jmallard

Thanks for the responses guys. I appreciate it. I'm sorry that I listed (1040 - Line 13) - I meant to state (Schedule A - Line 13). Jerry

Hi everyone, I used to have a checklist for this information, but it has been such a long time since I've had a client as a 1st time home buyer, I can't find my checklist. Could someone give me guidance as to which of these items can my client deduct on Schedule A for these expenses in purchasing a home? Origination Fee. . . . (I know, this is considered points and is deductible.) Tax Service Fee . . . Underwriting Fee . . . Flood Certification Fee . . . Prepaid Interest . . . (I know this is deductible) Settlement/Closing Fee . . . Admin . . . Processing Fee . . . Hazard Insurance . . . County Taxes Paid to Escrow Account . . . Thanks. Jerry

Hi Everyone, I have a client who received a check (Dated Dec 23, 2007) in Dec 2007 for $7000.00 as some sort of settlement payment for Alimony. However, she did not cash the check until Jan 2008. Is this still considered Alimony received in 2007 Tax Year? Thanks. Jerry

Hi, Concerning the Qualified Mortgage Insurance Premiums (1040 - Line 13) - is this insurance the type of insurance that pays off your loan should you die and/or makes your mortgage payments if you become disabled? Thanks in Advance. Jerry

In case anyone was wondering. Finally got my client's Calif return e-filed. I did get a response from Support in an e-mail suggesting removing the SSN, closing program and then re-entering the SSN. I also got through to Tech Support by phone, only on hold 15 minutes. The young lady was quite helpful and guided me to a newer version of the CA Sch CA Adjustment form. Version .23 on the download center at ATX. I updated my forms and tried again - the return was rejected again for the exact same reason. So, I deleted the CA Sch Adjustments schedule for this client and re-submitted the e-file. This time it was accepted. The fact that the client didn't really have any adjustments probably had a part in the CA return being accepted without the form. So, in effect my problem was solved, however, we will see if I get any more returns bounced for the same reason. I have filed one return after this one and it was accepted. Jerry [edited] Just updated my ATX programs this morning and what do ya know - they updated the CA Sch CA (540) to Ver 24 - E-file functionality corrected to filter out dashes. I guess Tech Support fixed the problem.

taxperson, Thanks for the information. Now I know what to do. I guess I could have looked that up myself That's what makes this ATX Community great - peope willing to help. Jerry

Hi everyone, This is my first Montana Tax Return and I intend to e-file. When I select Create E-file in the ATX software the choices come up to file Montana as "Piggyback" and "State Only". Piggyback is already checked by the software. Is this the correct way to e-file the Montana return? First time I have ran across the term, "piggyback" - 99% of my state returns are California. Thanks in advance. Jerry

I believe this has already been discussed on the forum. E-File Everyone feels it is a glitch in the software and are ignoring it. All my state returns indicate "8453 Required" and I'm ignoring it. Hope this helped. Jerry

My first tax software was from Alpine Data and I had the plastic overlays to create the tax forms from printed info sheets. I started in 1984. I'm just a one person operation and have never had over 60 customers, so the cost of tax software is a concern for me. Can't remember the year for sure, but it was 1998 or 1999 that Alpine Data priced me out - their cost went up to $750.00, but their programs improved each year. I've been with ATX since then and like most of you, went through their growing pains to. Seems like there was always problems with forms and updates early in the season but I never had a tax return rejected because of it, until this year - 3 State rejections. I hope they don't price me out of their software. They haven't scored any points with me so far this year. Jerry

FTIW - Finally figured out what the problem is with my CA e-files. I called the California e-file hotline and the lady told me that my errors were because of dashes ( - ) in the zip codes of two of my returns and the third return was because of dashes ( - ) in the client's social security number on my CA Adjustments schedule. That tells me that there is an error in ATX's transmission software to the State of California. The CA 540 Long Form did not come back with any errors because of Social Security Number dashes - just the Schedule CA and only for this return. I have filed 5 other California e-files and none of them were rejected for the social security number. I sent ATX Tech Support an e-mail concerning this error - we'll see how long it takes them to respond. They never did respond to my first e-mail about California rejections. I updated my program files, closed the software, re-booted and went in and deleted all the California forms for this client, re-created the forms and resubmitted the CA e-file. We'll see if it is accepted. Frustrating. Jerry

catax, Thanks for your response. I will try what you suggested. However, I have to wait until the return is rejected again by ATX software. I had already gone through the form checking for spaces, etc and re-filed it. The error code is supposed to indicate exactly where the error is but I still can't figure out where it is. "1040CA13 Record Layout Form: 000008000001 Seq: 1" Jerry

