RJM

OOPS ! Guess I like the old way better.

Lynn, thanks much. Very good to know.

I hope the notes don't. We were told they were hidden from the returns when the enhancement was released a couple years ago.

Got the final few 1099 ACKs today, but still have 4 940/941s which were filed late January outstanding.

Have been using Vista for about 5 months, and it works very well for all my applications. It appears to be a significant efficiency improvement over XP IMO. I have ATX loaded from 2002 and all later years, and all seem to work very well. If you are interested in using Vista, there are a couple important things to know which will allow you to run XP-compatible programs on Vista. Also, I think a Vista service pack is just about ready to be released, but I have had no real problems in 5 months, other than the printer drivers for many printers still have not been rewritten by the printer manufacturers. But there are many workarounds for these. If you have a Vista-compatible printer there is no problem. One of the biggest problems with XP is that it becomes progressively bogged down after a year or 2 of use. The only effective fix is to re-format and re-load all your operating software and data, starting with a clean slate. The XP operating instructions discuss this, but few people do it because it is so time-consuming. It appears this issue has disappeared with Vista, but will not know for sure until a few more months have passed. Overall, I recommend Vista over XP for efficiency and security reasons.

Me too Margaret, I have 3 or 4 1099's sitting, and still have 5 940/941's sitting there. Will be on the phone again this PM I think. -Bob

Had some problems with Norton in 2005, so switched. But switched back to Norton after McAfee messed up my invoice. I use Norton 360 also, and there have been NO problems with any applications incl ATX.

Possible good news on 1099 e-files.... The ATX E-file notice says that all 1099 batches posted OK at the IRS. And that ATX must now get the ACKs posted to our accounts. Is it possible? Are things working correctly? .... I thought the ACK posting was a programmed process, but apparently there is a lot of ATX manual intervention involved.

I pretty much agree with KC. If the amount is not very material for the size of that business, I write them off as current advertising expense. For a startup where revenue will be less than, say, $100k, maybe I would be more inclined to amortize. Don't think I would disclose in any case, cuz it is really a minor item IMO.

You just click on the "EFILE" icon at the top of the screen. As long as you have an EFIN in the Preparer Manager, the 1099 e-filing should work. Check that the returns are batched in the E-File manager tab. Good luck. You may want to wait on the e-filing to see if any of us other 1099 e-filers are getting ACKs before the due date. I e-filed my 1099's in late January. After the 940/941 debacle, I wish I had not already e-filed the 1099s, cuz if CCH has problems filing these it is going to be another big mess to clean up.

Chris, I knew what you meant, just didn't state it correctly. I did check all the online IRS transcripts. Never did that before. Works quite well. Anyway, found that there are only 5 returns left that have not been filed. Called texupport and for the first time this year they were very helpful, and apologetic. Said the 5 returns would be filed in the next day, and I should call back in 2 days if not reflected on the IRS transcripts. They also said that IRS is aware of their problems, and no penalties would apply..... We'll see.

Chris, I will try what you did checking IRS e-file to see what has been received. Did anyone also e-file 1099's which are still in limbo? If we assume the worst, that ATX will also be unable to get these e-filed, we may want to start paper-filing these forms. Or at least get all the clerical work done with all the copying, so that they are ready to be mailed on the due date, which I think is 2/29. It is difficult for me to believe how callous this company has been to what were formerly loyal customers. Because of CCH's errors in judgment and errors in technical tasks, and inability to engage in simple communications with its customers to avert all these unnecessary problems, my workload has grown enormously. What a waste of my time. To those who abdicated already, go ahead, you can say "I told you so".

Monkeyman, in the spirit of cleanliness, I humbly request that you close with WTP, instead of WTF. (p stands for procreate). Yuk Yuk.... -Bob

John, I would do it the same way. Home equity consumer debt is added back for AMT calc's. Getting the numbers correct, ie getting the taxpayer to cough up the backup data, has been nearly impossible for me in prior years. This year, I am requiring that a schedule with the history of mortgages and use of funds be completed before I will complete the return, for all the AMT returns.

