Lion EA

Bob, so did I. Call Kyle. They are techies but know ATX and other software, too. A good combo for your needs.

I love HPs. They're workhorses. I also had an old HP 4L; my husband now uses it. I have a color 2550n which has been replaced by HP with a newer and cheaper model, maybe in the 2600 range. I might buy a black only with a small footprint and speedier printing this year or next. I've been watching sales at Staples and HP online, too. Some people swear by eBay and Craigslist.

Bob, you're gonna love these guys. Probably already know some from their old ATX days. Call Kyle to discuss your needs. Like you say, even if you can do it yourself, you don't have time during the season. I talked to Kyle and got set up with support plus off-site automatic backups. Then Susan solved my printing problem. At a time that was convenient for me, Thomas set me up for the backups, got things going to my external drive, also, worked on a restore to previous set point issue and taught me about defragging. Then he called me to set an appointment to make sure my computer was clean and at peak performance going into tax season; he checked on the previous restore issue, on Norton, installed a spyware program, set up automatic scans by everything, answered questions, etc. I've had hours and hours of service, all for $199, and have a year to go! And, they're around 24/7 during tax season. It's a bargain.

This type of issue might be one that Kyle and his crew at VMS could resolve.

But, he's not lowering his salary to save someone's job or to save the company, he wants to take a lower salary so he can take higher distributions. I realize that he has a strong personal reason for doing that, but does he have a business reason? If his only reason is tax avoidance, do you want to sign that return?

A very [And, it's nice to see Billy as our official greeter, again!]

I too sometimes leave it out of the government copy after preparing the balance sheet. But, that's usually because I'm not convinced the client did what he said instead of what's necessary for a "balancing" entry -- not me, I didn't take any money out of the company...

If you lowered the salary for any other employee, would he remain with you for long? Still be productive? Do you have a business reason for lowering your own salary? If you do something for tax reasons only and not for a business reason...

Wow, that's brilliant, Zeke!

it was soaked in milk, I think, as part of the preparation, and grilled on the bar-b-q outside, and eaten in a bun.

all the warnings scare me

Also, limits on amending from MFJ to MFS...

We've been having ice storms. All the gravel is scrapped away from my driveway; it'll be treacherous for clients. And, with the branches heavy with ice and snow, the power keeps flickering out so I lose computer, telephone, etc. Not to mention that hubby the teacher gets delays and snow days and is underfoot and playing havoc with my schedule! It's going to be a long winter.

What was it that I ate in CA? Tripas or something like that. Cows' intestines?

I like to fill out the L. Most of my clients don't have a balance sheet, except an inaccurate one in QB. Filling out the L turns up all sorts of information. If it doesn't balance, did money go in or out? Then, you know what questions to start asking. Besides, when they sell assets or sell the company, you need some of that information that your client hasn't been tracking!

I learn something new -- or two -- every day! Thank goodness. And, thank you all for sharing.

I did the export/import thing the year I got a new computer to get the prior year returns there for rollovers. I exported the prior year returns to a flash drive, ran upstairs to my new computer and did an import. Now, I'd installed the prior year program as well as the current year program on the new computer before importing the returns. It was quick and easy and worked perfectly. In fact, it worked so fast that I decided to move even older years' returns, too. All done in minutes.

Thank you for the information.

A very :bday:

I'm about as computer challenged as they come. However, I have heard people tell me I need to disable the Windows firewall if I'm going to use another firewall, that Windows firewall doesn't play nice with others.

You're very perceptive, Margaret. That is a big problem with her refrigerator. My 1960's house has limited space in the never remodeled kitchen. Refrigerators have gotten larger over the years, but my kitchen has not. There are like only two refrigerators in the world small enough to fit underneath the cupboard, in the only floor space available, and not block the door too much. Her bill increases every time she calls me! Last year I called the line item something like Research & quarterly organization/calculations. She actually comes back each quarter to write out her checks for ES payments; afraid she'll lose her vouchers or something. Of course, we have the same discussion about why she has to pay again when she only earned a little money early in the year. I remind her about the alimony. She's a good gal but never dealt with the family's finances and has no desire to learn. I wanted to charge her quarterly so it'd be a smaller amount, but she doesn't bring an extra check and would never get it done at home. I find all kinds of important non-tax items (her car insurance card that should be in her glove box) in the sacks of financial paperwork she brings me quarterly. So, I just add line items to her tax preparation bill knowing she'll have a check for me or her credit card when she picks up her returns. She is appreciative. A big thank you to everyone on this board. As Margaret said, I get much insight, support, and many suggestions here whenever I come seeking advice or just a place to vent. May you all find the same. A very happy new year and prosperous tax season to all of you.

I do get tired of saying that Jainen is right, but I like his idea about the refrigerator. Mine was from 1975 when I bought my first house in CA, and it came across the country to CT. I think the only thing keeping the motor running was all the refrigerator magnets. I was afraid to remove any. She left me a message saying I should call her lawyer to tell him her tax rate!

Won't they be the same servers you do not want to use? Same parent company. What did tech support say when you talked to them about the demo?

Now she's got Jainen calling her alimony a settlement, too! I just don't understand how she can be getting $60,000 and then $120,000 alimony during the last half dozen years and then instead of continuing at $120,000 for another decade she can get $300,000 for the next three years instead and turn it into a tax-free settlement. I have trouble getting her off the telephone and am tired of listening to her whine about how her Sub-Zero refrigerator is out of style and must be replaced with European technology, but I guess I have to call her. She doesn't have anything in writing yet from her expensive lawyer, but Jainen is right that I may as well read it sooner rather than later since I'll probably have to talk with the lawyer to have him explain where he found his tax cites.

A very :bday: