BulldogTom

I got an e-mail. Did not request one. Tom Lodi, cA

It may just be a question of definitions. As I understand it, every return that you prepare (I assume you sign all the returns you prepare - I do) and sign is a return "filed" by you in the eyes of the IRS. They are probably assuming, just as I did, that when you give the return to the client, the client will actually present that return to the IRS. It may be an assumtion that the IRS shouldn't make. So, if you prepared and signed 101 returns, but only 99 were actually presented to the IRS by your clients, would you meet the e-file mandate? I have no idea. But I do have a hunch that if 99 returns signed by you showed up in paper form at the IRS service center, they would probably send you a letter asking for the opt-out forms for the returns. Just a hunch. The way I read the intent of the mandate, preparers of more than 100 returns must e-file. It may not be written that way, and you may be able to argue that the rules don't actually say what the IRS want you to do, and you may actually prevail. But in the end, every preparer is going to be e-filing every return they prepare if the IRS has it their way. When that is accomplished, they will start working on the self-preparers and requiring them to e-file their returns. It is the new world order in our profession. Tom Lodi, CA

You sign it....you filed it. That is the way it works. Tom Lodi, CA

That is funny. Thanks KC. Glad to see you are back. I missed you. Tom Lodi, CA

You may want to leave the poll open for a couple weeks so that all the seasonal members get a chance to see it. I vote no. The group is good about labeling the other stuff NT or Happy B-day. So long as jokes and b-days are not labled "Important IRS Notice", I am happy with the forum the way it is. Tom Lodi, CA

Was I? Sorry if I violated a code of conduct, but it sounded like Pacun was pretty tough on Medlin. Perhaps I was a little vigorous in my defense of someone I respect. Not that Medlin needs my respect, but I tend to stand up for those who I feel are being unfairly treated. Tom Lodi, CA

It worked fine for me. What you do is roll over one return and a dialog box will come up asking if you want to roll over the prior year information. There are 5 choices that you can click. I forget what they all are, but I am sure Preparer and billing rates come over. Tom Lodi, CA

Lynn is correct. They have to have a checking account. There was some talk that next year (2011 returns filed in 2012) the IRS is going to allow the Paid Preparer to take their fees from the refund without going through a bank. I haven't seen anything on this in a while. It was first mentioned when the news that they IRS would no longer give the banks the debt indicator. I would really like to see that come about. That may be part of the reason for the PTIN registration requirements. Tom Lodi,CA

I used it last year. Worked fine once the SBBT debacle was cleared up. What a nightmare. I was signed up for SBBT for Ral's when they announced they were not going to have them. So I tried to switch to fee collect and it was a real headache getting it done. The bank application was in the system and kept screwing with the approval for fee collect. But like I said, once that went away, fee collect was very smooth. Reasonably priced. worked for some of my clients. I am thinking I will keep it again, but need to talk to the wife to make sure. So sorry to hear about your loss. Tom Lodi, CA

Good to see you on the board again Eli. Long time you been hiding. I am sitting on the fence on fee collect this year. I have added CC and Debit Card payment options this year. Not sure if that is enough. Still sorting through this all. Have a good season my friend. Tom Lodi, Ca

I did not notice it at first, but did you see the timing of HRB's announcement? It was late in the day on Christmas Eve. Talk about trying to keep this under the radar. With the blizzard back east dominating the news, this has not gotten a lot of attention. I wonder how this is going to play out for HRB? Tom Lodi, CA

I don't like them either and will be glad if they die. Last year was the first year I went without them. I just felt like I had to have that product to compete with the national chains. Lost a few clients because of it, but nothing huge. Not going to have them again this year. I think in a couple of years they won't even exist anymore. Lets hope. Tom Lodi, CA

H&R Block says HSBC terminates tax-refund loan funding pact December 27, 2010 10:30 AM ET (Reuters) - H&R Block Inc has said HSBC Holdings Plc will not provide funding for the no.1 U.S. tax preparer's refund-anticipation loans, or RALs, after U.S. regulators ordered the lender to terminate the contract. "The OCC's (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) 11th hour timing will make it difficult for us to put alternative products in place at all of our locations in time for the early part of the 2011 tax season," H&R Block said in a statement late on Friday. H&R Block will continue to offer its traditional refund-anticipation checks (RACs) that do not require any out-of-pocket costs by taxpayers, it said. In October, H&R Block filed a suit against HSBC USA, a unit of HSBC, alleging breach of contract and saying that the bank had failed to conduct preparatory actions which would have allowed it to offer RALs. RALs, which usually last 7-14 days until taxpayers receive their refunds from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), are highly profitable for tax preparers.

