redux

I like First Page 2000, by Evrsoft It's free, although lacking in some of the bells and whistles of the current version (which costs money).

HTML is easy to learn. I suggest picking up a book by Elizabeth Castro. There are several versions of her "quickstart guide" to HTML. Even if you buy WYSIWYG software, a little HTML will help you polish the site to your satisfaction.

My web site is hosted by EhostPros. For ~$60 a year I get way more space than my tax business needs.....I'm hosting my husband's art site on the same account, and a couple personal web pages, to boot. The art site takes up most of the space, but there's still plenty of room.

Web site design is fun, and I'm starting to send out feelers as to picking it up as an off-season adjunct to my tax business.

Thank you very much to all that responded.

I haven't had pancakes since my boyfriend went to Germany to work. I was trying to teach him to cook, so I would be fed during last tax season. He got really good at pancake and waffles. Not too bad at spaghetti either. Oh well, microwave some ribs. The dog will be very happy.

Always e-file extensions. That syrup is Vermont maple of course.

I've never had much success with French Fried tadpoles:

1) They wiggle around in the batter so much that it all falls off before I can drop them in the hot oil;

2) I can never figure out what wine goes best with them.

My sense is that in order to eat french fried tadpoles...I would need LOTS of warm corona BEFORE eating.

You can leave the tadpoles in the hot tub for now.

Feed them regularly to fatten them up, then scoop them out with a fish net & make a nice tadpole stew.

Enjoy it while you are relaxing in the hot tub.

French Fried tadpoles....uuummm yummy

Client filed joint return showing the standard $40 telephone excise tax refund. Total refund expected was $1300 (including the $40). Client called today saying refund was exactly the $1300 as shown on return, but refund check also indicated that $5.85 of interest was included in the check.

So is IRS refunding interest on the $40 telephone tax refund, or is a portion of the $40 std amount considered interest, or does this mean that the other part of their taxes refunded were reduced by the $5.85 of interest???

Also, the $5.85 of interest refunded will be taxable interest income in 2007.

And how many clients really look at the check that close, or would bother to notate the interest portion received?

Anyone else have a call on this yet?

That's an odd one. I haven't had any calls about interest being a part of the refund. Yes, if the $5.85 will be income to report for "07" return...strange

I want to create a web site for my tax prep business. The extent of my knowledge is...I know how to spell web site. I would appreciate any help those of you in the know can provide.

I realize I need a web host. But they come in so many forms, such as, a simple one that will host a site that I have designed. I know that I can purchase design software such as Frontpage...but then I'd be required to learn HTML. I also know that some hosts provide a design service for several hundred dollars. I also know that some hosts provide, as a part of the price, design tools so I can use their templates etc to come up with a site.

I'm looking for an outline of the process. Suggestions and opinions on the best approach. I'm thinking that perhaps learning HTML my self is going to result in the most professional looking site. MS has replaced Frontpage with new authoring tools called "Sharepoint Designer" and "Expression Web."

Beyond that, I am totally illiterate.

Well, I'm sorry - I'm out of guesses. I don't know enough about it to be of real help. You'll have to wait until erc comes on - maybe he'll know what's up.

I had that too, the first few times I logged in, but now I am recognized. Maybe there is a time lag factor, or you have to sign in x times before you are recognized. Smarter heads than mine know the answer, I suppose.

After you signed up for this board - did you folks "activate" via the email message you received?

Even though the "remember me" box is checked, I have to type in my user name and password every time I come to the board. Am I missing something?

Perhaps erc will shed some light on your problem, however, It may have to do with your browser settings in that you must have accept "cookies" enabled for the board to 'remember" you.

erc, I'm wondering if there is a way we can upload files such as excel spreadsheets that we want to share with others. If not, can we send message attachments?

I downloaded and looked at several... was a little disappointed as the ones I look at did not have a single formula to calculate anything. Not even totals for the columns.