Howard, Thanks for the response. Yes, I did the same thing on my two zip code rejections from California. Removed the extra 4 digits and resent - they are now accepted. However, I still need help on this rejection: Rejection was for the following reason stated by the ATX Software: ------------- 1040CA13 Record Layout Form: 000008000001 Seq: 1 One or more fields do not contain the Record Layout data-type specified by the 'type' column in which they appear. Ensure that all characters match the appropriate field type (such as 'only alphabetic','only numeric',or'only alphanumeric'). ----------------- I looked in the FTB booklet on e-files and cannot determine where or which form they are talking about. Can someone please tell me where to look for an error? The only information I entered on the CA forms was the PIN numbers and dates, everything else carried over from the Federal forms (which have been accepted). Client only had three entires - Income - withholding and Alimony. Thanks. Jerry

I had four CA returns previously e-filed and filed one today. Received ACKs back on all but one of them. Two were rejected. One rejection because of the zip code (error code stated zip code cannot contain spaces or dashes). Only thing I did was add the 4 digit extension on the return that was not present last year. This was on two of my CA e-files. Both same zip code (mother and son live in the same house) Mother's return was rejected and son's still has "Validated by EFC". I changed the zip code back to a 5 digit number and re-submitted on the mother's. I filed many CA returns last year with a 9 digit zip code with a dash and they weren't rejected. Second rejection was for the following reason stated by the ATX Software: ------------- 1040CA13 Record Layout Form: 000008000001 Seq: 1 One or more fields do not contain the Record Layout data-type specified by the 'type' column in which they appear. Ensure that all characters match the appropriate field type (such as 'only alphabetic','only numeric',or'only alphanumeric'). ----------------- I looked in the FTB booklet on e-files and cannot determine where or which form they are talking about. Can someone please tell me where to look for an error? The only information I entered on the CA forms was the PIN numbers and dates, everything else carried over from the Federal forms (which have been accepted). Client only had three entires - Income - withholding and Alimony. Jerry Confused in California :rolleyes:

Nena So, did you make copies of your CA filed returns, re-submit and were they Accepted? I would like to know for sure before I go re-submitting my CA filed returns. Thanks. Jerry

Scott, Yes, please keep us updated on how well this program works for you. I am definitely not going to renew with ATX. They priced me out and I don't like surprises. Jerry

I'm still waiting too. Haven't received a reply from ATX Customer Service when I complained about this two days ago either. Jerry

Tom, So far I have only received their automated reply stating they will reply within 24-48 hours. I will post anything else I receive. Jerry

I E-Mailed Tech Support asking when they will start transmitting CA e-files. Wondering how long it will take them to reply and interested in what they will say. Jerry

I hope your couch is comfortable Jerry

I'm definitely going to do the same. Tax Relief Express is looking very good to me. I am a small one person operation and I only do about 50 returns per year. Almost all my clients e-file, so my software cost just went from $420 to $670. Had I known back in June when I renewed the software that they were going to charge me for e-filing, I would not have renewed. Jerry

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm glad to know that I was on the right track. Jerry

:unsure: Seems like I am always late and it keeps me confused I am really behind this year as I was not aware the ATX had dropped the Forum until I tried to log-on. I'm glad I found this forum. The ATX forum from the past gave me guidance many times. At any rate, I'm a bit confused on the use of the Form 8879. I also was not aware that we can't use Form 8453 anymore for e-filing return except for sending the forms listed. Would someone please tell me if I am correct in these assumptions/statements ? If I am interpreting the form correctly, we (preparers) just need to generate a PIN number for our clients, enter it on the form and have the client sign or let the client choose a number, enter it on the form and they still sign. In the second case, we complete Part III on the form and sign or is the tax preparer supposed to sign regardless of the client's selection? Nothing is mailed in to the IRS when e-filing and using this form? Then we (preparers) complete the info on the "1040 EF Info" by selecting the "Practitioner PIN" completing Section A or by selecting the "Self-Select PIN" and completing Section A and B? What are most preparers doing, selecting PINs for the client or waiting and have the client select a PIN? Seems to me it is easier to just select for the client and complete Part III of the form. I plan to just use the first 5 numbers of the clients social security number as a PIN, just to keep it simple. Anyone else doing something like this. Thanks in advance. Jerry Opps - should have posted in the e-file forum - told ya I was confused :P

Mel, Please add me to the list. I am willing to do anything at all to help, but probably only qualified to beta test or help with a forum or web site (I have set up a couple and enjoy it). Don't have much money, but willing to invest in this project. I am not connected with ATX or CCH in any way except as a software user since 1999. I am very disappointed at the direction ATX is headed. Prices going up, services going down (no free e-file this year) and no forum; all with no warning from ATX. My previous tax software was from Alpine Data (originally DOS based), which I used for years until they priced it out of my reach. I am a sole proprietor since 1984 and I only do about 50 returns per year, but most of my customers have been with me for 20 years. I am semi-retired now with taxes being my only official employment, so I have plenty of time to help in any way I can. When my tax software costs get to $500, I'll be going out of business. Please include me in your 'private' forum or if you need one, I'll set it up and host it on my website (jmallard.com). Jerry

According to the software, the CA 8453 has not been approved yet. Jerry