MN dhawk

I had this happen too. I think I got around it by closing and reopening the file.

Note that if you update the program using the internet method you still need to update the forms within the program.

About the solid state hard drive, can it just be added to an existing computer or does it need to be original equipment with the operating system installed on it?

I've been looking at the Brother HL6180DW and see that the price just dropped to $260 from $299 at Amazon. It prints at 42ppm, holds 550 sheets & has a 12,000 page toner cartridge. Have had good luck with a couple Brothers in the past. Has anyone used this one?

Many are talking about Drake & Proseries but it looks like the smoothest data entry is TaxAct. I know nothing about printing & letters & program depth but the data entry for ATX users will have no learning curve. Also, the cost for the whole 1040 package, with states & efiling is under $600 and under $1000 for business forms too. My current plan B is to use it while ATX 2012 becomes usable. Some comments on TheTaxBook site are positive. Anyone have more insight?

Can anyone provide feedback about the quality of conversions to Drake, especially with regard to depreciation?? Thanks.

I just managed to download the program update online on the third try. Note that the forms were not downloaded but that worked in normal time from within the program.

I'm not asking for a refund yet but I want to know my options.

I just spent an hour with a downloaded Drake 2011 full program and after getting over the initial entry confusion (it isn't like ATX) I found it to be quick and able. I managed to input 3 returns that included depreciation, foreign tax credit and AMT within about an hour and get to the same tax for both federal & MN as ATX calculated.

I also looked at Taxwise 2011 online sample but states were not available. ProSeries too will let you have the 2011 program.

Try them, see if anything fits.

Decedent's estate has been open more than two years. Schedule

G line 8 asks for an attached explanation. Is there a way to do this and still efile? Thanks.

Can you recommend an insurance company for E&O coverage.

I have not had coverage for about 3 years - will any policy cover those years?

Kid graduates in May of 2011. The 2011 1098T shows no tuition paid or billed and 7K in scholarships. The 2011 tuition of 16K was paid in December 2010 as the school requested and showed up on the 2010 1098T. I have a bad feeling here. Can client take the AOL for 2011 or did he pay the school two weeks too soon? Thanks.

Many get more back in Social Security than they pay in. That part is not double taxed. I would find out this amount and adjust the 85% accordingly.

I agree with the elimination of refundable credits and the AMT but am fine with phase-out rules. I like progressive rates. My clients in higher brackets don't seem to have any lifestyle problems. I would bring back the estate tax so that Bill Gates really helps us out with the public debt.

All medical should be deductable. Where did this 7.5% come from?

I explained the situation to my client and he understands since he had supplied the broker statement which explains everything. He will be back next year, even without my help. Thanks.

Client is refinancing home mortgage. Lender sees royalties of $300 on form 1040 which came off a broker statement. Needing an address to get ATX to efile, I used the broker's. The bank wants a letter from me explaining that client either owns that location or doesn't! This seems so insignificant an stupid that I feel that just having my letter in their file could give them some legal advantage down the road. If I don't respond, would they deny the refinance? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Is there any way to see e-filing status in the Return Manager or do we have to go to the E-file Manager? Last year I somehow marked a return complete before it was e-filed. Luckily, both returns had refunds and the client called to ask why they had'nt showed up before the October e-filing deadline. Unless I'm missing something, I need to print a report in the Return Manager, go to the E-file Manager and check the accepted returns with a pencil. Is there a better way in the computer age?

Client gives me a 1098T showing $5000 in tuition paid and says the VA paid it directly due to disability. Nothing is in the scholarship grant box. Does he qualify for an education credit?? Thanks.

The VA paid for clients tuition due to disability. The college issued a 1098T showing about 5K for tuition and nothing for schlorships. Client says payment was paid direct from VA to college. Would that rule out tuition credits?

Thanks, Dennis

My favorite this year:

Phone message: You told me my federal bracket is 25% and my state bracket is 5%. But you figured I owe the state much more than the federal. This can't make any sense. Please get it corrected.

These people are allowed to vote!

I can't seem to e-file a return with a mixed 1099R. This one 1099R contained a rollover, a qualified charitable distribution and a residual taxable amount. ATX handeled it just fine and put the taxable amount on page one. Can't get it to e-file and ATX seems to have put me on the back burner. The clients left town after signing the 8879 and won't return before April 17th to file paper. I don't have any way to contact them.

I think if I divided the 1099 into its three components and e-filed it that way that it might go right through. Is there any reason I should'nt do that? Thanks.

Interesting. Nothing changed on my end. I assumed lots of you would have new PTINs. Only one digit changed, both old and new digits are adjacent on the keypad and would be key punched by the same finger. Could my IRS identity have changed due to a keypunch error?

The IRS gave me a different PTIN this year. I assume it should be used for prior year returns and amended prior year returns too. Do you agree? Thanks.

Thanks for all your comments. They lead me to this AICPA article:

http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/PrivateCompaniesPracticeSection/Resources/CPAComfortLettersToLenders/Pages/AON%20Comfort%20Letters.aspx?action=print

I used it as my guide. I'll let you know what happens.

A self employed client wants to refinance home mortgage and gets this from her banker:

I am trying to verify your employment

I need a copy of your buisness license if you have one or

a Letter from your CPA on (letterhead), dated and signed by the CPA

The confimation from the CPA must include the name, type of business, and length of time the buisness has been in operation.

also the cpa must indicate that he/she has prepared the business's tax returns for the two most recent years.

Are you seeing this stuff and how are you reacting??

I've used the online version of TTB for three years and like it. It is way faster than paper. Updates are automatic and you can see what has been updated. You can jump directly to IRS pubs. I'll never by paper again.

TP owns and pays for a second home where her disabled son and 20 year old student granddaughter live. I am sure that the granddaughter is a dependent but am in doubt about HOH status. TP owns the house but they don't actually live together. It looks like HOH would work for a dependent parent but not a dependent grandchild. Thanks for your thoughts.