Catherine

I'm entering assets on the asset entry form for a partnership return, and the computer keeps putting the beginning asset life at one year prior. For example, if I enter a 2003 beginning year, it puts it at 2002. And it doesn't matter what type of asset I enter. I tried completely deleting the 4562 and starting over, but it doesn't help. My forms are all up to date. This is the only return it's happening on. I've done the return since 2004 and...ooops....I noticed that my program started doing this last year with this return. All assets have been rolled over. Again, I tried deleting the assets, then the entire 4562.

Any help appreciated. Very frustrating.

Dan

I haven't noticed this one, but there have been a number of return-specific oddball glitches this year. I've had flow-through items _not_ flow through on one return only. There seems to be a recurring problem when I do multi-state returns that the _Massachusetts_ return cover page and client letter drop all state-specific references (the cover just says "tax return", the letter says "your 2007 (missing state & form) will be e-filed", and it drops the refund/balance due lines completely) - then I have to go fix them manually.

But thanks for the warning -- now I have another item to keep my eye on.

Catherine

Just got home from the hospital where my daughter had her second baby, a baby boy (my third grandchild). She has a 3 year old daughter who went with them to the hospital and helped with the birth. Boy how things have changed. The nurse told her she can go home after 24 hours. She was due April 10. Both her, husband, daughter, and new son will be living with us for a while along with my other daughter, her husband and their 9 month old son. I also have my father living with us since his surgery. I guess the more the merrier. Now it is back to taxes and client's problems.

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

I efiled 1099's for two clients about two weeks ago and still in validated status. Does anyone know why it would take so long to accept?

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

Just wondering if you use the "Client Copy" watermark on the copy you provide the client?

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

All my 7004 federal corp extensions are being rejected by atx because it states it's not timely, but the deadline is March 17, 2008. How can I fix this?

Also, why can't I see an option to efile a Florida Corp Extension? I know they e-file but do I need to enter something in ATX?

Please let me know soon, if not, I have to print all my extensions and run to the post office.

Thanks.

miatax

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

I am looking for some help from those of you in New England. My wife and I would like to take a mini-vacation to your part of the country over the long 4th of July weekend. I am looking for some ideas on what is "must see". We are thinking of flying from Sacramento into Boston, NY or Philadelphia on July 3rd and leaving on Sunday, July 6th.

What would you suggest to see if this was your only trip to the area in your lifetime? I don't know if we will ever go again, so we want to make it memorable. We will be bringing our 2 boys, ages 12 and 14.

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

Lodi, CA

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

IF your client is the owner of the s corp and is using another for the corp and u for the 1040 i wouldn't touch it

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

I bought 5 PRS returns. The first 4 printed out OK. I just finished the 5th return and I can't print it at all. When I tried the PDF print, it came out blank. Any suggestions?

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

That sounds like an internet provider traffic or bandwith problem. I have e-filed many during the timeframe you mentioned. Never any problems of any pattern. On any given day, at any given time, the internet highway may be having a traffic problem.

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

client has a pro shop no W-2 to him, just a 1099-Misc box 7 in wifes name

ps I just notice made out to wife when I rechecked 1099

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

My client has a s corp accountant who told him his 1099-Misc income would not have to pay social security

tax. Being I just do simple 1040 returns as a rule and I am not an accountant I was going to put the income

on a schedule C with a Schedule SE if this income is not reported this way does the 1099-misc income go

to line 7 as wages or to line 21 as other income? Anyone who can help, your imput will be appreciated.

Thanks, Kathy

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 have tried to efile an 1120S and I get the rejection code

EFIN in the return header must be listed in the efile database and in accepted status.

Has anybody had this rejection error...the efin number is correct

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

Has anyone been able to create an e-file for 1120S (Arkansas), I keep getting an error on the E-File signature page indicatint that "if either the Preparer's Firm Name or EIN es entered, both must be entered or both must be blank. Both are blank -- I have deleted the form and reopenned it and I get the same result.

Also more than likely the State is a piggiback --- does anyone have any idea when it will be ready to e-file based on prior year's experience.

Thanks.

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.

Ok, got an MA return, paper filing because I'm not sure if out of state preparers can efile and there's been so many problems with MA efiles. got a Schedule INC with the W-2 info on it. Do I still have to attach a paper W-2? If so, where? The instructions keep saying not attaching one 'if necessary' is a 'frequent error' but I can't find out 1. when one is necessary, and 2. where to put it.

I know where I'd like to put it....

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

Client gave me his tax documents and included was a 1099 he received from a company in Canada which shows that he received $15,000. I assume that is Canadian, so what exchange rate do I use since he earned the money over the course of a year?

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

I spoke to the client yesterday after I posted, and he said that apparently MA didn't have the NR form approved for efile last year. However, he used TurboTax last year, so I don't know if that was a TT issue or if the form really can't be efiled. Do you know?

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