Catherine

Same elderly widow as my earlier post. Can she sign the e-file authorizations for both of them for the joint 1040? Or does this return now need to be paper-filed? Thanks! Catherine

Why are fire engines red? Because one plus one makes two, and three plus three makes six. Six plus six is twelve. Twelve inches is a ruler. Queen Elizabeth is a ruler. And Queen Elizabeth is a ship. Ships sail the ocean. Fish swim in the ocean. Fish have fins. The Finns fought the Russians. The Russians are red. So, fire engines are red because they're always rushin'!

I always try to file extensions a week early so there's time to correct any problems and/or file on paper. Every year they say it will be fine this year. And every year there is some sort of server bog-down or ack's delay. (Goes for individuals as well as corporations -- all my outstanding 1040's get extended by 4/10.) If there's no acks today, by all means have a paper 7004 ready for dropping at the PO on Monday.

One of my elderly clients died in early December and I'm wondering how to work the final joint return/final 1040. Every penny they had was in savings accounts at various banks. Everything went to the widow, but re-titling wasn't done until late in the year or even early January. (The attorney and her nephew have been helping her with this, and the attorney will handle any estate return necessary). He handled all their money, and this year coming up is going to be very hard for her -- she's going to need to learn to handle her finances, at 90, and remember to make estimated payments, etc. All the 1099-INT's have the full year of interest for him. I was wondering if just peeling off 1/12 the annual interest from his 1099-INT's (adjustment to box 1 as nominee) and using that for his final short-year 1040 would suffice. I really don't see any other way to do this without an extension, and then POA's from her to get details from banks -- all very stressful for her -- for no difference in tax. Thoughts? Opinions? TIA, Catherine

Absolutely adorable puppy!! I hope you all have many wonderful, playful years together.

That's excellent; they didn't used to include it. Every year CCH pushes me a little closer to jumping to Drake.

It's not in Boise, but if you're trekking all the way to Idaho, the "Trail fo the Coeur D'Alenes" is astoundingly beautiful. It is a hiking/biking path that starts in Plummer and goes all the way to Kellogg -- fifty miles of rail-to-trail (and then on to Mullan at the MT border). Link to trail info There's good info if you Google it, as well, and you can follow the trail on Google Earth too. Coeur D'Alene itself, right on the lake, is also a fun and friendly town. There's a motel called the "Flamingo Motel" where all the rooms have different themes -- Route 66, Wild West, Golf, etc. I went through there last summer on my bike trip and fell in love with the area. Catherine

Not only that, but if you have a toothache, hold a clove over that tooth (between your teeth, silly) and it will numb right out.

Former boss because that company closed 20+ years ago. We still send Christmas cards every year. One of the best folks I ever worked for. But also one of those insufferable people who only need 4 - 5 hours of sleep a day for peak performance. Ugh.

I have a number of people who have pursued advanced degrees (mainly in the sciences) where the tuition they paid was repaid to them in their W-2 and taxed. The guidance from the employer was that the expenses were deductible on Schedule A (subject to 2% limitation). The degrees make them better at their jobs but don't qualify for new jobs. Folks at this place have been doing it this way for many years. So I've kept up the practice as these folks come my way. And there are dozens and dozens of folks every year at this same place and I only get two or three of them.

As I said to a former boss years ago, "You can have bright, or you can have early. But they do NOT come as a set."

If I have to switch, it will be to Drake. I make a point of going to the Drake update seminar every year and they do make improvements I like every year. It's still not as intuitive as ATX and the data-entry-sheet format is definitely NOT my preference. OTOH, the ATX print function is a hopeless kluge that needs a re-design from the bottom up. It would be great to be able to set my OWN default print set - those checkboxes drive me nuts. There are forms I use every year that Drake doesn't have, and I'd have to get another product for W-2's and 1099's -- so that cost has to be figured in to the equation, as well as the transition burbles. ATX dropping asset history sure makes a transition less terrifying, though. But as far as the TTO product goes -- I have used NONE of the "extra" features -- so I'd stick with MAX as long as the price is reasonable. I figure this year I just got a good discount. But I wouldn't deal with TRX again.

I got a call offering TRX something locked in for $299. i think it's the Red Gear product. Told 'em to call after 4/15 -- didn't even want to take the time to listen right now.

I used the Gleim materials as well and they did a good job for me. Mine also are too old to be useful, though! In fact, I think I finally got rid of them last year.

Best price I got when I shopped several years ago was from Target Insurance Services (division of The Hartford). It is through the American Tax Preparers Program but I didn't have to join ATP. The price has barely budged in all the years I've had them. 888-888-1613 is the number for Maggie Kores, who coordinates the ATP program. Can't hurt to get a quote.

I had someone call this morning with a question that one of those calculators was perfect for -- one I don't have on my web site. Thank you!

Very cute!! You would really have enjoyed my daughter's face when I read it to her.

Hope you have a VERY

Hope you have a VERY

After getting all of Pope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb. 'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?' 'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.' 'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning... 'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile. Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kHz.. (Remember, the Pope is German..) 'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens. 'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver. The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.. 'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher. The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 155 kph. 'So bust him,' says the Chief. 'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop. The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!' 'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence. The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?' Cop: 'Bigger.' Chief: ' A senator?' Cop: 'Bigger.' Chief: 'The Prime Minister?' Cop: 'Bigger.' 'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?' Cop: 'I think it's God!' The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?' Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'

By the hour, including time on the phone and with email to get the info straight beforehand, and to send e-files or paper files after. And if the client is a PITA for any reason, round your time -up- to your next break-point (quarter-hour, ten minutes, half-hour). If client wants you to mail out the individual 1099's, don't forget to add your postage costs.

That sounds so pretty! After 4/15, please upload a picture or two! Catherine

That'll keep you smiling, jainen.

My older girl sent me this one; it's terrific. I especially like the line about Facebook pages. Movie Trailer - generic Oscar Winner

Hope you have a VERY