JJStephens

I wish I'd have known what it was before I opened it so I could have done the 'return to sender' thing. When I pulled it out of the mail box I actually believed that at long last my refund check had arrived.

Yeah, I thought of that right after I had a minor panic attack! Any idea what all that gobbledygook means?

Client is a US citizen living in Northern Ireland. I e-filed an extension earlier today. Just got a rejection that has a code X0000-005. Also says XML error. The XML data has failed schema validation. cvc-enumeration-valid. Value "is not facet-valid with respect to enumeration and lists several lines of two-letter codes (country codes?) It goes on to say: 'In other words . . . The XML data has failed schema validation.' For the Foreign Country Name I entered United Kingdom and for the Foreign Province I entered Norther Ireland. I was able to successfully efile last year with those entries. Should I be using a country code instead?

But doesn't converting it to a rental cause it to become biz property and then when you subtract the adjusted gross basis and divide by the subtrahend after taking the six month non-residence deduction you end up with a loss that causes you to get a refund larger than the sum of the credits to which you and all your relatives are eligible??!?! Or something like that?

Just got this via e-mail Sorry. Wife in labor! Need extension.

Sad state of affairs. And 'they' say humans are evolving into a a higher, smarter, 'kinder & gentler' life form.

Is there an island somewhere where the last handful of us who are still sane can go and live in peace?

Terry--I totally agree. I still have not received a reply to my second request to Zach (following about a dozen requests to Doug & Karen). After I take my 4/15&16 nap I'm going try again to call. Not holding out much hope.

I just got my TRX renewal application. I can hardly wait to fill it out and send it in! April fools! Yeah, I know. That was two weeks ago. I'm so far behind that it's still current for me!! -------------------------- They announced they're changing their refund policy. 100% Money Back Guarantee on the following: MeF States: first day IRS accepts e-filing MeF Corporate: Feb 15 MeF Fed 1040: first day IRS accepts e-filing They're still honoring price guarantees through May 1 (no exceptions); on May 2 minimum price goes $599.99 (no exceptions). I cannot imagine anyone biting.

Might be an apology . . . might be trying to make you feel like you feel!

The adviser is an acquaintance of mine. Several years ago he wrote a personal finance book and asked me to write a couple chapters on tax. He didn't like what I wrote so he re-wrote it himself--I counted more than a dozen factual errors. He personally calls on me for tax advice, but prefers to give his clients his own advice rather than referring them to me.

Did anyone use the TFTI (client notification) option from Versicom? If so, how did it go? How much did it cost? Did you find it cost effective?

Sending my own extension and about 20 more (intended to do them yesterday--watched the last two holes of the Masters and the playoff instead) . . . then I'm done. . . . until tomorrow!

In 2010 client moved into a new home and began renting out his first home. In 2011 he realized he could not afford the new house so he converted it to a rental and moved back to the first place. By the time he moved out of the more expensive house its value had decreased considerably (or he paid way too much for it--probably a combination of the two). Now his financial adviser is telling him that since he converted the house to a rental he is eligible to take a capital loss on the decreased value. I know when a residence is converted to rental we use the lower of FMV or adjusted basis for depreciation purposes but I'm not aware of any way to take a loss on a property that has not been disposed of. Am I missing something?

Arrgghhh! This kind of thing just frosts me! My wife has been seriously ill for four years--bed-ridden much of that. She had a head injury in April '09 and at the same time was taking some meds that literally destroyed part of her brain where her injury occurred. SSA has twice denied her claim on the pretext that other people who have her diagnosis are able to work, so she should be able to work too. On the second decision they admitted they did not even read all the supporting data we provided. We're talking with a disability attorney but he says it will take at least a year and half to get a decision. We not only lost her income (she's totally incapable of working) but also our health insurance (which we had through her previous job). I finally got her covered by a program for people with that kind of challenge, but I've been uninsured for four years. Plus we lost our house. I had to leave my primary day job (pastoring) to be able to tend to her. And then I hear story after story of things like this! It's maddening . . . and disheartening. But, that's life in the good ole US of A. I guess I'd rather be here with the opportunity to grouse about it than in a lot of other places I can think of.

One of my side line hobbies is beekeeping. I lost a hive over the winter so I ordered a couple packages of bees to start two new hives. I told them I wanted them delivered in early May. Got a call on Friday telling me they would be here yesterday (Saturday). I objected that I ordered a May delivery. They said (effectively) sorry 'bout your luck--I had to either pick them up or forfeit them. So I had to take a break yesterday drive an hour (each way) to get my bees. I still need to put them in the hives--will have to take another break today to do that. Hey, did you know that there is green grass out there?!?!? When did that happen?

Just ran into a similar situation a week or so ago (and posted about it). Did she decline Medicare coverage when she signed up for SSI? If so, she's probably okay. One of the limitations on HSA contributions is that no contributions can be made if other health coverage (including Medicare) is in place. Merely receiving SSI does not negate her ability to contribute to an HSA if she declined MC. However, she must cease making contributions at least six months prior to enrolling in MC because MC becomes retroactively effective six months prior to the enrollment date or at age 65, whichever is later. On the other hand, if she took MC when she signed up for SSI she's subject to the penalty. Not sure about the penalty abatement option--didn't check into that.

I haven't abandoned dollars . . . but they seem to have abandoned me! The wagging tongues/talking heads have been prognosticating this for at least a couple years. I'm sad (in a frustrated/angry sort of way) to see it actually coming to pass. And to think it was preventable had our pols been willing to put national interest ahead of personal/political expediency.

Awesome! Congratulations! We have fourteen grandchildren but the oldest is only thirteen so greats are still a ways off (yeah, I know, the blink of an eye!).

Some years ago I had a situation where the couple were separated (to put it nicely). The wife/ex told my client that she took the standard deduction so we followed suit on his return. When we e-filed it bounced because she had, in fact, itemized. We had to modify his return and resubmit.

As I understand it, to be a FT student the person must be FT in accordance with the particular school's definition for at least 5 months during the year.

Methinks the whole school system is getting just a wee bit whacked! Oh great. After that comment now the feds are probably going to be knocking on my door.

NEW PROVERBS If you're too open minded your brains will fall out. Age is a very high price to pay for maturity. Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile way—and barefoot. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

Things I sometimes wish I could say . . . but probably never will! I see your point, but I still think you're full of baloney! I see your point . . . perhaps you should wear a hat. I don't know what your problem is . . . but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce. How about never? Is never good for you? I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter. I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message... I don't work here. I'm a consultant. It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying. Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again... I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental. What am I? Flypaper for freaks! Do I look like a people person? This isn't an office. It's a nightmare with fluorescent lighting. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1? Too many freaks, not enough circuses. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it? Chaos, panic, & disorder – my work here is done.

Next year file early and take all the deductions! Give him a taste of his own medicine. I don't normally use such language but I agree with her assessment.