JohnH

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.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a profitable 2013.

I'm telling them to read the newspaper if they want to stay informed - that's what I'm doing.

I already knew you were going to post that comment.

I think a good rule of thumb would be to buy your tax software directly from the company rather than through a third party. Just my humble opinion.

Rita that was fantastic! Thanks. I thought the laugh of the day was the Secretary of State Nomination, but your link was just as good.

I renewed a couple of days ago. Took about 2 minutes. Can I have my salt back?

I abhor obfuscation

Yep, they really pulled the wool over everybody's eyes - Bush and Obama signed those tax bills just to make a mess of things.

I think they stopped being the Bush tax cuts the first time President Obama agreed to extend any of them. Thereafter, they were properly known as the Bush-Obama tax cuts. Depending upon what happens next, though, they will forever be known as the Obama tax increases after he signs the legislation. (or even if he doesn't sign anything)