Medlin Software, Dennis

Pub 15: Does not appear to be the TP's problem, other than possibly getting a W2c if the employer and employee do not agree on a repayment (causing the employer to add the employer paid employee amount as wages).

Timing is always an issue to be reviewed. In the case of the EIP's, there is timing to maximize, such as what is popular in the media, and items not so popular, such as an adult child not being a dependent for 2020 (but not filing until potential EIP 3 is paid, so the parents get the "dependent" amount, which does not have to be paid back, then the adult child files to get their EIP 1, 2, and eventually 3). No moral issues, as it is something done all the time, like bundling income and/or expenses for the best benefit.

I was able to use my mom's SSN to see no payment was sent (DoD 3/2020). While there was no requirement to file a personal return for 2020, as the PR, it makes more sense for me to be able to prove I filed, and a free efile process added EIP 1 and 2 for an 1800 refund, since I could not correctly say the EIP's were received.

I see both sides (I am a programmer). In my case, I came to find out a few of my customers were creating negative amount paychecks. Problem is, there is no such thing. I know what they were doing and why, but they failed to realize the consequences. The reason for the error (and it is an error in their processing) is they never figures out the consequences were never having correct payroll records, and not accounting for the tax consequences of essentially providing a gift to the employee (in their payroll records). Indeed, they were handling the "issue" by collecting money from the employees, but it was not accounted for in their payroll records. I do spent a large amount of time trying to anticipate "moves" which a human might make, versus the "old days" when all computer users were experts in their own right. Whether or not allowing something makes sense has nothing to do with it, if a field is not supposed to be a certain thing, I cannot let it be entered incorrectly, as it will certainly come back to cost me in some way since modern computer users believe and expect their hardware and software makes them an expert, and will prevent them from making ANY mistakes. (The "I just paid to use your software, not teach me how to process payroll" syndrome.) Having come from a write software for my own use, to write canned software, it is a constant battle to remember canned software must try to handle even the most unexpected human actions (some say 90% of code is to prevent loose nut at the keyboard issues).

Could be a disabled over 16 child/adult, with the federal $500 credit (plus whatever the state offers, if any) as dependent is less than EIP 1, 2 and possibly 3. Good tax planning and action if the TP's figure it out.

"encountered an unexpected error" I would still report this to the software vendor. Proper programming "catches" and prevents this message - this is the message shown when the application does not handle an error - it is the OS's way of showing "something" before the application crashes/fails/exits ungracefully. Any time you come across a repetitive printer error, it is a good time to "clean up" your Windows registry. Unfortunately, there are almost always "remnants" in the registry. With printer "remnants", strange things can happen. I have never found an automatic way to clean printer remnants (maybe because I know how to do so manually?), but just a few days ago, I had to again. I use an outdated label printer. The software for the label printer is also outdated. From time to time, the software cannot "find" the printer correctly, and loses not only my saved addresses, but the label parameters as well. When I remove all remnants of the label printer, the printer software suddenly starts working correctly. If you are comfortable using regedit, you can search for a printer you know you have installed ("brother" as an example). When you see a registry item for the search term, you can examine the rest of the node to see if there are "old" items, and delete them. Or, you can remove all printer items, then reinstall your current printer/printers.

And still, CA will stick to the minimum wage base allowed by the feds, and the feds will not raise the minimum wage base, so even without the fraud, the CA fund will be upside down again, until the PTB slip some funds out of the general budget to cover the shortfall, probably after a few years of credit reduction. Example for one employee, no claims in ~30 years, for a recent year. 51% of the amount paid in is covering expenses caused by failed businesses, over payments, and by the fund not collecting enough from ongoing businesses. This is before the effects of the pandemic, on the state funds, will have to be accounted for. Several states considered changed for UI collection for 2021, with MN holding up their calculations until just a few days ago. CA, and most other states, just plowed forward, and are falling behind. As of a few days ago, 18 states are upside down in their UI fund (borrowing from the fed fund). The amount is over 48 billion. This amount is likely growing by the day. Employers in those states should consider planning for the first level of credit reduction of (.3%).

the 2020 version was posted (IRS) 2/7/2020. I do not see even a draft 21 version yet.

I was just told I was blackmailing a customer because the 941 form was changed.

Snip from IRS Pub 4164. (The software could handle this, but the refund paper check issue might be a reason not to auto adjust.) This is just one example, but I have seen others where the name fields (combined) is limited to 35, and each part of the name is limited to 20.

Without the third party sending the K, you may not have heard of this amount. The seller likely has expenses/fees which were kept by the third party, at least for the charge card aspect. There is also the possibility sales tax was withheld/paid, which the third party handled. Some third parties also charge listing/selling fees. As others suggested, there will or should be fees for license(s), shipping, tax prep, etc. For the product described, seems like there are more than enough expenses that there should be a loss, unless the product is valued below selling price. If a short term process, not ongoing, I really like the $1 "profit" idea so it can be done with on one return. (My DW sells or gives away our random no longer needed items online, at least the items we cannot find a good home for via donation.)

