Catherine

Oooh, I *like* this idea! Of course, that would mean that just about ALL of my client returns go on extension... No matter how carefully (some of them) try to gather information, there seems always to be some tidbit or other missing (sometimes freight trucks full missing, too). One guy who is always very meticulous was complete except that there were no dividends listed for one company. So he had to go look that up - turns out no dividends were paid in 2016, but the research had to be done since there usually are dividends from them. That one got filed on time because he brought his stuff in early.

Yeah, I get to start the 990's and do major back-ups. Will set a task for tomorrow morning to get that first backup running. Unless I get inspired and get it going now.

Ah, yes - because with government, no matter how noble the intention (fraud prevention, here) ultimately whatever they do has the opposite affect. LOL.

Submitted my last two. Everyone else is on extension. Will now turn some attention to answering the "weird" questions and issues that pop up at this time. Such as, (1) "thanks for filing our extension. Once our taxes are complete, can we talk with you about helping to file our quarterly nanny taxes?" --Uh, WHAT nanny? Hired when? Using what to calculate pay amounts? or (2) "So why do I need to pay so much for my s-corporation? Why didn't it pay taxes itself?" From someone who decided to go to an SBIR "specialist" for his brand-new s-corporation, which bozos charged him almost $10K for annual "accounting" but never told him about the whole pass-through aspect, or told him that he was making gobs of money and might want to make estimated payments quarterly. That kind of fun stuff. Then print and mail out completed returns that were approved of by electronic copy of major forms, and faxed signatures. And include the bills for those returns! I did block out this entire week (after tomorrow) as NOT available for client appointments.

Well, there are always some die-hards poking around. And there are plenty of old posts to read to get a flavor of personalities. After a couple of weeks' recuperation, it starts getting more active again as people turn to their extension clients and post questions.

We love you, @Gail in Virginia.

We have a friend who wants a phone with Caller IQ - so he only has to bother answering if the caller is smart enough to bother with. Trouble is, I have lots of "smart" clients who think that a PhD in rocket science translates directly into tax expertise. Nope; sorry; utter lack of one-to-one correspondence. Go back to babysitting your radar dish, buddy.

"Better out than in, I always say" - Shrek.

We have a carrier!! Azone is a solvent absorbed through the skin, and will transport stuff with it. See http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?pr09023 "Chemical Penetration Enhancers for Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems" by Pathan and Setty. Now all we need is the drug. Hmm.... I have a couple of clients who work for big pharma companies.

Toss 'em on extension and go to your dad, @Gail in Virginia. Heck - I'll be your volunteer temporary employee; send their stuff to me and I'll do the returns for you. Really.

My husband deserves a medal for putting up with me this past week. I have *never* had so many problems surrounding extensions. Ever. In twenty years. Nor have I ever spent a week ready to tear off *anyone's* head if they look at me wrong. I am past done, past fried, past zorched, and into the fully carbonized stage. All of you here - love you - we know what we're all going through. Thank you all for putting up with me. And if you want an address to send my husband's medal to, send me a PM...

The Tax Book says: "The allocation percentage can be any amount between zero and 100% that is agreed upon by each taxpayer. If the taxpayers do not agree on an allocation percentage, then the allocation percentage is equal to the number of enrollees claimed as a personal exemption divided by the total number of individuals enrolled in the qualified health plan." Hope this helps.

After ATX, the first three returns will feel really weird and awkward. then you'll start getting the hang of it and be able to fly through the entry screens. I thought having to go to View mode to see a form would be really annoying - but it loads faster than switching pages in ATX.

And the "Donate" button is up in the top menu, next to "Forums" for those who have not used it before.

Terry - prayers said for you mom and for all your family. SO glad you are done; spend time with your family this weekend. Taxes, in the end, are just an annoying chore.

Grab bars, shower seat, etc. Deductible medical expenses? Not capital items (although the total for several items together went over $500 with installation) and certainly did NOT add to value of house (if anything, it detracted from it). TTB is silent and online articles are hazy.

In the engineering world (a bit crude) they call them "snot strips" and that's what my family uses. Too many engineers, I guess.

Except for my wonderful fellow sufferers here!!!!!

Belt, suspenders, duct tape, and staples. File it. If the agencies get extras/duplicates, I have NO sympathy. They get weekends off, and salaries, benefits, and pensions none of us can even dream of - that WE pay for - so they can bleeping well deal with extra paper forms. I am out of patience with the entire world right about now.

Eric Green - if it's the same one who teaches at the NE IRS Representation conference every November at Foxwoods - is just fabulous. Knows his stuff cold and makes it accessible and useful to the practitioner.

Or skip it - and sleep well. Sufficient unto the day and all that. Either it will be well, or you will have a chance to make it well later. If you can't sleep, have a drink. I think I might put some whiskey in my next cup of tea. I am SO done with this week.

When in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream, and shout! Which is my snarky way of saying "I dunno" - but good luck!

@RitaB, just to go on record - we love you SO much!

Sympathy!!!!!

Manila folder cuts are the absolute WORST!! You have my sympathy, and a non-back-40-needing hug, and a virtual band-aid because those cuts always bleed. (Ask me how I know...) Poor @RitaB!