Catherine

It's EASY to find a preparer now! However, if you want a COMPETENT preparer - or better yet, a GOOD one, it just ain't happening.

Form 1116 foreign tax credit. I have see (very rare!) circumstances where taking a deduction on Sch A works better - so I always look at both choices before finalizing.

There is no penalty for filing a 1099-MISC that is not needed - but there ARE penalties for not filing when they are needed. Better safe than sorry, I always say!

With Drake you can set up macros to fill in the entire form - including the little box. I dunno about others though.

Because that would make SENSE. Besides, the barber's brother-in-law said it was FINE - so obviously he knows tricks we don't. It's our fault for not knowing those tricks.

And then they staple everything together so we can't get it out of order, too. SO thoughtful of them..... it's a wonder you have ANY room left in your back acreage.

We usually put up an auto-respond on email saying we're working hard, trying to finish but can't if we keep answering emails; we'll get to you! Haven't done that yet this year but it might be time.

We will spend next week filing extensions for everyone who did not meet our 3/15 deadline, then get back to work to see who we can actually get finished up. But after next week, all pressure will be off and we'll do our best for everyone. Today I did eight returns - and not one of them are done-done (although three only need the new bleeping driver's license info that we keep forgetting to ask for!) because of missing info. Stock basis. One downloaded W-2 with every bit of information EXCEPT the employer, EIN, and address (?!?!). Books for college. Little bitlets.

Congratulations @BulldogTom!

I won't even touch the CA question, but I can discuss the MA part. If that state gives you trouble, send me a message or re-post here.

Maybe not - but that doesn't mean I don't still get the email solicitations to do it!

What does the "O/a/o" stand for? We saw one of these just last week and neither of us could figure it out.

Nice GIF, Judy!

An' I'll betcha his addin' skils is just as good if not gooder!

Twice this week I busted my chops and managed eight returns each of those two days. NOT complete - but as complete as they could be without the missing info (which was mainly minor, like the driver's license info we keep forgetting to ask about at drop-off - or get for one spouse [the dropper] only). Ugh. I can't keep up that pace and do quality work. But then the only one-W2 returns I see are the high school kids of adult clients. Everyone else has stock options, rentals, businesses, a zillion trades, foreign accounts - or ALL of those!

Ask if he used one of the tracking services, and get their full-year printout. Last year there were also different kinds of splits (bitcoin to bitcoin cash, etc) so it was more complex than usual.

Not too long after the foreclosure for the next sale. It's not too distant (especially considering the long delays buying a foreclosure house) and so you can make a VERY strong case that THAT was the fair market value. So he was definitely underwater and so no gain.

True! -- Cross-check against the W2.

Stock options often come with basis adjustments in the supplementary pages, too.

I think I am VERY tired tonight. I read the topic name, and my first thought was, "Why does the IRS have babysitter positions open? How young are they hiring new people?"

Judy just about always comes up with the perfect cite.

The cheese arrived today; I tried the Ewemazing today. It is FABULOUS! My daughter described the flavor as a mix of Romano and Gruyere. I'll report on the Lacey Lamb after I try that one.

They really come up with some incredibly creative ways to try to WASTE our TIME, don't they?

Not quite, Max W - the penalties are VICIOUS. They start at 50% of the maximum value during the year and go UP from there. And that instance is for negligence (forgetting to report), rather than intention not to report.

Glad you are feeling a bit better today, Judy!