beckster

Hey I'm feeling a little left out here or even possibly slighted. I haven't gotten my renewal letter yet. I wonder, and yet it seems as though the ones who are getting the renewal letters are the ones who didn't get a refund. Am I right with this or just plain crazy? If it is true, I mean come on really?

I disputed my Discover Card Charge on 1/20 and was fully vindicated/issue resolved/officially credited on 3/18. So, I got my money back on this faulty program and they send me this renewal letter? That's why their renewal letter is going back to sender.

LOL!

Walked out to my mailbox and there it was. Promptly wrote "Return to Sender!" and "You're Kidding?" on it. Planning to put into the mail tomorrow.

Beckster

This is a thread re: your question:

Hello Everyone,

Since I originally started this topic one month ago. I thought I would give you an update.

I mulled over staying with this product or moving on for a long time. After examining many different thoughts on software and reasonably accessing all the red flags that this software was sending up, on Jan. 22nd I purchased TaxAct.

I'm happy to say I'm so glad I did. That software works like any reputable software should. I do not have to jump through hoops to try and make the software work. It functions and is not what I would consider faulty software. I've finished five clients returns and have received e-file acknowledgements (also California acks). EIC and Child Tax Credit are calculating correctly, dependent info is correct, etc.

Thanks for allowing me to share.

Beckster

I think the real issue here is whether or not we were getting a WORKABLE program. I remember somebody telling me that what we pay TRX for is a membership, not a specific software. So, okay, if the program changes, I can deal with it, but IF I CAN'T FILE TAX RETURNS, THAT I CANNOT DEAL WITH, AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE!!!

I have a postcard from trx software that states for only 299.99 plus shipping and handling you receive the following:

Free MeF Unlimited e-File

Free MeF Software

Free MeF States

This software is a faulty product and will be dealt with as such.

Beckster

Taxed mentioned: "Will be doing some research tomorrow after my meeting with my partner. TaxAct is looking like a possibility pricewise $99 plus per return efile of $7.95. Other outfits are a bit more expensive. At this point unless you want to shell out 1495 for Drake or 995 for Taxwise you may have to live with per return pricing. You will have to also decide about conversion of your existing client base. That is the biggest challenge.

I hope TRX comes though this week and gives us a professional software free of bugs."

This is a link I found for TaxAct:

http://prep.taxact.com/products/bundles.asp

I could not find the 99 plus 7.95 for each efile. "Taxed" could you share where you found that?

Does anyone know if TaxAct has a community forum? If so, could you please share the link?

Also, I am concerned with not only the functionality of TRX forms, but what is going to happen when we efile??? Yikes!

Thanks for your help,

Beckster

Ok....is this ship sinking? Where are you going? And what is the price point? Please share.

Thanks,

Beckster

There is definately an issue with this software because on many returns the 1040 remains greyed until you go and link it to the client info sheet. I noticed this when you proforma a client. If you create a brand new return it is ok most of the time. I did run 3 test returns and posted on another thread.

Which thread is that?

Thx

Check this out!

My longtime client has 3 kids and for tax year 2011 had a parent. This year (2012) parent is not a dependent on return. Tried deleting via client information sheet. No go....just get red boxes.

Next, went to interview mode and deleted from there. Looks like it takes. Went back into client information sheet. Still red boxes. Back to interview mode...no parent. Back to client information sheet still red boxes.

Hmmm....let me close and re-open return.

Well, still red boxes in client information sheet. So, then I open interview mode.....no dependents!

Start posting this topic....re-check interview mode and the kids are there now! Still red boxes where parent used to be.

????????? Why red boxes showing?????

Kea, you are awesome! That is the spot. Of course, one of my long time clients became a victim of fraud a few years ago. We had to enter that PIN for 2011 tax year. I'm expecting her to drop off her stuff today and was anticipating entering another ID.

So, where about does this special ID get input into your software?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Beckster

I appreciate the lighthearted comments about yesteryear; however, how about posting those on a new thread?

