Lion EA

Gail provided the RRB EIN.

Friday 12 February. (Business returns Friday 8 January.) Or, do you mean the ATX date? Do they send out period emails to tell you such things? (CCH does to ProSystem fx users.)

Oh, but I love the Feral when it comes to anything IRS !!

I agree it is Feral AGI !! And, I agree it's time to call ATX.

I don't use ATX, but do you have an alternate data entry location? (In my software, I can enter the w/h in the same place that I enter SS benefits, for instance.)

Did you make the appropriate entries on NYS Form IT-558?

Yep, my proofreading skills improve after hitting Submit Reply! But my most common issue is getting a phone call as I'm rereading a Post, hitting Submit Reply in a rush, and then not getting off the call for ten minutes. Too late to fix that "now" to "not" or that stupid spelling error or the time I called Marilyn as Margaret or the other way around. But Judy is right to limit the editing time window due to the reasons she explained.

I love the clients that say, "Can't you look up my [insert mortgage interest or tuition or...here] on your computer?" as if I know their personal bank records and stuff !!

I know, I thought it'd disappeared but eventually realized it just has a really short open window before it disappears.

The three dots ... menu in the upper right corner of your post has a drop-down menu if you click on it. During that short five minutes after posting, that drop-down includes Edit.

Does that give an amount or only if/when disbursed?

See where your software has a spot to enter 2019 earned income for a new client and if your software generates any comparison document/white paper. I don't use ATX, so don't know how it will appear. But, let your software do as much of the work as possible.

And, once you opt in you need to get a new IP PIN each January until such time as the IRS adds an opt-out feature: "The IRS intends to offer an opt-out feature in the IP PIN program in 2022 if taxpayers decide it’s not right for them."

The OP asked about PAYMENT deadlines during this pandemic. I hope payments are extended without I&P, because so many people are making less money. Personally, I hope the FILING deadlines are extended, also. E-filing doesn't open until 12 February, which is about the time I have to start preparing partnerships and S-corporation. That means I won't be preparing personal returns until after 15 March! I can't make a lot of money in one month, so I'll need to pause to e-file extensions. Last year's extension to 15 July worked great for my business model of working all year; I spent less time calculating extension payments and e-filing extensions. YOU can still close 15 April while I work all year. But, so far, the IRS is still saying the non-extended tax season will end 15 April.

If you use the same software, the calculation should be automatic. If you use a different software or have a new client, you should have a place to enter 2019 earned income. By the way, if married couple were not married last year or didn't file MFJ, you enter 2019 earned income so you have their combined 2019 earned income for both of them. Yes, you would use 2019 earned income if higher for both EITC and CTC/ACTC if, and only if, it gives a lower tax liability due to the combination of EITC/CTC/ACTC resulting in higher credit(s). That's the purpose of the law, knowing 2019 may've been a more typical year and that 2020 might have very little income and correspondingly lower credits. It's to help increase refunds to low-income tax payers. Work your way through the paper forms to see how it flows. Then practice in your software to know how/where you need to enter to make the results look like you expect. You can be a hero to your clients if you increase their refunds for such a disastrous year.

NECPA you have a lot on your plate, and family definitely must come first. For them and for your own mental health. Your clients will understand, the ones worthy of being your clients. Tell them to expect extensions this year to accommodate your family needs. If the deadline's extended again and more returns are done "on time," they can be pleasantly surprised. And, don't stress over a trust return, yet. There are preparers here that can help you with that, or you can refer it to a preparer you know there. I had a couple clients die this month, so I'll be researching later this year, but you can bundle the estate & trust under certain circumstances. Does that mean you can chose a fiscal year for the bundle? That gives you more control over the timing. But preparers will help you when that time comes. For now, be with your mother. Be with your son, virtually. We got through 2020 together; we'll get through 2021 together. Prayers.

It's only the 2019 earned income that you can use in the 2020 formula for EITC and CTC/ACTC, if 2019 was higher. I think it's in the CAA of 2021.

Took a NYSSEA updates webinar for three hours last night. That speaker (Frank Degen, former NAEA President and former NYSSEA President) also said you can choose to use 2019 earned income for the purpose of calculating both the EITC and the CTC/ACTC -- all or none -- only if the 2019 earned income is higher than 2020. So, I haven't read it myself but have heard it in no less than four webinars from four different speakers I admire.

The "long form." Form 2210 Part IV or Schedule AI, whatever can lower your P&I. I tend to use the Safe Harbor of paying 100%/110% of prior year tax liability.

Forms 8821 and 2848 with electronic signatures may ONLY be submitted to the IRS online at https://IRS.gov/Submit2848 The person submitting for form is attesting that they have authenticated the taxpayer's identity. No. I haven't tried this, yet.

One Safe Harbor is If you have w/h and ES equal to 100%/110% of your prior year tax liability. Or, 90% of current year, but that's harder to compute if you have end of year capital gains. Or, owe less than $1,000. If you don't meet any of those, lessen the impact with a quarterly 2210; a lot of work, but you're not paying anyone else to do it !!

Just spotted it in a TaxPractice Pro webinar text. The text said IF the lookback to 2019 is elected, it is for BOTH EITC and the ACTC. And, that you may only elect to use the 2019 earned income if it was MORE than the 2020 earned income. Her CAA cites refer to ALL the topics in that webinar, but she cites Division N page 1924, Division O page 2468, Division EE page 4870, and Division FF page 4990. I'm working on a webinar for music teachers that I'm presenting tomorrow morning via Zoom, so not looking up anything not related to independent music teachers today! But check those CAA Divisions to find your answer.

I think the powers that be are making communications MORE complex as they try to give us more electronic means to communicate. But I do understand the need for security. (My To-Do List includes "register for Secure Access." But my To-Do List is long!) Maybe the summer phase is when the taxpayer can initiate the 8821/2848 if he can qualify for secure access; then it goes to us and directly to CAF and is processed faster, maybe. I remember something about 30% of tax payers will qualify to register for Secure Access.

1099s require the red copies to the IRS. I haven't heard them reject black ink, but they could. Try e-filing; it solves multiple issues.

I think the new Secure Access is scheduled to be active about July, but you can register now. Although, I see in a slide from a recent webinar that e-signatures may ONLY be submitted to the IRS online at https://IRS.gov/Submit2848 for both Forms 8821 and 2848. I'm not sure where you can look up your identity authentication requirements... Taxaroo has an recorded webinar on E-Signatures and the IRS.