taxperson

The instructions for the 8453 are very specifiec about which types of supporting documents should be attached to it. I'd seriously recommend paper filing. And currently the IRS has no mechanism built into 1040 efile to allow attachment of stuff. On the business side, it can be done and, hopefully, the IRS will add this feature when the 1040 system is upgraded in 2009 or 2010.

This is sort of technical but what is on page 1 of the 1040 isn't what the IRS wants transmitted. It would be a lot simplier if the name elements were sent one at a time but nooooooo. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/1346_part_1_ty_2007_final.pdf Start at page 174 and peruse. The name that the IRS gets, and requires, is only 35 characters and is a single text string containing the taxpayer and spouse first, last, middle, suffix, DECD, a couple special symbols and spaces. The software puts it all together as it should be. That's what software does. But because of all the extra stuff the IRS specifies, a perfectly good 35 character name on page 1 of the 1040 can be too long. If you get that message when an efile is created, then, because of all the IRS fluff in the name field, you have to shorten something. Try this (also from page 174). p.s. second given name is a middle name, given name is first name. They even complicated their solution. 5. Name Line 1 CANNOT CONTAIN MORE THAN 35 CHARACTERS. If information in Name Line 1 exceeds 35 characters, truncate using the following priority: a. Substitute the initial for the second given name. b. Omit the second initial of the secondary taxpayer, if necessary. c. Omit the second initial of the primary taxpayer, if necessary. d. Substitute initials for the secondary taxpayer's given name. e. Substitute initials for the primary taxpayer's given name.

I just checked the irs website and it doesn't look as though they done any updates at all to send "Stimulus Return" in the efile. And there didn't appear to be any other provisions made, yet, that would prevent them from being rejected. I plan to paper file until I see something official saying the IRS will accept efile of these returns.

There could be a problem with shortening the last name to 4 characters. If they get a refund check and the name on it doesn't match their driver's license, they might have a problem cashing the check. Better to shorten the 1st names, first.

Would you want the program to move those other interest amounts to the other expense lines for you so the efile won't be rejected by the IRS? That should be easy enough. Wrong, but easy.

http://www.atxinctv.com/presentation.asp It didn't ask for a log in! "ATX TV ATX TV features a streamlined, magazine-style format to provide our customers with more information in less time. As always, ATX TV highlights important features of ATX software programs, developments in the industry, IRS issues and other relevant topics that shape how ATX clients do business. ATX A.M.! ATX A.M. provides you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about ATX software in addition to updates on IRS, state and bank product issues. It’s a quick fill on information you need right away. During tax season, each program airs at 9:00 am EST and lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. And if you miss ATX A.M., you can view each day's show until the next morning."

There are conditions other than age that would bring up the error message such as the "citizen" box isn't checked, the relationship isn't on the allowed list, et cetera. Check the other fields for the dependent. http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc606.html "A child is your qualifying child if the child: Is a citizen, resident, or national of the United States, Is under age 17 at the end of the calendar year in which your tax year begins, Is your son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, legally adopted child (or a child lawfully placed with you for legal adoption), brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, foster child placed with you by an authorized placement agency or by a court order, or a descendant of any such person, Shares with you the same principal place of abode for more than one-half of the tax year, or is treated as your qualifying child under the special rule for parents who are divorced, separated, or living apart, and Is not treated as the qualifying child of another taxpayer under the special rule for two or more taxpayers claiming a qualifying child or the special rule for parents who are divorced, separated, or living apart. "

Schedule C

That's probably a "wise" idea. I'd copy all these posts and send them off in a pipeline suggestion. Or email William and ask him to expedite. Someone on the transmission side needs to fix this. Better yet, do both.

Have you gotten a status update in the program of "Rejected" for the return? If so, you can go to the E-Service tab, select the return, go to the toolbar at the top, click E-File, then select Display rejection errors. That should open the reurn and show the errors which will be more specific. The message will include the Payer number and will indicate which W-2 has the bad employer EIN. And the error you quoted indicates that the EIN isn't valid. If the numbers have all been entered correctly but you get the same rejection, your client may need to get the W-2 corrected or mail the return.

8835, right? If so http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/artic...=177682,00.html January 11: Individual Filers ATTN: Software Developers, Return Transmitters, State Taxing Authorities, and Authorized IRS e-file Providers/EROs - As a result of the recent enactment of the Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007, effective immediately, Individual Electronic Filing will not be accepting Form 8835, Renewable Electricity, Refined Coal, and Indian Coal Production Credit, until further notice. In addition, as a result of the recent enactment of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, effective immediately, Individual Electronic Filing will not be accepting Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness (and Section 1082 Basis Adjustment), until further notice. These forms will also be disabled for PATS Testing. We anticipate accepting these forms later during the filing season. A QuickAlert will be issued when the forms can be accepted electronically. We apologize for any inconvenience. and January 29: Individual Filers - Record Layout Change #5 ATTN: Software Developers, Return Transmitters and Authorized IRS e-file Providers/EROs - Please be advised that TY 2007 Publication 1346, Record Layout, Change Number 5 is available on the Electronic Filing Bulletin Board System. Record Layout, Change Number 5 is scheduled to be implemented for ELF and PATS testing on March 3, 2008 by the 6 p.m. drain. This update contains changes for Forms 1040 Page 2, Form 982, Form 4136, Form 8835, and Form 8886.

