JRS

"Final Filing Date - Monday, April 18 Since Friday, April 15 is a legal holiday in Washington DC (Emancipation Day), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that taxpayers nationwide have until the following business day, Monday, April 18, to timely file returns and pay taxes. California will accept returns and payments as timely if received on April 18." !!! The bold and underlining are mine.

I might also add, if you have kept up on the updates, the new client organizers will be in the program.

It did not take long to register, but after replying to an email and then logging on, it would not recognize me!

If you can get into My ATX, you can go to My Products and your unlock codes should be there. I don't think you need codes, because, in the past, if you keep the software up to date, there was no need to install. Maybe things have changed?

New online access to clients' accounts. http://www.ftb.ca.gov/online/Access_Your_Account/index.asp

More than 107,000 tax professionals have successfully registered for a PTIN using the online registration. 107,000 x $50 = $5,350,000 Not bad for a couple of months work, BUT, $14.25 x 107,000 = $1,524,750 is definitely not too bad for taking my credit card number.

I have seen questions about this on a tax board, but cannot remember which one. "The Tax Court yesterday held that held a married couple could not claim a charitable contribution deduction for a house that they donated to a local fire department for training purposes because they failed to prove that the fair market value of the house exceeded the benefit they received by having the fire department burn down the house. But the Tax Court held that the couple was not liable for the accuracy-related penalty because they acted reasonably and in good faith."

This is to confirm that we have shipped the following: Product Description Registration/Activation Code ATX-1040 ATX 1040 ATX-CDROM ATX Disc 1 CD ROM

Last post - Sep 14 2010 03:02 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2010-08-23-tax-lady_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip SACRAMENTO — California's attorney general sued "tax lady" Roni Deutch for more than $34 million on Monday, alleging that her law firm regularly violates state law by making false promises that it will help people resolve disputes with the Internal Revenue Service. As much as I don't care Jerry Brown, I hope Moon Beam gets her.

Works fine for me.

Is everyone on vacation? YES

IRS Announces New Return Preparer Application System and User Fee; IRS Also Releases Proposed Regulations to Amend Circular 230 Rules WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that a new online application system for compensated tax return preparers is expected to go live in mid-September. The IRS has proposed to require all individuals who receive compensation for preparing all or substantially all of a federal tax return or claim for refund after Dec. 31, 2010, to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Under the proposed regulations, compensated tax return preparers will need to obtain, or reapply for, a PTIN and pay a user fee using this new comprehensive system, which is part of a series of steps planned to increase oversight of federal tax return preparation. Tax return preparers will be creating PTIN accounts with the IRS when they use the new system. “This is an important first step because it lays the groundwork in our efforts to ensure the quality and integrity of professional tax return preparation, which most taxpayers rely on in one form or another,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. Compensated tax return preparers would pay a $64.25 user fee the first year for a PTIN based on two underlying costs. The IRS proposes to collect $50 per user to pay for outreach, technology, and compliance efforts associated with the new program. And the third-party vendor will receive $14.25 per user to operate the online system and provide customer support. Under the proposed regulations, compensated tax return preparers will be required to renew their PTINs annually and pay the associated user fee. The amount of the fee may change in future years as the actual program costs are periodically reevaluated. Under the proposed regulations, the requirement to sign up on the new system will apply to all compensated tax return preparers of federal tax returns regardless of whether they currently possess a PTIN. Tax return preparers who already have a PTIN generally will be reassigned the same number. Any individual who plans to prepare all or substantially all of a tax return for compensation must obtain a PTIN even if the individual is not subject to the testing and continuing education requirements that will be required under Circular 230, according to the IRS’ proposed regulation. Access to the online application system will be through the Tax Professionals page of IRS.gov. The IRS previously announced its portion of the total annual fee in proposed regulations (REG-139343-08) and interested parties have until Aug. 23, 2010, to submit comments on the regulations. A hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for Aug. 24, 2010. The launch of the new online application system and proposed user fees are dependent on the publication of final regulations on user fees and final regulations of the requirement to obtain a PTIN. Proposed Regulations Released Related to Circular 230 The IRS also today released proposed regulations that would amend Treasury Circular 230, the rules governing practice before the IRS. The proposed regulations generally would extend current regulations that apply to attorneys, certified public accountants and other specified tax professionals to all tax return preparers, including currently unenrolled tax return preparers. The proposed regulations (REG-138637-07) would clarify the definition of practice, establish a new registered tax return preparer designation and the eligibility requirements for becoming a registered tax return preparer, repropose standards with respect to the preparation of tax returns, revise rules regarding continuing education providers, and amend multiple other sections of Circular 230. Tax professionals and other interested parties have until Oct. 7, 2010, to submit comments regarding the proposed regulations. Existing PTIN Application Process to Suspend Operations In preparation for the launch of the comprehensive new PTIN system, the IRS will cease issuing PTINs effective Aug. 22 using Form W-7P, Application for Preparer Tax Identification Number, and through e-services – Online Tools for Tax Professionals. If you apply for a PTIN before Aug. 22, 2010, you will have to reapply once the new online PTIN application system begins.

Everyone have a great day and remember our troops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all. AND thanks to having this board.

>>I do like the idea of a forum which is independent of the company - that doesn't guarantee fair and unbiased discussion, but it has its advantages. It certainly has worked extremely well here.<< I totally agree. I,though, have been demoing Drake and had more than my share of problems with Ca returns. One area that sticks out is the taxable portion of a Ca tax refund. No matter what I do, it won't come out how it is supposed to. I have demoed Drake for two years now and have had a few issues that could not be resolved. Its no problem for me to work around and if ATX had not given me a good renewal discount, I would have switched to Drake. Next year, I will probably make the switch as the price of ATX will put me in the hole.

>>Not sure who the finger pupet guy was<< Senor Wences

100%. But, I don't feel that old! Wh0 was the "finger" puppet on Ed Sullivan's show?

I got an email sometime before the 15th, stating they would be sending a renewal email on the 19th. Nothing yet.

I have always had good luck with the FTB. They actually act like humans and normally are very friendly and efficient. "I wouldn't expect to see anything for at least a couple of weeks or more." Totally agree, especially with budget cuts. The newest thing is a bill before the legislature to combine the FTB and the Board of Equalization. THEN, we will have problems. BOE is a totally different culture.

From ATX: Our "first in - first out" procedures are not currently working. This is causing you to pick up acknowledgments filed in a later drain prior to picking up acknowledgments from last night's drain. After evaluating options, we momentarily stopped the outbound postmasters and moved the older files to a different processor which will allow them to post to your electronic mailboxes

Years ago, I made a policy of no returns or extensions after April 5. (April 1 would seem like a joke.) I finally achieved this two years ago. All my returns and extensions are done and I just finished my own taxes. The fruit of my decision came home today. My broadband died and cannot be fixed until Friday. God, I hate dial up. Fortunately, I have this as backup, but it will break if I stay on too long. Thanks to all for this year's questions and answers, it helps a lot.

>> I feel that this community is very valuable no matter what software we use.<< There is a lot of computer knowledge on this board and some would see a problem with TaxWorks software as a challenge and a short break from doing taxes.

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/aboutFTB/press/2010/Release_22.shtml

I don't use TaxWorks and am not comfortable with TRX. I don't see a problem with you using the board. Overall, I don't think that many questions OR posts concern the actual ATX software. Granted early on, problems concerning the software get posted , but it is just like customer support, the questions taper off as we get into the season as we get comfortable with the "new" quirks. Everyone contributes or asks question which we all benefit from no matter what software you us. I would think if you were to take a poll on what tax software you use, it would surprise us all.