JRS

Periodically still getting the problem, maybe once or twice a week. I open Google Chrome, click on the ATX bookmark and the error will come up whether I sign in or not. Not a big deal. I just close the browser and start again and that will usually fix the problem.

I get the same message about once a week. I blamed it on my browser.

Thanks KC and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL.

Google Crome works fine with My ATX and ATX TV. Both load a lot faster than IE. Fire Fox, on my system works as well, but a little slower.

I don't know if this will work on the Paid Preparer information. Last year, I changed a master form, but the changes did not appear in the return. I delete the form, client letter, then added it back to the return and it worked. I have never delete a 1040, so I don't know what will happen. Thinking back a couple of years, or more, I put in a blank preparer in the system and used it for my own and my wife's.

I have faith in the program, just not in support. Sometimes, it is like dealing with the IRS. One person tells you one thing and on another call or email, someone else tells you something different. I was told there were no unlock codes available for earlier years. I emailed a problem with accessing My ATK, the tech read my email wrong and sent me unlock codes back to 2000.

Every time I log on to My Account at ATX, using Firefox, it tells me to use IE instead. I assume that also applies to that wonderful program too.

IRS Guidewire Notice 2009-05 "Interim guidance."

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-09-5.pdf

I check out the "official" ATX community every couple of weeks and have yet to post as there is no reason to. But, when checking it out today, I saw a post about 2007 software. There is an update to the software that was made AFTER the archive CD we all received. The current version should be 2007.6.23. The only change seemed to be a program change to prevent efile.

I use the PRS version of ATX. After installing the 2008 program, I could not get the unlock codes nor access any ATX sites through the program. After waiting three days for an email response and continuing updates, it finally worked. Then I got an email response saying they could not understand why I could not get unlock codes since I had already activated 25 returns four days earlier! I replied I have only 15 returns and I just had activated them. Their reply was that I was incorrect and should fax a request for a refund from accounting. Accounting showed I had activated 15 returns at 8:15 am on the day the program finally worked and could not understand why tech support was different. I had them verify my client number and both departments said it was correct. What scares me, tax season hasn't even started and customer/ tech support is having problems. Hopefully, this is just a small glitch in the system. :scratch_head:

:scratch_head: "My reason for upgrading? I have a quad core 64bit processor and 8GB of RAM. I wanted to take full advantage of the 64bit architecture and utilize all of my ram. A 32bit OS like XP can only recognize 3-3.5GB of RAM.

I am, however, not the average Windows user. I only use windows for ONE set of applications, and that is Adobe Creative Suite 4. For everything else, I use Kubuntu Linux, which is the base OS on my workstation. When I need Adobe CS4, I fire up an instance of Vista 64 in VirtualBox on top of Linux, which has 5GB of RAM assigned to it."

The above quote is exactly why I use "Nerds on Call" for anything I need to have or be done on my computers! The only thing I understood was "my reason for upgrading", the rest is Greek. Thank heavens, Erc takes care of the board and us.

"Guess none of you are really true to the "Wonderful" OFFICIAL ATX BOARD, or you would have known about the ultra secret password needed to get in.

and I am keeping it a secret!"

Does your ultra secret password speed up access? Mine works, but it is slower than........

It took me this long to remember where I had seen this website. (Probably a senior moment.) But, those remembering the "Old Westerns" should enjoy this:

http://objflicks.com/thoseoldwesterns.htm

Somewhere, I can't remember where, I read ATX TV on 11/11 would present an update on the "new enhancements" for the upcoming tax season. So I checked it out and they didn't. BUT, under the presenter's name, it now says Taxwise TV, not ATX TV?!!!

"I remember Jingles, but I forget who he was with."

Wild Bill Hickock?

For the more technical: DNS propagation is not happening correctly for one of my nameservers.

Boy, that sure clears up my problems!

To me, now would be a good time. It is well before any software releases, which can bring a lot of questions.

"Hope we still have ATX thru this tax season."

Looks like another uncertain tax season ahead. With the economy, new tax laws and everything else that is and will probably continue through the season, we don't need the "stress" of wondering about ATX's future.

