Medlin Software, Dennis

I do not want to be a secondary used of whatever carrier the phone provider pays for. By being a direct customer, you are higher priority than their reseller users, and in some cases (such a business plan) there are options to pay higher priority. Nothing wrong with lesser priority access, if it suits your needs. For me, using the "big 2" gets me coverage anywhere I frequent. For the advanced, there are units (such as PepWave) which allow more than 2 carriers (plus WiFi) to be used simultaneously (there are priority settings in the modem/router). For many, it will be moot once (and if) Starlink becomes truly mobile.

SS optimization, just like Medicare look back optimization, is an entire industry. Unless you have all the facts (and few ever really do), there is no perfect answer. Take the case of a parent with a disabled child (SSI). If the child has a good chance of collecting SSDI (switched to when parent retires, based on parent SS amount!) long term, then the parent likely would want to optimize their SS amount by waiting to FRA, maximizing SS income, etc. But, this presumes the parent, if possible, cannot "do better for their child" via some other means (investments, etc.). Also presumes one believes SS will continue to be funded.

Not a judgment on the merits of any OS, Windows is the VHS, and all others are the BetaMax (if one believes Windows is inferior). If you need to pick something to be more future proof, of found in most offices, Windows is it. Mac was relegated by Apple decisions, and especially so once DTP software, quality enough for "real" writers, was available on PC's (DTP was the last bastion of Mac). The final nail to any chance of Apple even splitting market share was cloud based apps. Chrome is interesting, but no point using one as you can use a phone with BT keyboard, mouse, and a display if you really do not want Windows or Mac. This from someone who kicking and complaining, switches to an iPhone. The reason, The only phone which does not capitulate to carriers - meaning I can actually use the one feature I need, no matter the carrier (two carriers, auto switching, one phone). I had a Samsung which has the two carrier feature, but the major carriers block the feature, and I am not into jailbreaking.

As with payroll and all other forms of accounting where someone preparing for $ should sign, there are many shadow preparers who return documents for the TP to claim were self prepared. I suppose, like payroll, there are some who will give their personal login information to their "preparer" to use.

Not really. Been using it since the first public release. No matter what one thinks of MS, they long ago learned their lesson about providing some way to reduce "change" in look and feel. This is a dollar issue for them as the more change there is, the more is costs them. I cannot remember which iteration it was, but I remember a big change - but a provided way to make it look like the prior iteration. This time, it works nearly the same (nothing I noticed in the way of trouble finding something).

Keep is simple. For most, do not install a new OS, update to a new computer with the new OS preinstalled. Even without a new OS, upgrading computers at least every 5 years is a solid plan. We, here, are talking about computers used to generate income, so remaining reasonably current is a normal and expected cost of doing business. If the above is objectionable, then make sure, whatever your preferred method, to always use an OS still supported by the maker. W8 is good through Jan 2023, W10 through Oct 2025. Those with the requirement to guard information of others likely have a legal obligation to do so. As for W11, if your computer cannot pass the upgrade requirements, it likely is not as current of a model as you believed. I have a surface pro 6 which passes, and an HP all in one, several years old, and it updated to W11 with zero issues.

Correction, ERC, at present, ended Sep 30, 2021.

While nothing seems like it sticks any longer, at present, what some are estimating as 8 million dollars has been grabbed back from employers by retroactively ending the Employee Retention Credit as of Oct 21. IRS has not yet posted any advice how this will be handled as far as timely deposits, and paying back any advanced amount. There is some push for undoing this action, but it seems like a good choice to consider Q4 ERC dead, and make deposits asap for any amount retained or advanced from Q4 ERC.

Stories like this should be lauded, as it gives up hope for the future (as compared to the "regular" news). I say this as being in a similar situation, son who helped many with initial covid issues, participating in developing an in house test for covid when there were not enough tests to go around, etc. (Sr. Clinical Researcher), and who was encouraged by his mentors to take the MCAT and is now an MS1 - and already helping patients in student run free clinics.

