kcjenkins

Good to know.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you. I'd certainly try to make it work, since no doubt the Win 7 will eventually no longer be supported, just like they are doing now with XP. I loved XP, but find now that Win 7 is working fine, and does have a few new features I like. Remember, I did not give up DOS until my tax software give me no choice! Then once I got used to the Windows XP [i hung back so long I skipped everything Windows before XP] I realized how much great stuff became available that DOS just could not provide. I'm happy with Win 7 now, but somewhere down the road, if I make it that long, I am sure I will move up to some other platform. Maybe Win 9 or 10?!

Yes, in most states they are REQUIRED to provide you that annual report, if you ask for it. At least for all 'regulated' industries, and I'd expect that to include the oil companies. Not sure about your state, but I bet they do, especially because, as you say, it's a major expense up there.

See if you can open it in Compatability Mode? Run the Program Compatibility Wizard Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows. [This is for Win 7, adjust for appropriate Win 8 commands] Follow the instructions in the wizard. If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension. To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab.

Jainen is right, but most likey she wants to close the deal and not bother with the property for that long. In which case, I have two points. 1. Paying Cap gain rate on half the gain is still a great deal. 2. I'd be double-checking her basis, to be certain she actually has that big a gain. For example, if her spouse died a few years ago, she got a step up on his half of the basis at that point, an often over-looked item since there is no paperwork filed on that at the time. Even if he died ten years ago, the FMV might have been significantly higher at that time, giving her a significant step up.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Adoption-Taxpayer-Identification-Number Q.1. What is an ATIN? A.1. An ATIN is an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the Internal Revenue Service as a temporary taxpayer identification number for the child in a domestic adoption where the adopting taxpayers do not have and/or are unable to obtain the child's Social Security Number (SSN). The ATIN is to be used by the adopting taxpayers on their Federal Income Tax return to identify the child while final domestic adoption is pending. Q.2. Who needs an ATIN? A.2. If you are in the process of adopting a child and are able to claim the child as your dependent or are able to claim a child care credit, you may need an ATIN for your adoptive child. Q.3. Why do I need an ATIN? A.3. Recent tax law changes require that when you list a person's name on your federal income tax return, you must provide a valid identifying number for that person. During the adoption process, you may not have been able to obtain an existing or a new Social Security Number (SSN) for the child who may already have been placed in your home. If you are eligible to claim the child as your dependent, and you don't have the child's SSN, then you will need to request an ATIN in order to claim the child as a dependent and ( if eligible) to claim the child care credit. Q.4. How do I know if I should apply for an ATIN? A.4. You should apply for an ATIN only if you are in the process of adopting a child and you meet all of the following qualifications: The child is legally placed in your home for legal adoption by an authorized placement agency. The adoption is a domestic adoption OR the adoption is a foreign adoption and the child/children have a Permanent Resident Alien Card or Certificate of Citizenship. You cannot obtain the child's existing SSN even though you have made a reasonable attempt to obtain it from the birth parents, the placement agency, and other persons. You cannot obtain an SSN for the child from the SSA for any reason. (For example, the adoption is not final). You are eligible to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. Q.6. Can I get an ATIN if I am adopting a child from another country? A.6. You may apply for an ATIN for your prospective adoptive child only if you are in the process of adoption and meet all of the following qualifications: The child is legally placed in your home for adoption by an authorized placement agency. The adoption is a domestic adoption OR the adoption is a foreign adoption and the child/children have a permanent resident alien card or certification of citizenship. You cannot obtain the child's existing SSN even though you have made a reasonable attempt to obtain it from the birth parents, the placement agency, and other persons. You cannot obtain an SSN for the child from the SSA for any reason. (For example, the adoption is not final). You are eligible to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. Q.7. I now know that I meet the requirements to apply for an ATIN. What form do I use to apply for an ATIN? A.7. The Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending Adoptions, is used by qualifying taxpayers to obtain an ATIN. You may also get a copy of Form W-7A at an IRS walk-in office or by calling 1-800-829-3676. Q.8. What do I need to complete the Form W-7A? A.8. In general you need to know the child's name, the birth information, and the placement agency. This information is typically found in the placement documentation. In addition, this placement documentation must be attached to and submitted with the W-7A. The Form W-7A has more specific and detailed instructions. You may send the Form W-7A and the necessary documentation to the address listed below or it can be dropped off at an IRS walk-in office site. The walk-in office will mail the information for you. Internal Revenue Service Austin Service Center ATIN Unit P.O. Box 934 Austin, TX 78767 It continues, but that covers most of the common questions.

Will do.

