Catherine

They are both WAY off base and outside of procedure, for all the reasons stated (and probably more). Appeal it, and quote the IRM at them. Sometimes it seems they reject perfectly good OICs just to say the case is closed - as in, off their own personal list of open cases. Appeals generally has more of a clue as well as better authority to over-rule idiot decisions of lower-grade drones. Document everything and make sure you never miss a deadline.

Congratulations, @BulldogTom - may you be VERY happy in the new digs - and may the internet be lightning-fast!

I had a client get about their THIRD letter demanding payment of tax NOT owed - they filed about a week before the UI exclusion. They've actually paid the small amount of tax that was really due, but keep getting auto-letters demanding a lot more, that is NOT owed, and every time they get a new letter they call me in a panic. And I tell them, *again*, that the letters are being sent out by computer and that they don't owe $2K. I am SO sick of this. And there is nothing anyone can do.

The IRS' position will be that THEY should have been paid FIRST, and it that left insufficient funds for other creditors, too bad/so sad with a side dose of tough noogies. They're gonna have to pony up, and they should never have paid off the other creditors first. They could have gotten other creditors to take a percentage of what was owed - happens all the time when there are insufficient funds in an estate for full payment - but they'll never get money back.

From the kiddie campfire song: "The nearest branch was ten feet up; I'd have to jump and trust my luck... I missed that branch away up there... Now don't you fret; now don't you frown - I caught that branch, on my way DOWN!"

Return transcript from the IRS isn't available?

Toddlers, puddles, and sprinklers - a wonderful mix, always!

I always like to be next-to-last to install any update, to make sure all the problems have been fixed first!

Frankly, even 222 from tax pros isn't nearly the issue that breaches from places like LinkedIn and many, many, many other sources are responsible for (including banks, retailers, and financial institutions). Yes, preparers need to take extreme levels of care - and the low number of instances underscores that the vast majority are being very careful indeed. Rather than getting all hot under the collar, I'd recommend that we all review our data security protocols, and make sure our cyberinsurance is up to date!

The error turned out to be a combination of poorly worded instructions on the Drake page and wrong information sent by the client. I could have figured out one or 'tother, but the two together flummoxed me.

You GO, Mrs @BulldogTom! Beautiful job. Tom, you must be tickled pink. Red. Bulldog-colored. Whatever - tickled silly; how's that! And obviously proud of her gorgeous job and all her hard work. She must love you a bunch.

You are NOT a piece of paper with concentric rings, hanging from a small clip, downrange with a safe backstop. You're safe from me! Despite the snarky comment about altitude.

No worries, @Gail in Virginia - real targets hang from little clips in front of a safe backstop.

Look at the core strength, too - holding those little legs way out in front above the couch. How many of us could do that? (Or laugh that freely and joyously at wonderful silly things like ripping paper.)

Ooooh, a little gun symbol on my avatar - now THAT would be fun! @Abby Normal, you are SO right on this.

So now I have to post just to see if I have a shield... Pout; no shield.

Yes - I second what Possi says! We love you @Eric and really, really, REALLY appreciate everything you do for us!!!

Hi folks, There is an error in the Drake calculation of non-taxable traditional IRA basis in the conversion to a Roth IRA. Tech support is working on it, but if you have conversions where some of the trad IRA has non-taxable basis, beware!

I'd call Drake support and see what they have to say. If it really went through, then I'd call the IRS with a POA in hand and give them the submission ID - that's assigned individually to every return filed electronically.

Very true; never file an amended return with a CP2000 letter. New schedule D with transactions plus stmts from Fidelity, yes. They'll take it from there, unless there are other factors you want to include. If you do decide to include the 1040, write on it in bold "DO NOT PROCESS - supplementary information ONLY."

Places like EFileMyForms allow preparation of prior-year forms, if you also need them e-filed and/or mailed out.

I'm always astounded when these requests come in for people who have the same name as they've had for years, have not changed their ssn's for any reason, live at the same address they've been filing from for years - some for DECADES, use the same bank account for refunds that they've used for years, and their refunds are in line with refunds for the last umpty years. You'd think they could at least limit this nonsense to ssn's where at least one of those has *changed* from the most recently filed years. But there's more! I had one client last year where he did finally get through and the refund STILL didn't show up. Had to get TAS involved. The agent who handled the verification noted that the verification was done, but DID NOT RELEASE the refund. So he would never have gotten another notice, and never have gotten the refund without TAS stepping in. (Thank you, taxpayer advocate office!)

Thank you, Donna! I'll pass this on.

Yes, it all goes on Sch D. You can do one-line summary for the totals of short term and long term (but make sure the client uses a tracking program of SOME kind - before those were available, for one client I had a spreadsheet. FIFO, and every bleeping Sbux coffee was tracked. Ugh.).

Colleague here in my state asked if I had a recommendation for accounting software that is good for tracking truckers' income and expenses. She's been using spreadsheets but was hoping for a better overall solution. Her husband has a small truck, and has been sending his colleagues to her, so the need is getting more pressing! Thanks to all in advance.