JJStephens

Judy, you make some valid points. And I guess a $10 bump wouldn't be that bad. Sure wish I'd thought of that back in January! I bumped my base rate only $3 and left everything else the same as last year. What I probably need is not a new software package but someone with some business brains to come in and run my show for me--I'm too soft-hearted. I've used Max (or it's equivalent, pre-ATX) since back in the early 90s. I left for two years with TRX (they initially offered full-blown ATX for $299, then lost their license to offer it after one year). That was a disaster. A couple years ago ATX offered me $795/yr for three years to come back. That expired this year. With tax and shipping, my renewal will be over $1400. I hoped to find something reputable in the $800-$1000 range. Maybe it's not out there. I agree with you about one more thing: I am definitely not interested in the bargain basement software that seems to proliferate every couple years. I may end up having to bite the bullet. Frankly, I wouldn't be heart-broken if that happens. I'm pretty accustomed to ATX and outside of the 2012 debacle have had pretty good luck with them.

If it is April 16, it must be time to think about software for next year. I've used ATX all but two of the past 20 years. Given my case load and fee structure, I'm not sure I can afford to stay with them. Drake is similarly priced so that isn't an option. Here's my gig: in addition to about 110 paid returns I do another 30 or so freebies and a boatload of 990s; I only do a handful of 1120s & 1065s. My fees run about 60-70% what the local big box preparers charge. I'm told I need to radically adjust my fee structure but for some goofy reason, I have a hard time doing that. I recall early in the season getting a couple propaganda pieces from some new players but I didn't have time to give them more than passing notice. ... and now I can't find them. What are some of the other affordable packages you're looking at ... or better yet, have tried and found competent? Perhaps we could turn this into something that would benefit more than just yours truly. If you're able to weigh in I think it would be helpful to those of us who are shopping to share things like: Name of the software (and who is behind it) Main strengths/weaknesses What returns are included Website Cost Whatever else you think pertinent Thanks for your feedback!

Assuming the reward is a sales reward, Pub 334 (see pg 34) indicates it is a Schedule C item.

Each time I talk with the family the details change. They started out telling me what they hoped would happen and eventually got around to what actually transpired. Turns out they were never successful in getting a renter in the property and they ended up selling it at a loss. The niece who is been administering the estate has been out having two surgeries in the past two weeks so contact has been as spotty as the details. The 15th can't get here quickly enough. Between two kidney stones, a sinus infection and the attendant meds on top of tax work, I'm toast.

See. That's what I hate about this forum. I never get the answer I want. All I ever get is the right answer. Seriously, thanks Catherine.

I have a client (retired pastor) who sends in his stuff every year and every year I tell him he doesn't need to file. I go on to tell him that if there is no change next year, he won't have to file then either. I told him to just call me and let me know know what he got (It is always one 1099-R for about $5k and a SS statement). I keep telling him he is not even close to the filing threshold. Every year he sends a $25 gift card to a local restaurant. I've begged him to not do that but he insists. Some people are just unapologetically happy, generous souls. I want to be like that when I grow up.

This got back burnered ... but now can't be delayed any longer (deep sigh). Turns out there was no rental activity. They simply sold the property with only a small gain. Since there was no income (only a distribution of the proceeds from the sale), is a 1041 required?

Now why didn't I think of that?!?!? Thanks.

Sorry you've had that experience, amigo. My experience has been just the opposite. The vast majority of my clients are clergy and over the years all but a very small handful (I can count on one hand) have been intent on doing it right. I've had my share of new clients who were clueless and made clueless mistakes but all were willing to make it right when they found out. Don't get me wrong, none of them liked having to pay taxes and they weren't jumping for joy in the instances where I discovered their previous preparer did not understand clergy tax issues and we had to go back and amend to make it right. The point is, when they realized they legitimately owed more tax, they paid it. In 29 years of tax prep I've had exactly ONE (former) clergy taxpayer ask me to do something unethical or try to sneak something past me. Maybe I've just been lucky and stumbled across the honest minority. But I don't think so. I get 'em from just about every denomination, walk of life, and age range and have clients in 26 different states. I know it is popular these days to bash 'em but at least in this area, I think it unwarranted. Anyway, that's my two cents' worth.

Client's brother is administering their deceased mother's estate. The bank paid more than $800 in interest to the brother who split it with his sis (my client). He wants her to claim her share and is showing a nominee entry on his return for his share. I used to be able to override Sked B to record a nominee entry ... but no more. How do I record it now? Line 21 other income?

In addition to my tax/consulting gig I also pastor a small church so this is a big week/weekend for me. I hoped to take some time off from tax prep but a flareup of my wife's chronic serious illness coupled with my own trip to the ER yesterday with two(!) kidney stones means I'll have to double up whenever I can. No rest for the weary. Deep sigh.