Yes. You can efile that. Have you tried to create the efile yet? Did you put the date of death on the 1040 Filer Information sheet? Occassionally, a decedent return will reject but that's almost always a case of the taxpayer date of death being very close to the date the efile is transmitted and the Social Security Administration master file not being updated. The IRS validates the efile against the SSA master file.

It's very unlikely any ATX competitor is submitting returns with the delayed forms to the IRS. Here's the IRS reject code that is generated for returns transmitted prior to Feb 11. "0096 Form 1040/1040A - The following forms cannot be e-filed at this time; Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, Form 8396, Mortgage Interest Credit, Form 8859, District of Columbia First-time Homebuyer Credit, Form 8863, Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits), or Schedule 2, Child and Dependent Care Expenses for Form 1040A Filers."

All that means is that MN hasn't updated their website.

I'll start by saying that William is a great guy and if he leaves the company, he'll truly be missed. BUT OMG! What makes anyone here think that having William standing over them has anything to do with the dedication of the developers? That's almost insulting. Every e-mail, phone call, IM, pipeline suggestion, that is sent to the developers is treated just the same and just as seriously as if delivered from William. And I love this "without William, there would be no support". Without William, some of you might not have concierge service, but you won't get that at any other software company. And many of you have other contacts, just as knowledgeable and helpful. Right, KC? Mel. It has been a long time since you worked for ATX, hasn't it? The developers haven't been in the same building as William since Steve W. moved that chunk of the organization to FL. When was that? '97? '98?

The IRS has posted efile updates for the 982 but they won't be effective until March 3.

If an amount is emtered on the line, the statement has to be transmitted. This situation isn't unique to the Schedue C. The IRS has that same logic in a lot of forms. 1116 @0940 Carryback/Carryover Explanation 10 6 "STMbnn" or blank 0950 Carryback/Carryover 10 12 N Amount 2555 @0830 Partnership's name, address and type of income 20b 6 "STMbnn" or blank 0840 Share of Income - 20b 12 N Partnership Schedule F @0775 Commodity Credit 6 "STMbnn" or blank Loans Explain 0780 Commodity Credit 41a 12 N Loans Amount And that error check was in place last tax seaon. So, how did you transmit those?

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/part_2_high...oc__sec_1-3.pdf Go to pg 87 0337 Mortgage Interest 16a 0340 Form 1098 Name/Address 16b The only entry on line 16b that can be sent is the the name and address of some other person receiving a 1098. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf See pg 5. You should be able to include other interest amounts on Line 16b and if you put the return in an envelope, there's no problem. It just can't be E-Filed. Period. Whoever told William it was a program issue needs a good, swift . . . nevermind.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/1346rl_noc_5.pdf 3/3/2008 maybe

It's the IRS, not the software. Original version of the error code http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/1346_attach...-11_ty_2007.pdf "0295 Form 1040 – The Total Federal Income Tax Withheld (SEQ 1160) cannot be equal to or greater than the sum of Wages, Salaries,Tips (SEQ 0375), Taxable Interest (SEQ 0380), Total Ordinary Dividends (SEQ 0394), Taxable IRA Amount (SEQ 0480), Taxable Pensions Amount (SEQ 0495), and Social Security Benefits (SEQ 0553) and the Gross Winnings (SEQ 0040) of Form W-2G." It was just revised: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/1346fs_chg_08.pdf "Form 1040 – The Total Federal Income Tax Withheld (SEQ 1160) cannot be equal to or greater than the sum of Wages, Salaries, Tips (SEQ 0375), Taxable Interest (SEQ 0380), Total Ordinary Dividends (SEQ 0394), IRA Distributions Received (SEQ 0475), Pensions Annuities Received (SEQ 0485), Unemployment Compensation (SEQ 0552), Social Security Benefits (SEQ 0553), Amount of Other Income (SEQ 0570) and Gross Receipts of Schedule C/C-EZ (SEQ 0200). Exception: This check is bypassed when Combat Pay has been excluded from Wages. This check is also bypassed if Capital Gain/Loss (SEQ 0450) or Other Gain or Loss (SEQ 0470) or Rent/Royalty/Part/Estates/Trust Inc (SEQ 0510) is significant (not equal zeroes)." Wouldn't be surprised if ATX put out an update.

Is the federal return ready to be sent? If so, send them piggyback and the state and fed will be sent at the same time. California is a direct state - the return doesn't go to the IRS but transmits straight to the FTB. http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/artic...d=97716,00.html "Q. How does Federal/State e-file work? A. Federal/State e-file allows the electronic filing of both Federal and State income tax returns at the same time. The electronic filing software places the Federal and State return data in separate packets. These packets are transmitted to the IRS in one taxpayer "envelope." The IRS functions as an electronic post office for the participating State, which receives and processes the state electronic return. Q. What is State Only e-file? A. Taxpayers will have the choice of e-filing a State Return without the standard Form 1040 attached for the following instances: Previously rejected state e-file return State return input separately from Federal return Part-year resident state return Multiple state returns for one taxpayer Non-resident state returns Married filing separately with state, but filing jointly with Federal"

Mel. You can retire the Chicken Little suit. The sky isn't falling. William and the customer support team have just as much influence as ever.

TaxAct is H&R Block. They'll be around. Do they do a professional version?

Probably a typo. 8453 might be 8879

"we were limited this year on what we can charge for our efile fee" You can't blame that on ATX. Talk to the bank.