Lion EA

Wonky is also used in the mental health field; although, sometimes computer problems cause mental health problems.

Profx on interview mode taxed my memory re what the forms were called. But, I use almost exclusively worksheet mode now that uses titles and descriptions. I love it. And, with dual screen mode I can have the data entry on the left and the government forms on the right and enter directly on the gov forms whenever I want, also. I just entered on gov forms one of the EIC questions as it was faster than flipping to a new worksheet. So easy to import gain/loss spreadsheets and K-1s from entities to individuals and calculate kiddie tax, all with a click of a button. It's pricey, but it's worth it for my clientele.

Found those stealthy emoticons!

We're not the official ATX site, so you won't get any action from CCH here. You're preaching to the choir.

For me, I have to hit the More Reply Options at the lower right corner of my Reply to this topic box. It then opens in a fuller Word-like editor that includes the emoticons. Well, it has the smiley face, but doesn't open to a list of emoticons that I can insert. Where did they go?! (And, yes, there's a check in the box for Enable emoticons.)

If you're looking in the Ultra Tax price range, definitely give ProSystem fx a try also. I love it. I buy it pay-per-return for my small practice but get support like the big guys.

I reported him every post I read.

This might be a letter I will want to write! If I had more time on my hands, it could be a lot of fun!

We just applied for a HELOC (I have no more first mortgage). I'm self-employed. The paperwork arrived in today's mail asking for a copy of my pay stub at closing. I hate to write those letters. But, should I as the preparer write a letter for me as a taxpayer?!?!

Love HP LaserJets. None of mine are new, though, so I won't give you model numbers. Have a fast one with a small footprint to print tax returns in black only. Have a color one. And, have one really old LaserJet 4 or something like that from about 1994 that still works fine, so I keep it around as a back-up and hubby uses it for black printing. Changed the rollers in that one once, but it just keeps going. (A client has an HP LaserJet 5 that he still uses in his business.) Also, an HP InkJet all-in-one for copying and stand-alone faxing that I bought after a Brother died. Every HP I've ever had still works. They are work horses.

=(+5+15) or +5+15 or =5+15? Don't use ATX, so don't know what notation it uses. No longer a spreadsheet, right?

No, hobby income and COGS put on line 21; expenses Sch A 2%. Guess gambling isn't a hobby. And, yes, the IRS tried to clarify using gambling losses by session, but it looked even more confusing to me as they tried to define session.

http://www.accountingweb.com/article/free-spreadsheet-based-form-1040-available-2012-tax-year/220959?source=technology From AccountingWEB: Free Spreadsheet-Based Form 1040 Available for 2012 Tax Year Posted by Terri Eyden on Feb 1 2013 0510 By David H. Ringstrom, CPA Fresh from our pull-back from the fiscal cliff, it's not just the IRS that's been madly updating forms for the 2012 filing season. Right on schedule, Glenn Reeves of Burlington, Kansas has released his sixteenth spreadsheet-based version of the US Individual Tax Return, commonly known as Form 1040. Since 1997 Mr. Reeves has pursued this "labor of love," which means he allows any taxpayer to download and use the spreadsheet for free. Mr. Reeves' spreadsheet empowers anyone to prepare their tax return spreadsheet applications, such as Microsoft Excel, Office 365, Libre Office (formerly known as Open Office), or Gnumeric Portable a spreadsheet that fits on a flash drive. As you can see in Figure 1, the form closely mirrors the official IRS format, but Mr. Reeves doesn't guarantee that the IRS will accept printed versions of this form. He personally files his return online after using the spreadsheet to compute his return. Figure 1: Glenn Reeves has updated his Excel-based version of IRS Form 1040 for the 2012 tax year The 2012 version of the spreadsheet includes both pages of Form 1040 as well as these supplemental schedules: Schedule A Itemized Deductions Schedule B Interest and Ordinary Dividends Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses, along with its worksheet Schedule E Supplemental Income and Loss Schedule L Standard Deduction for Certain Filers Schedule SE Self-Employment Tax Form 6251 Alternative Minimum Tax Individuals Form 8949 Sales and Dispositions of Capital Assets The spreadsheet also includes several worksheets: Schedule D Worksheet Line 10 State and Local Tax Refund Worksheet Lines 16a and 16b Simplified Method Worksheet taxable annuities and pension benefits Lines 20a and 20b Social Security Benefits Worksheet Line 32 IRA Deduction Worksheet Line 44 Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet Line 51 Child Tax Credit Worksheet Five additional worksheets round out the tool: W-2 input forms that support up to four employers for each spouse 1099-R Retirement input forms for up to four payers for each spouse SSA-1099 input form to record Social Security Benefits A tax table Change log that records revisions to the spreadsheet All of the worksheets in the 1040 workbook are password protected, and most of the underlying formulas are hidden, but youre free to add new worksheets to the file or create links to other workbooks. Mr. Reeves notes that the spreadsheet is constructed in such a fashion that proper use of the spreadsheet means a user won't need to access any of the protected cells. As shown in Figure 2, the spreadsheet also offers some limited error checking. Figure 2: The spreadsheet offers limited error-checking prompts. Although Mr. Reeves gives the spreadsheet away, he does accept appreciation contributions, which he reports on his tax return as income. He also donates 10 percent of any contributions to his church. Spreadsheet-based versions of Form 1040 are available for tax years 1996 through 2012 at www.excel1040.com. Questions regarding the spreadsheet should be directed to Glenn Reeves through his website. About the author: David H. Ringstrom, CPA ([email protected]) heads up Accounting Advisors, Inc., an Atlanta-based software and database consulting firm. David regularly presents Excel training webcasts for AccountingWEB partner CPE Link, and has written articles on spreadsheets since 1996.

