Margaret CPA in OH

I have obtained for or with each client their own PIN for 940/941 and am authorized to use it. That way they can take over at any time and some already have. I am phasing out of payroll processing and this is what worked for me. Obviously payroll services such as Paychex or Paycor must use a 'master' number as a reporting agent. That was not my choice, it may be yours.

Although some folks don't use them or think it an unnecessary extra step, I utilize Form 9325 for all of my efiled clients. Bring one up in a client return and see all the great information it provides. I never worry about a dcn on an 8879 which accompanies the pdf of the client return (password protected) because the return could be rejected or whatever before final acceptance. The 9325 provides the client with the needed info as well as instructions about finding the status of their refund without calling me! It may be worth a try to avoid the angst you seem to be having with dcn's.

Ohio, my location, has a website called Ohio Business Gateway where much business can be transacted including filing and paying withholding for the state and many municipalities as well as filing the quarterly reports for same. As with EFTPS and efiling 941's, I 'print' pdf's for my files and clients and attach to emails. Workers' Comp can also be managed through this means as well as through their own website. It works for me and my clients and has done so for a few years now.

Good luck! It's something that never interested me but I know a true devotee.

Yes, you have to jump through more hoops. If you open a Form 941 )r W-2/940) and choose Forms, add the 940/941 EF Pin Reg form. Complete this and submit. It will take a few weeks for the response and it may not work the first time. For one client, it took 3 tries. In any event, you will receive from IRS a 10 digit personal PIN for filing these returns. And you have to observe the rules - no sharing of pin, confirm receipt in a SEALED envelope (yes, it is in capital letters), protect the PIN, and contact IRS in case it has been compromised. With all that, i love this feature. Between this and submitting W-2's through SSA BSO, I efile virtually everything now and 'print' the receipts to pdf. No paper! I believe the deadline for efiling is end of February but I doubt you will receive your PIN in time. There is always next quarter so get started anyway.

Jack, you made me laugh out loud. You know the old saying that just might fit in this situation or not - Plan ahead. It loses the punch, however, with auto wrap. You know what I mean. Keep smiling, folks. It was sunny and beautiful here today, 60 degrees tomorrow. For southwestern Ohio in late January, a real treat!

I've been trying off and on for about the last 10 minutes to update manually and keep getting the message that the download was unsuccessful. I did shower this morning so I don't think it's just me...

The only 'better' paper that I use is my letterhead for appropriate occasions. I honestly don't believe that my clients want to pay me to spend extra for paper for returns. But my clients may differ from yours, Lion. They are mostly mid to high income but still appreciate that I don't waste money so keep my rates relatively low.

Hmm. perhaps I should investigate the limited plan for texting if my provider offers it, just to be less annoyed when unwanted ones appear and to not have to pay to block all. NECPA, I don't really fear the inability to talk in the future but already evident is the great decline is the inability to write complete sentences and to spell as well as handwriting. I am appalled that some schools now have abandoned teaching cursive. What will happen to legal signatures? A foretelling may be our own now no longer required on returns....

I agree with the comment about keeping us informed. What a great turn around from the past. I am greatly encouraged by this and other outreach and support we have been receiving. I am glad I stuck with it!

Hi Marilyn, Good to know there is at least a small group of us who are frugal! I don't know how nor wish to learn at least now how to text and most folks know that. It irks me to have to pay 20 cents for received texts from random marketers but irks me more to have to pay to block them. I must be part of a movement here, though, as I just found out the blocking fee was to be reduced from about $8 to $2 per month. We'll possibly hear from some folks who think we may be troglodytes or worse, but I think we each must do what is best for our business. Most of my clients are elderly and don't use much technology either. It works for me - for now! Next year, who knows?

Ah Catherine, I knew there were several reasons that we get along despite some differences. I, too, am loathe to spend the extra money for a data plan when I use my phone so little already. I'm home most of the time and when out or at clients, I really don't want to be checking email, etc. My phone is off most of the time because I don't want to be interrupted. By the way, I found out recently that what we have are, well, dumb phones. With my netbook and new Kindle Fire, I just don't think I need more even if I am deemed 'old fashioned' or other less than flattering terms. Those monthly charges can add up and be better put, for me, into my retirement.

Heartiest congratulations on your new achievement, Joan! Your contributions are 'well reasoned and inciteful' and a great benefit to the rest of us. Keep it coming and best of luck on your own. It's scary out here but manageable with the help of these great folks.

Catherine, we have the same 'baby' issues. My tummy is from my baby, now 31 years old. And maybe you didn't lose pounds with that great training, but I'm pretty sure you gained great muscle conditioning and, remember, muscle weighs more than fat. I try to think more about my condition now than my weight but it's hard because those flat tummy days are long gone. Maybe JB's success will keep us inspired and we can be a support group for that, too!

jainen, thanks again for your thoughtful, thorough reply. I do understand, being in the business since 1986, the difference between simple math errors (which may encompass omitted income) and more complicated matters. I also understand that no action is taken before conferring with a client. In addition I also understand that there are no routine audits. I really understand more than you perhaps think. Again, I was responding to the litany of complaints above, in particular the statement from Jack from Ohio posted 10 January. Obviously the checked 3rd party designee was insufficient. As IRS changes I believe we must be prepared to do the best for our clients, your mileage may vary. (Who was it that used to write that frequently on the old forum?) Thanks again, jainen. I do respect your comments and am constantly amazed by the depth and breadth of your knowledge. But we may occasionally disagree in kind and extent. This may be one of those times as we are discussing generalities and not specifics.

