mcb39

What did we learn? Very little. As expected, we learned that we have to unlearn all the new things that were incorporated into tax returns in the past two years. Of course, that totally depends on whether or not extenders are extended at the last minute. Or, after filing season begins. We learned that there will be little or no help for us; as per usual. We learned that many preparers are moving on to either retirement or other things. We learned to be thankful for this Community and others like us so that we can depend on someone for answers, or just have a place to vent. We feel rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to start over even though the IRS is still processing 2000 and 2001 Income Tax Returns. Let the cards fall where they may. We learned that MANY totally rediculous letters were sent out and received by our clients. Of course, we already knew that. Let's try to make this the best and most successful tax year ever and be thankful that we have each other to lean on.

Of course, you are correct. I was just angry and stating my opinion. Thank you Kathy!

In any event, IMO, it is unfair and discriminatory. So many adults are working into their 70's and even 80's and paying into the SS fund as well as taxes. In most cases, the credit wasn't a lot, but they were thrilled to get it. They, at least, were willing to WORK for very little while the huge amounts of EIC were doled out to young people with children; most of whom knew exactly how to play the checks and balances in order to receive the highest amount of EIC. Yes, we had to do the due diligence, but so many of them had it all figured out before they ever came in. The tax laws encourage them to stay unmarried and just live together in order to get the tax refund large enough to pay off their credit cards for frivolous spending, while senior citizens are working part-time jobs just to pay their bills. Strictly my opinion!

This is going to really hurt because so many adults are working beyond age 65 at least at part-time jobs. So, now we just get to unlearn a whole new set of rules.

Correction on the year for Quicken. Version 17 is the last one that came on a CD. In looking through my CDs, I find that I have it. I remember now that we installed it and found it too fussy so we have stayed with Version 10 thereafter. Actually, I think that I liked 8 better than 10, but we have stayed with 10 and it is a nice solid program with everything that you need. Sorry about that error.

Absolutely!!! Caution, though! If you use any version newer than 10, you are in the same boat as with Quickbooks. You have to renew and pay for updates every year. I have the CDs for 6, 8 and 10 and one is as good as another. You can print out any kind of report that you want. In fact,, for my husband's business; we have two accounts under his file. One for checking and one for cash. At any point in time, the program will combine the totals and bring them together for the reports. SWEET!! This not a tiny business, but a family-owned Partnership. We post the checks, which are primary, to the checkbook and when the statement comes, my gal can reconcile the account at the end of each month. You might still be able to get it on Ebay. I haven't needed one in a while.

Quicken 10 is checkbook entry and does the bookkeeping for you if you at least know how to set up the categories. I have clients that I actually set up with paper spreadsheets because that is the only thing they understand.

Never!!!! I also have clients who use Quickbooks and bring in reports that are a total mess. Now, get this, I have a tax client who is a Quickbooks Bookkeeper. She is constantly calling me with questions about what goes where. I just had to tell another newer business client to "Get rid of it, you don't need it or the expense!" Yeeeeeesh!!!!

Sneakernet for sure. I am not networked nor do I intend to be. I am the only one that is licensed and allowed to efile. Also, it is my business and I am responsible. Therefore, I have to go over every return before it is filed. Tedious, I know, but it's a small office and a lot of discussion goes on in between. I am grooming my assistant /s/ to perhaps someday sit in my chair.

This was discussed not so very long ago. I also HATE Quickbooks! I use Quicken 10 for bookkeeping and if I have a client with payroll, we use Medlin.

In my office, we have two logged it most of the time. One more with the program on it if we need it. Jump drives travel back and forth because everything ultimately ends with me. I have another computer at another location in case I want to work on a client on a weekend or other free time. I think that 3 licenses is plenty. We couldn't handle many more returns than we are doing now and I worked right up to the 17th of October and still have a few in the box who haven't brought their info in yet.

3 Licenses for ATX

But, finding one and buying one are two different things........my husband is in the automobile business.

