Lion EA

That's why I'm backing up to VMS. My office is in my home so I'd lose everything in a robbery or fire or flood, and waiting for Monday morning when the bank opens... Thank for the info on encryption. Maybe I'll return to my rotating flash drives, too. They're so handy, especially during tax season when I want VERY frequent back-ups. VMS uses Corbian to back-up.

I had at least three rotating flash drives until someone mentioned how easy it is to have one stolen or lose it; and it can't be password protected. The IT folks at my husband's school system recommended a Seagate external drive. I was using it and thinking of getting a second to keep off site. I like the external drive, so if something happens to my computer, I can just plug it in to my husband's computer and be back in business until I get a more permanent solution. Also, I can grab it and run (a nor'easter or power outage or...) and get up and running with a rental or at the library or friend's home. Instead of another external drive (I have a home office, so no convenient off-site place to store it that I can get to 24/7) I went with storage at VMS as my second "external drive." They set it up for me to run automatically according to my schedule. I feel calmer knowing I have my tax returns and other data files stored away from home, but I can get to them. You can check with Kyle, but I think their prices start at $50/year depending on how much storage you require. In other words, to back-up my hard drive, I have the Seagate external here and VMS off-site.

Now you've opened it up to tax preparers to tell you what we've done during the stress of tax season to make everyone laugh. Uh oh, that could be more than we want to know! My little princess is the UConn marching band member you see on my avatar. She now plays the baritone horn (which probably weighs as much as one of your girls) instead of the flute and piccolo. This is her last semester; she graduates on Mother's Day. And, my son is grown and living in another state. They grow up so fast. Enjoy them while they still listen to you!

It's going to be even chillier in Caribou, ME, tonight. :angry:

But, that wasn't the OP's point. He was concerned about an out-of-country marriage that the couple themselves were concerned about being legal in this country until some type of registration the next year; their issue spanned a new calendar/tax year. So, even the couple seemed to be unsure of their marital status for 2008 in the US. If the couple felt sure of their marital status, that would be good enough for me. But, if the couple was unsure, I'd send them for legal advice.

Did you notice that Kerry posted a picture with his little Princess?! She's adorable. Almost as adorable as Kerry in his Princess outfit. Wonder why Kerry didn't use HIS Princess picture as his avatar, hmmm....

Amen, Brother John!

Yep, I had a new computer a couple years ago and exported the returns to a flash drive from the old computer and then (after installing the program on the new computer) imported the returns to the new computer. It was so fast, that I decided to install all my prior years programs on the new computer and do the same export/import procedure to get the returns on my new computer and not have to rely on the old computer any more. It was very quick and easy. Just remember: it's NOT backup/restore. It's export/import. Enjoy your new computer. I'm holding out for Windows 7.

And, maybe just an accounting course at your local community college -- one on balance sheets -- would fill in the blanks for you as you get started. Even Accounting for Dummies is a good reference for a non-accountant who rarely works with balance sheets. Two more I have on my bookshelves are Day-To-Day Business Accounting and Step-By-Step Bookkeeping. I have the CCH book 1120S Express Answers and have seen the one on partnerships; they're great, too.

I was in serious withdrawal, now that I'm officially an ATXaholic, and out searching for KC and Eric on other boards! I'm calm now. And, very, very grateful for all Eric does for us. Thank you.

IRS has a free teleforum on Wednesday re preparer penalties. One of the speakers is the lawyer who wrote the regulations. Kyle, also consider NAEA. Good magazine and on-line resources and e@lerts in your e-mail, CPE for taking quiz with mag or on-line, message board; CtSEA (CtSEA used to be CSEA until CA got snippy!) is fantastic for live CPE and networking. If you're looking for a national group, also check that you like its local affiliate.

Your local community college might offer a course. Block has had excellent courses and texts, but have restrictions on students now. Taking a Schedule C that you're already familiar with and following it to an LLC/Partnership would be a good step. Completing the balance sheet -- even if you have difficulties and decide not to print/include it -- is also a good learning experience. I actually think C Corporations are easiest, because they don't have as much of an issue with funds going in and out of the company except as payroll. Then S Corporations. And, Partnerships seem to have a lot of distributions that only come to light after you ask a lot of questions!

Or, like to work less. I've been reading and researching and checking my boards all day and not getting some work done that's sitting here -- like W-2s and 1099s! I'm a horrible procrastinator. But, I do learn a lot here so I still show up at least twice per day even though I don't use ATX anymore but use ProSystem fx. You guys are my virtual officemates.

Deb, do something to make it easier on yourself. Let the answering machine pick up, and along with your hours tell of your father's passing. Or, send out a reminder postcard and mention it. So, you can get it out there; and people will know already when they see you face to face. You get the idea. Whatever will make it easier for you to inform your clients.

We can blackmail Kyle! Caribou is a small town; I'm sure we can track her down if Kyle doesn't pay our demands!

Congratulations!

I think we know why Kyle doesn't have a blonde girlfriend.

I can feel really stupid without even posting a question! But, better to get it answered...

A very :bday:

In NY, I guess CT stands for corporate tax. But, working in CT with many NY commuters, I do find the NY form designations annoying. You'd think sharing a border with CT, that NY would not use the letters CT on any of their official forms.

Very clever, Ann.

You can use me anytime, Kyle.

You tell 'em, Maribeth! :angry:

Thank you, everyone, for posting and responding and prodding and explaining and... Vegas sound perfect.

Thanx, Deb.