I feel more in control of the efile process this year. I can easily see what status each client is at. From "printed" to "efile accepted" , efile rejected, etc. So nice! More time to actually prepare tax returns, Drake is written by tax professionals for tax professionals and it shows. I have always loved the way ATX works, used it for 11 years. But it was time to learn to be proficient in a second software. I needed a back-up plan just in case we had another year like ATX 2012. Maybe ATX will listen to us and add this feature if enough of us ask for it.

I was very happy with ATX in prior years... but last year was so stressful I couldn't bear the thought of taking a chance again this year. Glad to hear you guys are doing well! I myself am doing very well with Drake, doing returns faster and smoother than I can remember. Was a challenge to get used to a new software but life is good. I like to keep up on my old friends here in ATX land as I am interested in how it is running now, and in the future. But I am glad I learned a second software, now I have a "back-up" software if I need one. Overall learning to be proficient in a second software is a good idea. Pam Taxtrio

If a person is not "alive" in 2013 they cannot file a 1040. OldJack is correct, dec'd estate files 1041.

If income is received in 2013 by surviving spouse, then surviving spouse can show the income on line 21 form 1040 as "income in respect of a decedent" and claim the tax w/h on page two of 1040 with rest of w/h. Will need a statement with return explaining. Master Tax Guide 2014 code section 182 (page 143)

Can you add the 9325 to the return and view the SID# there? Pam

Add "special assessment" to cost basis. Not deductible... for improvements. Just as a special assessment for street paving, sewer lines/water lines etc Not interest, not a "tax".

Of course you have to prove residency for children each year in any case.

Some years they may have an EIC other years not. If I get their documents in my file then I don't have the check from year to year.

I am protecting myself and keeping a "permanent file" for my clients as of this year. Getting picture I.D. (Drivers License or Passport) and Soc Sec Card. for taxpayer and spouse. If they are receiving Soc Sec Benefits I am putting a copy of the 1099SSA in lieu of Soc Sec Card. For children: Soc Sec Card and Birth Certificate. Once I have the above documents in my "permanent file" for them I won't need them to bring it again.. Except for new member of family. Then proof child lived with them for the tax year. Something with the Parent's name & Address and childs name. That I will have to update each year. Most of my clients are OK with this as they don't want me to have 500.00 fines for lack of information. I have all their data in my computer anyway. Just need actual documents to back-up information. I put the request for this in my letter to them in January. One client objected to me keeping a copy in a locked file. I offered to scan into my computer. She felt "safer" with that option! Whatever works! There were two independent tax preparers here in Michigan that were audited by IRS for EIC documents. and each business was fined 10,000.00 for not having copies of the client's drivers license and soc sec cards.! I'm not taking the chance.

Confirm that they have receipts or cancelled checks in their records. And ask if any donations were 250.00 or more at on time.. for those they need a letter from the church with the proper wording. They have to have the letter in their possession BEFORE filing the return. The date on the letter has to be a date that is BEFORE return is filed or the IRS will disallow if audited.

Maybe just give that keyboard to the cat! And treat yourself to a new one!

Mark the Michigan as a non-resident return. Then allocate all income to "other state" column on the NR worksheet. All income will be subtracted out and all Michigan tax w/h will be refunded. Add a note to return: Stating Reciprocal State, Wisconsin Resident, Michigan Tax w/h in error. Please refund. Make sure the note will be efiled with the Michigan return. It is usually a tab on the bottom of the Michigan efile input screen. Or you could type up the note and attach it as a PDF attached to the efile. Remember preparer notes don't get efiled with the return, so don't put it there.

Neither does IRS.

Drake and I have become friends. I feel good at the end of each day. I know my program will open quickly, work smoothly and give me no trouble! Wow! Once I accepted that it was time for a change and I settled into a routine, I am actually able to concentrate on my clients and their taxes. Nice not to have a knot in my stomach from the stress of wondering what ATX would do / or not do next. Support is quick to answer and very helpful. I am finishing returns in much less time than I have in years. I didn't realize how slow ATX had become. I agree with ATX Master. Glad I am using Drake. All forms are available so far, efile works smoothly, updates are no problem. No special configurations needed in my computer system.. Printing is quick and easy. I edited the client letter and it works like a dream. I keep finding new handy features in Drake the more I work with it. I was very comfortable with ATX, I knew how to get things done and I dreaded the thought of having to learn a new program. I stressed about it last summer and fall, but once I made my final decision and moved forward everything fell into place. Hope you all have a great season whichever software you have chosen. Taxtrio Pam

Check out my post on this under Efile community. Taxtrio

FYI: Efiled return with husband(primary Taxpayer, as usual) Dec'd Feb 2013. Wife filing as surviving spouse. Dec'd and date of death on 1040 pg 1. "Filing as surviving spouse" in his signature block page 2 of 1040. All as should be. Return rejected code IND-901. Information shows Social Security has locked the social security number as taxpayer is deceased. End of reject message says to put deceased on page 1. Well dec'd is on page 1. I called IRS Efile desk. They checked and said that the "lock" by social security appears to be a generic one.. not specific to this tax return. She said to paper file return. OK.. My question to her was... Is this going to happen to ALL dec'd taxpayers this year, and if so... can the IRS send us out a preparer alert notice so we know ahead of time? She said my call was the first they knew about this lock by Soc Sec Admin on dec'd person's soc sec number. With all the fraudulent returns for dec'd people it makes sense they are trying to add more security to the system. I hope they update us on this soon. Now this client will have to drive back from across town.. or I will mail her the filing copies. I may just print out a filing copy in expectation of the reject and give it to my clients in their folder explaining that I might call them and have them mail it in later, if needed. As I said... FYI... I will look back to hear if anyone else has had this problem. Early in the efiling year... lot's of fun to come!

No refund schedule last year. Just the "where's my refund?" services thru IRS.

Where do I find the Michigan W-4, and W-4P in Drake? I found the federal W-4.. Taxtrio

I have put in that suggestion over, and over, and over again for about 7 or 8 years. I have emailed Kim in support, I have told every person in support that I have talked to on the phone in support... I feel like I am a voice in the wilderness! Nice to know I am not alone in seeing the need for this... I was assured that development was working on this for 2013... yeah right... they gave us a crumb! The problem is they just don't understand how tax preparer work! You are right, suggestion box! But I am not sure ATX even pays any attention. Taxtrio

Yes it is fine. It is an improvement. But it doesn't solve the overall need to be able to see the status in a column in the return manager; which would allow you to see which returns have not been efiled at a glance. Saving much time. Drake does it, Proseries does it. Why not ATX? This "enhancement" allows you to easily check the status of A return... but to see which returns have not been efiled you would still need to "click" on each return... one at a time... to see the status of all your returns. Does not solve the issue I have complained about for years!

What do you think of the StarTech USB to VGA External video Card Multi Monitor Adapter USB2VGAE2? Found it on newegg.com Taxtrio

Which dual video card would you suggest for my Dell Inspiron 660, windows 7 64 bit, Intel Core i5 processor? (VGA monitor, blue end on the plug). Bought through Office Max last June.