Can of worms opened... Why call? Make sure to be correct going forward, and that all liabilities have been paid. While maybe not technically correct, the odds are VA will be happy if all liabilities are paid. If you are the employee, then submit a new valid VA4 to the employer (even if you are the employer too) and make sure the employer properly withholds. If the employer balks, and you like the job, then you are likely looking at leaving things as is, making your own deposits, etc. If this is a client you are dealing with, unless you are managing their payroll, it may be best just to accept the W2 on its face, and not use the can opener.

For paycheck income tax withholding, the employer's only obligation is to follow the employee's instructions as shown on their last valid W4 (or state equivalent). If the employee manages their finances in a way, with valid withholding forms, which results in zero withholding, say until December, then the employer is not out of line. (Note, the current federal W4 actually makes this easier than past federal W4 forms - because of not having to be blatantly inaccurate with allowances and longer.) A very quick review of the VA4 does not appear to offer the same leeway the federal form does. No provision for anything other than actual deductions/allowances. There is also a note in the form's instructions which disallows claiming extra exemptions (such as the 99 gimmick). So for VA, unless there are other exceptions available, there appears to be no way to "defer" VA withholding to the last check or two for the year. This seems to include owner/employees who often ignore the fact they are an employee, have to be paid regularly for work done, at a reasonable wage, with all required deductions, etc. These types of situations seem to almost always come from owner/employees who were not properly paying themselves during the year ("I take draws and even up at the end of the year" situations - the new 4b can be used with it being easy to claim the number is only "expected".)

Already replied to Jim via our support email... Essentially, Medlin creates the data file from the employee and paycheck information. Then, via the SSA's process, the data can be submitted. The SSA controls their process, and provides fairly good instruction via their BSO pages. The one caveat is most will have to go through a login refresh process, as many will forget their login from the prior year... We have been offering to create the efile data for many years, and for those not yet required to efile (as well as for the employer and employee copies), Medlin is authorized to print the W2/W3 forms on plain paper.

As long as even the tiniest percentage of folks give out their banking info, it is profitable for the nefarious types. No different than "I have left over asphalt from a neighbor's job" or "this is the most powerful vacuum on earth" (my fav, since an outlet only provides 15 or 20 amps, and IIRC, most UL approved vacuums are limited to 12 amps or something similar). I have a faint memory of someone trying to make email sending have some fraction of a cent cost - to try to make the large spammers find spamming unprofitable. We have about four no soliciting signs at various conspicuous places in our yard, and a locked porch gate. We still get folks who ignore the signs, and randomly a few who try to reach over the porch with a stick or other object to knock on the door. Funny to watch on security camera! On the other hand, my bank called me a couple of times last week. Even left a message. I called them back, and they were not sure what the calls were for in a timely fashion. The problem was actually real, they changed their electronic systems, front and back end, and my auto payments needed to be reset. I figured it out by not getting the usual notice of a payment being triggered. While I did complain to the bank, the responsibility is always mine to pay my own bills. The bank offered to clean up any issues with late auto bill payments, should they occur. In past times, when there were less jobs than employees, such mistakes described in the OP would have been good reason to start searching for a replacement employee.

While I still have a desktop running, I use a portable as main. Solves the power outage data loss issues, as well as allowing me to be portable too. While I have not tried a conventional laptop in years, I have nothing against them. I just like the surface pro for the features, especially the ability to set the system to keep the batt at 50% when plugged in 24/7 so it does not cook the life out of the batt. For the most part, I have a generator nearby, so I cannot recall the last time I changed the charge setting to give 100% charge. The desktop I have is nice, but for some strange reason, the system does not do or provide any means to auto restart after power outage, which is the reason it cannot be my main.

A surface pro. Add a desktop monitor, add bluetooth mouse and keyboard for stationary use. Easy to use mobile, and is VERY secure if it should ever disappear. I have yet to see a mobile computer with large enough screen for my tastes, so I focus, like always, on getting a good machine and adding the human interface I prefer. I rarely use the built in screen unless I want to work outside. Even for travel, I will carry a monitor (only a few pounds these days) or cables to hook up to whatever monitor or TV I come across.

