Catherine

If it involves taxes, and the attorney is not a tax attorney (specialist), it's almost a certainty that they WILL mess it up. And never admit it.

Have you tried creating a rule (or whatever outlook calls them) that whenever an email arrives from address X (efax @ efax dot com) then put in folder 'Inbox'? I had to do that with mail from my husband (not outlook, though, on either side). ALL email from him was going to spam and I created the special rule. Now they are in the inbox, each with a note saying "we didn't put this in spam 'cuz you made us not do it" but at least it's in the right place!

There's a parade today? Well, I'm not watching it, either!

I stand (sit, actually) corrected. Thanks, @EricF!

Form 8275 I think is the number. General "explain what we don't have a form for" form. Don't say that three times fast, it will take emergency services to un-tie your tongue!

My mother-in-law had that, in her late 80's. I had to physically take a dust mop out of her hands the next day, as she wanted to clean up the dog fur. (She was under orders to rest - far more crucial for full healing in your late 80's!)

Part I gets ordinary income treatment, Part III is capital gains income treatment. So first thing to determine, in general, is the tax treatment of the income or loss involved.

The update I attended said that the IRS now automatically assigns the third party designee to the preparer. The Schedule 6 is for anyone ELSE who needs ALSO to be included. So you are all set, just by being listed as preparer.

But I know what you mean; I had to look three times to find out where a client's alimony deduction came off.

Yes, and I'd add the Disclosure statement form, that non-citizen non-resident spouse is not required to have an ITIN. But then, I like to drown them in paper so they have no excuse not to accept what my clients send in. (Else my client would get a letter asking why we did not provide the ITIN that isn't required. YMMV.)

Get better fully and quickly! We are glad to see you again.

I got an update: he uses Lacerte and can do remote work (one way or 'tother).

A CPA that I know in the Bay area (yup; CA - San Rafael, specifically) just had one of his key people (for over 20 years) leave unexpectedly. He is really freaking out and is *desperate* for help. Anyone here in that area, or KNOW anyone in that area, who might be able to lend a hand? I will ask him about remote help (either VPN or file portal) and what software he uses. Either reply here or send PM if you know anyone. Thanks!

I've said the same, but also that I will not lose my profession for them - unless they're willing to support me for the rest of my life? Gee, they back down fast!

If your gut says "no" then the answer is NO and that's it. Second-guessing yourself if you did the right thing will only distress you. Let me simply say that I have never, EVER, regretted turning down a client whose situation did not "feel right" (for whatever reason). But I surely have regretted ignoring that feeling, more than once! Some of those losers took a couple of years to really get rid of. Generally, my big question to myself with this type of client is why I agonized over firing them for as long as I did. Usually with a stern self-admonition to listen to my gut the next time!

For the next few days, you can tell them it's frozen in place... stay warm, friends in the central states!

Does it make a difference if you don't have e-file auth for the state? Keep that one out of the to-sign pile. Although if you have to piggyback the state return that might toss a wrench in the works.

One reason why I *do* print to pdf. My printers never seem to meet the form requirements from Drake for font something or other. But if I print to pdf first, then all is well.

Perhaps purchasing an existing small practice from someone who wants to retire will give you the jump you need?

We have Office 2003 and 2007. No need to leave either.

Depends on the bank. I've seen them for forty-eight cents (less than the cost of the stamp to mail the form). Most of them skip it until the $10 threshold kicks in - but not all of them!

I had someone tell me that he'd been told that as long as he left the money in his SMLLC and did not send himself a 1099, none of the money was taxable. He said a CPA had told him that! Either there was a HUGE misunderstanding somewhere (possible), or the guy giving info wasn't a CPA (possible), or he was selling/giving the kind of tax "advice" that lands the listeners into long-term opportunities to wear orange jumpsuits (also quite possible).

We can all relate to what they'll face come Monday: HUGE piles of unopened and time-sensitive correspondence. Past-due action items. More things that *must* be done today than could possibly be done in a week. And that's before the coffee machines are finished brewing or the fax machines are turned back on. You know, the kind of day most of us face EVERY Monday during the tax season! (Note to Judy: meant as humor, with a goodly dollop of true sympathy. And a suggestion for background music for them - The Pretenders' "Back on the Chain Gang." I do wish them the best plowing through it all.)

Lemon squeezy!

And expect more auto-generated letters before the one you send in gets read by a human.