Cat in OH

After sleeping in till 8 this morning, I'm just now getting around to breakfast. Since I work out of my home, I think I'll run a few overdue errands and visit a friend who's husband is not doing well. I guess starting tomorrow I'll go back to splitting my days between the extended tax returns, monthly bookkeeping for a few clients and house and yard work. But it'll be nice to be doing all that without the deadlines and absurd phone calls that come with tax season!!

Just back from dropping off the last completed return and mailing the last 2 extensions. As I walked in the door, the phone was ringing. Thought about ignoring it, but just couldn't. A voice on the other end started asking "Is it too late..." by that time I was laughing 'cause I immediately recognized the client whose return I had just dropped off. If I didn't know better I would've thought he was at the end of the block watching for me to get home! He then thanked me again and told me to have a drink on him tonight. My reply: You and every other tax client! And I'm not getting up till noon tomorrow!

I had a client who got married last year. I asked him about his wife's info when he brought his papers in. His answer: I think she's going to her old accountant. We thought we'd wait till this year to file joint. After problems with other couples going to different preparers, I suggested that he go to her accountant. In the end she brought her stuff to me (although I'm at that stage in my career where I wouldn't mind losing a client or two!) I said OK. Not to mention, they came out way ahead to file joint!

But if I take the full $5000 as Sec 179 it won't change any depreciation taken in 05 & 06?

Can I amend a 2004 return, 1040 w/ sch C, to include assets bought in 2004 but overlooked in tax prep? The total is under $5000 so I'd like to take a Sec 179 deduction instead of depreciating since the business income is decreasing every year (he's headed for retirement). The assets would have qualified for Sec 179 if the preparer had included them originally. Thanks.

Even tho' I still have some extensions to print/mail, a personal return (complete with Sched C business) to do and 4 returns to deliver, I have convinced myself that today won't be so bad. Just because the normal next to last day wasn't hectic enough, the weather was miserable yesterday, including winds up to 45 mph. Among the trees that went down was one about a block away. It landed on a pickup truck, blocking the road from the neighborhood, killing the driver and taking out the power in our whole neighborhood for more than 4 hours. I did use the time to sort papers and staple printed returns, but I didn't have all that many done. Couldn't use the time to deliver the returns sitting in the out basket, so I dug out our camp stove and reheated some leftover soup. Had a romantic candle dinner for one (retired hubby goes south to play golf--and stay out of my way--the last week of tax season). Once the power came back on, I got back to work and, of course, lost track of time. Finally went to bed about 2 hours later than planned. Then the fun part: at 2am one of my usually sweet cocker spaniels decided to throw up next to the bed (at least she wasn't in it!!). Well, today's another day. Tomorrow the dogs, the cat and I can sleep in!!

JB, Just noticed your avatar...just about how I pictured you, except I thought you might have your parrot with you! Cat