Many pieces of history out there for those who are interested. My current curiosity is how Dawes freedmen will or won't be accepted by the tribes. The government classified many on the freedmen rolls incorrectly, but it seems like the tribes are considering following the Cherokee lead. I find it fascinating because tribal membership (via BIA) is based on degree of Indian blood, which is based on flawed Dawes listings, rather than who the tribe accepts as members. Also fascinating as the federal government has been asked to set rules for sovereign nations... via monetary pressure.

Same for the 943...

Building this in to my software, it is likely to be a nightmare for many... if there are any ERC or FFCRA figures to include. So be forewarned if you handle any 944 forms for your clients. The issue is there are different credit calculations for different quarters, and with 944 being an annual form, some may not have the required quarter figures readily available. Notice the draft form has been available since June, but still no instructions... I am cobbling together what I think the calculations will be, based on the individual instructions for the 941 quarters.

FTB must dig "Hotel California": "We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave!"

PDF files are interesting with fonts. There are a certain number of assumed fonts, where the PDF creator can just use. The creator can also add their own. The fonts are added via coding, not by something like saying "print/show this in XXX font". On top of all of this, the reader software can be set to "do its own thing", completely ignoring what the creator intended. Where this comes into play is for things where a certain font and certain position is required. The reader software can even be set to ignore the design, and substitute some other font. (In my case, it is usually a setting for allowing international type fonts which makes my customers think I did not create a valid PDF...) I get asked often if someone can email "paychecks" then have someone else print them. Besides the security issues, there is no way to be certain the recipient of the PDF will correctly render the information in the PDF. The unfortunate short is, PDF can no longer be considered safe to render something as designed, and there may be no way for you to figure out what font your reader is using. Ideally, the output you are seeing matches whatever the tax agency requires. You should be able to find the tax agency specs online, including font name and size. But, many forms are allowed to be replicated by simply being "similar" to the actual form, so there may be no specs to be found.

If the unexpected (or the inevitable) happens, low SS numbers affects survivors, non-working spouses, disabled dependents, etc. Hugely complicated issue, but if one believes the eagle will never let SS founder, then it is a factor too often ignored. Personally, my area of worry and frequent discussion is not what happens to the wage earner, but to think about their dependents, especially disabled dependents. A child on SSI can switch to SSDI based on the parent, which if managed to optimize earnings (strive for SS limit each year) can be a life changing amount for the recipient.

Contrarian as often the case? "I don't prepare their payroll" means "I do not handle audits based on data/figures/choices I had no control over". "This client uses a payroll program" They have taken on responsibility for their payroll, and should be doing so in all respects, audits, reports, etc. Any fair PR software will have the reports they need.

If I am signing a payroll form, I do it because I have prepared or been responsible for every paycheck, and deposit, so I am comfortable it is accurate with no outstanding items to cause issues. The liability chain is too onerous for me to sign forms if I do not have full knowledge/control of the underlying information. Example. Business owner disappears (fraud, mental health, etc.) with outstanding payroll obligations. If I had the authority to sign forms, any access to banking process, etc., I am on the hook. Maybe I can defend, but defense is expensive in time and money. This is maybe a once a career situation, but it does happen.

Just thinking. If you prepare even one payroll report (with your signature, not a ghost prep scenario) you likely have inserted yourself into the liability pool for the entire payroll. Personally, if I touch a payroll, I take it all (all or nothing) for this reason.

7h, and similar, for anyone new to the process, I always suggest making tax deposits with every payroll. There is nothing substantial to gain on using the trust funds, and it is much easier and cleaner to only be "off" by the fraction of cents when filing. If using a payroll service (legit, not one where you use someone to "prepare" your payroll but they do not handle funds or sign forms) they will likely pull the trust fund amounts anyway... Also for payroll, note the owner cannot pay to shift liability to a third party, so it makes sense for the owner to at least gain or have a working knowledge of payroll (and business accounting too) so they can either DIY, or be able to keep a watchful eye on their provider - so they do not end up in the situation of a couple years ago where a provider went out of business and left their customers paying trust funds twice.