Lion EA

I have CCH's eSign, but haven't used it yet.

We saw The Green Book. Well done! And went away for Thanksgiving on my new hip (5 November 2018 hip). So far, so good. I'm thankful for my new hip and entire medical team and hubby Steve for taking good care of me.

I send my semi-retired hubby to make the return trip. He knows nothing about taxes, but knows where to get signatures with my flags. Perhaps you can find someone who works inexpensively to deliver the tax folders and get the signatures. You could even use the same person to do your pick-ups, and then you deal via telephone.

CCH Software News - IRS Announces Scheduled Maintenance of Electronic Filing System On the Last Day to File 1040 Returns For the Calendar Year Dear CCH Customer: The IRS issued the following QuickAlert regarding a planned outage of their electronic filing system during the upcoming weekend (November 17 and 18). This outage affects only the electronic filing status system: "The MeF Production system (IRS electronic filing) will be unavailable for scheduled maintenance during the following time periods: Saturday, November 17, 2018, starting at 8:00 a.m. Eastern through 6:00 p.m. Eastern Sunday, November 18, 2018, starting at 1:00 a.m. Eastern through 6:00 p.m. Eastern This Maintenance is being performed to ensure the system is functioning at peak performance. Please refrain from accessing the MeF Production System (IRS electronic filing) during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." Returns released in Electronic Filing Status after 7:30 AM EST on Saturday, November 17, 2018, will be sent to the IRS after service is restored on Saturday, November 17, 2018, after 6:00 PM EST. Returns released in Electronic Filing Status after 10:30 PM EST on Saturday, November 17, 2018, will be sent to the IRS after service is restored on Sunday, November 18, 2018, after 6:00 PM EST. IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: The timing of this maintenance is significant because on October 17, 2018, the IRS announced that Saturday, November 17, 2018, was to be the last day TY2015 - TY2017 Individual returns could be eFiled before they begin updating for TY2018. Therefore, you will need to be releasing your returns to CCH earlier than originally planned. Here is a revised time frame for your planning: The IRS requires CCH, as a transmitter, to stop sending submissions at 10:00 PM EST. Therefore, you must release your returns so they are in Transmitted status no later than 9:59 PM EST on Saturday, November 17, 2018. However, to ensure all federal, state, and city returns are in transmitted status by the deadline, you should release returns as early in the day as possible. We recommend you release your returns no later than 7:00 AM EST on the morning of Saturday November 17, 2018. This is particularly important for the following scenarios: The IRS begins maintenance on their electronic filing system for Individual returns on November 17, 2018, at 8:00 AM EST until 6:00 PM EST. Do not wait until the window of time after 6:00 PM EST through 9:59 PM EST to release your returns. If something goes wrong and the IRS does not return from their maintenance, no return will be transmitted in this window. States and cities linked to the Federal return. We hold the state/city in status Ready to transmit - Validation Complete until the Federal return is accepted. The acceptance of the Federal return could occur several hours after you release the Federal return. States and cities acknowledgements of returns. States/cities are required to return acknowledgements by 11:30 PM EST, and a higher volume of returns at the 10:00 PM EST transmitter deadline could create a return processing back-log for the state/city jeopardizing the return of acknowledgements to the transmitter. Should a state not acknowledge a return by the deadline, you will not receive the acknowledgement until after the 2018 tax year filing season opens in early 2019, with the exception of 2015 return acknowledgements which will not be posted to eFile Status. We have reached out to the IRS asking if they are truly going to perform this maintenance, and at the time of this Software News email, we have not received a reply. If the situation changes after you have read this email, we will send another to provide you with an update. NOTE: This information only applies to the electronic filing status system and does not impact the use of the tax products. Find answers to your questions in our Knowledge Base, and visit the Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Community forums to connect with professionals like you. Please feel free to Contact Us online if you have any questions. Sincerely, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, North America

I was listening to the Nutcracker Suite (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies?) on hold with the IRS. The phone clicked and then went back to the music, so I was afraid someone had picked up and then left, leaving me at the end of the line again or even in IRS limbo. So, I picked up my house phone (home office with my own office line, but house phone is at the back of my desk for convenience) and dialed in on the second phone. Now, with a phone in each hand on speaker playing loudly and not together, I danced (I can't dance) through the house to get another cup of tea. I forgot I'd left the storm door open for a client due a bit later, and danced through the entryway to the surprise of the UPS man on the other side of the glass door and my mortification!

At an audit once, the IRS auditor complimented me on using the appropriate historical percentage for land vs. building for the date placed into service as a rental. Yes, your purchase percentage and sales percentage most likely will differ.

