mcb39

And, Margaret, don't forget that in Sept we will be adding another bill to the minus side for licensing; and we don't even know yet how much per month that will calculate out to be. I also had leftovers for supper last night and also live in an older house with a home office in one of the bedrooms. I make MUCH less than $50,000 per year and work another parttime job to subsidize. However, I consider myself lucky because the clients I have who make the big bucks are also mired in debt. I spoke to Troy on one occasion and immediately backed off as it was easy to tell that he was fearful for his job and obviously could not offer me the same discount that others got. Whatever the reasoning behind CCH making an offer to certain customers and not others is, I guess, their business. As in all other aspects of business, we either deal with it or walk away. I think that Kerry was out of place to tar us all with the same brush. Everyone's circumstances are different. How we choose to handle our individual lives is up to us.; for some it is easier than for others. In these extremely difficult economic times, I am thankful for so many things that I do have and try not to worry about the things that I don't have. Margaret, I feel that you summed up the situation very well and answered Bob's question. Have a great rest of the summer.

I have been waiting many months for a reply to either of two emails that I sent regarding the same subject. Have long since given up on receiving an answer. When I called, they could "see" that I had emailed twice, but could not give me an answer as it was not her department. I understand the frustration that both of you are experiencing as it appears that nobody READS these emails. It would be better if the option were not even offered. I am moving on to other things. Catherine, if I were you, I would paper file that return and call it good.

It is not off taxes because Unemployment Benefits, if received, are taxable income. It is also an interesting subject scenario that "could" affect any of us at some given time. IMO

I have the same OS on new laptop and no problem with ATX 2008 or 2009. However, it seems that George doesn't have an unlock code for his CD. I cannot imagine that they would not give it to him except for the fact that he is not currently using ATX but rather Taxwise.

Yes, and that paragraph of that publication states that you can use any REASONABlE method to arrive at your calculations. Apparently tax law does allow it.

I believe I would have done the same as bcolleen. This is a reasonable reporting of income and expenses as allocated to the one room that is rented out. IMO

The IRS is looking at and recalculating a lot of these (much to their credit). Mine was one. My husband's business loss off set my gain resulting in a negative. I couldn't, and still can't find a way to calculate these separately on the Sch M; however, they sent me more money just with a letter saying that they had made an adjustment. You are right, they do not explain how they arrive at the new number; but I guess in your case, the third party sick pay was included in the calculations. Maybe they feel that if he hadn't been "sick", he would have been working.

we are talking about the atxinc web page where you can go for support and all kinds of information. You also access the original ATX Community Board from there. It really has no bearing on your installed program unless you run into trouble. it is support.atxinc.com/myatx You probably won't get in without a login and password, but I think you should be able to create one. Good Luck!

Good for you, John. Give credit where credit is due. I just happened to update Max this morning. Only difference is that I chose Automatic instead of Manual and it did update. Just for "fun" I keep my login and password on a tiny sticky note on the wall right above my screen; just because every so often they decide it is time to change it. (and for all of my clients who read this, it won't do you any good cuz you don't know the secret word). I cannot understand the reasoning behind the difficulty involved with accessing My ATX the past couple of years.

The truth of the matter is that pencils are a mighty handy tool. I do have trouble finding ones with delete buttons that aren't hard and smeary. Have resorted to purchasing the little pointed cap kind that slip on and usually work quite well.

Amended returns of any kind can never be e-filed.

Happy Birthday........my son has a Yellow Vette too. Don't know offhand what year.

This has been a HUGE credit, with HUGE potential for fraud, which turned out to be the case. Unfortunately, everyone suffers, but this is money they never had in the first place; nor is the purchase of the home contingent on the receipt of the money. I had clients who swore they would use the money to pay off credit cards or other high interest bills.; some did, more didn't and bought big screen TVs and other luxury items. So........even the most correct and deserving were not always wise. Nobody is perfect and that includes taxpayers as well as IRS workers. It is our duty to bring it all together in the best and most complete way possible. Be patient and get on with life. If you properly qualify for the credit, you will get it. I was amazed at how quickly some of them came through. And, of course, some clients are still waiting and I will do whatever I can to assist them; even if it means sending the documents three times. Seeing a letter of apology from the IRS is one big Hurrah!

