Catherine

I was working today on a new 2017 return, brought to us by a current client for his 91-year-old mom whose accountant retired. It's a train wreck; half the documents are missing and the prior-year references a pass-through from a decedent trust (her husband), for which we have NO documents at all. NOT a good way to start the year. So instead I finished up a homeowner's association return. I think at this point all the W2s and 1099s are out (which is what we always start with), and my partner has a couple of corporate returns in-process.

It would be great if I had a subscription... so I'll wait until the same info comes out free elsewhere.

We have not run into this issue (but I also think we have not filed any s-corp returns yet; just finished an 1120-H today that needs paper-filing anyway). I'd say hold on for the update Drake says is coming, ALL the software vendors are having issues with QBI-related items. Different specifics, but they're all having issues here or there.

They'll get paid all back pay after the fact. Per my brother in law, who has gone through this before (he works for the Agriculture department).

Well it doesn't work with *my* clients, either. But they think they're getting a HUGE deal and thank me if they see a $500 charge and a $450 credit - where they might fuss about an extra $50 charge.

Make Joan's suggestion a $500 fee increase, and discount heavily for clients with no QBI (and less heavily for those with simple QBI) deductions.

With a 941X that matches the changes made? Actually through EFTPS and a 941X mailed in with payment confirmation.

Many software companies were letting people e-file during the hiatus, and holding them until e-file opened. It's the same as if you'd done that.

Shall we assume the wife did NOT live in Canada the full year? If so, she can also be excluded from the return - but then your client won't get MFJ benefits. I have a couple in the Czech Republic; she is a dual citizen, he's never been here. We file her single and exclude her Czech income (raised here, went back home years ago, only needs to file because of the dual citizenship thing - FBAR too).

It should be amended, as previously there was nothing and now there is something. That's a change, as I see it.

Enter directly; nothing to be mailed in. First thing you'll do, though, is reset your password...

I had one very recalcitrant case some time ago. I solved it by putting a half-piece of paper over the section I did not want, with low-tack tape (drafting or artist tape), and sending that sheet through the laser printer. Then I peeled off the masking half-sheet, and had a full sheet with one 1099 on it.

I was as well. It almost sounds like the preparer is supposed to sign it for the client. Even with a POA on file, I would NEVER, EVER do that!

My site, through CPA Site Solutions, comes with a secure file portal that we have found very easy to use. YMMV.

From what we've seen here, for many of our clients it is not going to be that bad (fingers crossed!). Most folks are in businesses where QBI is clearly defined to apply. Most make way under the phase-out areas for the specified businesses. Most do NOT have multiple QBI-subject businesses where aggregating and netting and passive versus active have to be teased together or apart. There will be some for whom it will be nasty, absolutely. Those will likely come in later. But most of our aggravations this year will be, as with other years, clients whose records have missing items or who play (or are) stupid when asked.

Needed a mule to lug it all over?

I can NOT see HOW they can call it stockpiling (or householding, or whatever) if THEY are the ones not accepting returns! "See the date - AFTER you shut down and BEFORE you re-opened; what else am I supposed to do? They got e-filed within a day or two of you re-accepting. Bite me." That last short sentence thought, not said. Probably. No guarantees because I cannot abide willfully stupid.

Pretty much (assuming you want to cover your bacon - and who would want to risk bacon, after all?). Our state society update spent two hours (non-IRS cont ed) talking about what MA will and will NOT comply with. Ugh. They don't take the alimony changes. They still accept moving expenses with caveats.... it's going to be nasty. One huge take-away for us ALL is that we are NOT going to be able to just trust our software this year. Yes, they will do their best. Yes, they will ALL miss things (different things per state and per s/w package). We all need to warn clients when they first come in, so they don't yell at us when things take longer. Extensions will also be our friends. Even the shutdown; it's yet another reason for the delay in getting answers and seeing state interactions.

Form 8275 is our very good friend this year. If we take positions not supported by final regs (which is a boatload of the new law), that disclosure statement showing why we are taking whatever position we are taking will at least save us from preparer penalties. "Most closely in alliance as this office could determine with tentative/proposed regulations as of the date of filing" basically means "hey, we did our best considering you dweebs had given us nothing better to go on" only said in a polite fashion.

Don't worry about them; they will be paid ALL back-pay once it ends. My brother in law works for the dept of agriculture. He has been through this before. They get paid, just later. It's far less disturbing and disruptive than suddenly getting laid off from a regular job, not knowing how many months it will be before you get another. Yeah, they don't know when, but they do know they WILL go back, and will get all back pay. That never happens in the non-gov't-job world.

As do we. We keep pdf's of the client copy and the preparer copy (more notes and worksheets, in Drake), plus efile acks once those are in. And a pdf of the scanned tax docs. Those have saved our bacon (client's bacon, too) on occasion. Audits want docs, client can't find - boom; pdf. Best one was a lady who needed a copy of her daughter's adoption papers that got lost in a move - we had 'em.

We will try emailing next year. With a new assistant, changing procedures too was just too much this year. Mainly because then one of us would have to go through everything carefully to make sure our elderly clients still got paper. We have a number of older folks without computers, or without printers, or who can't handle a portal or even downloading an attachment. Easier with a new assistant to give them a list and say "stuff the envelopes" plus she'll get to see and handle each one, familiarizing herself with the names.

I've been printing duplex for years and years. And plan to continue it.

Engineers call that stuff snot-strips.

County land records (or town) generally have last sale data. Looked it up for one elderly client at one point and sure 'nough they had a listing for the 1954-ish purchase of his house, with price paid. In his case, we did need to exclude every penny. I also totaled up his handwritten contemporaneous cost list from re-doing the kitchen back when I was still small enough to walk under the kitchen table without hitting my head. It was in much-faded but still legible pencil, and he had all the receipts, too, bless him. He was *such* a dear.