Lion EA

Years ago when I was at Block, their proprietary software priced the individual returns for us and there was little we could do to lower the price. The few workarounds we had got fewer and fewer each year. But, the entity returns were done on ATX, and we entered in the price ourselves, supposedly from a price list HRB provided. So, if I wanted to give a client a discount who had both personal and business returns, I had to charge him full price for personal but could enter anything I wanted for the business return from $1 on up so it would show as paid before we transmitted. (Personally, I think a total of $380 for a partnership and personal return is too cheap.)

Don't worry about it, but do take a break. I've been trying to proofread a partnership for a week, maybe more. Finally finished and printed it. Don't know why I can't let go. Just always checking one more thing! I need to pick up speed. Promised some things for Wednesday when I see biz clients and other things are due Friday in NY and it's closing in on corporations and.... I tell my kids to strive for excellence, not perfection. Perfection isn't always possible, especially with ambiguous tax laws. Really dreading some 1095s this year, for instance. You've warned your client what could go wrong and to notify you immediately if she gets any letters, right? So, hand her the paper returns to sign and mail. You've done your best with the information you collected.

Yes. Well, I remember that to be the case. If it were my client, I'd step through a chart in TTB or Pub 17 or my research software. But, doesn't MFJ disqualify the dependency unless only to get a refund? Aren't all other filing statuses OK?

Does he claim the reimbursements on Form 2106 and also his per diems on Form 2106? Does he have to claim actual for lodging, or am I thinking of self-employed?

When I was at HRB, they had us add $1 in interest to be able to e-file. Your software may have an override, or you may be able to get a code from tech support. But, I think it's an IRS e-file thing. I'd do the $1 and be done with it.

Filing a joint return for other than just a refund would negate the dependency for your client. But, granddaughter is not going to file MFJ. I think you're OK. Paper. Actually less of a problem if daddy filed claiming baby, as IRS will write to both of them but probably after sending refund.

We can, can't we? Hey, Catherine, isn't there something in the second amendment about well-regulated militia and tax preparers and jerky wannabe clients?

Without being able to question the ladies, I agree with Terry. Except, granddaughter files MFS on paper. However, with a birth during 2015, there are bound to be lots of medical/insurance/medicaid forms around that might have baby daddy's SSN on them; if so, e-filing will work. You may discover that daddy claimed his baby. If so, parent trumps grandparent.

If they took in rent, then cash increased. Do you have the 31 December bank balances? Compare the BS items from 2015 to those on their 2014 return to get an idea of what to look for. Loans to/from partners, that kind of thing. Were there distributions to the partners? You'll need Schedule L when they sell.

If anyone is matching the name on the DD to the name on the checking account, it's the bank. So, ask them. Or, have her receive a check to begin with. A few extra days vs. a few extra weeks or more if the bank returns a DD to the IRS. Or, have her open a passbook savings account. I don't do bank products, but there are some options there, also.

In my neck of the woods, that is seldom an issue. Parents spend a LOT on their kids, even the adult kids. So, I tend to forget the support test, or save it for last.

Can disability make an exception to the age test for qualified child?

My software does a great job with diagnostics. ProSystem fx. And, I pay half of what he does! In fact, some things it doesn't let me do without overrides from CCH, but those are really rare (maybe once in the last decade). I can look at diagnostics at any time without leaving data entry, get diagnostics at the beginning when previewing return, have even another set of planning and diagnostics this year over and above what I've always had. I actually save the diagnostics with my electronic copy so I know in the future what I looked at this year. I always test MFJ vs MFS and get lots of help from the software and a great comparison table that helps me see what would be lost/gained with MFS, not just the $ difference but how it gets there, and can adjust on the table for joint items that have some options. I can force standard or force itemized, but it will use that for both (unless I have a not-living-together situation with a child that would qualify for HoH). I spent 11 years at HRB and had great diagnostics in that software, too. If he was using his software to the fullest to help him split the MFJ return into two MFS, he should've had fairly accurate returns or at least warnings all over the place if he tried to force one standard/one itemized. He must've started at least one of the returns from scratch without benefit of his software's help. I won't comment on anything non-software! (Except to say that depending on the terms of your contract with him, perhaps you can have another preparer's contact info handy to refer your former clients to when they call.)

I apologize.

It was your fault !! Now I have an excuse to postpone my CO clients for a bit.

I tell my clients to find local newspaper listings of similar rentals and keep the papers in their tax folders. Of course, I recommend an appraisal first, at least by local realtors who deal with rentals. If the parents don't know the FRV, then they are probably NOT renting it for profit and that changes how you report it.

I have some clients with their statements. I also have some clients who seem to always get corrected statements in March or later, so I try not to let them file too soon. Never heard of Stifel Nicolaus, so can't add to what they told you.

One and only drug trial? I'd use Line 21 and warn her that she may get an IRS letter, to contact you for a response. But explain what the IRS will be trying to match, self-employment, and the tax difference. Let her decide.

New forms = new fees. You get to blame it on Obamacare and not your own desire to eat.

Your client should keep books for his business. 1099-MISC means nothing (unless it reports more than your client reports as income, then you have questions to ask your client). Report your client's income per his books on Schedule C and use Schedule SE.

Yeah, and it sounds like NY is not likely to change their mind any time soon. By the way, I said NY is one. NY is not number one. You're not one, though, Michael.

Hey, Gail. I tried again today. Same messages. But, I closed everything and was going to try downloading via IE when I noticed I have a Chrome Setup on my desktop. Clicked and it installed. I'm in the 64-bit now! I think it's faster.

Electronic Signatures Not Yet Approved: Delaware Iowa Maryland New York Oklahoma Pennsylvania Also, Louisiana and West Virginia have conditions (cannot be used when filing state only).

NY is one!

It's not a question of it being completely safe from everything. We know that is not the case at all. It's a question of us doing as much as we can in the perception of most of our clients and still doing our work and staying within the law of all the governments and agencies that have authority over us. I remember cleaning up a storm and fussing to my family about cleaning up before the inlaws arrived and being asked by my son why I even bothered since MIL was going to complain anyway; my answer was that I would know that I did my best in the time I had.