mcb39

I always reboot after any kind of install or update. Might that be the answer?

Last year, my WI returns rejected also in identity theft cases. They never used to. I had a call last night from a gal who had identity theft in 2012. That had all gotten taken care of. Yesterday, she got a letter from the IRS saying that she owed $30,000 some dollars for 2012, but it was not her SS#, but was her correct name and address. She is no longer my client due to divorce, so I won't have to fix this one (again)!

A few are paying attention to the fact that I put my foot down last year and refused to file the returns until I was paid. They are coming in check or cash in hand. Amazing....and they are sending new clients. I did seriously judge one client who ran several scenarios past me; such as taking her friend's three children as dependents because the friend was on disability. The next one was, could she take her boyfriend's daughter because the mother was willing for him to take her as a deduction this year. Then the mother changed her mind because he was behind on child support. I told her to come and pick up her papers. She was always at least a year behind in paying. YES, I am judging.

It is a second mortgage that was charging 13% interest. This reeks of the Wells Fargo class action suite of a few years ago. I truly believe that they are insolvent, but it would have been much easier to file the 982 last year if she had only brought in the 1099C. I don't have time to fix these kind of dumb and careless issues right now.

Actually, I have been addressing the issues with these clients. The part that is hard to understand is that some of them have not changed their exemptions; although there are some that have to. I am recommending Married withholding at a Single rate for those who are already at zero. I know in many cases it is the result of the payroll program computations and/or the addition of part-time jobs which are withholding next to nothing. Nobody is blaming me; at least not to my face, but I don't like it when it nags at me. I have to find a reason. Some of the problem is so many new clients from HRB, Liberty, etc; who got no financial guidance in prior years. Way too much distress for my tired brain to handle this early in the season.

At least yours brought in the 1099Cs. Mine doesn't have a clue what that is. She just e-mailed me a copy of her payment voucher. What????????? While on the subject, since this is a mortgage on her house, is there any chance of it being exempt per the 982? Also, they definitely have more debt than assets.

Reminds me of the client who called yesterday and told me that her SE artist husband got a commission of $19000 for illustrating a book. When I asked how much he put aside for SE and income tax, she said, "Oh, we had to pay bills and we needed a new car." At the same time, in the mail yesterday she got a CP 2000 re a cancelled debt that she never showed me. She swore she never had any debt cancelled, but after much questioning, she said that the holder of their second mortgage had adjusted their interest rate because they couldn't make both payments. I need to see THAT paperwork. The worst part of this story is that this is the girl who worked for me for the past two years during tax season. As I told my husband; she learned absolutely nothing and my decision to get someone else this year was dead on. This couple is also used to the EIC, etc.; but I warned her last year that her credits were falling off. ARRRRGGGGG!!!! Thanks, Rita, for reminding me.

Updated two stand-alones. No issues.

SaraEA..........I have also noticed that many of the early returns are ending up owing or getting noticeably smaller refunds than usual. Very unusual this early to have to tell someone that they have a balance due; for no apparent reason.

I also have a rider on our homeowners policy. It was really quite inexpensive.

I am working on returns that came in on Feb 2; there were a few exceptions for people who were leaving town, etc. Returns were flying around here today like no other day yet. My assistant couldn't even leave because three cars were in the driveway blocking her in. One and Three had appointments. Two was a drop-off. Total craziness. Thank God for my girl. She is taking so much weight off my shoulders and keeping me sane. When I mention an appointment in March, many of them almost go ballistic. At this point it is either that or find someone else. At this precise point, I really don't care.

I spend as much time with my clients as they need. I DO want to know some of the details of their lives. However, there is the occasional person who NEEDS to be fired; and I have learned to do that. I fired one already this year and much the better for it. When they demand, cajole, try to bribe to be on the top of the pile, and are hard to get money out of; it is time for them to go elsewhere. I do not have a magic wand here (particularly not this year). My inbox runneth over and they will either wait their turn patiently or move on. Once I send them on their way, I absolutely will NOT rethink it.

This year reminds me of when the HSA accounts first came out. Nobody had a clue. Everyone was calling everyone else to find out what to put on which line. Now, we can do them in our sleep. I doubt that very many of those first HSA's were reported correctly. I know even last year, when I inherited some clients from another preparer, I was still seeing an HSA deduction even when the employer had made the contribution pre-tax. I do still have a small glimmer of hope for this year.

Only one other AFSP on my list. Remember, you had to take the compliance test if you were not a RTRP; as well as the hours of credits.

Absolutely correct! Clients have started asking if it is all right to refer anyone!

I am #1 in my zip code, but was sure they went in alphabetical order; until I added more miles and saw that they were not. I wonder if people are really referring to that list. I have several new clients, but am pretty sure that they were all referrals; as per usual.

My inbox is crammed to the hilt. I finished exactly 1 return today. Between the phone and the drop offs and drop ins, I am moving toward panic mode. Then when you tell them they have to come in and sign and pay; they choose to pick their own time (which is also someone else's time, who had an appointment.) No time to study, no time to work, now no desire to work. What is going on? This from Overwhelmsville, WI.

In WI, only retirement benefits based on qualified membership which began before January 1964 MAY BE SUBTRACTED. Any portion of benefits received that are based on membership in other nonqualifying retirement systems or based on employment which began after December 31, 1963, is taxable and may not be subtracted from Federal income. I only have one retired WI teacher who qualifies for the deduction. So, it would depend on when your teacher started teaching and when he/she retired. If the teacher is newly retired, 30 years would NOT qualify.

Am spending twelve to thirteen hours a day anchored to my computer chair and making very little headway. My in box is running over. We aren't eating decent meals (or hardly any meals). They just keep pouring in. Everyone seems to want their refund before "the IRS runs out of money!" The other side of the coin is all the early filers who are owing this year. I am going to take an early night.

Ah, yes! Now I am satisfied and will not go there again.

Actually, I am liking the fact that ATX is making us think more this year by not automatically adding EIC and other forms. I believe this is as it should be, though less convenient. It tests our weaknesses and strengths.

It is most likely a final distribution of his capital account; which is money he invested and has already been taxed.

Take heart from the fact that you had the courage to fulfill the wishes of your wife. My heartfelt thoughts are with you.

Could he have replaced another, older truck that was already depreciated out?