Pacun, This response is totally wrong about Phil Medlin. He has been very gracious in giving answers on this board to many of us. I completely understand why he would ask to be e-mailed directly on a board he does not support. While "Booger" may be OK with having his account information put on this board, I would think it is unproffesional of Medlin to oblige him. And then after "dissing" him on this board, you have the gall to ask for a discount? Wow! You should appologize to one of the very good people in the industry who is on our board. He is a wealth of knowledge and has always shared freely with this community. Medlin accounting is a company that ATX could learn about customer support from. I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying..... Tom Lodi, CA

This is slightly off the topic, but I know how the IRS could get preparer information without hasseling us for new registrations all the time. Require the software vendors include the information from the person they sell the software to. Make the software imbed the information from the person who registers the software into every return that prints or is e-filed. They would then have the information they need to cross check returns against the preparer who bought the software. What would this mean to us? We would have to give the software company everything we give them now. They already get our Name, address, EFIN, PTIN, etc. I know what you are thinking. What about the people who buy Turbo. Guess what - same requirements. Register the software. So if more than one return pops up as having been printed or e-filed from that copy of the software, the IRS can send them a nice letter asking if they have been practicing without being registered. And they can send a letter to the taxpayer advising that the return came from a software product that was not registered in their name and they have some questions about the preparation. Intuit would love it because they would not be getting their product ripped off anymore. But alas, I am not the Tax God of the United States and this will never fly. But I still think it is a good idea. Tom Lodi, CA

Lodi fell to the number one seed in the division 1 playoffs Friday night. Lodi led 9-7 when our best player (quarterback and safety) was injured. Lodi could not recover from losing our star player. Even so, I am still very proud of my son. He took on one of the best teams in the section and played very well. Thanks to all of you for letting me share and brag on my son. Tom Lodi, CA

Margaret, Because of some weather issues, I will be meeting with the representative on Monday. The fees she quoted me are between 1.35% and 2.4% depending on the type of debit/credit card. I will also have a $0.25 transaction fee and $0.30 settlement fee (once per day on days you use the machine) and finally a $5.00 statement fee monthly. I can turn off the service at the end of the month when tax season is over so I don't have to pay the statement fee the rest of the year. The machine is $189. If this sounds good to you, would you like for me to have the representative contact you? I am not sure if they will waive the setup fees for you as they did for me, but I can ask. Tom Lodi, CA

Because of my employment, the company that I am going to work with is waiving any set up fees. I only have to pay the monthly statement fee and the transaction fees. The real reason I want this is the debit card service. So few people are carrying checkbooks anymore, but they all have a debit card in their wallet. When I get done with the tax return, it would be very nice not to have the discussion that goes "OH, I did not bring my checkbook. Can I bring a check by tomorrow?" To which I reply, "Sure, you can pick the return up when you bring the check and we will transmit the return at that time". It is an awkward conversation to have. And it causes an extra trip to my office, and of course they just barge in and want you to drop everything to take care of their payment. This is why I want to have this option. Tom Lodi, CA

I am meeting with a CC processing company on Friday to discuss accepting CC and Debit payments this year for the first time. The fees look reasonable to me and I can shut off the service after tax season and start it up again the following year. Anyone have any good/bad experiences with accepting CC/Debit payments in their practices? Tom Lodi, CA

So my son's team put a beatdown on McNair in the second round of the playoffs last week 48-16 in a game that was not that close. Lodi rushed for over 300 yards and pulled their starters in the 4th quarter, which allowed McNair to score two meaningless touchdowns in the last 5 minutes of the game. Lodi's senior tailback, Jordan Perkins, who is committed to Stanford, scored three touchdowns and rushed for 241 yards. This Friday, they travel to Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove to play the number one seed in the playoffs. This is the furthest that any Lodi team has ever advanced in the playoffs. The Lodi offensive line was interviewed last night by a Sacramento Newspaper reporter. This is the first time that a Sacramento newspaper has come to Lodi to interview anyone, let alone a group of "big ugly" linemen. I am so proud of my son. He has started 21 games at center on the varsity team the last two years. So while my wife is off to southern california to spend Thanksgiving with her family, my son and I are getting some quality time alone this week while he prepares for the game. Thanks for letting me go off about my kid. I know this is a tax board, but I just wanted to share with you all. Tom Lodi, CA

Nice. Smart kids should get recognition. Sometimes we place so much emphasis on sports accomplishments that we forget to remember the classroom allstars. Congrats. Tom Lodi, CA

I would love for him to get a scholarship to UCON. Unfortunately, they have shown no interest. If you know Coach Edsell, send him the link. Jonathan is a 3.8 student who wants to major in engineering. Has an 1850 SAT score and is tutoring other students in Pre-Calculus. He is a great kid and a great student. Tom Lodi, CA

This is so far from tax. My son plays football for Lodi High. They are in the playoffs and won their first round game against Turlock. I am so proud of him. If you would like to take a look at a couple of his blocks, take a look at his video clips at the link below. He is number 71 and plays center. http://video.berecruited.com/videos/athletes/376393 Thanks for letting me brag on my son. Tom Lodi, CA

I like accountant stationers and printers out of southern california. They have always been very easy to work with and I like the folders they put out. I have used them for 4 or 5 years now. Tom Lodi, CA

Thanks