Virtual Managed Solutions

haha. This is so true.

I don't mind loaning him out every once in a while! Just email me for details on where to pick him up! :rolleyes:

@TAXBILLY - I was going to add that I'm not sure how ethical that would be as a tax preparer, but opted not to. If there was a way to get around that, like suggesting to BF that the grandparents would best be involved in these conversations. Then it would be on the BF inviting them, not JB.

I would also go with KC's logic. That's how a lot of people think and I'm sure client is no different. And yes, out of curiosity - what type of pet was it?

Never been to CT - I've been all around it, but never to it. Heard it's a nice place. I think anything would be better than Maine right now. It's been -30 below (actual temp) or more for about 2 weeks. Then last night it finally warms up, BUT only to drop over a foot of snow. We were supposed to get over 18 inches, but seem to have lucked out for now. Forecast shows snow through Saturday, clearing up Sunday, then again Monday to Wednesday. Wish me luck! :wacko:

That's funny. Love it!

In about a half hour spot, I heard a radio commercial for Block 3 times! It was about how mad "John Bouchard" was, because Block found errors on the previous years return. Then towards the end John gets so frustrated it seems as if he is going to lunge at the old preparer until Block intervenes and holds him back. It was rather stupid. And yes, Lion, the founding fathers are in green on a TurboTax commercial. JB - This might be a great opportunity to get new clients. See if there is a way you could get the grandparents involved in these conversations. Let them know what BF is wanting to do and explain that you could do both of their returns to get everything straight. Maybe throw in there, you would file grandparents first so that way BF couldn't claim before them.

That's how I would picture the returns as going - BF wanting to claim them, but parents will claim them.

ATX did it just to make you work harder, I mean, it's not like you guys are that busy anyway, right? Now I'm going to use my ninja like skills and go hide for a bit.

@Lion - We know have the capability to support customers who are using MAC PC's. I will start asking around about anyone experienced in running parallels or any other issues transferring data from MAC to Reg. PC.

Just checking up on you - Did you ever get the fax working?

We've set up VPN's just by using the features that are built into the Microsoft OS. That is also an option you could look into.

Oh geez, thanks <joelgilb>. I always spell it "Cobain," because my favorite band of all time is Nirvana and their lead singer was named Kurt Cobain. So when I try explaining it, or typing out Cobian, Cobain automatically comes out as that is what's on my mind. Thanks so much for the correction and giving a heads up. Sorry to everyone. :scratch_head:

@TAXMAN - It's just one of those "things" that you find ATX cannot handle. Just like batch printing 100's of returns/W2's. Same thing will happen, locks up, freezes up, other documented events are losing all data from each return/W2. There are other "things" you'll find along the way, but then again, you'll always find a work around.

No overrides this year? That's news to me as well.. Thanks for the info TAXBILLY.

Has anyone else experienced these new/improved hold times of 10mins at TRX?

Double aghhh Shhh***t!

Speaking of H&R Block ads, and thinking back to KC's post on them, what appalls me the most is how (1) the prices are very inflated for the type of work/mistakes they provide, and (2) hate, hate, HATE the commercials with Benjamin Franklin and our other forefathers promoting Block. Call me stupid, but income tax wasn't even around until 1913, LONNNNNG after they had come and gone. I'd imagine the course of history and our governments action towards the forementioned would appall our forefathers to see their good name associated with the organization and probably kill them all over again.

That's correct, we do use Cobain for client backups. It's a great piece of software and it is very secure. Best thing of all it's an Open Source program so it's free. This would help if you have an external hard drive, or you own FTP site where you can upload the data to. Cobain is the essential link to get that info there. It's what sets the automatic updates and distinguishes what needs to be backed up and what does not according to your needs. I don't want to throw a plug in here, but Lion mentioned some pricing for us and I just wanted to elaborate a little more. If you have a Technical Support package with VMSUS, for $50 more annually, you will get 2GB of off-site storage. For only $100 annually, you get 5GB. If you do not have a Technical Support package, the pricing is a little more. If anyone wants a brochure mailed, emailed, faxed or hand delivered, just let me know and I will get that out right away! Well, maybe not the hand delivered part, but I sure would like to get out of this arctic weather we are having!

After you've downloaded a .zip file, it will need to be unzipped. If you do not have a program that unzips files, you may need to get one. Most common program used is called WinZip. After that process is done you will need to copy that file (most tax files will end in .vts, others may want to throw their two cents in on this one). Copy the file by right clicking on it and click Copy. Next, you will need to find the folder where ATX stores all the forms (usually in the Database somewhere). Once in the folder, right click in an open space and click Paste. Other suggestions may work as well. Wait to see if anyone else offers any and then pick the best procedure you feel more comfortable in doing.

I am not a tax professional, but I can say this particular subject has not been discussed as of yet. ATX, as well as all other tax software, is tricky that way. Sometimes the simplest of calcs do not come through as they should. A simple refreshing of forms, or in your case, just filling out some questions gets it acting correctly. Hopefully someone else can be a little better in answering your question. But this has been my experience with the software.

I better throw on an extra blanket..

Tom & JRS - TRX Alliance also has a free forum set up similar to this one. One suggestion is that you could go over there and post the question just asking if anyone else knows if it's available and they'd be able to help you out. The link to the forum is : http://community.trxpro.com

ah, crap.

She knows everything!