I installed it yesterday. No probs. At least, none with the software

Well garsh. I haven't done a trust return in about 8 years ... and now have two in the last couple days. Both involve rentals that were part of a living trust created by the now-deceased parents of a couple long-time clients This time of year I don't have time to go back to school on this but I'm not comfortable with winging it either. I'm good with Sch E but the 1041 itself has me a tad nervous. Anyone have a tip on where I can get a a quick-and-dirty refresher?

Charitable mileage is deductible only when it is a necessary part of giving service to a qualifying charitable organization. They were not rendering a service to or on behalf of the organization--their attendance was only so their child could participate in an activity sponsored by a charitable org. Therefore, no deduction. Give 'em credit for taking a 'creative' approach though!

Client has several 1099-INTs that require a Sch B. She also has numerous smaller amounts for which 1099-INTs were not issued but which add up to a tidy sum. I cannot for the life of me figure out where (in ATX) to record the additional interest. ATX seems to be forcing me to make all entries via the 1099-INT worksheets. I've run into this before (previous years) but what I did then doesn't work now.

Thanks. I've had Winbooks before (I've lived in/near their Columbus OH headquarters for the last 28 years). I have a Lenovo Thinkpad Twist that I'm probably going to put on Craigslist. I paid $300 for it (used) a year ago. I probably won't get a fraction of that now. Sigh!

Thanks Margaret. Which Surface Pro iteration do you have? I can get a refurbed SP2 for just under $350.

I plan to soon buy my second tablet (third, if you count the one I got my wife for Christmas). Just wondering if any of you have any advice about what to consider/not consider. I need something that can handle a variety of biz apps (perhaps including ATX). Excellent wifi is a must as I use MS Office 365 also do a ton of client work using cloud based accounting and payroll SaaS. Gaming capability is not a factor (the closest I come to gaming is treating myself to a daily online crossword puzzle). I'm not an Apple fan; I'm torn between a Windows or Android OS. Both have new OS's coming out soon (Win10 and Lollipop5.0)--I'd prefer something that is upgradeable. I'd like the keep the price tag under $300 or $350. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Garsh, now why didn't I think of that?!?! That is what I've historically done ... it never even crossed my mind this time.

Thanks all. I totally understand the corporation/not-a-corporation thing (including the LLC taxed as a C or S-Corp). I added the LLC info to my OP because I assumed many of you would assume (as I did) that many of the payees would be corporations and therefore, exempt. I simply wanted to indicate that a couple of them are LLCs and therefore would be eligible. My question is exclusively whether paying for air-time is reportable. I can make a case for it being 'like' some things that are reportable and also 'like' some things that are exempt. I do appreciate Pacun's counsel to just report and be done with it, but this client is wary of volunteering any info to the guvment that is not absolutely required. PS While this query was pending, I decide to give uncle a call on the practioners' hot line. I got a recording saying (I paraphrase) 'this line is no longer answered by a live representative. Go to the IRS website for answers to your every question.'

I truly appreciate your feedback. I know that corporations are generally exempt (there are a handful of exceptions). My question is if purchasing air time constitutes rendering a service or if it would be treated more like the purchase of merchandise (which is exempt).

Client purchases extensive time on a couple TV networks to air religious programming. Some of the payees are LLCs. Does that need to be reported on a 1099? I can't find anything in the 1099 instructions even remotely related. I'm inclined to say no, but have a nagging unease about it. Thoughts?

Have any of you seen any decent/concise ACA questionnaires to help us gather the info needed to do a return? I've seen a few but they were either way too simplistic (two or three questions like 'did you have insurance during 2014?) or two-page decision tree monsters. Not looking for too soft or too hard--looking for just right!

Employers can provide an HRA ONLY if offered in conjunction with an ACA compliant group health insurance plan--those HRA's are called 'integrated HRA's. 'Stand-alone' HRAs (i.e., any HRA that is not an integrated plan) are no longer permitted (as of 1.1.14). It sounds like Sue's employer is offering a plan that is not permitted under current law--or at least that she is not eligible to participate in due to her having an individual marketplace plan. Therefore, the questions you posed are moot.

A couple points (that may or may not help!): Being non-profit and being tax-exempt are completely separate issues. An organization organizes at the state level as a non-profit entity. Tax exemption is attained by meeting the requirements for the particular tax An organization is required to file a return unless it is statutorily exempt from federal income tax (e.g., a church or a non-profit that has revenues of less than $5000/year) or recognized as an exempt public charity or private foundation (i.e., a 501c3 organization) by virtue of an approved Form 1023 or recognized as another kind of exempt organization by virtue of an approved Form 1024 . Regarding the donations issue: not all exempt organizations are eligible to receive deductible donations. For example, 501c4's and c6's (etc) can receive donations, but the donor is not permitted to take an itemized deduction for them.