JohnH

You're right - it varies by area of the country and client particulars.

I disagree with you paralegal friend. I think most people don't pay any attention to legalese. They look at it, eyes glaze over, then they look at you and ask "what does this say?" You respond, "I have no idea when you're going to get your refund, but it definitely will be long after Jan 30." May as well just say that in writing to begin with. Also, I think we tend to box ourselves in when we write in too much detail. It forces us to adhere to rigid policies or puts us in the position of having to explain why the policy doesn't apply in a particular situation. And if we have a client sign something they don't understand and then trot it out when they have questions, it generally upsets them. It doesn't bring clarity - rather it creates distance and decreases trust. Just my 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary. Same issue with the amended returns. I didn't say you shouldn't CHARGE $50 when the situation warrants it - I was just suggesting that you preserve some flexibility for yourself by not promising to only charge that amount.

Thanks for the reminder. I use MyFico weekly credit monitoring for my wife and myself, but that's a great suggestion.

Aha! So THAT explains why my doctor ordered arthoscopic knee surgery after my gall bladder attack!

Comprehensive, but how about a simple note attached to their copy which says "IRS has announced that returns cannot be filed before Jan 30, and refunds will be mailed sometime after that date.The IRS might also change the date. I can't predict what other changes they may make in the coming weeks." Only $50 for an amended return? I'd say "There will be an additional fee for any amended returns, based on the amount of work involved."

This might be a good time for a reminder to click the "DONATIONS" button and show Eric we appreciate his hard work. The discussion on this thread served that purpose for me, and I just finished the task.

Sure, as long as the "best" and "worst" answer scores aren't tied to our names.

Scam email. Why didn't I think of that? I could have made a fortune off that lost passport but I missed my opportunity !

Funny that carbon paper is being discussed here, because I have a story from this week. My wife misplaced her passport while we were in India, so this past Monday we had to jump through lots of hoops at the US consulate and Indian immigration to get back home. It was an all-day ordeal, but not without its moments of humor. The last stop was Indian immigration. After we paid our fees, the official filled out a receipt form which had a piece of carbon paper between the top sheet and second sheet. He had my wife sign the form with the carbon still in place. Then he took the original and PLACED IT IN THE COPY MACHINE beside his desk. He then had her sign the photocopy even though she had already signed the original. I now wish I had asked for the piece of carbon paper as a souvenir of the entire ordeal.

Paper filing?

Sure would be nice if there were any evidence that anyone in Washington had any respect for anything the Founding Fathers said on this or any other subject. Unfortunately, what we see in most politicians today goes beyond disregard - it appears to be outright hostility to those principles.

Why do business with a reseller when you have the opportunity to deal directly with the software provider? Even dealing directly has its limitations so there's no reason to place a firewall between yourself and them. I think the small savings is an example of being penny-wise and pound folish.

I still think the best policy is to forego the early discount. The savings amounts to the fee for a single tax return at most - it's a pittance compared to what's at stake. Better to keep your powder dry and maintain your flexibility until they prove they have a product you can actually have confidence in.

Based on all the comments so far, I think I'm going to wait until after the 10th to pull the trigger on purchasing ATX this year or making the switch to Drake. I understand KC's cautions and I do agree to a large extent, but to have these issues with simply installing and running the program is troubling. I haven't heard of any such issues from Drake users.

Check your computer fan. I think it got hit by something unpleasant.

I think it's one of the stupidest requirements IRS has. It elevates form over substance to the level of absurdity. But it does illustrate the definition of a bureaucrat as someone who takes great pleasure in telling you a perfectly logical course of action can't be done because it's "against the rules." I do agree that it raises the risks to the preparer.

A new pirate joins Captain Hook's ship, and he begins asking questions: Pirate: Captain Hook, will ye tell me how ye got yer pegleg, hook, and eye patch? Captain: Well matey, we was havin a fierce fight and a cannonball took me leg off clean at the knee. The good doctor fixed me up with this here pegleg and that's how it's been ever since. Pirate: Captain, that explains the pegleg but will ye tell me how ye got yer hook and lost yer eye? Captain: Well matey, we was havin a fierce fight and a swordsman took me hand off clean at the wrist. The good doctor fixed me up with this here hook and that's how it's been ever since. Pirate: Captain, that explains the pegleg and the hook, but how did ye lose yer eye? Captain: Well matey, that came from a mosquito bite on my left eyebrow. Pirate: Captain, do ye mean there's mosquitos out there what can pierce yer eye? Captain: No matey, I had the misfortune of the mosquito bitin my eyebrow the day after I got me hook! ARRGH!

ok thanks

Can you provide any more details? Are you saying that Forms 941, W2, etc are not available unless a separate module is purchased? Depending on features spun off and how the pricing plays out, this just could be the move that prompts me to switch to Drake.

Agree. Buying quality is like buying oats. For a reasonable price I can get you good-quality oats. But if price is your only concern, then for slightly less cost I can get you oats which hace already been through the horse.

Thanks for the thought, but for me bravery has little to do with it. It's all about trust & obedience. The whole world is a mission field, regardless of whether it's local or halfway around the globe

Close - having to leave at midnight on 30-min notice due to learning about some unwanted negative attention we were about to get the next morning. Certainly makes one appreciate the freedoms we take for granted in the US. Also validated the wisdom of "living out of your suitcase" when abroad.

Yes, this is my fifth trip and you are correct. Thank you for the reminder. Much depends upon where you find yourself at a given time. We did have something similar to an Acts 9:25 experience on one trip, which has caused us to use even more caution in a number of ways.

Mission trip. But while I'm here I could probably check on tech support for my credit card, newspaper, all my appliances, and most of the software I use. (At least during the brief time I'm in the city)

No, I wasn't kidding about the newspaper. Right now I'm in India anyhow, so except for this forum and Drudge report, my clients really can get their info from the newspaper. And that really is what I told those who called before I left. Personally I don't care when the filing period starts. I can't change it and I don't accept any responsibility for the politicians' stupid failure to complete their basic respoonsibilities. Extensions are fine with me - I may set the cutoff date as March 1 this year. I don't see where there's a big deal because if a client's return has an issue which might change due to Congressional action (wow, that's a contradiction in terms) we need to extend. If a client just MUST file before all the dust settles, they will have to agree to pay me for any amended return which has to be prepared.