MargaretMort

I had two clients who each got very healthy bonuses. They called to see what the tax consequences would be. I worked up an ES for each of them, called them back and said the taxes would be about $xxxx and did they want me to print ES Vouchers for them. They said no. What I didn't say was $xxxx in addition to what was already withheld from wages. What they "heard" was their refunds would be that much less than they usually get. Tremendous shock on their parts when they found out the amount they had to pay, long conversation while I explained, again but more clearly, why. Decided that I must be absolutely sure I don't think the client understands what is perfectly clear to me. MM

Thanks for the added information. Certainly gives me more to tell them. HVKEN, the credit card payment information I printed from the 1040 says, in bold type, if you pay by credit card, please enter below the confirmation number you were given at the end of the transaction and the amount you charged (not including the convenience fee). I am assuming from that the return can be efiled and the charged amount sent later. Need to the irs site David 1980 mentioned.

You are correct, my question wasn't clear but, on the other hand, I wasn't sure what to ask. I believe they intend to pay the entire amount but use their credit card to take advantage of points, etc. I think, now that you mention it, I was wondering what the charges for using these companies are. As I read the blurb, it says they will know what the charges are before the client agrees to use the company and can opt out. Think I will prepare a V for each of them, just in case. Thanks for clarifying my mind, or what amounts to it. MM

I have two clients who owe a couple of thousand each. They would like to use their charge cards to pay the balance due. I found the form that gives the information but I am not quite sure how it works. I wouldn't recommend they pay before their e-filed returns have been accepted, apparently you can do that. Once the forms are accepted, I suppose you can go to the site of your choice and make your charges. I just don't know and I don't want to give them the wrong information. These people usually get huge refunds so this is a big change for them. Thanks for any help. MM

Sorry to say but NW Florida--i.e. better known as THE PANHANDLE--is rainy, damp and only 65. We lucked out and didn't get any of the possible tornadoes that were floating around and we badly needed the rain so we won't complain. Our local AF base was having a 2 day Air Show and entertainment this weekend, might not happen which is really too bad because they go all out for these shows and they are free.

You are absolutely correct that the purchase price was the value. I just put purchase in how acquired, the donor's cost, FMV is the same as the donor's cost and cost is the method used to determine the FMV. You don't have to fill in columns (d), (e), or (f) if the cost is less than $500.

I have clients who donate new furniture and miscellaneous items to a couple of non profits in this area. I always fill out the 8283 with the date and amount of each group of purchases but don't itemize each individual item. They also have a form from the non-profit attesting to the donations. Perhaps the toys could be separated into reasonable small, like items so as to not put all misc. and the amount lumped together? MM

That makes perfect sense. I had looked up the pub. and anything else i could lay my eyes on and didn't get an answer. Knew I could get it here. Many thanks. MM

No personal use. the losses can't be taken because TP's AGI too high. I am inclined to add the property tax to the Schedule A, just want someone to pay me on the head and said "Good one!" I have a bad habit of questioning everything and working my way into a hole with no way out. MM

I am trying to finish a tax return that has plagued me for a couple of weeks--always find one more thing to question and want further info about. Right now I am reviewing the entire return to make sure I have entered everything--too many pieces of paper and too much information--and I was double checking the property tax info for the Sch A. There is a line that says Rental Property Tax from Sch E. Client co-owns with her 2 sisters 2 pieces of property . Both are showing losses--depreciation caused--that are carrying forward. Can I take her share of the property taxes and move them to her Sch A. Seems like a good move to take advantage of the deduction now rather than waiting. I will look up some info but was wondering if I am in the right. MM

What a lovely way to go. Our sympathies to all your family. MM

HELP! My client leases a car so I did the vehicle information for the 4562. It shows a deduction of 2000+dollars which looks right to me. When I go back to the Sch C., there is nothing on line 9 but there is a deduction of over $5000 on line 20.. What in the world am I doing wrong? I just realized, in checking against last year's return, that there was an amount on line 20 plus an amount on line 9. Oh lord, I am tired and my brain can't seem to figure out what is what. Any help will be much appreciated. MM

In that same vein, my client filed MFJ, no dependents in 2007. Received the $1200. In 2008 they have 2 dependents. I can't remember if I tried to fill out the worksheet for the recovery rebate credit or not but she just called and said their refund was $600 higher than I had told them. The credit is the only thing I can think of that would change that but when I tried to use the worksheet today to check this out it kept telling me I was over-writing. I am assuming the IRS computed the credit but don't know that for a fact. Makes me wonder. MM

Just curious. What did she say when you said that? And, personally, I think you under charged her in the first place!! I am cheap but I believe I would have charged more than $100. MM

Looking back from my advanced years, I would guess that the hormones would overwhelm any wisdom acquired. Or else you would get in bigger trouble because you know more but really aren't any smarter.

My thanks. It took a lot more effort that it needed to but.....I now have it. MM

On the theory that there are no dumb questions ( ), I am hoping someone knows the answer. I want to print the Capital Loss Carryover from 2008-2009 sheet. I told the program to print the current page, got a blank sheet of paper. I printed a copy of the entire return and told it to also print the CLC in the worksheets, got a blank sheet of paper. II have not run into this problem before and don't quite know what to do. Any help will be most appreciated. It isn't the end of the world, just an annoyance. MM

Apparently there was a glitch in the update today and they had to fix it, once they were told about it. I just efiled the return so it was fixed as of 5:37 CST. Don't know when it actually was fixed, just glad it was. MM

I just wanted to say what a positive experience I had with Support. I called about the glitch with standard/property tax and not only was I connected to a live person immediately, I learned about the problem. I missed the topic that came in ahead of my question so I wasn't already aware. All in all, support was quick and I was pleased. Good to have something working as it should.

Can't create an efile with standard deduction with property tax. Error message keeps saying the property tax must be less than $500. As it is $420, it certainly is less. I have deleted and re-entered. Any suggestions? Thanks

I have done that, no problem. Each time ATX brings up Schedule A, I input the property tax, go back to the worksheet, etc. What I did discover is that if I delete the Schedule A, the property tax disappears from the standard deduction. I did discover that the worksheet said to force standard, perhaps that makes a difference. I just leave the darn thing in and efile with it there. Come to think of it, I haven't checked to see if the A is part of the efile forms. HMMM! MM

Gosh, I hope not. I also do the automatic update daily or oftener. I also update and recreate the efile before I send off efiles. Please don't tell me I have done it wrong. MM

Don't know if it is the same situation as a few of my tax clients used to have. They were electric linemen, took jobs all over through the union. Because their tax home was here, we could take mileage-- daily not involved--lodging and meals. It has been several years since I have done one because of the rule that jobs lasting more than one year weren't covered so the rules may have changed. MM

Interesting. His 1099 was from Fidelity, also. Thanks, again. MM

Thanks, I will try that. He did give me a copy of a letter from a doctor stating he is disabled. I don't know if it is permanent but it certainly was considered so in 2008. MM