Perhaps you can modify the ones you downloaded to do what ever you need them to do...OR make your own so the worksheets will do exactly what you need!

Thanks redux. I am looking for a thorough S corp at-risk carryover spreadsheet, if anyone has. Something for accurately tracking basis under all the odd scenarios. I am using a homemade one, but it is much less than thorough. Don't really trust the tax programs to do these right.

Check the TaxProExchange a Yahoo Group. Once you join, you can access the files to see if there is anything there that would be useful for you.

Is there a way to upload files similar to the Yahoo groups? Many times people develop very useful worksheets etc that they want to make available to others.

For those of you who may not remember, here is a link to a repository of helpful excel worksheets that had their origin on TaxProExchange. I assume they are still on the TPExchange as well. I'm not a member of that forum any longer, so I can't check on there for these.

http://techkb.atxforms.com/TSTKB.nsf/0/7c5...32?OpenDocument

The hour glass came on, but it didn't complete the job, unless maybe I need to wait a little longer :-)

Eli

Actually I thought it had worked, but it didn't. Do I need To download PDF Factory off of the software cd?

Thanks

Can't help you there, I didn't do anything special when I originally loaded the software. I just assumed that the PDF maker was a part of the installation process. I've never "loaded" PDF maker separately.

Once you click on the PDF function on the print manager and you have chosen where to save the file, the mouse pointer will turn to an hourglass while the return is being PDFed --- do nothing until your pointer turns back to its normal arrow. You can then navigate to the place you saved the file and open it by double clicking it. Adobe should open and the file should be there to read.

Now how do you guys know about that other "blue" pill??

Eli:

You're not old enough to understand, just wait my friend, just wait. :P

I downloaded TaxSlayer recently. I agree with taxxcpa, it is slightly above a DOS program while the price is right there with REAL programs.

I also tried 2004 and 2005 version of Drake at various times. It had many features I liked however, not as many as MAX. I have ordered a 2006 version of Drake and intend to give it a serious real road test....

I'm an attitude kind of guy and

CCH

has destroyed my confidence in them with one stupid act that demonstrates an attitude of a type that I don't want to be a victim of, amazing isn't it? It isn't even the loss of the ATX forum that bothers me, it is the manner and method of it's elimination that is the most disturbing.

It occurs to me that the person who made the decision to eliminate the ATX board has reached their maximum level of incompetence and will soon be promoted - hopefully to the unemployment line.

Tom, there is a Photo option and an avatar one. The picture of my "duck" is the avatar while if you look at my profile you'll see my bear photo. Is that what you mean?

Marge:

Thanks for the followup. It's always helpful to know how the problem was solved so we can avoid the same thing in the future.

erc What can I do to eliminate the "quote" feature when responding to messages? I click on the quote button to turn it red (with a negative sign) but it is still included in my reply message.

I can't seem to find the option to create the return as a PDF. Is it somewhere on the tool bar?

Thanks!

With the return open, go to the print return menu...you'll see it there.

I don't know if it'll help your problem but the latest "update" includes a program update and among other forms an issue with the 1099r. Try updating close the return and re-open it.

Since the last update I am having problems with 1099-R's that have code G or rollover amounts on it.

Normally the code G takes care of it but no matter what I do with this one I keep getting red error messages that say that the total of the tax on 5329 must match total of 1099-R's in the return.

I have tried the following:

Put just an amount in box 1 with code G which is the way that the 1099 R is typed.

I have put an amount in both Box 1 and Box 2 with the Code G that does not help either.

I have put an amount in box 1, 2 and the rollover line that doesnt help either.

Help please.......

Marge Powell

Denison, Ia

How do we send a tax return as a PDF file?

Thanks!

Eli

Hi Eli:

Create the return as a PDF using the method in the program. While creating it, you will be asked where to save it. Save it where you can later find it. Open your email client and send the PDF as an attachment.

wholesome

?

Just double click the "blacked out" word.