Crank

Well its good to see they have the toll free number on their website. I just like being able to get the tech number from within the software without having to go to a website. They changed from the toll free to the toll in January I believe, so they should be able to change it again to the new toll free number in the software. Wow, you can tell that this filing season is beginning to get to me when I whine about a telephone number. Sorry everybody.

It has bothered me all tax season long that the TRX toll free tech support number in the TRXPro software located at >HELP>ABOUT was changed soon after the beginning of the 2011 filing season to a toll number. To get the NEW toll free tech support number I had to call the toll free number in the 2010 TRXPro software and a recording provides the new toll free number. Nowhere in the 2011 TRXPro software can you find the new toll free tech support number of 1-855-880-1040. The number provided in the software (where the old toll free number used to be) is 615-494-1221. I have never tried it and I dont know if it works. While I lave unlimited long distance calling this just bothered me and seems suspicious and sneaky.

Im not using ATX this year but the 1099-Misc should not be on the "Gross Compensation" line 1a of the PA-40. It should be only on line 4 "income from business". Hopefully someone will be along to tell you what to check or uncheck to stop it from carrying to line1. Hope this helps.

I too lock returns after I am done but before the client picks up / files. Then it locks after marking it completed. I didnt think about the "completed" status affecting the return. Maybe you are right. But they didnt mention it. I always open the prior years return when working on the current year and would prefer to keep them locked. The other option is to copy the retun to another folder and unlock the copy to view it. But I still worry that an update has changed something.

I didnt think so, thanks for the reply. :)

@joanmcq I dont believe these payments are being made via COBRA. They have been buying health insurance through the previous employer for over 10 years, since the spouse became totally disabled. I dont know if the plan is subsidized or not. I assume its subsidized since they make payments directly to the previous employer each month. Also the previous employer is an international S&P 500 company with >10,000 employees

Yesterday I had the blank page problem when attempting to access "view mode" on a locked 2010 return. The issue can be fixed by unlocking the return but I dont want to do that because I assume that any updates to the software that occurred after the return was filed and locked would then be applied to the return if it were unlocked and possibly change the results of the returns. The one thing I hate about TRX/Taxworks is that there is no undo feature and any changes you make are saved. I really wonder why they have a save feature since it does it anyway. I spoke to a TRX tech who told me that once the return is finished, new updates to the software will not chage the return even if it is unlocked. This doesnt seem logical to me. Then why is there a lock feature? Opinions/comments are appreciated. Thanks

You both are added to my prayers.

lol Margaret. Ive used ATX from the late 90s through 2010. Too bad it got too expensive for me and I tried TRX. I still prefer ATX/Saber. BTW after trying to remian quite competitive with my prices for years ( i.e., CHEAP!) Ive begun to put through some nice increases and havent received a single complaint ... and the practice is growing. I figured the new tax preparer rules would have Block and others raising thier prices so why shouldnt I.

LOL. Beanies.

Thanks for the replies. Im satisifed that I am correct on this one. They claim that the prior tax preparer retired. I'm betting the individual dosent want to take the exam and continuing ed.

Recently I have had entire returns fail to appear in view mode or in input mode, it just shows bank white space. They have been large returns. After exiting the program, clearing out my temp files and cache and rebooting they are back to working again. I have a fairly new PC with a high end CPU, enough RAM and a high end video card. This seems to happen after several hours of opening, working on and closing many returns and having several past years tax programs open including several browser tabs, pdf files, microsoft outlook and media player running. Never happened before but it seems that the program needs a clean boot to begin operating properly again.

That's the problem. They are saying that the company from which they are purchasing the insurance isnt the husband's employer anymore. But I believe he is still an employee on long term disability. Why else would this company let them purchase insurance through their plan at employee rates. Either way I still think Im correct because the regs state that the plan must be "established under the business". I think Ill let this one walk if they continue to insist on the deduction.

I picked up a new client and I have a perplexing situation. Husband is disabled and purchases health insurance for the family (taxpayer, spouse & two children) from his former employer. The husband is on SS with no earned income. He and the spouse are under age 50. Wife works a part-time job (is not elegible for health insurance) and also has a Sch C business. Their previous tax preparer deducted the health insurance premiums (which are purchased out of pocket from the husbands previous employer) on line 29 as a "Self Employed Health Insurance Deduction". I dont agree with this as the plan was not established in the business name. Am I wrong? Thanks for your input.

Yep, they called me to renew about the beginnig of March. I didnt because Im not sure because of all the problems this year and RedGear hasnt helped out as well. I know RedGear isnt obligated but when there is a problem with their software you would think the company would pay attention no matter where it was purchased. It doesnt reflect well on TRX or RedGear.

Has anyone had problems with returns with multiple schedule C's? I have one return that has four Schedule Cs, clergy with a housing allowance and another fulltime w-2 with a 2106. I keep getting an error about schedule Cs missing input items (or blank in other words). All four are filled in but when I go to the Sch C's its acting strange. Scrolling through the Sch Cs in input mode will say form 4 of 3, & 5 of 3 Viewing the Sch Cs in Forms Mode it shows page 2 before page 1 and others are out of order. I dont know if the return is so complex that program is getting mixed up or the program is just messed up period or something got corrupted. My other returns are fine. It handeled this return just fine in 2010 and that was an ATX conversion. 2011 is just a rollover of the 2010 return. I'm really concerned about sticking with TRX next year.

What the heck is going on with TRX? Tried calling tech support at 5:30 EST today and I'm getting the message that the office is closed because its after business hours which are 8-6pm CST or 7pm EST. I get the feeling that something is not right with this company this year.

Yes, that was it. Apparently there is a link from the 8606 input form for the basis calculation. Im still learning to working with input forms rather than a forms based program such as ATX. Thanks

I have a 1099R with a code T. Taxpayer is over age 59.5 and has had Roth IRAs in excess of 5 years. So this distribution should not be taxable. I input $0 in to box "2a Taxable Amount" of the 1099R and still the amount from "Box 1 Gross Distribution" carries to line 19 of form 8606 and line 15b of the 1040 showing the entire distribution as taxable. I tried putting a zero in line 19 of the 8606 but it still shows the gross distribution. How does everyone handle nontaxable Roth IRA distributions in TRX?

Thank you!

I posted a similar question in the TRX forum. I thought I had to efile the 1120S and wanted to know if the IRS or myself sends the k-1s to the shareholders. This is my first 1120S.

I am about file my first 1120S and I thought that previously I saw a check box in TRX Pro to have the K-1's sent to the preparer instead of the sharholders but now that I am double checking the return I cant locate that option. Did I imagine this or does such an option exist in TRX Pro? Am I responsible for sending the K-1's to the shareholders or will the IRS do that when the return is filed and accepted? Thanks for the replies

Pacun does make a valid point. I did miss the second omission on my first review and I do have reservations about even bringing it up. Jainen, doing the amendment myself is still on the table and that appears to be the quickest and easiest solution. Ive already put too much time into the prior years return as it is and I just want to get past it at this point.

This client was extremely unhappy with the prior preparer and specifically wanted him to do the 1st amendment. Im sure he would also want to bring this back to him. I try not to get involved in client disputes with other preparers.

Thanks Mike. I dont believe my post appeared as intolerant. I was just making an observation that I didnt think Ryan has read the thread. I fully understand that he's under no obligation and I am thankful for any assistance which he can provide.