BulldogTom

Funny that no one is having problems with the AUDIT SHEILD crap they added to the letter and automatically check by default. Why would I want that crap in my letter? But that seems to be the only part of the letter that works. Tom Lodi, CA

Another e-mail updated from my wife (employee): "ATX says XXXXXXXXX's return was accepted. So I went on FTB and checked and they say they received it on 1/24/2008. Anyway I am on hold with ATX and they are trying to figure out why we do not show it as accepted." This may be a breakthrough. Tom Lodi, CA

Mel, I have felt the same way about a class action lawsuit. But it ain't gonna happen, and I would probably not join. You see, the people on this board are basically decent folks. We want to be heard, and we want ATX to respect us. So we are shouting right now. But in the long run, every one of us knows that we have only been damaged a small degree, and that amount of damage would not pay the lawyer. We could all get together, and the amount we are damaged will probably pay the lawyer. But we know that we aren't going to get anything but revenge on ATX 5 years from now (if not longer), and that won't do any of us any good right now in our current tax year. And like I said, these are decent folks, and when we cool down, very few of us really want revenge. We want to be respected by our vendor. This is something that you can benefit from. We will stick by you if you will just be straight with us. We want you to succeed in the software so we can succeed in our businesses. Respect us, and we will give you what every company wants, customer loyalty. ATX has dis-respected us. We are shouting. I assume many who are shouting right now are going to re-evaluate the software next year based on what it does for their business, the availabilty of alternatives, cost comparisons, transition costs, and finally, how they feel. Some will walk, some will stay. If the software still works for someone, and they can live with the disrespect, then they should stay. I am leaving. But that is my choice. I hope to be with a company that respects me as a customer (right now, I am leaning to Drake, but that is not for sure). If you have a product, I am very willing to go with you. I think you will respect me as a customer, and I think you can put out a product that will satisfy my company needs. If you don't do that, I can't be your customer either. It is how you handle the complaints when things don't go well that shows your customers how much you respect them. I make mistakes on tax returns (yes - hard as it may be to believe), but I take care of those mistakes and do everything to make my client whole. That is all I can do. ATX is not doing everything it can do right now. (stepping off my soapbox now) Tom Lodi, CA

From reading the news just now, what they are looking at is agi + filing status + # of Child tax credits. I am sure they can run a query to get those classes of tax filers. We should see the HRB commercial by tonight that says come in and file a return even if you don't have to because you don't want to miss out on your rebate. And if you can't afford to pay us, thats all right, we will set you up with a loan. I am wondering if taxpayers can double dip. What if you are a dep claimed on parents return and parents get the additional 300 for you. Will you get the 300 also if you made 3500? I think that will be the tricky part. I wonder if my kids are going to get the 600. The article says "Individuals who pay tax" will receive $600. My kids are paying tax this year (Kiddie Tax) because I sold some stock for them early in the year. So they will be "individuals who pay tax". I wonder if my kids are going to make out like a theif this year? It is going to be interesting. Tom Lodi, CA

That is the question. I don't want to go through the advance payment on 08 taxes route. It was a nightmare the last time and ticked of more people. Don't forget the time they changed the withholding tables mid year to get everyone a bigger paycheck, then we had to explain why they had no refund at the end of the year. My sense on this is it will be a true tax giveaway. The only thing to decide is the amount. The public will see through a smokescreen like the advance refund. There is so much more media coverage and analysis of anything the government does that any gimmick will be exposed for what it is, and the pols cannot afford to tick off the voters until after the election in nov. Since the white house and congress, dems and reps are all behind this, I am thinking it will be a giveaway. Just my (not so) humble opinion. Tom Lodi, CA

Now I am ticked. I bought the Kleinrock 1040 package with the express answers last year. Never knew it was part of the package. HMMMMMMMMMMMM. Mel ought to look into getting the author of the Total Tax Guide (may it rest in peace) on his staff. That was the best reference book ever. Yes, CCH Master tax guide is good (ok, very good), but I loved the way the TTG was written. It made everything easy to understand, and it was about 40% less than MTG. The guy who wrote TTG is probably looking for work now that MTG Klienrock edition is the bible at ATX. Tom Lodi, CA

I have a suggestion for you to keep the software cost down. It is not pretty, but it works. Install the software at both locations. Only register one EFIN. On a regular basis, export and email the satelite office returns to the main office. Create the e-file at the main office. Efile from the main office. After it is accepted, export and e-mail to the satelite office. We do something like this, but not at a satelite office. We have a traveling laptop. When we finish a return, we e-mail it to the office and efile from there. It is not really as ugly as it seems. It also keeps the DCN series in order. Not sure if this works for you or not. Its the best I got. Tom Lodi, CA