MN, not WA for the delay in UI updates.

In the current times, some have found it more profitable to not work, and there appears to be a chance new regulations will allow refusal to return to work based on potential/perceived risks to health. (This is NOT a political statement, just the apparent facts.) WA state has not even figured out employer SUTA numbers for 2021, as they are trying to account for and predict the future (versus states like mine, who collect as little as possible, borrow to make ends meet, then pay it back likely from general fund money). Current times or not, if an employee is required to use a remote time tracking system, such as an app, as opposed to a computer at the work site, then the remote work might also mean it is of benefit to the employer to provide and control the device. This is becoming more and more common, given how decentralized work locations are moving to be more common. Such systems may also have GPS tracking, to ensure work rule compliance (my opinion, remote employees not in a very trusted relationship, should be tracked, not so much for hour type enforcement, but to ensure they are not working at any location, not approved and insured by the employer, enough to cause liability (injury type, and taxation).

I am certain there are those types of apps, with tracking and such (for on the road employees for instance), but, I suspect the employer would have to provide the device as well, as I doubt many employees would want such an app on their personal phone.

Just a personal soapbox, this is a great time for you to document your "move to a new computer" process and treat it as a disaster recovery test/process as well. I preach to any who will listen to be prepared, and to get your process down to less than a day (not including time to get a new machine, if you do not have an alternate already setup and in place, which I strongly recommend as well). If anyone reads this far, I still am fond of the surface pro units, with external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as they can be grabbed "to go" for regular use or emergency bug out, and come with very good built in security for a consumer pre built product.

Welcome back. In our line of work (yours and mine), because of demand, we have the luxury of working for max dollars, enough to live on, or something in between. While not the most glamorous field, there will always be enough change to require more quality workers than available. Ironically, same as my young adult line of work, a real mechanic (not a Remove & Replace what the computer or book says "tech").

Made me recheck my own software. Thankfully, no issues. I likely used different methods, which is to include all payments as taxable, and specifically exclude when required (programmer speak...). I would guess the software in question failed to add the amount for 940. Might want to check 941, 943, 944, state quarterly, and any other items where it needs to be wages, and places where it needs to be handled for credits.

I was updating life and disability coverage, and had to admit, it has been more than 20 years since I was involved in any of the "risky" activities... Good for the policy costs, but sometimes I long for those days of perceived invincibility. My dad was about 25 in the image for my profile. I was but a pea sized being. Those cars were built like tanks, many raced for more than a decade. The drivers were mere pinballs wearing penny loafers, chinos, and t-shirts, with a leather object which kept their hair in place more than protecting their brain.

Unless I missed something (always a possibility), the official IRS position is paper 1099 forms sent to the IRS have to be the red drop out ink (essentially pre printed), as they have no provision for blank and white copies. On the other hand, I know many who send them in self printed (black and white), but have not heard of the IRS using their penalty process for non compliant forms. On the other hand, SSA has been allowing approved software to self print W2/W3 forms since TY 2001...

Indeed. For me, I get many inquiries asking how to do things which are not allowed. I stick to the rules, then get told I am inflexible. Or, as happened earlier today, someone asks about starting to use my payroll software, and based on their questions, I ask if they have any experience or training, and when they say no, I suggest they will be better of hiring out their payroll until they can gain experience and training. Usually goes over well enough, but some try to make me license to them, which I refuse, because I am not in the business of teaching payroll accounting. It is one of my exceptions to there being a price where anyone is worth having as a customer.

I still do not understand that thought. Even if the person/entity had a 70% effective tax rate, the benefit would have been 30% of the PPP. Even if it was a wash, being able to pay employees (those that did not want to be on the dole) was a good thing.

Likely the similar wonder of those who have had student loans in the past, should current loan holders receive forgiveness.

Must be a Catch-22. Don't explain and possibly get grief, explain and either get grief from the fee for your explanation time, or get internal grief for not charging for your explanation time. Out of all of my customers, I think I had one employer defer for their employees (against the advice of their payroll processor).

I am having to learn as I go. Mom and Aunt did nothing when grandmother passed, now mom passed earlier this year. I even had to sign something as an heir for my grandfather, who passed in '71, because the real property title was not changed. The rub is neither made any plans, gave any indication of their wishes, so intestate it is. I have two sibs waiting for their cut with open palms. Catherine has agreed to help.

Handling the estates of my mother and grandmother. I am in need of transcripts for both, for the last few years before they passed. As I understand it, those who have practitioner access can download transcripts, while I can likely only get mailed copies, sent to their last address (which will not work). If anyone can assist (or enlighten me on the process), let me know.