Catherine

He just cut his basis way down, so far as I can see. Nothing reportable now.

I have a client -- another contractor, like yours -- who finally got me info for the 2012 1099's last November. I sent 'em out and e-filed them and charged him TRIPLE the usual price. None of that happened until I had sent him numerous letters warning him about penalties for non-filing and late filing. I think this year I will have him SIGN one of those to keep in my files. So do the 1099s and charge him double -- and tell him that next year you'll charge him triple -- and have him sign a letter that you write saying there may be penalties imposed that are not pretty and those are his responsibility. You can give him a copy for his records (not that he'll ever find it).

I have not seen this one before -- but then, even as a sole prop with no employees, I have had an EIN for years. Sorry! If your client does have to mail in, make sure you check the little box on Page 1 to paper file; it changes the bar coding (to I have no idea what, but the MassDOR computers read those bar codes, not the forms). And have your client sign -- and you keep -- the EFO (efile opt-out for MA).

Pre-MOST-tax. The tax portion of my business was still very small back then. I was still mainly doing small business bookkeeping. We had tea and the scones I made yesterday and once I'm done with the one more thing I need to do we'll have dinner then head to the match.

I guess the real answer to the thread topic, "Do you procrastinate on difficult or long returns" is being thoroughly answered by this topic being "HOT" for several days! I am SO glad I'm not the only one.... OK, back to those nasty returns. Blech. Today's news and excitement is that a client dropping off e-file forms this morning (yesterday pickup, wife at work at the time; he's 2nd shift) found a dead-and-torn-up critter on the front step. He thinks rabbit but from the size of what's left plus color of the fur I think chipmunk. Coyote would have eaten the whole thing; cat wouldn't have torn up so much -- hawk, maybe? It is also our anniversary, and the last pistol match of the season. And it's sunny!!

Also watch the other linked video on LFTR's. It's excellent. We don't even need mines for the stuff -- one of the most easily accessible sources of thorium is coal mine talings and coal ash from coal-fired plants. Turn waste into new fuel -- at _much_ higher energy densities than the original!!

http://xkcd.com/1349/ title: "It shouldn't be hard" and while we're dealing with changing all our IRS passwords, too... http://xkcd.com/936/ title: "Password Strength"

Sounds like nap time to me!! That _would_ be very productive. I'm about ready to go off to the kitchen and bake some scones (promised my husband) and have that as an excuse to turn the oven on. We've been having ice-cold rain mixed with sleet and a few snowflakes all day, and this place is down to 65F again. That is just bleeping cold!!

So is laughter!!

I have an encrypted, password-protected file where I store all my passwords. Plus I add in all the former passwords, as so many places will not let you use former passwords either, and any special rules for that site (min, max, special characters allowed/disallowed/required) as I detest picking a new one and being told it doesn't qualify for reason one, then reason two, then reason seventeen! Stupid file is over 25 pages long. It's all madness.

see attached picture

Sometimes I do... and/or "justify" it by working on a bunch of easy returns to "get them out of the way" except then the nasty ones are still there. Like you, I set aside specific times to work on the nasty ones -- but not solely those; it's too depressing. A bunch of the "ickier" ones go on extension, too -- if I need to peel apart layer upon layer of junk, I don't want to do that against the April deadline or delay my good (organized) clients' returns.

Actually, the Constitution is remarkably short and succinct. What you probably mean is that she thinks you are writing one of today's mega-tome bills that you have to pass to find out what's in them.

I have very few clients who are NOT missing information. I keep running notes on my WIP spreadsheet and send off one long email with questions. What ticks me off is the people who go through the list, answer one question, and then think they're done. Sorry, kids, when I send a bulleted list of questions, I need an answer to ALL of them.

Thanks again!

NASA has made an *astounding* discovery!! http://fourthcrown.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/liquid-water-discovered-on-surface-of-minnesota/ Excerpt: "FORT LAUDERDALE—In a press conference held Tuesday morning, NASA officials have announced the discovery of liquid water on the surface of the region commonly referred to as Minnesota. The discovery has come as a surprise to the space exploration organization, which has listed the state of Minnesota as “unsuitable for any and all biotic life” since mid-November. " Addendum: My husband had a guy in his dorm from International Falls ("Frostbite Falls" of Rocky & Bullwinkle fame). The guy stood outside in a snowfall, in short sleeves, perfectly comfortable -- and the snow that landed on his arm did not melt. That's acclimated for you!

Read the description: lady said right lane was blocked by trucks (and you could see one occasionally in the video) until he passed her, and that she was poised to make a left turn herself. Same thing has happened to me more than once; stuck in a lane because no one will let me over or i have to make a specific turn, and get tailgated by some idiot who wants to drive way faster than the road conditions allow.

'Tis on the list for this evening. Thanks again, everyone! This group is just terrific.

Lots of help; thanks to all! Now all I have to do is parse out what they earned by when -- including half a gazillion trades of stocks and funds. Fortunately, I have a Gruntworx spreadsheet of those and can sort by date. Catherine

Thanks, Gail -- that was a help! No tuition, but there are private pensions for both of them (retired couple), and some charity as well. I'd best get used to NC, as my older girl plans to move there late this summer. Catherine

Hi everyone -- Clients moved to NC in late October, so I have a part-year resident return to do for them. What I can't find in my reference book is if NC taxes on NC-only earning, or whole-year proportionally by length of residence (as MA does). Also, are there any NC oddities that I should be aware of? Like the MA health-care mandate, or Use Tax (reporting or safe harbor numbers), or special treatment of in-state bank interest? Thanks, Catherine

Karen -- my sympathies on your loss.

I must say the more I use Drake the more I like it (and I was very much of two minds in switching; I love the ATX format). There are a few quirks, but all in all it is way faster.

And tracking this nonsense would be an absolute nightmare - and people won't do it. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-25/bitcoin-is-property-not-currency-in-tax-system-irs-says.html

OUTRAGEOUS!!! This just in: that miserable scum of a judge awarded the child-ABUSING state DCF PERMANENT custody of this child. Thereby signing her DEATH WARRANT as her health is failing under DCF "management." http://michaelgraham.com/outrage-in-pelletier-case-corrupt-ma-judge-awards-state-permanent-custody-of-justina/