Richcpaman

Bubba: Are you running ATX or Qbooks over a VPN? Not just moving a file back and forth, but with a computer with ATX on it in one location, and then operating from the remote computer with out remote desktop software? Rich

In the first line, of the first post, it mentioned over 3 BILLION hacks.. The Equifax heist gave them all the keys. There will not be a system that can't be compromised.... It will just be a matter of time. This year, MFA. Next year.. MFB and the year after that, MFC, Etc. We should be lobbying Congress to change the rules to remove liability from folks that get hacked for less than, say, 10k records. If you have between 10k and 1 million, your liability is this, and above that, then your liability is TBD. I am not that worried about my practice being hacked, yes, I could be one of the unlucky ones, but, I think it is much more likely that ATX or CCH gets all our client records hacked... Rich

I am using remote desktops now. The problem is you have to have a computer at both ends dedicated to use this way. The VPN is there to reduce some of this, as you can access different things on the server, etc., in the remote location. The problem now, is that I will have 4 users on the local office, and 4-5 users in the remote office, which means 13 actual inputs to the server. I need to have a strong server to do this, and keep the speed bearable. No one has tried ATX over a VPN, I presume.

I do not have a VPN, Yet. ATX is very specific about NOT using a VPN to run their software. I use GoToMyPC right now to talk from the remote office to the main office. I have been told be others that using QuickBooks over a VPN, meaning that the software is on your computer, but the data is located elsewhere and accessed via the VPN, that it can become unstable, and corrupt the data file. I do not have any personal experience with this, but have read the stories of others. Are you using the VPN for Qbooks in this manner regularly? What year of Qbooks, and then multiple files? Rich

Rates are going up, Gotta pay for my VPN... Rich

Well, are you? ATX states that we shouldn't do it, and I know that QuickBooks blows up when you do it over Virtual Private Network (VPN) I am merging two offices and want to use a common database, so I got to have the computers talk to each other. Rich

Congratulations! Rich

There is a reason why the opposing party wants to go final on January 4, 2019, instead of November or December 2018.. So the Alimony is NOT deductible.

Careful there... pardner... She has a shovel, and knows how to use it. Rich

Congratulations, Abby. I will do my best... Rich

And don't get pissy with me what I ask you to repeat your name, IRS Number and then for your service center... Rich

A farmer friend of ours, has about 20-30 acres that has some woods, a creek and pasture. He will allow folks to drop off an elderly horse to just hang out till it passes away. His own little private rescue operation. When they pass away, he buries them on the property. He doesn't own a horse for himself, or as even a horse trailer. He just likes to have them around. Its a gentle send off for many of them, and more humane then "hoping" someone else will take care of them if you tie them up to your trailer... Rich

No... Not really. I lived way to long not appreciating what I had. I try every day now...

Yes, Cathy, The fraudsters will try anything that might work. We believe that EFiling is what they use to commit fraud, but they also paper file a very large proportion of the fraudulent returns. Why not try with 1040x's? It just takes longer to get paid... Rich

Bulldog: The worst part is CA is a prostitute with a gun.... I think I have it figured out. I adjusted the Federal amount in Sch CA540NR Column B, instead of Col E. He owes $8,700 now... Have to argue down the number with the state now. Rich

Catherine: C-Corps and Partnerships are not related.... So that makes it tough. There is no QBI for Corp's. Only the tax rates changed. And who has a C-Corp now anyway? MLP's or PTP's are allowed the 20% exclusion. Who is allowed the QBID deductions and the limitations. Depreciation is always sure to make their eyes glaze over That is a start.... Rich

Anyone out there a CA Part Year Resident wizard? I have a client who took a position in CA in July 2014. Wife stayed in VA until 2018. So, he was part year with wages in VA, and Part year in CA with wages. Wife is all VA with rents and Sch C. AGI of $425k. CA W-2 was for $132K. After doing the CA 540 NR and CA Sch CA 540NR form, I had the tax about $2.3k. The State just sent a demand for an additional $12k in tax. Stated that we underreported the Fed taxable income, reducing the %. Ok, Fine. However, the process they propose ends up with them taxing $429k, and not dropping it down to only $132k. Even one of their specialist told the client that you don't pay tax on all the income, only the $132k. Am I missing another form? Any thoughts? Rich

Well.. I have already hit the lottery. I am an American, CPA, and married to a wonderful woman. Having a ticket worth 1 million or a billion is just a bonus. Rich

Depending on circumstances of the win, at least 20-25% will go to charity. The Family Foundation gets it, and then we distribute it. Rotary would get a nice chunk. I would spend some money on proper golf lessons, so I could go to great golf courses and not embarrass myself... My Wife would start a Horse Rescue operation. And ride a lot more. We would travel, and as my Wife and I discussed last night, stay there long enough to get bored and come back to the new house. I would probably go the "Net-Jets" route instead of First Class. We would set up Trust funds for the various family members. Let them buy new houses or pay off their existing ones with that money. I have that "sibling" that I want to keep at arms length. Really, in many respects, we would do what we are doing now.... only "more" of it. It would be a gift, and I would share. Rich .

You set up the Family Foundation, and contribute cash to that. Then you pay out of your Foundation to those charities you wish to support without the rush. Even supports the annuity option with this method.

I put in $4. One Mega and one PowerBall ticket. So, I am up to $8 a week. And I don' buy them every week. Lets say, I buy them for 40 weeks. That is $320 a year. Whatever I hit? Will beat whatever returns I have ever gotten in my SEP plan.... And yes, I will pay to fly everyone here to the next social get together....

I don't ever print 1040-EZ, why would I ever print the "postcard"?

So, If a Donor says this $5,000 can only be used to buy food for the hungry... The donor doesn't get a deduction? I do not think that is how it works. There are ALL sorts of donor restrictions placed on contributions. I have had major donors ask for their money back when the organization decided NOT to pursue what the donation was for... We want to do project X, we need $100k to do it, but we only raise $35k, so they do not pursue the project, so they have to return the money. Donor restrictions do not preclude a donation deduction. "Some" donor restrictions CAN limit deductibility. That is not the case here. The client donated a car to a charity that needed some repair work. They paid for the repair work. I like Pacun's suggestion to have written a check to the NPOrg for the amount of the repairs. The NPOrg, if using the vehicle for its charitable purposes, (whatever they are), then a 1098-C is not required to be issued. The 1098-C is issued by the NPOrg when they receive a vehicle and then sell it and use the proceeds to fund what they are doing. So, the client could have donated a delivery Van to a NPOrg that delivers food to the hungry. Rich

For my son's 21st birthday, we went to Las Vegas.... with a group of 5 cars, we drove as fast as we could go across the desert..., A Ferrari, Lambo, Audi A8 and Jag. Swweeeetttt!

What? You say the auditor is requiring your client to prove that the people he paid cash to reported it on their returns? Did your client file 1099's on these folks? Were they complete? The Auditor can ask you for the moon. It is not you or your clients' responsibility to find out if they reported that income or not. Tell the agent to follow up back at the office and to track down the other vendors Rich