Lion EA

Intuit card reader by Roam Data for Intuit GoPayment. But, it's still cheaper to just type in on desktop without a reader.

Well, that client (now ex-client) was a wheeler-dealer and wouldn't pay for a gift tax return, so he got what he got. When I went out on my own, I did not let him know where I was. Avoided future problems with him, complaints from him.

The processing fees are lower for a swipe, but then I'd have a rental or purchase of a swiper. (Mobile swiper fee is less expensive than mobile w/o swiper, but MORE expensive than desktop W/O swiper.) For the half dozen or so who want to charge, the couple points difference in my fees is not enough to make me get a swiper. And, the usual situation with using a charge card is the client is on the phone, remote client or client wanting their kid/parent/whoever to pick up their folder, so swiping isn't possible. So far, most use checks, but I want charging available to not slow down paying. I don't invoice through Intuit, so I can't see the customer invoice on the charge screen, at home or away. I have to view it in my tax prep software or if I printed it out; client can see it if I sent invoice to him/her. Same with PayPal; I don't re-enter invoices so client has to know amount to pay to use the PayPal link on my website.

I'd suggest a 10% discount to a good tenant would NOT make it personal use, still close enough to FMR for me, but I don't have any clients with rentals right now so haven't researched that lately. However, IF it were personal use, you report income, gross income, on Line 21 and take NO deductions, I think. Maybe deductions on Sch A, but I think not. So, you haven't pocketed anything, less than if it were an arms-length rental on Sch E where you can deduct expenses and depreciation. I'm glad to hear that a cousin doesn't muddy the waters. Long ago I had a client who let his daughter live in his second home really cheap, so had to research at that time. He was not happy with the outcome! He was expecting to deduct his foregone rent or something like that.

I use Intuit to process CC payments. As a ProAdvisor, I avoid monthly fees. I don't use a card reader. I do have the free QB version that works on my smart phone, but have never used it. I just type in the info, whether the client is here with their card or on the telephone. The bonus is that it's in my QB file. Not a big fee for the few clients that want to pay via CC. I try to make it as easy as possible for people to pay me. I also take CCs via PayPal on my website, as well as checks, from remote clients.

Then, personal use rental, below FMR to a relative. Haven't done one of those for a long time. I don't think you depreciate....

Is cuz paying fair market rent?

If Mom gifted her property to kids, then kids' basis is mom's basis (+ whatever capital improvements they make after they own it). Step up/down in basis happens only if kids inherit property.

Decide how you learn best. The study guides available are great, with lots of practice tests. There are also live courses online, such as Eva Rosenberg/Tax Mama. And, you might have live courses near you. HRB's course was great years ago when I took it, but I don't know if you have to be an employee to enroll. Check with your local chapters of NAEA and NATP to see if they offer courses. The nice things about the current test is that you can take one part at a time, know if you passed immediately, and retake if needed as soon as you want. Basis, basis, basis. If you're finding a weakness as you study, pull the corresponding IRS Pubs; you'll often find questions on the test come straight from the examples in the Pubs. Don't be afraid to guess, but don't second guess yourself. Breathe!

Explain the options to your client and let her decide. Make sure she understands that if she goes the 8919/SS8 route that the IRS may contact her employer and she may lose her job. She might not want to rock the boat. Installment agreement. ES payments going forward. MIght be an opportunity for you to educate wealthy family and their bookkeeper on how your state labor dept. as well as federal might view their disbursements -- for a consulting fee. Maybe pick up a new corporate cliet.

Any temperature ABOVE my age is HOT!!!

If a client asks for a copy for their bank, I send it to the CLIENT as masked. If they request one with the numbers showing, I would send that to the client. My software does print the last four digits of SSNs, bank accounts, EINs, etc., so I don't think anyone has requested a new copy with all digits showing.

I print numbers on government copies only. Numbers are on my file .pdf copies. Client copies have numbers masked. (I remember years ago at HRB, some preparer's client put their folder on top of their car and drove off. Never did find it.)

But, Rita B. has all the weirdest clients!

My newest is not all that new: HP LaserJet P2055dn. Oldest is starting to misbehave, but I no longer use it to print tax returns: HP color LaserJet 2050n. Used as a fax, scanner, copier, and not often as a printer: HP OfficeJet Pro L7780 All-in-One no longer communicates with my computer but works as a stand-alone receiving and copying. A client gave me his old HP OfficeJet 8500 Premier to replace my fax. Hubby still has my old HP 5610 and a PCL4 or something like that HP printer. Love all my HP printers. Prices drop all the time. But, you'll have it for years, so get what you want that fits your budget.

I give returns to the clients only. If I thought their leaving might be contentious, I'd have a cover listing the documents and ask for a signature, might do that with a divorcing couple too. And, if the client has "lost" their tax folder too many times, I might charge for duplicates. But, I've not done either of those so far. I give to the client to do with what he wants. But, their tax folder includes everything, so they really have no reason to ask me for duplicates.

AOC and LLC and business-related education. But, no Tuition & Fees Deduction, unless extended for 2017. Or, are you asking about 2018?

I guess I need to try voice. But, then I'll be one of those people walking around talking to themselves. Not to mention that most of my answers are not for public consumption. If I wouldn't stand in the checkout line answering aloud someone's personal tax question or wouldn't take a brief break at a client's biz site to call a different client with a personal answer, then I don't want to use voice-activated messaging to respond to my clients unless I'm securely in my office. As long as I'm in my office, I'll just email my responses. Except for that H&W who ONLY text !!

Well, 2/8 is just hours away. How's our fine Congress doing on keeping our government running? And, did they find enough time to discuss the Extenders? I just completed the returns for my stepdaughter and her husband. He's getting his MBA at night. Their refund would be $261 more if the Tuition & Fees Deduction is extended vs. the Lifetime Learning Credit. Any predictions?

I have a new client just like that, a young guy. I'm so tired of typing explanations on my phone. I have repeatedly asked him for an email address, so I can type on my keyboard. He only texts. He's married to the one earlier that sent her documents via Facebook Messenger pictures. I love email and hate telephone and office visits, but texting is becoming too time consuming.

So, as we're talking about electronic documents and I'm struggling with tech support at my church's bank (I'm assistant treasurer and was paying bills online when I was caught in a loop) a Facebook Message popped up with a picture of a bank statement with a deposit from the IRS and a picture of a check to CT. Now I need to learn yet one more new skill during tax season to do something with those tiny pictures so I can see them, save the, anything!

Trying the right click now. Still shows only what was in the body of the text, can't read what's not there. But, I can save it in the client's folder in my computer now.

Aww, my grandmother used to make apple butter. And, as far as that photo of the body, I prefer a death certificate.

But, they email me that photo in the body of the email and not as an attachment that I could work with. I can see only part of the page. Even an older woman who used to give me a cloth bag full of originals now snaps a photo on her phone and puts it in the body of an email to me. A new email for every page!

I hate the smartphone pictures. Shadows. Only part of the document shows in the email they send me. And, it has all the folds and creases and is at a weird angle. I have to contact them to find out what's in the other boxes. Not to mention that I suggest they NOT use email but use the portal I provide them or fax. I used to send semi-retired hubby to pick up from some of my elderly clients who don't drive in winter weather and are not computer savvy, but now it's the young texters that I send him after to get real paper copies instead of those poor pictures.