Eric, if your utility companies are like most all of them, you don't need to keep up wih the monthly statements, because you can go on line and download a year's data as one form, and that will be sufficiant documentation.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-14/html/2013-19728.htm The final regulations mostly adhere to the regulations proposed by the IRS last year, except that it added Social Security benefits to the list of items that can be disclosed to the Department of Health and Human Services in order to help enable the health insurance exchanges determine a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income. If the IRS provides HHS with the amount of Social Security benefits included in gross income under Section 86, an exchange or state agency will be generally able to determine the amount of Social Security benefits not included in gross income under Section 86, the IRS noted. This amount is one of the components of an individual’s MAGI. Eligibility for the premium tax credit, and advance payments of the credit, are based on the household income of the applicant, which is the sum of the MAGI of those individuals who comprise the household. As a result, providing the amount of Social Security benefits included in gross income, along with other items contained in the regulations, will help an exchange determine whether a taxpayer is eligible for the premium tax credit under Section 36B or cost-sharing reductions under Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act, and the amount of the credit or reductions. The other major change from the regulations proposed last year is to delete the reference to adoption taxpayer information numbers, or ATINs, from the list of identification numbers to be verified, because the Social Security Administration cannot verify them. Subsequent to the publication of the proposed regulations, the IRS recognized that requests relating to ATINs would not be received because individuals’ identification numbers would first be verified against SSA records. But since the SSA has no records of ATINs, the numbers cannot be verified and HHS will not request return information for individuals using ATINs. While the income of an individual with an ATIN may be relevant for determining household income and, therefore, eligibility for a health insurance affordability program, a health insurance exchange or state agency will instead need to use alternate verification procedures.

A couple were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they'd shared where Andy had carved "I love you, Sally." On their way back home an armored car passed by and a bag of money fell out, practically at Sally's feet. She picked it up and not knowing what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money: an even $100,000! Andy said, "We've got to give it back!" Sally said, "finders keepers," and put the money back into the bag and hid it in their attic. The next day, two FBI men were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money and knocked on the door. "Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday?" Sally said, "No." Andy said, "She's lying. She hid it in the attic!" Sally said, "Don't believe him, he's getting senile." The agents turned to Andy and began to question him. One said, "Tell us the story from the beginning." Andy said, "Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday...." The first FBI agent interrupted him with a heavy sigh and turned to his partner. "I told you this was a waste of time. Let's go."

LOL

No, not every story is a "scandal". Fox is not calling this a scandal. It's just a simple fact that any story about taxes gets a lot of viewer interest. Probably because everybody has strong feelings about the IRS. Networks like to run stories that viewers are interested in.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE I'm not sure about the "actual" bit, since it has been attributed to the U.S. Air Force, United Airlines, Qantas Airlines, and more. But it's a great old classic about clear communications. --- Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and responses: P = the problem logged by the pilot. S = the solution and action taken by engineers. P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tire. P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft. P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit. P: Dead bugs on windshield. S: Live bugs on back-order. P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground. P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed. P: DME volume unbelievably loud. S: DME volume set to more believable level. P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That's what they're there for. P: IFF inoperative. S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode. P: Suspected crack in windshield. S: Suspect you're right. P: Number 3 engine missing. S: Engine found on right wing after brief search. P: Aircraft handles funny. S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious. P: Target radar hums. S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics. P: Mouse in cockpit. S: Cat installed. P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. S: Took hammer away from midget.

Next step will be to put those who do not use the standard under higher audit levels.

NOTE PLEASE, THIS IS A JOKE, NOT POLITICAL COMMENTARY ! A Win-Win-Win Situation Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately. Illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, wild animals attacking humans in Florida. Not me. I concentrate on solutions to problems. The result is a win-win-win situation: Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border + Use the dirt to raise the levees in New Orleans + Put the Florida alligators in the moat. Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

Sara nailed the major problem ! EITC and dependancy rules have gotten so complex, and are the main reason many people file, and biggest catagory of VITA 'customers', I expect.

Did you try to figure them out first? Here are the answers: 1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead. 2. This one's fairly lame, but the woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it and hung it up to dry. 3. Charcoal. 4. It's pretty easy: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow! 5. The letter "e," which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph.

Brain Teasing Riddles Try to answer them before looking at the answers -- and all do have logical answers. - - - 1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him? 2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be? 3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away? 4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? 5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out.

QUESTION DURING A JOB INTERVIEW: Why did you leave your last job? The Company relocated and didn't tell me where...

That is what makes it funny, tho.

The IDEA behind VITA is good, but I really do think, having seen so many bad returns even in my realatively small town, that the IRS should have to maintain better oversight of the output. Perhaps they could come up with a special processing for those returns, where an IRS professional had to review all the efiles through VITA, and compare with an experienced eye, After all, any of us, looking at a return where the Interest Income was that much out of line, would have immediatly looked at the prior year return, for example, and questioned where so much came from.

That is probably the only reason the return was not filed. Wonder how many were done the same, but just cut the refund down but not out, and WERE filed?

Me too. I think the new forum just heated things up, but then, I know I'm one of the 'stir it up' group myself. Just that this old lady is truly concerned about what is happening to this county, and how it is going to impact my grandkids. I'm trying, though, to keep it civil at all times. Wish they all would. But will continue to try and add a smile now and then, because we all need more of them.

http://www.wimp.com/announcepregnancy/ this made me smile

Don't you look forward to the same treatment in a hospital after the government takes full control of them? OPPS ! If anyone wants to continue this, we should move it to the politics forum. Let me know if you want it moved.