Medlin Software, Dennis

While yet more work, I am not sure what the big deal is. If many types of entity had applied for credit or banking accounts/cards/loans etc. in the last many years, the app has to include the same or similar info. Certain entities also have annual filing which has to include same or similar as well. So while this will be new for some (publishing new info, for many is is just more of what is already being reported one or more other ways.

For tax preparer relationship, I suppose there are many of these types of suggested notices which are mandated by insurers. The n my case, it will be interesting to see if preparer or corp agent mentions this item (same office, different specialists).

Sounds like a nasty mess, which should have three attorneys (with in house CPA and tax) resolving. Once settled, your client can get you the settlement agreement to file your client's return(s).

Sounds like the three TIC have not agreed on anything, so no chance to get the other 2 to credit for the 1's tax payments, without some sort of intervention.

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Good time =for all who read this to consider their own demise and what happens to their stuff.  Sharing never seems to work out.  Not doing this to those I leave behind, and not looking forward to it - again - when an older family member passes someday (a split of all asserts, not sale and split proceeds, I have seen the documents).

I'll share my details, but only via PM. This is a public searchable and accessible forum, so I am not comfortable putting this type of information in the public domain.

Hartford, via online source. Never spoke to anyone, don't care to. Second year with them. Premium went down about 6% from first year with them. My limits are likely higher than the majority here as I have to think about my family, and two other families (shareholder families). I also cover a home office other than mine, an employee's home office. The last line in the image is what, for me, relates yo your E&O, even though my software is licensed, like most, "as is". Note, my primary concern is paying to deflect/defend whatever someone may file. After 40 years, never happened, although a few have said they were. Still, as a corp, I would be derelict if I did not have reasonable coverage.

For those who want an idea of what could happen if SS were to have a second tier, or simply apply to all wages...

CA's SDI (state disability, such as injury, pregnancy, etc.), paid by employees as a (currently 1.1%, next year .9%) wage deduction, is REMOVING the subject wage limit (currently 153164) which will make all wages subject to CA SDI.

As I was waiting for the Queen + Adam Lambert concert to start last week (GREAT show), I was thinking of how the Warriors players, and all other entertainers who do a gig in CA, will be paying more taxes (an actual issue for trying to sign free agents to play in CA - and the other CA too). There was a time when many team performers were getting a fair chunk in personal services income, but I think that went away with the salary cap rules, so I suspect they get wages for all earnings.

Mine was static.  But, no public access, just two home offices.

I see a similar question often for auto and RV insurance.  As it gets explained, it is a shared pool, so if the pool you are in gets drained, all who swim in the pool have to pay more. RV or vehicle garaged where there were recent winter storms? Increase.  Home where there was a recent fire, or even protective utility safety outages?  Raise.  I am a self shopper, so I shop around near the end of every term, and will change for a fair savings.  I stick with one agent for personal items, because I like my agent, and their service, and their rate is acceptable.

The risk of changing is if there are any discounts for renew/multiple lines (I mean penalties for being new and not having many lines with them).

I don't think my business lines have any discounts/penalties, but I do switch them from time to time...

PLUS, I am in CA, which is one of the most regulated places to be an insurance provider (so the above may not apply in less regulated states).

No trouble for me doing mine. I was in the id.me for other reasons recently, which is different from your case. I always look at my deposits before making another to reduce the chances of the “what were you paying for” letters. 
 

My other usage was trying to get through the Byzantine requirements to get to where I can “play” with the 1099 efile system. 

We do not offer job accounting/tracking.  The phone recording says you can contact us directly via email, or via an email form on our web ---

We stopped offering phone support in 2019.  This allows us to be fair, and efficient, with our support.  We stopped allowing voice mail messages in 2021, as many were not leaving their email information, customer ID, etc.  We stopped accepting text/SMS messages as well, for the same reasons, and because they are simply inefficient, as they do not contain any of the previous information.  We were also getting SMS messages such as "help", or "what is wrong", in other words, messages it is impossible to give a solution to.

