mcb39

Am already signed up.

I keep my laptops plugged in whenever possible. But, I do not leave them on full time. I know there are two school of thought on that, but my IT person is firmly against it. Nevertheless, I have air-flow laptop stands that are adjustable. (Also, I will never click on a link) Not arguing with you, KC, just presenting another point of view. Am considering another new laptop for 2014, in the event that I am able to find an assistant. Spent considerable time on Fri talking to a sales rep at Tiger. He (almost) convinced me. They no longer have available a twin to the one I bought last year and LOVE. This was a sleep on it over the weekend decision and I still have not decided.

I just saw Win 7 Pro on sale on Tiger for (I think) $79.

I have one with a backlit keyboard and one without. Can't say that I prefer one over the other. Plus the one that is not backlit has the number pad. I don't generally look at keys when typing, and did not buy it for the backlit feature. I have had good luck with the gateway, acer family. Others may not have. Most important to me is Win 7 Pro and i5 or i7. Am doing research at the moment on a new one since my XP is no longer usable for any internet work. Hope it never dies, though, because it has lots of labels, business cards, etc., that cannot be replicated on Win 7.

Yes, have fixed some really HUGE errors over the years. I don't fault anyone for trying to make money. However, many of us have years of battle scars from schooling, learning, testing and doing research. I still believe that we need to be regulated to some degree. But, saw this morning that now the IRS is being sued for charging for a PTIN. I don't mind paying for a PTIN. I didn't mind paying for the RTRP test either. It took me many years to build my clientele. Somehow, having a designation sets me apart from the guy or gal sitting in the kiosk relying on the software to do the job. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but our jobs just keep getting harder and help is hard to come by outside of these boards. It is nearly impossible to reach anyone at the IRS without a one to two hour wait time. Even then, how much credence can you put into the answer you get when you do reach someone? I take great pride in my work, but without this board I would have nowhere to turn for some answers. Even have to look for a new assistant this year and people with tax knowledge aren't exactly standing on every street corner.

I, personally, am winding down from a very odd summer. No rain when we needed it; flood warnings now that we don't need it. We had an impossibly short growing season. We expect frost later this week. I am busy rounding up supplies for the coming onslaught. Looking for the best deals, etc. Still have returns to do and people are calling with the oddest questions. Money is now going out faster than it is coming in. Yikes!!!!!

All these solicitation e-mails are getting annoying. HRB, Intuit, CCH, Liberty, Drake, etc.

Just export return files to a jump drive and import into ATX on the new computer. You already have all the efile info on the old computer if you ever need it. Simple, simple!!!

But, what is the status if you carry the business check books out of the office and pay bills at the kitchen table. IMO, there really has to or should be some levity. I am not going to take down the picture of my mom, my granddaughter and myself. The first initials of the three of us form the name of my business. That isn't necessarily why I have it hanging in my office, but I do. So, what percentage will they disallow? Then, if I carry the checkbooks back into the office to pay bills, do I get points back? Just goes to show how silly some of these rules are. I believe in keeping everything in your back pocket and up your sleeve that you think may possibly be of help in any given situation.

I have always used Export/Import; but others will not agree.

I just finished 2010 through 2013 for a four year non-filer. He is picking them up this afternoon. Yesterday he called to tell me that he had received the first letter from the IRS and was appalled that they could charge him (so much) interest and penalties. He really thought that he should try to play the "Let's make a Deal" game. I told him to be thankful if they don't disallow some of his deductions and prepare to pay up. He has excellent documentation, but they also are aware of his assets as the transcripts they furnished me with clearly show. What makes one man think that he is above the rules? I got a healthy retainer up front and a second installment halfway through, for which I am thankful. He did admit that he expected his final debt to be much more. For instance, how can you draw 30 K out of a 401; no taxes withheld; add it to SE income and not expect to owe the IRS? I just don't understand some people, but do appreciate the fact that he came to me to help him out of this mess. Turned out, one year he didn't even owe anything.

