mcb39

Good for you, Debby, and being young you will be much more able to absorb these things. I do have a cell phone as my boys wanted me to have it because I was traveling alone a lot at the time. Now, I wouldn't go anywhere without it for various reasons. But, that is exactly what it is; a phone. If I want to take a picture, I use a camera. As I said, I am really getting into this Tablet thing, but so far using it as more of a toy. I do have 4G, but, like Lion, with 4 devices on our ATT plan, we get a terrific deal and we all have something different. Sons are only ones with iPhones. Since we are all self-employed, the bill is not that high and not that much of an issue. We have lots of access to wi-fi as well.

I don't have a clue what "Square" is. My phone co doesn't charge to block texting either. I am interested in MagicJack though and whether it is an Android app or exclusive to Apple. I am pretty techy too, but just not interested in texting. Now we will be chastised for getting off the Subject.

Generally they just ask to see that last two years of the business return. In a few instances the bank will call me with the permission of the client. I suppose with all the short sales and reposessions, they are clamping down on their methods.

Hi Margaret.....I am with you and Catherine on the phone issue. I even have texting blocked on mine as I get charged for every text that goes out or comes in. I did join the Android Tablet era this Christmas, but that is an entirely different toy. I do have a data plan for that, but will never use the basic allowance. Besides, that is a whole new world that I have very little time right now to explore. When things aren't so hectic, I am sure the Grandkids will be a wealth of knowledge. Good to see you back posting.

Hi Eli.......Not here, but then I almost always use custom print. Have a Great One!

Lion, how do you propose we go about doing that. It really makes me sad that they keep asking more from us and then take away our tools. My window sticker is also fading because I leave it on all year. Also, look at the bucks they are spending on advertising Free File and how "Easy" it is. What's with that? They shower us with more restrictions, rules, fees and scrutiny and then pull away our support. (rant over)! :dunno:

I wonder why it matters. Some of the members who post only on occasion, give some very knowledgeable, informative and concise answers. (Not that I am going to throw away my hard earned title).

Try deleting the form W1 and/or replacing it with a newer one. I have not had that issue.

Please keep us posted. I also went searching and found nothing even close. I, also, will continue to find some. They surely must have known that this was a popular marketing tool! :mad:

I also use those IRS free thank you post-its. Have been using the USPS priority one price mailers for years. They are getting pricey, but have to build the postage into the fees. I have not seen some of my clients in person for years and there seem to be more every year. Tis the joy (or peril) of modern technology. Lion, it sounds as though we think alike.

I really have never had a problem with choosing "automatic". I don't have it set up to do itself, but manually choose it several times a day. My forms so far have all been up do date.

We will all be waiting for some words of wisdom. By the way, Good Luck with going at it full-time this year. :P

A couple of years ago I purchased a new laptop. I then purchased a Targus laptop carrying case on Ebay. It was impossible to tell it from new. I had been happily using the case for over a year when I couldn't find something I needed and decided to explore all the pockets in the case. In an obscure side pocket, I found a Lexar 8G jump drive. Now this is really strange as I don't own one of those even though I DO have several, each of which has its own files and uses. I put the drive into my USB drive and opened it in explorer. Would you believe that this drive contained someone's Income Tax Return from, I believe, 2009. Now, here was the perfect scenario for identity theft. After thinking about it for a few days, I formatted the drive and erased everything on it and am now using it for music and payroll backups. Had this landed in the hands of someone other than a Tax Practitioner, hard telling what could have happened. Just goes to show that even though these are the most wonderful of devices, there is a danger in losing, mislaying or lending it to anyone else. I have since purchased a small zippered case just for the purpose of keeping all of my jump drives in one place at all times. I never worried about it before. I always "thought" I knew where they were at all times. Apparently, this fellow didn't remember sticking it in that small side pocket before selling it on Ebay. Just a lesson here for all of us.

I pretty much follow the same pattern as Lion....except for the three business cards. If they don't take one off of my desk where they are readily available; I don't expect that they will hand them on; any and all of my new clients are referrals in any event. I put together what they and I think is a very presentable package. I put an Efile sticker on the front of the folder if that is the case. (These are available from the IRS free and come 52 to a sheet. All you have to do is call and ask for them). I also put a year sticker on the spine of the folder. It folds and can be seen from both sides and every year is a different color. Have done that for many years and the clients really like it as my folders are always the same color. Sometimes just the little things are enough to trigger a referral.

Mine updated this morning as well as last more. What is more, all of my acks were in this morning. (All 6 of them)!

Also, found out that you have to put a check in the box at the top of the "State" e-file info form which lets you choose to "unlink" the State from the Fed. Otherwise, it will reject with an error code of State-901. Is anyone having fun yet?

If anyone is having a problem filing a state only return, remember that you have to put a small amount of interest into the Federal Return in order to be able to create a state only return. In my case, it was filing a Homestead Credit claim for WI. I fooled around forever until I remembered that I had to populate some sort of income onto the Fed return to make it go. I added $10 Interest income and the WI efile created.........finally.

I guess my first question would be whether the daughters reported CG on their portions of the proceeds when the house was sold. I don't believe their basis was the 1985 basis as this was gifted property. Their basis would be whatever their mother's basis was when she (the mother) acquired it. Someone else can chime in here and correct me if I am wrong. As far as the medical costs are concerned, I doubt that the daughters can deduct them unless the Mother was one of their dependents, which does not seem to be the case. These LE issues can get pretty complicated.

The first day and broke already. I don't have a single prep appt before Feb 1. Lots of phone calls and questions, but nobody ready to file.

Your Father or Mother must qualify to be your dependent in order to be a qualifying relative for HOH.

The Fed E-file form is now available. Yes, you could download the 8879, but it would not populate without the e-file info being filled in. I, like Jack, am wondering why everyone is in such a hurry. Unless a client absolute KNOWS they will not receive any more 1099 or W2 forms, I would not consider filing a return this early.

I honestly can say that in over 35 years I have never gotten a client by advertising. Word of mouth is definitely the key. In the past couple of years, when I send out my engagement letter, I let my clients know whether or not I am accepting any new clients for the current year. They take it from there.

Aren't you glad that you asked? The children do not qualify him for EIC unless he marries the mother.

I disagree....under the rules of Qualifying Relative it states that a person is not considered to be the qualifying child of another taxpayer if that other taxpayer is not required to file a tax return. In Quickfinders, Page 4-5, Step 4 states that any other person who lived with the taxpayer all year as a member of the taxpayer's household is a qualifying relative. I believe that he can take all three of them as dependents if they lived with him and he supported them; and they meet all of the other rules of dependency.

Well stated, Margaret, and totally true IMO