I use PDF995 and just sent a return printed from ATX using PDF995, attached it, sent the email and it worked fine. I use v 9.0 of Adobe.

For what its worth, the following is the text of the law as signed by our "beloved" governor:

(7) Existing law imposes specified requirements and prohibitions

on tax preparers, as defined, and exempts specified persons from

these requirements and prohibitions. A violation of those provisions

is a misdemeanor. Under existing law, those provisions will become

inoperative on July 1, 2008, and will be repealed on January 1, 2009.

This bill would extend the inoperative and repeal dates for these

provisions, making the provisions inoperative and repealing them on

January 1, 2012. The bill would also expand the category of persons

exempted from these provisions and revise the requirements for

exemption, including imposing a requirement that specified tax

returns are signed by a licensed accountant, attorney, or by a person

who is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. The

bill would also specify that preparation of a tax return includes

the inputting of tax data into a computer. Because this bill would

impose additional qualifications on the exemption from tax preparer

provisions, the violation of which would be a crime, and would extend

the operation of existing crimes provisions, it would impose a

state-mandated local program.

I read that the orginal statement by CTEC is correct and someone decided, after numerous emails, that they were wrong. It needs clarification, which, as in the past, we will never see.

New form being "tested" by the IRS.

http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=28815

Below is from CTEC in the August newsletter:

Effective July 1, 2008, California Senate Bill 797, passed by the California State Legislature and

signed by the Governor, clarifies the definition of who is and is not exempt from CTEC registration

The original rationale to allow employee exemption was based on the assumption that the CPA,

EA or attorney would review the employees’ work and sign the return. Unfortunately recent

visits to tax preparation offices have shown this is not always the case and many exempt

employees are preparing and signing returns without any supervision.

As a result, the newly revised law requires that all CPAs, EAs and attorneys must sign the returns

prepared by their exempt employees so they are fully held accountable for the employees’ work.

If they prefer not to sign the return prepared by the employee, then the employee must register

with CTEC so he or she can legally sign the return.

In addition to clarifying employee exemptions, the revised law also expanded the definition

of “tax preparation” to include data entry. Individuals who input tax-related data into a

computer must now register as a CRTP.

If you read California Business and Professions Code 22251, it defines a “tax preparer” as those

“who prepare the return” or “assist with” preparing the return. Since inputting tax data is assisting

with preparing the return, for accuracy purposes, the law was revised to include data entry.

It is not jainen who is confusing!!!

This should help, it is from the CA FTB website:

California e-file Program Enrollment Requirements (Individual and Business e-file)

Beginning August 2007, FTB no longer requires e-file providers to submit a separate enrollment application for authorization to electronically file individual or business tax returns.

Providers approved in the IRS Electronic Filing (e-file) Program are now automatically enrolled in the California e-file Program. In addition, we will automatically receive any updates that you make to your IRS account.

Requirements for e-file participation:

To be automatically enrolled in our e-file program, you must be an accepted participant in the IRS e-file Program. We receive confirmation from the IRS after they accept you into their program.

Use your IRS-assigned Electronic Filer Identification Number (EFIN) to e-file with FTB. If you transmit returns, use your IRS-assigned Electronic Transmitter Identification Number (ETIN) with FTB.

Comply with the guidelines in FTB Publication 1345, e-file Handbook for Authorized e-file Providers, and FTB Publication 1345B, Business e-file Handbook for Authorized e-file Providers of California Business Returns.

Once you receive your IRS EFIN, you can verify your enrollment with California by contacting our e-Programs Customer Service at (916) 845-0353.

I have never sent final returns to any brokage house. All they need is death certificate. Good Luck.

Though it has been a few years, I had two clients pass away with accounts at Merrill. They back out all charges, created a DOD account summary and requested a death certificate. The broker at the time, did all of this before he even had the death certificate. The actual paperwork was not released until it was received, but the broker sent "unofficial" copies to the executor. (Actually, hand carried them.) Maybe the high paid brokers of today don't believe in "customer service" after death!