Catherine

Congratulations!! It's always wonderful to have a new baby in the house. Double especially when _you_ aren't the one getting up at 2AM!! Catherine

Best to call and ask (I've found that calling first thing any morning _except_ Monday goes through pretty quick). I had one client whose return was in "validated" for days... called, turns out the Federal got munged (by their system!!) in transmission and rejected, and again _their system_ couldn't get it straight to send me a "reject". They had me synchronize (I _hate_ that, I have to go back and re-mark everyone who is completed!!) - still didn't update. Ended up having to _duplicate_ the _entire return_, re-create the e-files, and submit that way because they couldn't clear the logjam at their end, and having my e-files in "validated" status meant I can't re-create e-files from the return itself. Those two re-submitted files are now in "validated" status (resubmitted late Friday) - and if I don't get something solid (like clear acceptance or even rejection), I'll be back all over them like a bad suit - again. The e-file system is absolutely _atrocious_ this year. It would be nice to see if other CCH products are having problems - that would point to a root cause of the last-minute tax law changes usurping programmer time, and not a "we're trying to get rid of ATX by making it horrible" tactic. Catherine

Then you'd probably _love_ the Calvin and Hobbes "snowman" series done as a powerpoint presentation. I should find a way to post it for folks here... Catherine

I use it all the time. Keeps clients from mailing in their copies. Helps me remember which copy is when I've just been on a printing spree, too. I haven't noticed that they are lighter. If anything, this year is better because they've fixed the print angle on worksheets and the like that only have print at the top of the page -- last year it just truncated the watermark. Catherine

Sent in a RI piggyback e-file on Wednesday. It's been validated and cleared through the IRS -- and now it just sits. Heard through the grapevine that RI acks are taking a while -- anyone else noticed this? Does this seem "normal" for RI? had so many random e-file problems this year I'm getting jumpy... Catherine

This one baffled me the year before last, with a client in the Philippines. Turns out you put a "." in the state field, and that does something magic internal to the program so it won't refuse to create the e-file because the address doesn't conform. Had to call tech support on it (back when there was tech support available in non-geologic time), because this trick doesn't seem to be written down anywhere. Haven't done my Philippines guy yet, so haven't tried it myself this year. Catherine

All kinds of non-ATX Massachusetts e-file problems this year!! I've had _so_ many people rejected for completely specious reasons. Latest was a lady rejected because the MA e-file server "doesn't recognize primary or spouse SSN". Well, she's been divorced two years, has NOT changed her name, and e-filed just fine _last_ year. Another one got rejected for "Line items on Sch DI do not match" - except that they _do_ match. I've seen lots of other notes here for MA problems -- are others seeing more problems than usual as well? Think it's because of all the frou-frou with the new Schedule HC? Catherine

The two I submitted went through just fine. Have you checked the time/date stamp on your computer? Sometimes those go wacky, such as after a lightning storm or power outage. Catherine

You won't see the Liberty Bell without a side trip; that's in Philadelphia. However, the fireworks in Boston are pretty amazing. You can see them from the Cambridge side of the river as well as the Boston; there's usually quite a lively crowd of students, alumni, and others from MIT all along Memorial Drive and on the dorm rooftops. But it's much less crazed than the Boston side. And there's a hillside in Arlington that has a lovely (if long-distance) view. WaterFire in Providence is pretty cool, especially with kids in tow. They have gondola rides along the canal, and these big firepits mid-river with fires after dark. Whale watches abound and can be a fantastic day trip. They leave from Boston, from Gloucester (gloss'-ter, not glok-is-ter), and Cape Cod. In Boston proper: Fanueil Hall. Freedom Trail - goes to Old North Church and more. The USS Constitution in Charlestown. Swan Boats at the duck pond (as in "Make Way for Ducklings"). The Duck Boat Tours -- on land _and_ afloat in the Charles River. Museum of Science; very interactive, lots of kid-friendly fun. Battle Road goes through Cambridge, Arlington, and Lexington. In Quincy (accessible by MBTA) there is the Adams National Historic Site; a lovely property and the home of John & John Quincy Adams (Quincy with a "z" sound, not a "c"). That's what comes to mind off the top of my head. I can get more ideas after 4/15. One thing to keep in mind is that things are smaller scale here; from Boston you can be in Providence or Worcester or Gloucester in about an hour's drive. Catherine

That could be a little harsh. They may have a semi-retired accountant who doesn't want tax filing hassles. The "accountant" may actually be a bookkeeper who isn't qualified to do returns - and knows it. But it sure sounds, at the very least, that whoever is doing the books hasn't the foggiest notion of what S-corp accounting requirements (let alone _tax filing_ requirements) are. But either _tons_ more info is needed - along with a _complete_ willingness on the owner's part to get it right - or it's time to back _away_ from this return. Running and screaming just makes them chase you.... ;-) Catherine

Even with the "regular" program (not PPR), I've had several pdf printing glitches this year. Including returns that seemed to print fine, but when I go to open them, I get a "this file is damaged" report. Re-booting has worked in all cases (so far!) for me this year. But since machines take so long to boot up, it is a pain. Catherine

I could tell that it was a server/traffic/bandwidth problem. But if no one else is noticing the issue, then it's probably a local phenomenon. Folks getting home from work and logging in to World of Warcraft.... then I can't reach the ATX servers before the connection times out. But, if others were having trouble too, then it would have pointed to the ATX servers getting overloaded. Thanks. Catherine

This sounds not right in a bunch of ways. First off - why is he not an employee of the S-corp? Next - what is the wife doing to get a 1099 instead of a W-2? Does she have other work? How much is the 1099 for -- a small sum (under a thousand or so dollars) -- or more? Next - I'd consider very carefully if you want this client. The appearance is of people (including the supposed accountant doing the books) who have no idea what they are doing, what they are supposed to be doing, and don't care all that much about getting it right. Catherine

