Lion EA

Yeah, I'm waiting for her or for both, since she thinks they're filing jointly or comparing to MFS, which I can do only if both agree to give me their info for that purpose. I guess I'll tell him I will not file his returns separately and not elaborate. I wasn't going to call her over the weekend since she implied that he has not left, even though I cannot tell her why I'm really calling, that he contacted me re a separate filing only. I really do not want to prepare both returns, unless they sit with me because we're comparing MFJ vs MFS. They might reconcile, but not soon. I guess I'll email him that I will not be filing his MFS returns. I will call her with the all too real reason that I'm filling up fast and will be in extension mode soon and she doesn't want extensions (thinks that will nullify their installment agreement) and that I need their complete information sooner rather than later to file on time. I'd like her to touch base with him and not delay her filings if they are going to be separate, if he's choosing MFS as the only option. But, I can't tell her that.

I sometimes take sales tax instead of income tax if over two years it will benefit the client. But, the worksheet should work through whether or not last year's deduction benefited the client over and above the sales tax and over and above the standard deduction and how much is income this year.

Look up the instructions for Forms 1099-MISC. I don't think you have to provide them to anyone who never set foot in the US. But, I don't have that situation. Isn't there a form, Form w-9BEN or something, that the foreign individual certifies that he has no US presence?

A 1065 is just a Schedule C with a balance sheet. In fact, BS probably not required, but you'll need it to dissolve anyway. Coming in from the beginning with every thing zero, knowing what they bought, invested, did, and closing out with zero, sounds like a great way to learn about 1065s. Yeah, that' as bit simple. But, getting a partnership from the beginning is easier than coming in after a few years of DIY or a preparer who retired or died. You can do it.

Have one now. Last year wife told me she thought they might divorce by year end. She asked if I'd continue with her returns. She's the one I've always dealt with. This season her husband emailed me to say they'll be filing MFS. I called her to ask when she might be sending me her tax information, without telling her that her husband had emailed me. She said THEY were getting it together, things are getting better, they're in counseling, thinks it's going to work out, etc. (By the way, hubby has a new email address this year.) I have no desire to get in the middle: two states, he's self-employed, kids, house, mortgage, both in sales and usually high income except when he's between jobs, existing IRS installment agreement from before they came to me. She's always anxious to file on time. He hasn't gotten his information together until very late each year, but he's been pushing me for when he can bring it in this year. I've been stalling him. Even if I should lose her, I don't think I want to keep him as a client. He's not the one I've worked with, and it's his old business from his father that got them into tax trouble years ago. I don't know what to do or say. Your thoughts welcomed.

If they actually meet the requirements to be a resident, days spent there, domicile, whatever it is for that state. As CBSLEE said, they have to leave their state AND stick the landing before their state will consider them no longer a resident. Read the residency FAQs on the state websites or in the instructions for the state tax returns for their current state and for any states they are considering. Then go to the state tax codes and court cases.

We in the east have no need of more ice and snow, including that which has been falling all afternoon and still this evening. Please keep it to yourself.

I do mine via QB and don't remember the details of starting. Sorry. (I am struggling with CT via QB, though, can't seem to follow their instructions. Finally went to CT's site and typed in my one lonely W-2/3.) But, wanted to post support and to keep your question up!

Did the vendor perform any services in the US?

"derivatively derived" someone once told me! (But, they didn't tell me how to spell it.)

I think they just extended open enrollment to 30 April. Check on it, Jack.

Yep, I had a multi-page fax and had to confirm many of the numbers with her. Today, same taxpayer faxed me a corrected W-2 which was probably on blue or colored paper -- this after I had to have her read me the original over the phone -- and I can't tell what's what. I think, think, the only change is C and an amount for life insurance, but am calling her now, again. I have really bright lights, recessed lights and TWO desk lamps, plus huge monitors. I really can't see the numbers. Clients who make copies of copies and copy colored paper into B&W and shrink to fit two pages on one -- I'm raising their prices. I have about three pairs of reading glasses in my office, but still get the magnifier. Have a great app on my iPhone that magnifies and lights also. This getting old stuff is hard work.

ACA Pub 974 Finally Available ACA Premium Tax Credit, Pub 974, available here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p974.pdf

I always do the balance sheet. (Your're gonna need it when they sell or....) Sometimes, I do not include it in the copy that's e-filed or client mails, but most times I do include.

Are you married, JSH? Is your wife a tax preparer? Maybe this should be HER client !!

As long as it's not suitable to be worn on the street....

And, in many cases the IRS can perform the same lookup. They know the child's birthdate, for instance. They have the 8962 prepared by the taxpayer or tax preparer that has a change in a certain month due to move or whatever. If they are able to correct inaccuracies on the 8962 due to taxpayer not reporting something like a move -- and I realize that's a big IF -- then they can update the 8962 to reflect the proper SLCSP in most cases. Or the US Treasury should lose the extra tax. Not have it be a wash on their side while half the taxpayers' 8962s caused additional tax for taxpayers or additional time/expense to amend for a problem the taxpayer did not create. I realize this is an extra income opportunity for tax preparers. But, I'm a one-person shop and don't have time to redo.

Yeah, it's a Math Error -- on their part. They can fix it on their end. Good PR would have them sending additional refunds when due but NOT taking additional tax when due to the wrong 1095-As.

Yes, thank you, Tabby. At least I can tell her now before she gets an IRS letter.

I grew up outside Chicago, went to Michigan State, spent a decade in Santa Barbara, CA, and now live in CT. I thought I'd retire to the south, but that isn't even warm this winter!

Or, RE with passive losses that will come in handy when the corp sells and has a profit?

Or, my family farm in Montgomery County, IL. Great cousins there. I've had pigs, but only corn and soybeans now. Would love to meet your calf.

Oh, gosh, I let one slip past me. RSUs she exercised and held. Now that you post about it, I realize she had no 1099-B but sure enough, enough shares were sold to cover her w/h taxes. Well, I'll tell her to contact me as soon as she gets her refund AND her 1099-B (I think it might be Merrill Lynch) and I'll amend for free. How did I let that slip past? I know the 1099-Bs straggle in later and later each year. She filed later last year. And, she had a lot of paper re all the dividends she received. I was rushing, or tired, or both, and thought I had paper on everything, investments, HSA, highly compensated changes in her 401(k) limits, etc.. I goofed on her return once years ago, different issue, so hope she's forgotten that. She brought me lunch the last couple of years, so I want to take good care of her!

I love you. If you want to work at my spare desk, we have a generator. You can even bring your calf; two acres, large garage. Up to 16 degrees now with snow and lots of ice from Sunday warming up to the 30s; but I keep it in the 60s in the house. I love you.

My bank includes a Turbo Tax coupon. I actually called a manager one year to vent.