Since at least 2010, the overwhelming majority support questions have been arriving via email.  When we get a stack of messages awaiting replies (such as overnight, waiting for a reply when we open for the day), it is not fair to bypass the queue and allow a phone caller to jump the line of those already waiting.

We have pondered offering paid support, but we run into the same issue of fairness.  We are not comfortable with someone having to wait longer because another person paid to jump the line.

Even on our most busiest days, Mondays and Fridays in September, December, and January, we are usually able to reply within an hour.  We strive to offer a usable reply/solution in our first reply, saving you from waiting longer to get back to work.  We also OFTEN reply outside of business hours, especially if the message contains complete information explaining the issue.

Thank you for your understanding.

“Responsible persons”.  IIRC, signature authority is a big factor. Using eftps for the employer likely triggers. The current interp is broad. As long as you are sure you see and call all liabilities, make all deposits, and have good insurance, likely not a huge worry. 

2 hours ago, Lee B said:

Interesting, just set up my Login.gov account. All the setup does is confirm your email address and confirm your phone number.

I think Dennis is right, it just gives them a way to track who is accessing an EFTPS account which I have done for years for some of my very long term clients.

 

If my guess is correct, they are just adding to the collection toolbox.  Remember, anyone who has access to the funds is liable, and has to defend if there is a shortage. Tough to defend if one has access to the funds and the login ability...

I suspect no one here is going to offer advice.

These programs were in general news so much at the time, and were all over payroll and employer news, anyone who did not timely claim has issues to correct. If a corp, the person in charge shirked their duty to the corp (for instance), and should be held responsible for their error.

Bias. I was first involved with a corp very young so I actually learned about the fiduciary responsibility back then, and that lesson serves me well 40 years later. 

Going to see queen with Adam next week!

Just made a deposit.  No issue as I had an ID.me login already. My impression is this is not a security issue, but a way to more accurately make sure who is in the liability chain.  For instance, the non licensed type of payroll people who make deposits "for" someone are now going to be accurately (if ID.me is good) added to the liability chain.

I don't "buy" the addition of the new step is for security.  No need.  If someone access the bank info, the bank indemnifies the account holders (what we pay banks for) assuming the terms of timely notice are met. A hassle to clean up, but not overly costly. Any decent bank will have a way to instantly get WD info via SMS and/or email.

BTW, not one customer of mine has asked or mentioned this change!  A few have asked about getting into SSA BSO for EOY.

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What I mean by the non licensed type is not those who prepare payroll docs and data and hand them to the employer to handle, I am meaning those who pretend to be a real payroll "service" and get the employer's login and bank information as a way around using escrow accounts and filing as a preparer.

16 hours ago, ILLMAS said:

Why not raise your fees, restaurants in my area are charging 3.75% if you pay with a credit card.  

More accurately, a 3.75% discount if paying in cash. Merchant fees are not to be ignored. We ALL pay them, with a good bump in the last many years to "cover" the costs of the reward cards we all try to use. Then there is the cost of dealing with card user issues, which is now 100% DIRECTLY funded by the merchants. When someone questions a charge, the merchant has to "pay to play", so even for a $200 ticket, it is likely cheaper to accept the refund (which we all pay for in increased costs).

If your clients provide a GL, look at the rate their CC fees actually are (assuming accurate entry). Processors sell on the as low as 1.99% theme, but the reality is, for most small businesses, getting an annual actual cost even near 3% is the exception.

We "are" the gubmint.  It is a reflection on society. We like to send the same person to DC over and over, 'cause they can send back the most pork.

Tom.  Those are the things I think about under my own roof.  I have tried to plan and insure as best I can.  One thing for sure, in today's reality, no one who wants to work (and can perform at least reasonably) is out of work.  With the situation you describe, they may be on other programs, IHHS, EBT, etc, which may give potential employer a useful credit if they get hired. Such as the lady who does better, near me, by begging while sitting under a quick serve help wanted sign offering $20+ per hour to start.  Personally, should my software venture somehow fail, I have done so many physical things in my years, I would be turning away work.  Certainly not as lucrative as not working with one's hands, but we would survive.

Not sure how their retirement is setup, but you did not say they used it all, so they still may have options.