Good for you, JB! That's a lot in a short time so keep on moving whenever you can. Stand and march in place on the phone to use up a few calories. Marathons and dive trips to great places for me work for me in off season. Last September was 2 weeks in the Maldives and the Chicago marathon in October. I was 4th in my age group (old ladies 65+) out of 23. Could have done better but my I was with my baby (57) brother who had 2 potty stops for 15 minutes total. First marathon jitters, I guess.

Perhaps you both, jainen and Pacun, have a quite different set of clients from mine. Most of mine have been with me for many years and appreciate when I am prepared to address issues that might arise. I have heretofore not had POA in advance of notices. In response to the multiple complaints mentioned earlier in this thread and cumbersome, time consuming and stressful methods of sorting them out between IRS and clients, my inclination certainly was to make things easier for my clients, should the need arise. jainen, if the client doesn't want to sign a POA, the client has every right to decline. I don't agree a priori that a POA requires a separate fee structure although, to address broader issues than simply answering straightforward questions, a separate engagement letter may be in order. I do state that on my tax prep engagement letter following AICPA guidelines. Pacun, I would have the POA to be able to assist with answering questions on a particular tax return, not necessarily under audit, to expedite matters given the complaints stated above. If any client wished to retain additional, previous POA's, they can decline. I can only speak for my clients and none of them have POA's with other CPA's. Yes, I know that to be true having asked at the beginning of engagements. I am unclear as to your meaning with your last statement. I don't see any inconvenience on my part but perhaps am simply not understanding the grammar. Given the increasing complexity of the entire tax process and multiplying problems with poorly trained or otherwise difficult agents, I am even more inclined to be proactive with my clients - not yours - as I know their issues, their particular situations (many elderly), and their comfort levels managing what may appear to be threatening letters from IRS. I would never force anyone to sign a POA. It is and will always be an option. But I do want to continue to be the person that my clients depend on with tax issues start to finish. Thanks for the commentary and insights. It is so good to know that opinions abound and are shared. We may also agree to disagree.

Good idea to get POA from all. I've considered it from time to time and have probably 20% of them by now. I think I will just add it into the return for each and, when I send the pdf for review, just ask them to sign and fax or mail that form along with the 8879. Next year I suppose I can include the 2848 with the packet I mail out with engagement letter. I think only a couple of clients actually appear here with paperwork; nearly everything is mailed or faxed. There are several clients now I wouldn't recognize should we meet on the street. Hmmm, maybe it's time this year to meet for coffee - could lead to referrals!

I avoid the red ink problem by filing through Business Services Online, part of SSA. I do print out a copy of the W-3 for clients clearly stamped Client Copy and also provide the printout of the acceptance of the submission to SSA. When I began receiving computer printouts of W-2's from clients whose employers do not issue them and require them to access online and print out their own, I stopped being so worried about the requirement to provide on perforated paper. I still have a stock of Uniform sheets that I use sometimes but not for 1099's which I also efile.

You didn't waste a perfectly good coupon, did you? Maybe save it for the *&^%$ client that you want to fire like MAS.

Yes, it is a good feeling, after the initial one of rejection, to be rid of problematic clients. It has happened to me rarely but, except for one case, I have been relieved, like you. Don't take him back, either, unless he is a good, prompt payer and agrees to abide by your 'rules.' Life is too short to be dealing with people like that. You'll now have time to better serve other clients and even a new one or two! Deep breath and feel good!

jklcpa, that is great news about the ability to retain AON liability coverage without retaining AICPA membership! How did you discover that? I have dropped to 'retired' status for the state society by virtue of nearly halving my business when my other part-time CPA retired in 2010. I 'fired' the business clients for which she did bookkeeping on-site. The state dues are now much lower but AICPA is still painful. Did you contact AON about it or another means? Thanks!

Like Randall, I have been a long time AICPA member primarily for the credential. I do get my insurance through that affiliation and probably will stay with the basic membership until I fully retire. I was a Tax Section member for years but decided a few years ago that my go-to resource was the deskbooks (now discontinued) and PPC Practitioners Tax Action Bulletins. I like having the loose leaf binders and online access to client letters should I choose to use them. The references are always listed, it comes every two weeks and has many benefits that suit me.

When I had 5-6 clients all on different versions of QB, I found the service worthwhile. I stopped renewing 2 years ago for the same reasons you cite. The cost was getting out of hand while the questions I had were increasingly fewer as I improved my knowledge of the intricacies of some aspects. Last year I shed most of my business clients when my CPA employee retired and I decided to not replace her. Because I now focus on tax clients, only a handful with Schedule C use QB. I think the per call cost of tech support, should I need it, will never reach $500+ but your mileage may vary (who used to write that all the time?). And I still have one client on 2007, some on 2008, 2009 and 2010. No one has even thought about going beyond 2010 as what they have does what they need it to do. You might try to drop it for a while and reup if you need to in a couple of years - save some money!

Just adorable, Eric! And I add my greetings and best wishes to all, too. May each have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year.