mcb39

Yes....for some reason that has to be re-entered every year. Go to the Preparer Manager. It only takes a few minutes. I suppose that is easier than deleting all the info if the Preparer or ERO should change from year to year.

That is going to be so much help. Have it in your Favorites for quick access.........Thanks Taxbilly.......

I would go first to this board to see if someone else has encountered the same problem and solved it. Then I would go to ATX KB; and finally to tech support. Knock on wood, I have only had to actually call tech support about 3 times in all the years that I have used their products. Generally, the answer is here, first.

I also use the Test return for the E-file test. Yes, one at a time here too; the day that they are coming in.

Several of the forms are still in DRAFT form.

Generally, it is mid to late Feb until the middle of March when the big guns start coming in. However, when I look at last years' appt book, January was incredibly and unusually busy (I assume because of the stimulus). This year, I am getting several calls a day with questions so clients are hearing things and trying to get ready asap. Of course, business clients are hard to predict. Also, remember that in the midst of preparing returns, we are also preparing W-2, 1099 and estimate forms as well as getting some kind of organization together and doing end of the year bookkeeping for clients as well as ourselves. In some cases, that is FULL year bookkeeping. I really don't remember having any lull last year at all. These are all reasons why this board and interaction with each other is so important. All of the text books piled up beside my desk do not equal the knowledge and advice that I gain from this board. :dunno:

I am going to make it a goal to get rid of all of my PITAs this year. But, be careful what you say. I was so happy last year that one had not returned and mentioned it to a mutual friend. She said, "Didn't you know that he shot himself in November?" And, guess what, his sole heir, daughter brought his final return in for me to do. Because he was a trucker and we had no documentation as to days on the road, motels, etc; she got a very small refund......and I never did get paid. As to price-sensitivity, there are so many people out of work around here and more each day. I stick to my original post that it will be possible to lose several clients for financial reasons. I also agree with John that we will be cleaning up the mess down the road. I will not raise rates this year. I already know of at least five clients who have passed away in the past year, which will create its own problems. Am not looking forward to this year for several reasons., among them the stimulus from last year, the first-time home buyer credit (LOAN) and the faltering economy.

Lion, all of your boots are exactly correct. So, am showing my age also. Last week I had to resort to Ctrl-Alt-Delete to find out which program was messing up. Someone tried to send me a Trojan Horse, which Nortons intercepted, but resulted in a corrupt e-mail. Had to rebuild and clean out my e-mail account. Keeping everything up to date and current backups is SO important.

I also agree with all of the responses. It's bad enough when you DO have a loss, without trying to create one.

Congratulations! You shared the day with my Mom! Hope you had a wonderful Birthday.

Dec 31 would have been my Mother's 95th Bday. She has been gone for 4 years. I purchased a diamond anniversary band that my hubby has promised me for Christmas. Thought this was a good day to do it. I know this is not the right time for extravagant purchases, but it's just a channel-set band and, hopefully, will give me some incentive to get going on taxes. (Lost one of my best clients and friends last week at the age of 57. I still have all of his 2008 bookkeeping to do and it's hard.) Then, we headed to the cottage for a few days of R and R. Lots and Lots of snow here...records being broken, etc. Wishing each and every one of you a very happy and prosperous New Year. At least our work doesn't go away and we don't get laid off. I am afraid, though, with all of the businesses going down, more and more people will try to prepare their own returns......unfortunately!

KC....your words have summed up the truest meaning of Community and Thanksgiving that I have seen in a long time. And on this holiest of holy days. (Someone will probably object to that also). The thought of your despair brings tears to my eyes and you can be assured that many of us will never stop being here for each other in whichever capacity we can contribute. Peace.....and we are so grateful that your trials took a turn for the better. My husband just had surgery in early December and all has gone well, but, "There, but for the grace of God..........!"

I second that....I also object to any objections. And Mel and Sue, hope you had a wonderful Bday.

And thanks to all of you for just being here. This is a great place to hang out most of the time. Without all of your help, kindness and undisputed knowledge, I would be totally lost as I work alone in my home office. And now, off to the kitchen as the troops will be arriving. May we all count our blessings. "My cup runneth over!".......

Hey Eli.....play nice!!! It has been snowing here all day. At least that brings the temps up. All week has been below zero until yesterday afternoon. At least Santa can land his sleigh here. That boy of yours is surely growing up. Happy Holidays to you and your family.....your Wisconsin friend........

Well, thanks to KC, I did something right. Still cannot get it bold or italic; but is no big deal. Just don't understand why it doesn't work like an ordinary word processor..... :scratch_head:

As you can see, I just followed your directions. And as Erc said, I did click on update my signature on the bottom. Here is the result.

I tried again and it does not work for me. Am missing something. I wanted to enlarge, bold and italic it. All I get are the codes for those three items along with my name. When I return to the board, those same codes are there. And, yes, I did click on change my signature at the bottom of the page. I followed the steps normally used with a word processor, but, obviously I am missing something.

Thanks KC...I am pretty sure that I tried all of those steps; but will try again. Mine just kept turning up with the change codes as well as the name. I won't give up though. That is for sure.

OK......now I am getting daring. Am trying to edit my signature so that it is bold, italic and larger. Cannot get the job done. When I make my choices from above, the choice codes stay with the name. What am I missing?

Actually, I do! mcb39 was my old handle for years on the original ATX board. The mchampine evolved when I first signed up for membership on this new and better board. Would you believe that it would take anyone 500 posts before they start poking around and find out that you can change things? I am much more comfortable in my old guise and might be more recognizeable. After Christmas when I get my brand new USB card reader, I am even going to experiment with changing my picture. What do you think about that? Have to get all these important things handled because the calls are already coming in. (Tax questions, that is!) (I know I'm getting that card reader because I bought it on Ebay and gave it to my Granddaughter to put in my stocking!) Have one built into my laptop, but not my main computer. :read:

NO......your signature # on page 2 of the 1040 would be your PTIN or your SS if you don't have a PTIN. Your ERO shows up with your signature pin on the 8879. This will transfer there from the 1040 EF info form that you have to fill out for each return that you e-file. Good luck with your e-filing. It is really quite painless once you get all steps straight in your head. When I think about how it was years ago, I wonder how the system survived. We used to have to pay $15 for IRS and $5 for state and it was next to impossible to get those fees from the clients. I always filed my own and all of my relatives just to retain my EFIN. I suggest that you go to your new 2008 program, select E-file Manager; select Support, Select Program Help and then E-file help. You should be able to find all the helpful information that you need there.

Yes, the book that came today is for the 2008 Tax Year. So now I move last year's books to the basement. My 2008 Quickfinders came yesterday, so things are beginning to hum along.

You may be confusing the EFIN with the ERO pin (which is 5 digits) and is the number you choose to enter on the 8879 E-file signature form. When I look at my 3rd tab for e-file, it accepts the EFIN right after your name; then the ERO Pin which is 5 digits. Leave SS blank as that is why you have a PTIN as explained above. The ERO # is a number that you choose as your signature pin.. I use the last 5 digits of my PTIN. Do not enter your SS in the EFILE tab; only your PTIN as this is what will appear on the 8879 when you file the returns. Can I ask if this is your first year to EFILE or maybe your first year with ATX? It's really pretty simple once you understand the use and purpose of each of the ID numbers.

Mine also arrived today and I must say that I was very surprised.