I also endorse dark chocolate Moose Munch.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Common-Error-Reject-Codes-(ERCs)-for-Individual-Tax-Returns-&-Suggested-Solutions

Years ago when I worked for HRB, they told us to amend prior years for EIC and anything else when a client came in with a new SSN after using an ITIN in the past. At the time, I trusted their legal department to advise us correctly. SInce I've been on my own, I've not had that situation so haven't researched myself.

Computer is telling you it's time to execise or visit with your family or eat lunch or...!

Wish I could train him! But, I do love him. And, now that he's retired, I send him to the bank, to deliver returns to my elderly clients (so he can smooze them while I work on the next client), to Staples, whatever.

One year I didn't want him to get the giant Costco sized bag (I'd eat it all at once!), so he repackaged it for me in little snack sized zip bags! He is a sweetie. Except when he walks into my home office, sits down, and talks away, while I'm trying to research or something. But, the chocolate makes up for most of that...

My husband buys me lots of dark chocolate for tax season, Costco sized packages.

If you can get ProSystem fx without paying the license fees, just PPR -- or just paying the license without each PPR fee -- or even better, not paying either due to already paying for ATX -- then go for it. I love ProSystem fx.

You beat me!

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Provides-Penalty-Relief-to-Farmers-and-Fishermen

We all have your same level of frustration, though each of us about the issue(s) that matter to us most. Most of us used ATX back in the day, and see this season's start as particularly rocky. We're all a bit crankier than our normal selves as we watch 30 January creep up on us when we're not as well prepared as prior years. You're welcome to report your problems, either from the IT perspective or from the tax preparer's. Those that have discovered work arounds will post to help you. Please also post the work arounds that worked for you and post when you have some help to offer on this or any thread. Also, read the related threads to mine some ideas for your own issues that might have been posted already.

RIta, if your new client complains, don't put too much of the blame on cleaning up the last bookkeeper's work and setting her up as a payroll client or she'll expect MUCH cheaper bills from now on since she's no longer new but a continuing client that you've already "fixed" all her bookkeeping problems from before. If she's an El Cheapo, then give her some prices to expect going forward so she doesn't get too low of a number in her head. Be clear that you didn't charge any new client set-up fees or other start-up charges (as your once in a lifetime favor to her!) and that her continuing fees will NOT be lower. I will often list things on an invoice with $ amounts, maybe set-up fee and 4Q corrections and on and on, and then list a discount to get her back down to your $360 total, so it's on paper that they already got a discount so don't you dare ask for any more....