How much help are these quickly trained people going to be? What we have learned over many years, they are going to have to answer questions that we don't know the answers too. I find that this announcement by the IRS holds out little hope. I want to think that I am wrong.

IRS quickly moves forward with taxpayer service improvements; 4,000 hired to provide more help to people during 2023 tax season on phones WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced today significant progress to prepare for the 2023 tax filing season as the agency passed a milestone of hiring 4,000 new customer service representatives to help answer phones and provide other services. These assistors have been hired over the last several months and are being trained to provide help to taxpayers, including answering phone questions. This is part of a much wider IRS improvement effort tied to the Inflation Reduction Act funding approved in August. The IRS continues working hard on implementing the landmark 10-year legislation, and updates on other improvement areas will be provided in the near future.

That about covers it except that you left out the spam callers and telemarketers. At least at 9PM, I only have to walk down the hall, grab a half a cookie or something and make a u-turn and go to bed.

I had a client once who came to me with an approximate ongoing debt of $20000 to the IRS. He was making $500 per month payments regularly and timely. A few years into our relationship, he had already paid $60000 over ten years and still owed approximately $17,000. (You read that right). He came to my office one night in a panic because his payment was due and the IRS had not sent a voucher for that month. Those were the days when you could still call the IRS and get an answer. The agent I spoke to said that since he had reached the SOL (10 years) and had paid so faithfully; they had decided to cancel the remaining debt. They never notified my client; not even after being assured on the phone that the debt was cancelled. We had an awful time getting that debt removed from his Credit Report. He had an aneurysm a few years later and passed away in his 50's. I know this does not really relate to the subject at hand; but it is a glaring example of how the IRS operates at times and, of course, they are almost always right; in their opinion. For some odd reason, I still keep his paperwork and backups in my deskdrawer some 15 years later. I don't know why. He was an awesome guy and we got to be good friends and he relied on and trusted me. I won't go into the details of how he got the debt in the first place. I still say that the client in this thread should keep the money; put it away. If he is foolish enough to go out and spend it now; that will be on him and he will have to deal with the powers that be. Sending it back now will only muddy the waters more and make his scenario even more of a nightmare. If he doesn't listen to you, Tom, then I would fire him as a client and let him fight his own battles.

I agree with Margaret. I would tell them to put it in the bank, but not spend it until SOL or a letter from the IRS; whichever comes first. They aren't sending explanation letters with their checks; so how are we supposed to know what to do? I definitely would NOT send it back until asked for., if that ever happens.

I have a client who just received his 2019 refund; which was supposed to have been applied to 2020. We prepared 2020 with that amount being applied. Now, what happens when they process 2020 which has an amount applied to 2021. I just filed 2021 last week because he is SE and always the last return through the gate. Again, he has a refund because of the (new, last year) EIC. How many years is it going to take them to figure this one out. It all started with a CP2000 with a bill because they claimed he had never filed in 2019, I could and had to prove that he had definitely filed and had a refund applied. That information undoubtedly got added to that pile of 8 million pieces of correspondence that never was opened. I'm not going to continue, but you all get the idea. If we let this stuff bother us, we will all lose our minds. Let them figure it out....someday.

"Wanted: Receptionist. If you are good, you will do anything and everything." That also included answering random tax questions. Although, in reality, many of my co-workers became clients and still are. (If you are going to do it at all, do it well! After many years, I finally found an assistant who does it well, most of the time). I once worked for a Tax and Accounting firm where I ended up being the boss and the Boss became the Receptionist. I give her all the credit in the world for training me well. I went on to build my own business and she constantly consulted me. We did remain friends until she retired and beyond. The bottom line is; do your job well. Prepare your client's return as if it were your own.

Crazy how they are sending out these checks with no explanation. The clients are in a state of confusion and we don't have any answers, only guesses.

I had several clients who benefited; especially self-employed. I have a feeling that may be gone this year.

I just signed up; zipped right along.

Receptionist: I held that position part-time for over 20 years at a Dental Office. If you are good, you do anything and everything.

I am still using the UniForms from ATX.