Kathy -- There's more information needed here. "No social security tax" can mean lots of things, from the accountant is incorrect to the box checked to he's already maxed out. What does the 1099-MISC say? Box 7 - non-employee compensation? Box 1 - rents? Box 2 - Royalties? What was the person's W-2 salary? Tell us those things, and we can help. Catherine

Has anyone else noticed this? This year, I can e-file all day long and returns go through. HOWEVER -- between about 6PM and 9PM (Eastern time), I can't connect to the EFC servers _at all_. No submissions, no rejections (can't say I mind _that_ part), no acceptances, -no acks of any kind. Get a red-type "cannot connect to server" error. I could understand doing daily maintenance, or having busy times -- but several hours, _every_ evening??? So, folks, -- do I just have really bad ATX-evening karma? Or is this more widespread? Catherine

I e-filed an S-corp this morning and got the acceptances (Federal and State) back within two hours. It was my easiest e-file yet this year. Catherine

Even a _space_ character is read by the program as an "entry". Try going into both fields and hitting "Delete" - to remove any invisible entries - and then create the e-file.

You and others... <grin> In addition to the Sch INC (included in ATX when you do the return), when I paper-file a Mass. return, I also _include_ the W-2. However, you _don't_ attach it! Mass returns are scanned and machine-read (all that fancy coding on the top is the actual return info; the stuff on the lines down below is just so you can see the data is OK). The only thing people do is check the bottom of the first page for signature - then off to the machines. So likewise, do NOT staple the paper return together. Any paper enclosures (and sometimes you have to send them) go _on top of_ the return _loose_. I usually put a blank cover page and then paper-clip the whole thing together. Catherine

Pre-review comment: Just heard a comment from someone who uses TaxWise that their error checks finds potential e-file problems during the regular error check. That's one thing in TaxWise's favor -- one annoyance about ATX is that you can clear up any errors or problems, then go to e-file and discover a whole slew of other little glitches that will cause an e-file bounce. I've started running the e-file check as a secondary error check before I finalize a return. Catherine

Don't assume; ask. Lots of Canadian companies keep US-dollar accounts for paying US vendors. Others convert before sending paperwork -- you may end up converting something that doesn't need it. Catherine

It took them three days to resolve this issue, and it turned out to be both innocuous and royally annoying. Turned out the client e-file went through just fine! What happened after that is somehow the reporting-back-to-me portion got corrupted -- and once it was corrupted, I kept getting the same inaccurate results: file rejected for a variety of bogus reasons. My client got his refund check yesterday -- I hope to have the correct e-file acknowledgment tomorrow. So, for those of you with returns stuck in limbo -- be aware of this possibility. So yes it was innocuous. It also cost me too many hours over a couple of weeks. Sigh. Catheirne

For those preparing Massachusetts returns, be aware of a problem that has been dogging one of my returns for two weeks now; don't know how widespread it is. I've just finished my _third_ long phone call to them with no resolution. One client return has been rejected by ATX EFC three times now. Each time the purported error is different, makes no sense, and doesn't even apply to this return. And when I call tech support, they tell me something _different_ from what the error codes tell me. I get "information" such as "Line 25 of Form 2 mis-calculation"... well, MA Form 2 is the _fiduciary_ return, not individual; there's no way that could be the problem. I've sent the file to tech support and they promise to get back to me tomorrow. Just like on Saturday they promised to get back to me on Monday (yesterday) but didn't. But at least they have the file now; perhaps I'll learn something useful. And will keep folks posted if there is something endemic. But there is some major e-filing problem in Massachusetts this year. Delays are bad enough, but this mangling of returns is very worrisome (and time-consuming). Catherine

Absolutely MA Form 1 NR/PY can be e-filed. Many programs don't carry the form, however, which very effectively _prevents_ that program from e-filing. One reason I switched to ATX was that my previous software did not carry the PY/NR MA forms, and I get several every year. They take _forever_ to do by hand.... and it looks tacky, as well. Catherine

When folks give their evaluations after tax season, could they please include at least _some_ pricing information? Possibly including pay-per-return pricing? Lots of the vendors do _not_ put pricing on their info sites -- on purpose, so potential customers can get all excited about the functionality before they can get turned away by price. But for me, at least, price is a big issue. While I'm not averse to paying more for something that really suits my needs, neither am I in a position to buy a $20K program for a one-person office. Yet if that same program had a per-return pricing scheme that would cost me, say, $2,000 -- then it might become a contender. It's also easier to compare features of price compatible programs. "Just what _can_ I get for $1,000 - $1,500?" "How much extra _does_ the jump to $2,000 buy me?" That sort of thing. Catherine

MA at least _used_ to require a pre-registration with them. However, I don't know if it's still in effect. They're really pushing e-file for their own reasons. I'd say to try -- you can always warn your clients that you don't know if it will go through, and will provide a paper-filing copy if it doesn't. Also be warned that there have been lots of e-filing problems in MA this year. Some are ATX problems (the program was deleting leading "0's" in SSN's - and because of the SSN numbering system, _lots_ of MA people's SSN's start with "0"). Som e are MA problems - many associated with the new MA-HC form with the newly _mandated_ health insurance coverage that they put the MassDOR in charge of enforcing. (Other errors, too: I had a couple that just moved here rejected because their SSN's didn't match DOR records, then tried again and it went through). There have also been lots of delays in getting ack's. So good luck, but this is an even-more-frustrating-than-usual year for dealing with MassDOR (completely separately from any/all ATX issues!). Catherine