Lion EA

ATX back when I used it - 7-8 (a little light on the more complex tax returns) but it was dropping rapidly in value to me ProSystem fx - a solid 10 (definitely pricey, but worth every last penny I pay; pay-per-return makes it doable)

Hey, don't worry about me. My stuff is really just "stuff" and replaceable when I finally get some work done and earn some money. It's annoying and time-consuming, but I'm OK and my car will be when it gets a new window -- glass guy showed up with wrong window yesterday; maybe Monday! -- and I have my car and my keys and they don't have my SSN. Biz and personal cards came overnight from Amex, but one belonged to Maria in Miami! They had the new one to me by 8 a.m. the very next morning. Amex and my bank have been wonderful. My insurance AMICA has always been wonderful, but the new glass administrator they're using leaves a bit to be desired. I can go anyplace, but the window's been re-ordered so no time savings to change now. MasterCard and VISA and our health insurance/HSA have been a pain. The time and sleep I'm losing during two critical weeks during tax season can't be replaced, so I'm more sleep-deprived than usual, and crabby. But, last year I had three funerals in February, including one in MA; so only one funeral and a car break-in is actually an improvement. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. Let's all send good thoughts OldJack's way, so he can continue getting older and so can his family. As for the bully, not so much, unless it's getting older in prison for a very long time while being on the receiving end of bullying.

Yes, hopefully all our warm wishes will overtake the black cloud of someone who's out to harm those you love. You and your family are in my prayers.

Wow! I'm struggling with a 990 and five prior year 1120s and bookkeeping for an 1120S and have only two 1040s out the door. Only 14 have dropped off or made appointments so far; waiting for brokerage statements and K-1s. I can manage only about 75 (maybe 75-100) by myself; some minor clerical help. And, that includes extending the ones that come in late with problems, so never more than 75 by 15 April.

I was giving you a possible exception to the penalty. You can compare your client's details to the instructions re the penalty.

I'm sorry I sounded so flip. I was trying to get at that it's not a long-standing issue, so more likely to be found in an update class. You'd obviously picked up on surrounding issues, like the $250 payment. But, you need to read up on the change in w/h tables and the new schedule/credit, to explain things to your clients who may be seeing smaller refunds if they worked multiple jobs or earn too much to qualify for the credit or... (In my defense, I'm more sleep-deprived than usual. My car was broken into Monday night and my purse stolen. Since then, I've spent over 30 hours on the telephone. The snow storm has delayed deliveries of new glass for my car window, replacement credit cards, prescription drugs, etc., and closed the bank with our safe deposit box with my birth certificate and SS card that I need so I can get a new driver's license. And, we go to a funeral in MA this weekend so I lose a couple more days or sleep and of work/income. So, I'm sure I have little patience left.) You're one of the last people, OldJack, that I would want to be rude to.

Over 55 and left their employment?

I buy the cheap back-to-school sale two-pocket portfolios in a different color every year. (Sometimes I get them for only 1 penny each!) Last year several clients requested green, so that's the color for 2009 returns. I buy a few more expensive vinyl ones in the same color for entity returns and the fatter personal returns. Both types of folders have the slits so I can attach a business card. I get year stickers from M&C that class them up a bit. Clients like the color coding. I've actually had compliments on my packaging. I think VistaPrint has customizable folders for not a big price. But, I've gotten so used to a different color each year, and the Vista minimum order to get the price down would last me for years. I do my own assembly, so want quick and easy.

A very :bday:

Is he truly a non-resident alien? Read the definitions. See if he is qualified to file Form 1040 and if it is to his advantage. Start with the things you are familiar with, sources of income and deductions, SS#s, ITINs, etc. Then, look into a possible tax treaty with his country, days in and out of the country, Visas, things that are unique to Form 1040-NR. Start with the instructions and Pubs. 513 and maybe 515.

PS. Tell them to ask their payroll department.

And, then they start talking about the bigger refunds that neighbors or co-workers get.

You can definitely find lots of info at IRS.gov. Try the Q&A for your topic for details in plain English. The credit appears on the tax return. The credit was received early by reduced withholding. For common situations, it comes out in the wash. For others, they will be underwithheld. As Tom told you, they did not get a separate payment. You already know about retirees and the $250. You might need an Update Course. Have you examined the new Schedules L and M and their instructions?

If she was supposed to get $250 from SS and did not, and the IRS thinks she did, you'll have to file to match the IRS records. Then, she can deal with the SS to get her missing payment directly from the SSA. The IRS will not provide it.

A very to RitaB from RitaL

A very :bday:

A very happy :bday:

A very :bday:

Catherine, how can you feel sorry for the telemarketer?! It's what we all have wanted to do!

We tax preparers never know what year it is; we're always working in the past. When I say, "this year," it means 2009 when I'm working on a 2009 return. When my client says, " this year," it usually means 2010. What we have here is a failure to communicate.

Why doesn't the January to November 2009 qualify the foster child? I can see that the July to December 2008 might not work.

Then neither gets HoH. HoH goes to the one who pays more than half of the upkeep of a house for the taxpayer and a qualifying child.

I had a partnership with that situation back when I worked at HRB, so no access to those returns. With my aging memory, I think I researched the answer to be to use Schedule E as if the expense was still passing though from the 1065. But, I'm already sleep deprived, so don't trust that answer. Just trust that there is a way and keep researching!

And, I still have clients bringing in corrected statements in March and even April. 10 April one year!

And, don't forget that's just the mail date. You still have to wait for it to arrive! Why is it that the clients don't mind that their brokers have an extended deadline, but don't want ME to have an extended deadline. Why do they expect me to do the same work in less than two months that used to have 2 1/2 months to complete?