Thanks,

Beckster

I have a small client base of about 80. I enjoy and have been preparing tax returns for 17 years. For many years I used ATX software and it worked wonderfully for me. Starting for tax year 2010, I felt ATX priced out of my range and I changed over to TRX software. It fit my needs for 2010 and 2011 tax years.

This year???? Well, I expect software to handle basic functions and I have no problem with downloading updates to fix issues. Am I concerned with software problems? Yes. I would like to hear from others how long they are giving TRX to fix basic software issues before going to other companies.

I do not want this to be a forum for TRX gurus to berate or give excuses for lack and/or snail pace communications/updates on their part. As far as I'm concerned, action speaks louder than words and time always tells what the truth is.

Thanks,

Beckster

Hello!

How do you stop the auto-calc on the W-2? It is very irritating.

Thanks,

OK. I must be doing something wrong. I input phone number and stipulate that it is the daytime phone number, but I can never get it to print on the return. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Beckster

OK. Sent out search party. Found it under a form titled "PO-Options". Check the box to print daytime phone number and then hit Ctrl-D to default for all returns. :D

OK. I must be doing something wrong. I input phone number and stipulate that it is the daytime phone number, but I can never get it to print on the return. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Beckster :blink:

TRX has a link to an asset worksheet. Just click the blue link next to the points box. It is similar to the ATX worksheet but you do have to specify that you want amortization. Would be nice if it knew to default to this when accessed from the points box. But, not a big deal to pick it from the drop down box.

Kea you rock! Thanks!

Beckster :spaz:

I've been a registered tax preparer for 15 years and have been with ATX for the majority of that time. That was the only program I used. It has been different using the TRX program, but converting my 2009 clients into the 2009 program ahead of time really helped me to learn the system. Of course regarding the silly things that come up....well this board has been very helpful and tenacious personal research has come in handy.

I only have a base of about 100 clients, so like the rest of you...ATX program was too steep for me to incorporate in my costs.

Beckster :D

It still bugs me that the efile forms must be signed before they can be printed, but that's a minor quirk.

I've been inputting a signature date to allow the program to print them out. Then after I've received signatures, I go back in and re-input to the correct signature date before sending on to the efile center. It is a little quirky, isn't it?

I understand where you are coming from. I've been preparing taxes for 15 years and have used ATX for most of those years. It's definitely a learning curve. I have post-its all around my computer monitor as reminders. This board has been helpful.

Beckster

Try checking the box "Force new DCN" on the EF tab, then try to recreate the efile.

Yay! Thanks Crank it worked.

Beckster

My client wants to pay her taxes with a credit card but I don't see that as a filing option. How do we accomplish that in TRX?

Thanks for your replies

Sunday

We would file electronically for TP to pay balance with mail in voucher. The TP would need to call the credit card processing services and arrange payment on their own.

Here's the link to IRS website showing valid epay service providers:

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=101316,00.html

Beckster

Help. Got my first rejected federal return. Opened client and did the fix. Try to re-create e-file receive following message:

"Duplicate DCN: force new DCN for (person name)

(If you receive this message multiple times for this client, you may need to reset the batch number. The maximum DCN used for this EFIN is in batch 12. Please set the Starting Batch on the EFIN Batches tab in "EF and Bank Settings" for EFIN ###### to 13

Well, I followed the instructions to set it to 13. I only have the program on one computer. Cannot re-create efile.

Help!

Beckster

Been so caught up in tax season I forgot to add worksheet request:

ATX has a handy dandy worksheet attached to Schedule A - Points Not Reported on Form 1098 (This is to keep track of points that are amortized over life of loan). This worksheet allows user to input total amount of points paid, date of loan, number of scheduled loan payments, points previously deducted (this rolls over from previous year), number of payments made this year, was loan paid off this year?, points to be deducted this year etc.

I miss it

Beckster

Just wondering if anyone has printed a refund check yet. I'm new to this concept and little nervous. I may have my first client wanting to go this route because she would like her tax prep fee to be taken out of her refund. Comments/concerns/advice?

Thanks,

Beckster