HV Ken

Wow - there is nobody on this forum who could benefit from these extra copies????!!!!

I am noticing the same thing - none of the worksheets have the watermark this year. I guess since they are only worksheets I decided to not care too much, but still it is a change from last year and I am never a fan of unannounced changes....

Hi community, I have one extra copy of each of these manuals available: 1040 Express Answers - 2009 Tax Year (retail $52) http://onlinestore.cch.com/productdetail.asp?productid=5578 1040 Tax Prep Partner Series - 2 volumes - Regular Publication and Quick Reference Guide (retail $175) http://onlinestore.cch.com/productdetail.asp?productid=7200 If interested, please message me on this site - please do not post to this thread.

Thanks all - I do like the wording suggestions offered. We always use the comparison pages - this will indeed help explain the mess (er, I mean credit).

This is something I am hoping to try this year (maiden voyage). Can you please elaborate on what this means?

Thanks JB, but that is not very satisfying to the client sitting across from you with the old "what the *^$%happened to my refund" look (or even worse "what the #@&* do you mean I owe").... LOL Maybe it's my personality - I would want to explain what happened.... And it appears there are a few scenarios where the what happened explanation can be replicated. Thus a FAQ....

Thanks - I am aware of the FAQs on the IRS site. What I am seeking (and going to create if an existing one cannot already be located) is a USEFUL list of questions/answers on common problems that are going to require an explanation to clients. For example: College students who are dependents Multiple W-2s MFJ and both has W-2s etc. Scenarios that are resulting in a lower refund this year than last year and requiring an explanation for the average uninformed TP and SP who are now wondering "what happened??"

Just a few returns into tax season, we are already having to explain the wonderful Making Work Pay Tax Credit to clients. Before I reinvent the wheel (i.e. write my own), has anyone already found or created a USEFUL FAQ that explains in plain English the problem areas in terms a client can understand ?

Thanks for your reply, E. I did eventually find some ATX instructions in the 1096 - Filing Info tab. These instructions match your experience, including the 6847; as well as addressing the 4419 question.

Thanks to all who have read and commented. I appreciate your time! In regards to the recent discussion, I thought I was pretty clear on the scenario ("woman makes zero income" and "TP provides 100% support" - does that combination not communicate "which parent pays the housing costs" ?). jainen is correct I neglected to mention the HOH filing status, and that the mother who has zero income will not be filing a return to claim the child as her dependent. I can see from jainen's post how adding that information would be helpful. I can see how most of us, including myself, made certain assumptions, but jainen's questions/thoughts clarify those even further and remove ambiguity. Maybe I represent the minority, but I value reading jainen's responses on this board as I learn a lot from them.

Just looking for confirmation or the response "what are you thinking??".... TP and woman have child. TP and woman are not married. TP, woman, child all live in TP's home for entire year. Woman makes zero income. TP provides 100% support for woman and child. Given above, woman (and child) can be claimed as dependent for TP.

We are interested in e-filing the 1096 this year. ATX appears to generate the e-file, but there is no signature page (e.g. 8879 for 1040) ? If we are already approved for e-filing personal and corporate returns, are we also then approved for e-filing 1096 returns ? Or is there an additional application required ? Form 4419 seems to be specific to the organization on the 1096 and not to the ERO...? I guess basically I am asking how does this process work ? What are the steps ? Thanks for any assistance!

After waiting to get through to tech support, I was helped by Josh and we got it running.... It was some kind of an installation issue. I think I am going to like this program!

I thought about modifying the IT-201 master form, but I am very hesitant to modify such a prevalent form. Maybe all the NY preparers can send in a suggestion that ATX makes an update....

NY preparers, Has anyone figured out how to have the "Preparer's NYTPRIN" field automatically added to your IT-201 forms ? Right now it is a blue field and looks like it needs to be entered manually to each return.

I purchased Scan & Fill new for this year. Installed the software, set up my directories, etc. However, all the options are greyed out. I cannot scan into the program. I am able to use my scanner for other purposes, so I am guessing somehow Scan & Fill doesn't think I have a scanner. Any ideas what I need to do to fix this ?

Internal Revenue Service Live Broadcast for Tax Professionals Getting Ready for Filing Season: Individuals and Businesses Presented by IRS Small Business and Self Employed and Wage and Investment Division Date: January 20, 2010 (archived* for later viewing) Time: 2 p.m. Eastern This FREE broadcast is for: • Tax Professionals • Tax Practitioners • Enrolled Agents • CPAs Learn about issues affecting filing 2009 tax returns: • Tax Law Updates • Changes to tax forms • Common errors • Where to file & e-filing Earn Continuing Professional Education credit • Enrolled agents receive two CPE credits for participating from the start of the 100 minute broadcast. • Enrolled agents receive one CPE credit for participating for a minimum of 50 minutes from the start of the broadcast. • Other tax professionals may receive credit if the broadcast meets your organization’s or state’s CPE requirements. • To receive credit, you must attend the presentation offered on January 20, 2010. Register for the broadcast using your e-mail address. After you register, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link with your personal identifier. Use that link to log in to attend. This will confirm your attendance and generate your Certificate of Completion. • *Only January 20, 2010 participants will receive certificates. If you do not need a certificate to obtain CPE credit, you may choose to view the archived version of the broadcast after January 20, 2010. • Look for your Certificate of Completion by e-mail approximately one week after the broadcast. If you have met all requirements, you will receive your certificate automatically. How to register for the session: REGISTER (Click on the link to register for the session) http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=65270 EASTERN 2 p.m. standard time Note: Once you register, you will get a confirmation e-mail. Use the link in this e-mail to attend the session. This link has a personal identifier so you will get credit for attending the session (as long as you meet the time requirements). If you access the event from a different computer, you must enter your email address. Sponsored by: IRS Small Business and Self Employed and Wage and Investment Division

Someone shared this IRS web page with me. It is the perfect index for every tax practitioner. Basic Tools for Tax Professionals http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=118004,00.html

That's precisely what reminded me to go find this years!

I always have problems finding this, so figured after searching the IRS web site others could benefit as well! The 2010 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2043.pdf

I use the status field on the Return Manager. I have the following categories: I rollover the return when I receive it, and enter the date in the status field. If I have several appointments that day, I will batch rollover first thing in the morning, but not put anything in the status field until I have the documents. Entering the date in the status field allows me to process them in a somewhat FIFO fashion. Then there are the following status terms that are entered/updated after the item is done: entered need info (when entered and waiting for more info) printed assembled mailed (for those that will not be picked up) e-file / e-file;Chase (for Bank Products) complete (and check the box; I do not move to complete until the e-file has been accepted This is from memory as I am remote today, but I think this is all the stages I capture. I have never lost track of a return with this simple system!

Hi - thanks for the warning / heads up! Could you (or anyone else) point me to where I can find that information?

export marked list - never had done that either. Cool! Wonder what other simple solutions I am missing out on....

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Thanks KC! Sometimes the obvious is oh so elusive. And to think I consider myself a power user!!!