Don't be scared. Just send all required documentation and send it certified. Preach patience to your client and go for it. It is all worth while when you get the happy call that they have received the check, from the happy client. They seem to feel that you performed some sort of miracle. Our job is our job.

I also had one where the documents got lost. This was for the first $7500 credit. Client kept getting letters demanding that he repay the $7500. We kept responding with additional copies of documents. Of course, correspondence kept crossing in the mail. After nearly twelve months, he finally received an apology and got to keep the money. As for other individuals, mostly they have been timely and received within three to four months. Have had all three kinds of FTHBs; some have their money, the most recent amendments are still waiting. Never send original documents and always keep extra copies in case you need them for the second go-around. This has to have been a HUGE issue.

Happy Birthday to you and all others who share June birthdays with me. Hope we can all meet again here next year. Wishing for a great summer for everyone on this board.

Thank you all very much. My newly-wed granddaughter and her husband (our new grandson) cooked dinner for us.; Sunday being Father's Day. All in all, it was a very good day.

Good for you! Have a wonderful trip, visit and revitalization. I have already opted for another year of this sometimes insanity, but somehow it gets in your blood and I haven't caught myself making any stupid mistakes yet. In fact, last week had the pleasure of amending a self-prepared return for 2009 to the tune of a $1000 refund. They had not taken the Making Works Pay Credit or the Retirement Savers Credit. Needless to say they were delighted and I have a new client for however long I choose to practice. Let us know when you get back.

Actually, as each return is different, I really don't mind choosing the forms and worksheets or reports that I want to print. It has become second nature to check the "usual" ones for the uncomplicated returns. I never use the default, I always use the custom. I guess I am not complaining, because I can still remember the days of running all over town to find some odd form or other. My particular favorite memory is the 2106. Things have gotten so easy for us that we tend to forget at what price. Every time we ask for and get something new, the price goes up. I am about priced out in my one person office. Even though I prepare many returns, it takes a while before I reach profit mode. Just my take on being careful what you ask for.

You could go to the Return Manager, click on Support, go down to Customer Service Utilities and then to Syncronize with EFC.. That should update your E-file Manager to match ATX's records; but as long as you know it is accepted, why just not wait until you get back so as not to add any more stress to your life. Have a great week away, whatever your plans are.

Margaret, log into MY ATX at the top of this page, or however you usually get there. Click on E-File Center in the tabs at the top of the page. Then, click on E-File status of the page that opens. From there you can enter your information and get your results. (Took me a minute to remember how to do this too)

Your post and your attitude are so very special. Wishing you the very best of all good things to come.

According to the panel, the test will be relatively basic and will be given over a three year period, starting sometime after the filing season in 2011. It will be open book and online. Details have not been ironed out yet. The PTIN registration or renewal will begin in September, 2010 and they are projecting the fee to be somewhere between $75 and $300 for a three year period. They said several times that it would probably be more toward the lower end of the spectrum as these monies are to be used to implement this program only and not used for any other IRS or Federal programs. I have several notes at home, but have just arrived at the cottage for the weekend. They didn't seem to think that anyone who knew anything about preparing a 1040 would have any reason to fail. We shall see.

I agree with you, Margaret, I have had my PTIN from the beginning. However, it sounded as though getting one now might be a little more difficult so am happy that they are just going to allow us to renew the one that we have. As for the fee, we have to bite the bullet and if they were honest in the projection, I guess it could be a lot worse.

The IRS Webinar yesterday afternoon, though brief, was extremely helpful and informative as to the upcoming requirements regarding preparer registration and testing. They clarified several questions as to how the procedure will work and the timeframe that will be allowed. I didn't find it a waste of time.