Catherine

Well, that didn't happen _this_ year; at least for me. All the customization I did on the master last year was lost. So I re-did the master this year, and then had to re-edit _every single doggone_ client letter for rollovers. I was, shall we say, slightly steamed about that.

How wonderful!!!

We saw some ladies at Cirque du Soleil last fall doing similar stuff; now I know where they got their inspiration. I can't imagine ever being that flexible no matter how long I worked at it.

Massachusetts forms have a horrible problem with stuff NOT flowing through properly to forms or worksheets, and this has gone on for years. It's worse in business and partnership returns even than it is on personal ones. It is a _royal_ pain. Client letter editing is worse than anything I've seen since the days of text editors. Customizing the master only works with _new_ returns, not rolled over returns. That's obnoxious. Printing -- I'd love to be able to set a default printing order. I NEVER use their privacy statement (have my own flyers instead), and ALWAYS print the return cover sheet. Et cetera. It would be great to be able to choose what I want and save a set, rather than have to click and un-click seven gazillion little boxes every time. And fix the jumping around!!! Click one box and the whole client info section flips itself around -- SOMETIMES. Grrr!!! The return cover sheets I can edit a master but not an individual -- and I want to get the individual tweaked. Put in "Amended" for amended returns. And It isn't a "Massachusetts 1 Tax Return", it's a "Massachusetts Form 1 Tax Return" -- I'd like that extra word. Again, if I do a new return from a master it works, but not from a rolled-over return. Unless I delete the letter and reinstall -- what a pain. I'd also like extension by-mail-vouchers and estimated payment addresses to be available without having to dig so deep. Some folks want to mail a voucher with a check, and the program assumes e-filing, so you have to dig for addresses. I have a "cheat sheet" for IRS and my state -- but what about the client who also needs to extend a return for, say, Pennsylvania? I don't know those addresses and ATX doesn't make them easy to find! That's all off-hand. I'm sure there's more, though. Catherine

My cousin sent me this link earlier today. The video quality is poor because it was filmed in 1944. This trio was very popular back then. The intro song is more than slightly corny, just keep watching. May I present: The Ross Sisters: http://thefunnypage.com/potato-sisters/

And mine!

:bday:

I also have an Excel WIP chart, color coded. I can open it and see what is waiting for client info, what hasn't been touched, what's ready for final review, printing, wiating for e-file forms, waiting for ack's, waiting to be PAID for.... Be happy to scrub client names and post it if there's any interest. Put it on my network box and Gwen could update it when she got documents scanned, too. Catherine

Have an absolutely terrific day!!

Have a GREAT day!!

We're still here, Elrod!! We'll still keep you company!! They used you as they used us all, but your true friends here on this board will stick with you. Catherine

Not that I know of. But maybe she's been talking to my family! We need a break, we need a break, la-di-da-di-da-di-da!!!

I have a bunch of wishes on my list, but one thing I do is print out the ack's after an e-file is accepted, and put that in the client file. And start getting suspicious if I don't have one. Usually, it's because I got busy and forgot to either print or place in client file.

No offense intended, Jack -- but perhaps you should have started that vacation _today_? :P

I put thru an extension a couple hours ago and got a state ack back just now.

You're welcome!! Hope you find it as much fun as I do! My daughter and I were in the background on an intro shot for NECN (New England Cable News) for about ten seconds. It was taken at the noontime Tea Party in Boston and shown around 4PM (she saw it, it was over by the time I got to the TV). My husband is at the afternoon Tea Party and they are tossing tea casks into the harbor. Thank you Upton Tea Importers for the casks! (Great tea company and fabulous prices, by the way -- I've gotten most all my tea from them for years.) Catherine

I had a guy email me this morning, referred by an existing client. Can I help him; he hasn't filed in five years. Sure I can help him -- but not today!!! And I have to do payroll reports for a client; next!

Thanks for posting; I started that a day or two ago but it never occurred to me to warn others!

I am reminded of the scene from "Mulan" where Mushu the little dragon bites one of the companions so Mulan can get out of the pond without them seeing she is female. He uses a toothbrush and an entire tube of toothpaste, exclaiming, "That was VILE, VILE, I tell you!" as only Eddie Murphy can do. :P

I always do our return FIRST every year -- I use it as a software test, and to get to know any new quirks for the year. I always find lots of "gotchas" in the Massachusetts flow-through-but-don't areas, and note to watch them in client returns. Sorry. Catherine

Many, many thanks to all my dear friends on this board. I could NOT run my one-person shop without you! The assistance, camaraderie, good (-and- bad) jokes, the occasional chance to help someone else, the understanding of what-why-when-where-how of the gripes -- it all means SO MUCH. I am so very grateful for you all. I'll be here even after tax season, as the extensions get plodded through, but I know that many of you will be back only next season. So, with all my best wishes for a GREAT rest of the year, I remain your friend, Catherine

Margaret -- AFTER 4/15, I would love to hear what ATX said about stuff not flowing to the Mass E3. I've never gotten _anything_ even vaguely useful or coherent on that type of issue.

Hang in there, JB!! And have a great trip.

ROTFLMAO in response to Margaret and Ray in Ohio!!! I don't think my husband would take too kindly to the "get a room" comment, however. I have been extremely amused by the protestations of love from Booger, but certainly don't take them as anything other than a continuing gag! Booger, I hope I haven't broken your heart..... Catherine

THAT's something I need to investigate ASAP. My Caller ID has been sporadic for this whole tax season. Sometimes it works just fine -- other times not at all. The times it doesn't work is of course the time someone calls and does NOT leave me a phone number, and then I have to dig it out of my files. Thanks for the reminder!