Catherine

Hello boys and girls... Just checking in from eastern Massachusetts where Winter Storm Nemo is now taking on characteristics of a hurricane (plummeting pressure, development of an "eye" structure) and several states have declared emergencies and told people to just get off the roads. Hope everyone in the warning areas stays safe! Assuming we don't lose power, I will be splitting time between seeing if I can get ATX working at non-geologic rates, and converting my 2011 returns to the Drake format to see how that goes. I decided that I needed to be ready to go either way, as ATX has been taking 15 seconds (timed) to go from one page/worksheet of a form to another, and up to four seconds (timed) to merely show an "X" in a checkbox. On the vaguely-related topic of this storm's name, the Weather Channel started this (this winter? -or was it last winter?) and I generally don't like it. This particular name has other associations, though. We go to the local sci-fi convention every January, and they always have kiddie activities. A number of years ago, the poster with the kiddie activities listed a showing of the movie, "Finding Nemo" and the description of the movie was, "Alien Abduction -- for Fish" and I have never forgotten that. Catherine

I use AVG 2013 and on my XP machine I had to specifically tell AVG to allow several executables (per info on the ATX web site) and since then the program is running faster and there have been (cross fingers!) NO crashes. Hasn't been an issue on my Windows 7 machine -- but that one is still running AVG 2012; hadn't gotten around to the 2013 update yet. Tell your anti-virus software to allow: ATX2012.exe ATX2012.Loader.exe SFS.Max.rolloverservice.exe SFS.Printprocess.exe

I just resolved a weird problem with "you need form version 70 and currently have form version 70" (yes), by the following procedure: close ATX 2012 go to c:documents and settingsall usersapplication datacch small firm servicesatx2012 there should be a folder named "assets" -- delete that open ATX 2012 update Forms only That was given as a generic "fix form version problems" procedure on the MyATX and it fixed my problem.

I am having serious problems on my XP machine but not on my Windows 7 machine. Just found info in the kb about anti-virus interference. Here are the pages; perhaps something will help you: http://cchsfs-atx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13994/kw/13994 http://cchsfs-atx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13919 http://cchsfs-atx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13867/related/1 http://cchsfs-atx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13778/related/1

Sounds pretty tempting right about now!

I cannot select the preview mode; it is "greyed" (well, "pale blue"-d) out. Any idea how to get THAT working? Also, the third set of data -- fields to add, etc., as shown in the "client comm. mgr." video, does not appear. Where is that?

I have all the latest updates (program and form) installed and cannot access the "preview" button on the letter templates or get one to print out to see if it is what I want. In the "using client communications manager" video there is an entire third section (to the far right) of the manager that I do not have, at all. Anyone have any hints?

Good luck with ProSeries. I used it years ago in a colleague's office (helping out under special circumstances) and must say I detested it thoroughly. Stick around here; tax issues are tax issues! Catherine

The very-late tax law changes (with subsequent re-allocation of programmers!) and the evacuation due to tornado warnings are certainly out of CCH's control (and I'm glad all are safe down there). However, it certainly does seem that this year's program was not ready for "prime time" when they released it -- and there is no fallback from CCH. The one thing I learned very quickly from this board was to un-check the "update program" box and wait until they fix whatever new problem has resulted from the latest program update. I'm just updating forms for now. Good luck to all and I hope they fix the problems create by 12.5 very soon - and without adding new problems!

I don't see how that could offend anyone; it was just silly and funny!

I have a serious weakness for dark chocolate myself -- but what fuels tax season for me is Skittles. They don't melt on my fingers, drop tiny, tasty crumbs in my keyboard, and one or two get me going for another stretch. I save the chocolate for when I can pay attention to it.

Thanks, KC!!

Thanks. I'd been thinking of using Word -- and I may still go there to draft the letter, then paste in to ATX.

