Tax Prep by Deb

Everything I have read is they can keep their current W4 however they want to make any changes they have to use the new one.

Has anybody ran any projections based on the calculations of the worksheet for the W-4, then compared that outcome to the employer tax withholding assistant from IRS? I just did. I had completed the W-4 worksheet based on married filing jointly with two jobs. One earning 100,000 per year paid monthly, the 2nd earning 50,000 per year paid monthly with 4 dependents under 17. For the 100,000 per year the worksheet indicated $777 per check being withheld, but the tax withholding assistant from IRS is indicating only 52 per check

A while back (couple of years) I was using Symantec End Point Encryption Software. When Windows tried to update the Symantec software locked down my computer. My computer guy was able to finally get it to un encrypt the hard drive and allow the Window update to install. Since then I have not tried running the software, but I do like some of the add-ons like PGP Shredder. I would like to use Microsoft's Bitlocker to encrypt the hard drive but am concerned that keeping Symantec on the same computer might cause a conflict. Anybody have any experience with this? Deb!

Downloaded and set up.

Dummy me, I checked their knowledge base it was posted there. You are right early December.

Does anyone know when Drake will be releasing 2019 software for up coming filing season?

I had many a phone conversation with him as he always went the extra distance when issues came up. I have missed him greatly ever since ATX was bought out. Truly sad to hear of his passing. Deborah

Thank you for the confirmation. I goofed on one of my clients and in researching this helps right a wrong. Should have known that but don't remember coming across the info until just now. Will amend and client will get a pretty good refund!

This too is what I found out researching it yesterday. I had a client in a similar situation except it was a rental before she moved into it, do there are non qualified days, but correct me if I'm wrong, we don't go back to when the house was first purchased to establish non qualified days, we begin from January 1, 2009 correct?

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe this was changed a few years back. I believe a partial exemption but not full. I will have to double check but I do believe you forfeit full exclusion.

California will have the penalty mandate starting in 2020. So we are not out of the woods yet!

Also the invite is just to set up their end of the portal. It doesn't specifically invite them to send you anything, but once set up it's pretty easy both directions. I set myself up as an individual and sent myself the invitation and played with it going both ways so I could better help my clients. They loved it!

Under edit client there should be a box to check to send an email invitation. The screen shot is if starting with new client, but after selecting your client there should be an edit button which will open up and you can look for the box to invite.

I didn't use ATX this year but if memory serves me correctly, you log into your ATX account go the e-file section search for the e-file you are having trouble with, then on that screen there should be a selection that says rehang ack. Sync won't do it, you have to ask for a rehang, wait a bit then ask you program to request acknowledgments. Hope this helps!

I have been working with Splashtop and have not had any problems other than display settings. My main computer is a 24" monitor and my laptop is 15#. My log on screen is very small (more of an annoyance than anything) and the tool bar is so small I can barely see it. I thought about calling in to see if a setting might make a difference. Performance wise I have had 0 issues. I had disconnection issues a lot with GoToMyPC but I'm sure it had to do with my clients internet service. For the price difference I am very happy with Splashtop.

I have had this same situation and never ran into a problem with the e-file. Just put the info in the way it should be.

You will need to have Drake accounting to do payroll. This is the one area I think ATX is better in, but it works for me . Drake will be happy to answer your questions without being pushy. Just let them know what you would like to be able to do and they will tell you if their program will do it .

I actually downloaded the week trial and am playing with it. For the price difference I am going to change. I hate to call and try to get a cheaper price. If they truly want to keep me as a client, then they need to act like it. In all honesty I really don't see a lot of difference in terms of how I use the product. So it's good by for me!

I have been using GoToMyPC to remote into my desktop when away from my office. They are pricing themselves out of my budget and was wondering if anyone has used the built in remote access that comes with Windows 10? If so is it easy to set up or do I need my tech guy to set it up for me?

I would suggest either calling Drake (they are super friendly and will gladly answer any of you questions) or try to go to one of their sale seminars. That's what I did and they were able to answer all of my questions to my satisfaction. I signed up on the spot and have not looked back.

The only time I called in had to do with uploading into their portal after I imported a return from my laptop. It didn't happen with every file but occasionally it gave me an error message. I contacted support, he tried a few things, couldn't figure it out, promised me he would look into it and call me back. A couple of weeks had passed, in the meantime I found a workaround, so no big deal. Then the phone rang and it was the same guy from Drake who called back with a fix. It didn't completely solve my problem, but he emailed me the fix and said if it happens again this was what I needed to do. So when it did, it saved me a whole lot of time and frustration because I already had the steps needed to get it to work. I am very pleased with the service. It reminds me of the good old days when ATX was small and cared. Had the same team stayed with ATX I would never have left. I would gladly have paid more for the program! With the current owner of ATX I feel they are only interested in the money, not me nor my time. Not so with Drake!

I've had a couple of these situations and we paper filed. One has been out of the picture my client doesn't even know where her husband is. The second ones husband was incarcerated and she no longer has contact with him. Both women let husband do everything do had no ss number.

It is a little different, everything gets entered into worksheets, but I found that within just a little while I was moving as fast if not faster than ATX. There was a few times I couldn't find where I needed to input something, but a quick google usually solved that problem. I was like you, very concerned about the difference, but with all the new changes to the tax return, I chose now to make the switch, and I am not disappointed at all. Also there are several users here on this board that are quick to respond for help! And should none of us be able to help, a quick call to Drake will get you up and going. The support is fantastic, geared to our busy schedules.

One of the reasons I left and went to Drake. Also what was once included in the price of the package is now being pieced out (payroll module) and I think what really nailed it for me was the last time I renewed I was given a very special gift, the previous years books for which I threw away because I had already received them when I renewed the previous year. I was once a fan and defended the company, but I am so glad I left and went with Drake. I know exactly what to expect to pay from year to year.

I know many have great success with HP, but I have had nothing but problems with them so much so I don't even look at them. On the other hand I have worked with many Dell's both my own and with clients and have 0 problems. Just ordered my laptop, hope it is as good as the one it's replacing.