Lion EA

Haven't used ATX for a year and never TaxWise, but my old packing slips used to have installation codes, but called something else (?), either at the top right or in a list following the item descriptions. Codes were also available on the site under My Account or something similar. A current user should hop on and tell you where codes appear, if they do now. Also, post under the general forum for a faster response from current TaxWise users.

All tax preparers have a lot of minutia in our heads, unfortunately some of it is from prior tax years.

For those of you (like me) who don't speak or understand Geek, have you signed up with VMS yet? I did today. It was a pleasure having someone in Caribou coerce my computer into talking nice with my printer again -- especially since my unsuccessful attempts at downloading a new driver for my printer had messed up the communication to start with. Now I won't waste any more of my time trying to fix something when I'm in over my head.

Well, I'd been meaning to sign up for ages, but today my printer wouldn't print so I finally called. I called Kyle directly, and he set me up with the services I need to keep functioning. Then Susan got my computer talking to my printer again. After I finish this return, I have an appointment next week with Susan to audit my computer and set me up with secure off-site back-ups. VMS is just what a home-based sole proprietor like me (too old and too isolated to be as computer literate as I'd like) needs. It's a small price to pay for techies who speak english and are always available. I'm a happy camper.

You can poke Kerry for me, for no particular reason! I keep meaning to call you folks. I'm an old lady working on her own with sub-par computer skills. Maybe I'll finally get around to calling you. Thanks for the reminder.

I wanted to try it for a couple of my clients, and hope to for myself for 2009; but I never got around to it, too rushed when they were here getting taxes done...

Haven't tried to print those forms in this ATX, so won't try to answer most of your questions. But, as to the blank page, I think your adjusting has moved something (probably blank space so not obvious on the screen) to a new page per your margins or per the print area for your printer. I usually give up long before you. I don't think I've ever centered the X on the red forms; if it's close enough to denote the type of forms, I'm happy and move on to more important things. This year, I might actually e-file. By the way, you can print all your W-2s on blank paper and not have to worry about the pre-printed red forms like the 1099 series. Relax. Someone will have a precise answer for you.

A copy of ATX just arrived via FedEx. However, I did not use ATX last tax season. So, why are TaxWise users complaining that they haven't received their copies when ATX has time to deliver to us non-users?! Why aren't they putting paying customers first?

The latest I'd heard was red or e-file for the IRS, plain paper for recipient and payor.

I've been taking credit cards via QB. As a ProAdvisor, I get discounts on their published fees. Easy and machine not necessary. I like being able to take a client's card info over the telephone and get paid. Worth the expense to not wait for a check in the mail or drive to the bank to deposit checks. Clients forget to bring their checkbooks, but everyone has a credit card.

See what your software company produces for write-up. Maybe they have a program that fits your needs for bookkeeping AND transfers easily into your tax software.

I also "lose" JEs. Sometimes instead of a JE, I actually create a split transaction even though it nets out to zero, just so I spot it when in the check register and don't have to remember that a JE exists and track it down. Booger, if your client didn't even customize their chart of accounts, do you really want to rely on them booking your JEs? As long as you can access their file, why don't you book the JEs and anything else you would do if you were sitting at their site...

My renewal for 2009 is $365. Ouch!

I'm just a neophyte, but here's what I know. If the client gives you a back-up (e-mail or CD or flash or whatever) you can make ANY changes and return to him; however, your version will overwrite his, so he can NOT work in it while waiting for you. If your client uses the Accountant's Back-up feature, he CAN continue working. You will be limited to the types of changes you can make, but when you give the file back to your client, it will MERGE with his existing file and not overwrite any new work he's done. You need a version at least as new as he has, 2008 or whatever, and at least as "high" as his, pro or premier or whatever. If yours is newer or higher or both, you can read his. But, do NOT convert his to yours or you will not be able to give it back to him; or look to see if you have a "save as an earlier version" feature. How to give it back to him when your version is newer or higher is something I don't know. QB has a tutorial and sample company files, so you can try out something without risking trashing your client's file. My favorite feature when a client has given me their file is being able to drill down to find detail. Point to an amount on the P&L or Balance Sheet or any other report, and click on it to get to the detailed list of items that made up that amount.

First, read about the Hobby Loss rules.

I've only had to convert once and then only a few returns, so I'm no expert. But, from my experience and what I see on message boards, depreciation is definitely something to review. The software I used did give me a report of points to check. Things like depreciation when less than 100% business use. I don't remember finding any differences, though. I did lose a state ID number on a CT-1065SI, but that was easy to type in from my paper copy; the path for that state ID was just very different from its entry in the old software that it found its way to one CT form but not to another. If you can convert a complex return early when you have lots of time to pour over it, then maybe you'll see what reports or diagnostics are available and what to pay close attention to as you get busy during the season.

21. One I think I read wrong and one I changed from right to wrong and a couple of bad guesses and a couple of good guesses. But, I'm old enough to have grown up WITHOUT spell check, except for looking it up in a dictionary. Three misspellings in a paper or test dropped the grade one unit. And, I was news editor of our high school newspaper so did a lot of proofreading. Now, of course, I strive to get the NUMBERS right and have forgotten how to spell lots of words that were a part of my written vocabulary in years past.

I was told it's not available yet but that mine would ship as soon as it's ready. They took my mailing information.

I had a delay with your move a few days back as you warned us, but once I was back on it seemed like everything was the same as always. Then yesterday (today?) I couldn't get to your site at all with my usual bookmarks, just a box telling me to check my typing. Now, I get home from a client's and the site is here again. Not saying this to complain, but just in case it gives you a clue when added to the experiences others reported to you. Thank you very much for keeping us up and running, Eric.

:bday: You're right; I'd never scrolled down all the way!

Happy Birthday! (And, KC, how do we get the cute bd icon?)

I loved Kukla, Fran, and Ollie. Did you have Ding Dong School with Miss Frances? I miss my Good Humor Man.

Are they owned by HRB now like TaxWorks? How is the support? Check out support before you spend any more money on it!

Joan, you need a hobby. Or, at least multi-task, so you can let the laundry run while you prepare taxes. Of course, if you find yourself singing your laundry song to tax clients.... My nitpicking hubby says Namath was in a magazine ad and not a TV commercial (I think I remember the commercial, though) and that the order is wrong for Good night.

You folks are such youn'uns. I ate Wonder Bread when it built strong bodies only EIGHT ways!