Mass. also requires all state reporting be done online and they only accept transmitted files for more than (I forget the number) employees - and none of my clients exceed that number. I've recommended Medlin, have used it myself, and really like it. One of the great features is the 941 report that gives you (or your client) the payroll tax payments subtotaled by w/h, ss, med taxes. QuickBooks payroll gives you the employee and employer portions and you get to add it up in your head to populate the EFTPS fields. That said, I would _never_ recommend Medlin to newbies or those who I am sure would make a muck of (i.e., "not get around to" or "adjust" the 941s). However, one client who uses QB PR in-house didn't know how to note they paid through EFTPS (not QB e-payment service) and called QB (not me) for info on how to clear the PR liabilities. Intuit told them to "delete" the liabilities and enter journal entries every month!!! What a bunch of nincompoops! After ruining the better part of a _year's_ records, I told them to pay by "check to be printed" then later on put in the transaction number as the check number, using as the check date the one of the EFTPS transaction. They were much happier and I think it taught them to call ME first.

I'm pretty peeved that I can't even customize the stupid letter. All I want to do is add a short sentence telling folks to call me if they get any letter, and not respond themselves. That's taking no-customizing too far.

Found 'em I had told the payroll program to put the files in a folder on one partition -- and it created that folder. Then it went and created another, identically-named folder on _different_ partition, and put the wage files there!! I have NO idea when, how, or why it created this other folder and decided to use it. It is not the place on my computer I want those files. However, now that I know where they are, I was able to get them submitted. Thanks to all for the help. The ways of computers are strange and mysterious, and not for mortal man to understand.

Yes. The folder is empty, despite the program telling me it created the e-files and the names showing up in the e-file manager.

It tells me the e-file is created, but when I go to check it with Accu-Wage, there is nothing in the folder! So it's not actually creating the e-file (or it's hiding it somewhere incomprehensible). Any other clues you can give me, jklcpa? Thanks!

I have used it in the past; very easy, no troubles. THIS year, I keep getting an error saying I need to download Accu-Wage from the SSA. Well, that USED to be included in the ATX package. Additionally, I DID download and install Accu-Wage. But I still keep getting the error message that I need to download and install it before I can e-file my W-2s. I have a raft of them, ready to go (now that my clients have given me the OK to e-file) -- and here I am, dead in the water. Last time I tried calling ATX tech support I was told there was a 1-hour and 37-minute hold time for TS. That sounds less like TS and more like BS to me. I am most seriously displeased, and am hoping that someone here can tell me the secret to getting the payroll system to play nicely with accu-wage. Catherine

We know how to try, at least!

It's pretty chilly here, too. Five Farenheit this morning; up to about 15; down again to 7 currently. Close to or below zero tonight and about 12 - 15 tomorrow, they say. My office never got above 64 and by my main desk the thermometer said 58. I wore two wool sweaters all day plus had the little space heater blowing straight on me.

I charge $15 per 1099. For W-2s I charge an hourly fee and it varies significantly. Did I do the 941s so I know they're in order? Or did the client do them (one set, last year, cost the client a couple hundred bucks for me to amend four quarters before I could touch the W-2s)? There is a minimum fee of $30 or so as it takes a half hour to set up the printer, collate everything, stuff envelopes, go through the Accu-Wage rigamarole, put it all back at the end, et cetera.

I am not surprised at all by these results.

I have always customized my letters first thing (with the occasional tweak needed later). The thought of having to customize each and every letter is appalling. I may do my letters separately, and insert a printed pdf in the client copy before I print. At least my word processing program will save several standard letters. More work for me, in the name of "improving" the software. Grrr. There are REASONS, CCH, that we want to customize master letters.

I have heard of significant problems with Square. Apparently it's OK for those with need for only the occasional credit card transaction, but here is the bottom-line deal-killer for me: Square has NO customer service telephone and a long history of NOT returning emails. If _they_ think something is odd, and with NO warning to you, they will hold your money until they deem fit to release it -- and you have NO way to stop them, or to contact them with guaranteed response, or to get your funds released. There are tales of monies being held for months. So beware -- if you have the occasional client trying to pay by card it should be fine. If folks are willing to go on-line, _you_ can have a PayPal account linked from your site where people can pay you even if they do not have a PayPal account. If lots of clients pay by card (or you want them to), Square might not be the best choice for you. Catherine