It is tough to separate goodwill from those who may or may not know what they are doing (asking for free work).

I will often adjust price for animals rescue groups. Usually no for groups I know make money, donations or not.

In the op, I don’t read it as they are starving broke, so I would not discount, but I would share resources which may help them resolve or adjust their financial situation. 

Pulled “some” money out of IRA? Then there may be “some” left to cover expenses.

Hard lesson that many have to learn. Just because customer gives you $100 does not mean you net $100, or in this case, WD of $X does not mean you can spend all of $X.

Tough conversation but should be dealt with by whomever assists them with money management, not from their preparer.

For me, I hear the “I cannot afford to update my 10 year old computer” or “I cannot afford $79 software “. This is from business owners who need to pay employees. A few times, it is from those preparing payroll for others and say they cannot afford my price. I will have the tough discussion that if <$100 software or <$500 computer update will “really” break them, they need to end their business as it is already broken. Or that they are giving away their services for less than minimum wage, if not free or at a loss. 
 

And don't forget self caused issues, such as shielding income from W2 reporting. Zero SS recipients who could have managed their finances to reach SS max contribution get any sympathy from me.  I discuss this daily, "why are you hurting yourself and your family by even considering W2 "games" before your SS wages reach the SS max every year?"  Of course, there are those who do not believe in SS (and should not complain at all), but for the majority who will claim, belief or not, no complaints are heard from me unless they are collecting at or near the max.

My own grandmother collected for just shy of 50 years... and we have planned for our disabled daughter to do the same (SSDI when I get to FRA) for hopefully 40+, plus if I meet my demise early, I will have left my spouse in good SS shape - by not gaming "reasonable compensation".

Maybe some of the recipients did not need to get a form at all? Corps for example. It is a nit issue for me, sending blindly to all based on 600 or for any amount at all. 

Forgettory! Excellent word. Mine is absent minded though, attributed to kids and grand kid taking my brain cells. 

A customer just asked me if we help prepare the x forms to retroactively claim ERC.  They made a comment about how difficult the process is.  I could not help myself, and pointed out how easy it was in real time.

49 minutes ago, cbslee said:

Yes they have been going after the low hanging fruit because it's easy picking.

Common sense, or dollar sense at play.  Like an old textbook said, those that spend hours finding a one cent issue may be good, but they are fired.  Anything which takes more than automation likely has some sort of review and profitability calculation.  We even talk about it here, as long as the result is close, file as is...

4 minutes ago, kathyc2 said:

Have you gotten into the indexing factors and bend points?  If so, you can easily create a spreadsheet to come up with a close estimate of what changes higher earnings will make.  

I used a calculator, I think on the SS site, to play around with different earnings.  Again, looking only at what our daughter will get for SSDI.  a $10 a month increase (the number I watched for) at onset, for hopefully 40+ years, is not something to ignore.

SSDI will not be her only resource, but maximizing for her makes sense.

For me, studying my own situation has led me down many paths which might help others.  Answering your own issues is a great first step, which will give you a place to start making notes to look at other paths.  As above, my first advice is always to study death or disability tomorrow, and the results of prior planning or lack of will be a shock.  That shock is great inspiration.  I then looked at my death being at age 100, which is the actual average for my family.  I slightly considered death at an age where waiting until max SS is gained, but for me, I discounted it as it only affected ME, not those I will leave behind (which is my personal priority).

SS planning should be done starting from an early age. Meaning, get in 10 quarters. Check for accurate reporting. If an s corp, for example, maximize SS wages instead of playing RC games. JMO though. My opponent noon is based not on maximizing for own self, but to setup for the unexpected. Surviving spouse, surviving kids. Disabled self, spouse, kids. Etc. 

Comes from my grandmother collecting for over 50 years. Me being a surviving child. Daughter likely collecting 40+ years of ssdi based on my wages. Also still personally having one zero year dragging my calculations down due to a poor choice in my youth.

i don’t see it as a need to beat private investment game, but a way to care for those we are responsible for. The average person is not going to beat SS if something unexpected happens. I don’t else a scenario where SS is left fallow. 

I know not all agree, and I know many who wish they had!