I am still waiting on acks for 10 94X e-filed returns. Can't believe how much tiome I have wasted on this. CS has not responded to my queries, and I provided them all the ID #s. If they would simply have told us "don't e-file these payroll returns, cuz we ain't supporting this function" I would have been much less unhappy. Would have taken half an hour back in late January to mail these. On the positive side, after much prodding and phone calls, I have Accepted ACKS on several payroll returns, and about 10 returns which are in limbo. The nondescriptive ack messages don't really tell me if they have been accepted or not. For example, in the ack history, several returns have Accepted acks, followed by Rejected acks at a later date. At this point, I think I just need to relax and wait to see how many IRS notices I get. -Bob

JKLCPA, thanks for outlining the rule. Very helpful.

Thanks CAthy, will try this out. -Bob

Thanks Steve, guess I should turn on the backup mode to daily. -Bob

Has anyone thought through organizing some kind of cooperative, taking a straw poll of what each member would be willing to contribute NOW in terms of startup funding. If we had 200 of us decide to put in $500, we would be able to fund Mel and any subcontractors with $100,000 to start working on this without worrying too much about losing a few tax clients due to inattention, etc. Or it would give Mel the option of sending a bunch of his returns to a tax subcontractor, or who knows? One form might be less onerous to set up..... where 200 or 300 of us would each ante up $500 to $1000, and let it ALL be at risk, but take no ownership in the entity. Rather call it a loan or a prepaid annual program subscription fee, to be credited back to the original subscribers on a $2 for $1 basis in future subscription fees. Mel, if you are listening, have any interest in some capital NOW? Any other comments from you ATXers? And what to call the package.... how bout MelTax? -Bob

I saw on another board this AM that there is an IRS rule that if AGI changes less than $50 and if tax changes less than $14 you can make a minor revision to an e-filed return without getting another signed 8879. I did not know this, and have not seen it in any IRS publication. Anyway, assuming it is true, if a DCN changes with a new created e-file, I would think that would be OK per this IRS rule. I guess we should just copy the client on the new 8879, with accountant signature, in the case where no numbers change, just the DCN. I remember last year I had to recreate a couple return e-files because the forms had changed before getting back the signed 8879. All I did was cross out the DCN on the original 8879 and write in the new number. Probably should have copied the client, but just let it go.

Chris, I still think you sound patient ! ..... Thanks for the info from the e-file desk. Maybe there is a way I can get that ATX ID, I will at least ask for it.

Chris, you are far more patient than me...... Tomorrow is a drop-dead date for re-filing rejected 94Xs I think. Don't know what I will do if have not received acks by tomorrow AM, but am leaning toward calling IRS and getting on their record as having problem with our Transmitter, ATX. Then hopefully any late-payment penalties will be abated for the direct debit accounts. Please update us with any results from your call to ATX tomorrow. I will do the same, but have not been able to get thru to them today.

In my opinion, the fact that we have not received any "transmitted to agency" acks indicates the people in charge of the payroll return e-filing are learning on the fly. My confidence is quickly waning. Am considering switching all accounting, payroll, and tax software immediately. If I wait until the end of Q1, then go thru the same problems we are having now, the rest of my hair is going to fall out !

Chris, I noticed a duplicate DCN "update" on the ATX site. This may be another program bug. I have not yet trusted the program enough to send any e-files, and won't until these *?!^* 940/41 ACKs work.

Still waiting on nearly all of the 940/941 ACKs. Has anyone had any more success withe these ACKs? Or has anyone been able to talk with support today (Monday) for an update on when to expect the ACKs? By tomorrow I think I will need to call IRS and see if they can let me know my options from their end. Perhaps they will allow me to paper file all these even with outstanding so-called transmits from a week ago.