I said that you should move on to different software if you have lost confidence in ATX. After all, Jack, you were the chief of cheerleaders in 2012 and 2013; pretty much telling us that everything would be OK. As a standalone operator, everything has been mainly satisfactory for me.

This is not the first time that they have extended the discount to prior year users. When I talked to the rep, we DID discuss 2012 and I DID tell him that I had minimal problems; and the reasons why I thought that was the case. There are at least minimal problems every year with every software. We need to stop beating a dead horse and move on; either to different software or to confidence in ATX.

Have been kicking myself ever since for not remembering rule #1 and asking him to repeat his name so I could write it down. Sorry! He was very, very nice.

I had a quite enjoyable talk with a caller from CCH. Actually, he was one of the original employees from Caribou and a nice polite gentleman. He didn't push me on anything; only make suggestions for things that I should look at. We DID discuss 2012 and he was not defensive in any way. I told him that they need to talk to and be available to us like they used to be in Maine and he said that is one of their goals; to have more comradeship with the users of their products. He was aware of the rate at which my business has increased from year to year and had some good ideas for me to think about. No pushing, much agreement and a very pleasant conversation. I am keeping an open mind; but this is the other side of the coin. P.S. He called me.

Happy Birthday Kerry! I remember and appreciate all of your help. Have a wonderful day.

OUCH!!!!!!!

Sorry, KC, I just did not know. I guess I don't pay attention to the names of posters unless they identify themselves. In any case, yes, sarcasm should be identified as such. In our busy lives, we don't always think things through before we reply or post.

But, KC, you have to remember that because you know who all the posters are; does not mean that we all do. Had I know that the post in question was made by Atticus, I would NEVER have questioned it. Sorry for the confusion. The written word can be interpreted in may different ways; especially when on the fly.....

I couldn't believe that I was reading this correctly. Surely it was posted tongue in cheek. I do pay for all my groceries with cash; but each one of those cash payments is carefully recorded as Income. I never "deposit" the cash, but it is becoming less and less each year. That is my spending money for the year; but every penny of it is included in Total Income before deductions.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas A. Edison I love this quote. If any of you had seen hubby and me in the past two days; you would never have believed we were business people. We were in the woods making firewood; which is a hard, dirty and strenuous job. I wear an old pair of coveralls inherited from my Dad and we look like a couple of hobos. There is no nicer heat than wood heat on a cold winter day and we have to earn this privilege. Add the exercise, quality time spent outdoors and total feeling of well being when it is all unloaded and stacked. I know it's not for everyone; but the overalls quote that KC chose was so apt that I just had to remark on it. Such is life in rural Wisconsin, and we sleep well at night.

In WI, Partnerships have to carry it even though they have no employees and the Partners are not covered. This is even though they have no subs. THAT never has made sense to me. I would never be covered because I am married to a Partner and, also, am a sub. For years, I did their work in their office. For a long time now, I do their work in my office. Sometimes, I even get paid.

In WI, the answer would be yes. My husband has always been required to carry workers comp.; even though he has never had employees. Now he has a Commission Salesperson who works independently. When we do the workers comp audit; his SE payments are added in to calculate the premium. I have C clients who carry it on employees, C clients who carry it on subs and C clients who have subs that carry their own comp. All of these things are privy to the workers comp audit which is a yearly thing in WI. Just finished doing one.

I have a Keurig, but don't offer it often. Sometimes, a client will ask for a glass of water. Am willing to oblige. OIH. My husband keeps the candy dish full and another dish with healthy????? snack bars. I keep cinnamon balls for one particular client. Anyone is welcome to them. Also keep hand sanitizer on my desk on their side.

I have no employees either. I believe that to date I have prepared 274 client returns; which includes Federal and State; sometimes two up to six states. Mine are not all 1040s either. I have a good percentage of Sch C and Rental returns. I think the most rentals any one client has is about nine. I have clients with investments; some extensive. I, also, spend a lot of time with my clients because I believe they deserve that. There is just no way to put an hourly wage on my production.