My employee (spouse) got through to tech support this morning. Here is her e-mail to me about what ATX had to say. [b]"I called tech support today to see if they would say how long before they get things fixed. The girl said they started releasing ACKS yesterday at 3pm but that they had about 5000 at once so just give it more time." Hopefully this is true and we can get this cleared up by the end of today. 5000 efiles is not a lot for the state to process in one day. Tom Lodi, CA

William, I realize you must be swamped. Can you give us a real update on what is happening with CA e-file? If there is a problem, we would appreciate knowing about it and the best estimate of when it will be resolved so we can plan accordingly. Is TaxWise processing CA returns through the FTB? Thanks William. We will be praying for you this year. Tom Lodi, CA

Thanks Deb.

I am having a similar problem, but only with the state. It is checked that the return has been e-filed. The federal section comes out right, but the State says I am giving them 2 copies and to mail one with full address for the FTB. Removed letters, ran wizard. Not sure where to go now. Tom Lodi, CA

Since when does it automatically come with MAX? I have Max and it was not part of my order. In fact, I was trying to order some Klienrock material and just got disgusted with the entire process. I get disconnected when I try to call sales, and there was no way to link my software order to my book order. I just went out and got a master tax guide from another source. I was going to order 1040 express answers. Hmmmmmmmmmm Tom Lodi, CA

Thanks Jerry, No sense in me clogging up the system with more requests. It would not do any good anyway, they know about the problem, and they will get to it when they are good and ready, damn the customers! Sorry, just very frustrated with the software company this year. I was so happy last year with the way the software worked that I was looking so forward to this season when the CCH news hit. My fears are realized and it is going to be new software next year. This just sucks. Tom Lodi, CA

Please keep this thread updated with anything, or nothing, that you hear. I am interested too (how could a CA resident allow his realtor to talk him into the real estate withholding to the tune of 8K on the sale of a rental with only 15K of gain?) because I have a client who really wants his refund and is watching his bank account for the deposit. Thanks Tom Lodi, CA

Hey, I had not seen that yet. Cool Tom Lodi, CA

Back to my original post, it appears that the invoice was updated or corrected. When I ran my first RAL last night, the invoice total matched on the RAL application. I am still not happy about the fee, but at least they are not stealing it from me. Tom Lodi, CA

Perhaps it was a coding error and fixed, but when I ran my first RAL last night, the $10 fee was no longer being deducted from my fees. It is now very clear on the invoice and the RAL application who is taking the $10 "Transmitter Fee". Not sure if they are reading these posts in ATX programming, or if someone called and told them what the invoice was doing, but it is working the way I expected it to. I am still mad as hell about the $10 charge at the last minute, and I still wish great pain and suffering on the person in management who pulled support out of Maine. Tom Lodi, CA

Its not paranoia if they really are after you. Tom Lodi, CA

This seems so basic, and I am clueless. If you have a rental agreement with a company that is a corporation, but you pay the Management Company, LLC the monthly lease payments, do you have to issue the 1099 to the management co? Any help appreciated. Tom Lodi, CA

JB - Didn't you just get a new lady friend? Are you sure she isn't seeing HRB on the side? Some women have an affinity for green. ;o) Inquiring minds want to know. Tom Lodi, CA

After the first year of letting the client select their pin (come on people - this should not take forever!), I went to the above method and have done it the same ever since. No questions from the IRS or state of CA. Tom Lodi, CA

I use a small amount of 1040EZ, but only as a marketing ploy. I price them cheap and put them in my advertisements. If the taxpayer qualifies, I knock it out in 10 minutes and they are happy and I have a new client that will probably need a 1040 in the future. I do not use 1040A. Everything else is 1040. Tom Lodi, CA

I want to be the first Beta tester (well, after KC of course). Will we be up and running to ship in December 2008? Its not like I am itching to dump ATX or anything, but I really am itching to dump ATX. Tom Lodi, CA

Unless he is an employer, he does not need an EIN. Use SSN on 1099's. Bigger question is how the admin people are not employees. I don't know the details, but that raises a red flag for me. I would ask some questions and advise the client on the difference between and employee and a contractor. Tom Lodi, CA

Well, that is different than what was posted. Better than I thought, but I still wish them pain. Tom Lodi, CA