Remember that the tax rate will be determined by the federal income. Then your software applies a ratio to include the CA income/federal income X tax rate. Check the Sch S and go through the CA return line by line to see how it flows.

1. Put me on your list. 2. Is this for tax preparers? 3. QBI, but liaise with the S-corp and sole prop presenter. 4. M&E, depreciation, and QBI are needed for all entities. 5. New C-corp tax rates and changes. 6. New info that must be on K-1s, and what to expect on your K-1 from a PTP, etc. 7. Ratio of time to spend depends on 3. 8. Can we get streaming video of your presentation?

It would be great to increase my giving. If it's important when I'm closer to poor, then it will be important if I were to become rich. My church, Appalachia Service Project, cancer research, the educational foundation of ADPi, and a few others. And, a fund for my granddaughter plus some for my sister whose health cut short her working years. And, hubby and son if their needs increase. If I didn't have to work, I'd be volunteering more, so more to that organization(s) whatever it might be. House repairs and enough savings to get us through all the medical issues beginning to arise (hip replacement 5 November, for instance). Probably some to Bridgeport University which gave me a free MBA in finance as the first Benton Fellow. The NY/CT-Association of Tax Professionals works to help accounting students explore tax preparation, attend our seminars, etc., so probably some to help the next generation of EAs. I could fly to Rita's and buy all the provisions for the next gathering (with the current jackpot, I could fly ALL of us to Rita's!) I don't think I would run out of ideas.

I received a spreadsheet from Singapore this morning. It answered some questions and raised others.

Speedy recovery to you!

You take good care of us, Judy!

I worked for Block back then, but it was an IRS e-News/Alert/whatever in my email box at home that told me about the new PTIN. I jumped right on it and applied. Then I received a letter from Block that they would help us/make sure we all applied -- don't remember much, because I'd already done it for me. But, Block did make sure we were no longer using our SSNs.

I don't know if my CAF ever had a hyphen, but it has always had a space and an R at the end. I was divorced in 1987, so know that I don't have any returns from 1986 back. I kept everything from 1987 forward, because ex bugged me with custody and other issues for years.

The minute I read the e-alert or whatever IRS e-newsletter(s) I subscribe to about the PTINs, I applied: P00005XXX

I don't play poker, but what would five zeros beat?

My PTIN starts with four zeros before four other digits. Pretty low number!

I vote for NO incumbents! With the possible exception of someone local who I know did a really good job. State and federal, we need new blood badly.

If you start with mileage, you can change (but, it's a pain). If you start with actual, you stay with actual. Each vehicle is a choice for the owner. Until he/she owns a "fleet" of five or more, then the IRS takes away some choice.

Thank you, all. Think I've sorted the loose ends and am ready to proofread and get this one to signatures today. Or, at least, by very late tonight.

OK, the reg fee is the same amount for both cars, so a flat amount and not based on value. Great reminder, Edsel. Not deducting. Leaning toward the tax being a personal property tax, they are based on value, and deductible. Cars came down from CT and weren't purchased in SC and were 2014 and 2015 so not new in 2017. Tough to understand federal instructions re state taxes at times!

Clients moved from CT to SC during 2017. They paid property tax on their vehicles in CT. They paid tax on their vehicles in SC, and they paid out of state reg fees on their vehicles, stating it's a tax for new residents one time only. Are all of those SC taxes deductible on Schedule A as personal property taxes? While I have your attention, anything I need to watch out for on the SC PY return?

I know a septic system would be 27.5 depreciation for a residential rental if considered part of the structure, but 15 years if considered a land improvement. Pub 527 seems to say 27.5. Have you used your NATP free research question yet this year?

You Do have the best clients! This nice couple understands that my quote to them (can't remember what I wrote in their folder, and I don't think I saw CA at that time) is much higher than they had in the past. They came to me recommended by other clients with a very large invoice from me each year plus bills for the returns for their children, too. I don't expect any squawks from the newbies. Just very surprised at their prior preparer in NY. And, they want a projected 2018/paycheck check-up later, which I might invoice separately depending on what I end up charging for 2017. Plus, I'm warning everyone that my 2019 prices will increase due to the new tax laws. Yes, we are lucky when our clients appreciate our constant education and know we are taking good care of them and willingly pay our fees. And, recommend us to others. When they don't, I raise their fees until they leave! But, have been lucky to NOT do that very often.

CA does. But, I don't know much about it. The few CA returns I prepare are for fairly high income clients, those that transferred from NYC to CA or the other way; so they make too much to qualify for the credit or they purchased homes. https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/faq/ivr/203.shtml