Lion EA

Scream?! Tax preparers? Never! I can't imagine such a thing. :dunno:

What a dapper son! Danielle, did you see the picture of Kerry as a pink princess?!

Does she have a good divorce lawyer yet?

MFJ with injured spouse or whichever form it is.

2007 if he no longer owned it, Goodwill did.

If husband is in your system from prior year, pro forma him to 2008 and prepare him MFJ. Then, call up the X, switch their names/SSNs, and type in her info from her original HOH return in column A. I'm having you switch the primary taxpayer and the spouse to get the one that's being amended listed as primary. However, you might want to research whether that's necessary. Maybe it's OK to have the one who's being amended as spouse; OK to file as primary taxpayer on an amendment the one who has NOT filed yet. Probably so, and then you save the hassle of switching names/numbers in your system.

BUMP just in case more of us CT preparers are running into this...

Hi, Danielle!

If you did NOT prepare either return, neither is in your software: prepare the return as it should be. Then call up the X forms, letting the new information go to column C and type in the primary taxpayers OLD info in column A. Your software should calculate column B, but proof it for reasonableness knowing it's adding the spouse's OLD info with some minor adjustments for the different tax tables, etc. Sometimes, you just can't duplicate in your software the original return due to their errors or rounding differences or whatever, so don't even waste your time. Just type in the taxpayer's software results in your X column A. If you DID prepare one or both returns, at least one is already in your software: call up one return. Then call up the X forms, NOT letting the OLD info go to column C, keeping it on column A only. Then re-prepare the return the way it should be done including the spouse's info. Now, your re-done return info is in column C and your software calculated column B.

A very :bday:

Well, my very fancy, very pricey, ProSystem fx does NOT have an opt-out form for CT. Has one for NY. The best they could suggest is a "footnote" so it prints right after the CT return. I used the wording TaxPerson gave, the ending of that paragraph, for the client to sign and mail in with their return and to sign a copy for me to keep. I also put in a suggestion at Pro fx!

If you can't get it working with the help from some of our more computer literate posters, then try our friends at VMSUS.

Thank you. I thought I read everything on their site. But, I was skimming things re preparers. I file electronically. I encourage it of my clients. But, I have a couple that will not, and they pick up this week. Still want to cover myself, something on paper that client instructed me that I can keep in my files, as well as for them to mail in as their "written request." Guess I'll just make it short and sweet, a sentence...

What do other CT preparers do when you have a client who will not e-file? Do you write up something for them to sign? Does your software have a form? Do they mail it in with the return? Do you keep it like you do Forms 8879? Have you had any correspondence from CT re not e-filing? (This is only my second year out on my own after being under the umbrella of a corporation, so it's the first year I "qualify" to e-file ALL returns.) I have a client picking up this week who must mail their returns. What do I need to do to CYA?

Maybe one of the tech savvy types like KC will know what *.exe files should be in ATX and whether you should have your AV software remove it. Can you print now that it's quarantined? The VMSUS guys respond in 90 minutes and can clean your computer remotely. Good luck.

The liability protection of a corporation, no matter which kind, can vary from state to state, so let us know where the doctor practices or have him consult or you consult with a lawyer well versed in that state's corporate liability laws. Of course, he needs to maintain his malpractice insurance. And, he must do all the usual things to act like a corporation and not mix business with personal, keeping funds separate, etc., no matter where he is or what entity he is. Some states have professional limited liability companies of some type that might be right for him. And, such structures might protect his personal assets from acts of his staff or falls on his property or other things not associated with his professional actions, but situations due to his own professional actions are hard to escape personal liability for.

A couple of years back I moved to a new computer. Installed the ATX years I wanted on the new computer. On old computer, did an export of returns for a year to a flash drive. Then, on new computer did a import. Repeated for the years I wanted to move. Was quick and easy. Good luck. (NOT backup/restore.)

Good Luck !! :P

Did you hear that huge intake of breath as all preparers suddenly turned to their stacks of unfinished partnership returns?!

I'm going to use that one: $50 for checking with HRB, $75 for listening to your barber, mechanic, or neighbor's son.

And everyone seems sure that their paper losses mean big refunds this year. I need to learn how to explain why paper losses don't change their taxes, especially when the losses are in their IRA.

I always used to start my return early for all the reasons mentioned by others. It sat through the season, though, so I used it to test things for months. It was my dummy return. My daughter's first year in college she panicked about her FAFSA and insisted I complete our return early -- which I did, but that year only! Now my software includes sample returns of all types. The last two years I have not even started my return until after tax season. Wait'll next year, says the Cubs fan.

Yes to everything. I have about the same amount of clients, but they're more complex this year. Clients say their taxes are simpler this year because their investments lost money, but they have more complex situations now with sales and exchanges and sales they think are losses but had depreciation reducing their basis or capital gain dividends or.... And, since most of mine do have investments, the extended deadlines for brokerages to mail combined 1099s and annual statements until 17 February and for Merrill Lynch and some other financial institutions to 3 March means I have less than six weeks to do the work I used to do in 2 1/2 months! I'm exhausted and panicking. I have what used to be an LLC/partnership that is now an S-corp (can't pro forma all those assets!) and due Monday that I'm trying to get off my desk so I can try to move some of the personal returns off their stacks and piles and heaps and onto my desk. Thank goodness for all of you virtual colleagues who know and understand what's up this time of year and who can set me on the right path for research or preparation during my sleep-deprived times. I read ALL the posts. Thank you, everyone, for contributing questions and answers and moral support and humor.

That's it. And, I think they're due in March, or at least during tax season. Clients think you can do it for them, but only part of it is income information. The other part is asset information, savings, investments, retirement plans, etc. And, you repeat both parts for both the parent and the child, so unless you do the child's taxes also, you're doing extra work. But, you can mark that you have not yet filed a return and use your best guesses.

That means estimated amounts when returns aren't filed yet, not estimated tax payments.