Catherine

Just don't use the leaves until after New Year's Day, as the new law doesn't go into effect until then! lol.

I ordered two sets; one each for me and my assistant. Thanks, Lion!

Yes, dear! As for Naveen - I agree with Abby and RitaB. Be respectful, make it sound like this is not usual but you've seen one or two, not surprising at his age, good for him for recognizing and stopping, but you're one of the "lucky" few and (for those who owe) we should fix this else you may well get a letter. Of course those owed refunds will be eager to amend. They will all think you walk on water, the refund people will be pleased as punch, the tax-owed folks will be glad to avoid the nasty-gram from Uncle Sam's tax boys, and no one will disparage the old preparer.

I have only two clients who qualify for small amounts of EITC. I have no problem doing them as they give me good records to work from and both are married couples. One brings the kids in with them and the other has no kids so that's not an issue. Anyone new - I doubt I would take them on. The requirements are far more than I want to deal with for anyone new.

I give everyone a paper copy AND a CD with password-protected pdf's of everything. Used to have a file named "opening instructions" with the algorithm for figuring out the password but after multiple calls I renamed it "Read me BEFORE calling Catherine" which people mainly do! Cut the calls down from 30 per year to about 2 or 3. Additional paper copies? Sure; mailed only to YOU, go to my web site and use the PayPal link to pay the $30 fee. Once it's paid I'll start. Amazing how many people want to try to look again after they "can't find" their return the first time. (Which I take to mean that it wasn't sitting on their desk at home in plain sight.) Additional pdf copy? Only by the file share portal. That one is free but only when I get around to it which might not be until tomorrow.

1. CPAperless' product "Signature Flow" (although they've changed the name and I can't remember if that is the new or old name) only charges per signature; NO monthly fees. 2. Most web sites will allow a PayPal link (client does not need a PayPal account). Drake (my software) for 2016 tax year now accepts credit cards inside the returns with no monthly fee; again just a per-transaction. 3. Adobe Acrobat but go to ebay and buy a license for Acrobat X (ten). It's a couple of years old, works perfectly, and will be cheap due to age. Get a registerable version. Alternatives would be Nuance's Power PDF or pdf995.

The IRS has ten years to collect tax due under current laws. Plus the SOL never starts until a return is filed. We will have PLENTY of business for years to come, even if the feds *and* the states all cancelled all taxes starting 1/1/2017.

They have been doing the upgrade all week - with limited phone support and VERY limited online access. The rep I talked to about a client issue said "Monday - I hope" so the official line is Monday but personally I will be surprised if they are really back in full swing that quickly. I would give it until Tuesday or Wednesday before I got concerned.

Reminds me of a couple summers ago when I was still at my home office only. Client dropped by unexpectedly to discuss a situation that had just come up. I was working in my garden after a rain, mud from hands to elbows and from feet to knees. He paid me to sit on my back porch with him and talk, while he pulled pertinent documents and held them so I could read them. Then he opened my back door at my direction and put all the papers on the kitchen table - I wasn't going to touch them until after I'd cleaned up, which wasn't going to be until I was done in the garden! And he apologized for interrupting my work, and then made nice comments about my garden.

You can also make the client appt thru ycbm *for* them - they then get an email with the reschedule link. I've done that for some folks who dither on times - I pick one and let them change if they want.

If you really want people to book appointments, you can try https://youcanbook.me/ for free. You can set up the times YOU are available, clients can book for a half hour or an hour, both you and client get confirmation emails and a link to cancel or re-book. It links to your computer calendar, too, so if you block out vacation (or CPE class) schedules those are already included in your not-available times. I have used the freebie version for about a year now, and it works just fine.

I hope every one here has a wonderful day with family and/or friends. Travel safely!

None of us need or want clients like that, and we are usually glad to see the back of them as they walk away! Anyone they refer is likely to be as bad or worse, too. I have no sympathy for the clients with triple my income, no savings (normal or retirement), huge mortgage payments, and high-end leased cars, who whine about my paltry fee or my expectation of being paid.

Sorry, yes C-corp. Thought that was clear by referencing an 1120 not an 1120S. I said I was sticking to my strengths...

@jklcpa -- thank you, Judy!!

Ain't it just *grand* how their lack of staff (and general incompetence among far too many employees) gets to turn into our nightmare emergency? /sarc/

Hi folks, I'm going to play stupid here (always good to stick with your strengths) and ask. Corporate client (on a fiscal year) has an NOL for fiscal 2015. In general with individual NOL's I have just elected to forgo carry-back because it's a pain and would not have done the clients much good (especially after paying my fee to amend prior-year returns!). However, this corporation got hit with some sizable tax bills in the last couple of years. Plus the owner is in her 80's and we don't know who is going to take over as she slows down in the next couple of years *and* there will still be carry-forward losses for a while even after carry-back. So I'm thinking we should carry this back two years. Question #1: standard amended return for the prior-year 1120's, yes? Question #2: do I make any adjustments on the 2015 return for the amounts that are going to be carried back? Or do I do that next year (which means putting in a reminder to myself not to forget a whole year from now!). TIA, Catherine

Maybe tomorrow - but I'm teaching tonight (US Constitution class) and need to leave early so I can have dinner first. My gut says yes - but it may just be hungry...

You'll have to read the trust document. Lots of times there IS provision for unequal distributions specifically because of disparate ages of beneficiaries. If the trust allows it, the trustee can distribute 1/3 to the nephew and the trust can hold on to the balance within the trust - and pay tax at trust rates on that portion. But if the document says "equal distributions no matter what" then everyone gets 1/3 or no one gets any.

I just love that xkcd cartoon on passwords and have had it bookmarked since I first came across it. And that 27-page document I referenced above is as long as it is because it also contains the lists (where required) of all the *previous* passwords that cannot be re-used (all in strike-outs so I don't get confused), and notes for login procedures. All the stupid bleeping "security questions" with answers, notes that this screen seems to want X but really needs Y or it won't load, don't use anything but Firefox here because the pages don't display properly... et cetera.

@Elrod - that picture was funny but also more than a little disturbing!! Please, remember some of us read the forum while having lunch...

And this, Rita my friend, is an stellar example of why I always ADORE your posts...

Boy oh boy isn't THAT the truth for us all !!

After listening to those lists you start to think the original ailment jes ain't all that bad, y'know?!

Yes! I had some clients come to me new a couple of years ago, who "forgot" to include information on that, as well as "forgot" to bring a copy of their prior-year return. Oh, they got a letter all right, and suddenly "remembered" they had taken that re-pay-able credit. And their bill went up, and I question *everything* they hand me, now.