Margaret CPA in OH

Thanks, Marilyn. Now we wait for those to come down from the Olympiad with the explanation for all this, um, confusion. Doug has written that he will provide it. I have to wonder why these things weren't resolved long ago. I mean, both companies have been in business for a while and with each other, yet! Too much time on this - I'm still recovering from Sunday's marathon and now trying to wrap up stuff for son's wedding in 11 days. I don't need this distraction! I know I should try to stay off the board but, but... Thanks, again.

JohnH, you are probably correct. About the getting burned, I mean. I think I'm feeling the heat on my backside as I type. I've used ATX since 1997 and have always renewed early - habit, good or bad. Maybe this is my comeuppance for daring to make a change... BTW, I notice that Kim CCHSFS may be lurking. It would be nice to hear more but maybe TRX and CCH SFS need to resolve this with some semblance of mutual agreement and not be presenting conflicting information. I think it is obvious that many of us value the ATX software but, as mostly sole proprietors or small office practitioners, really have to watch our dollars. We want the best deal we can get - not a new concept.

Okay, Carlos just called back and said he had a brief chat with the owner who will be calling CCH to clarify. The owner ??? will also send an email reassuring me that I will get a full refund if they do not send me the ATX product promised. Since I, perhaps in hindsight foolishly, bought with TRX, would someone remind me of the renewal deadline from CCH? I have discarded my renewal form. It would be the pits if, not only did I not receive ATX, but had to spend another $111 or so to get the "official" program. Yikes, I don't need this!

I just got off the phone with Carlos who said he will talk with the TRX owner and "get this thing straightened out" and call me back in a few minutes. I read him the message from Kim Manuel and he said lots of things but not to worry - although I AM worried! I'll write again when I get that return call!

A client just called. They received a refund check made out to them and ME! Surprise, the bank wouldn't cash it! They live on the other side of town but I didn't think it correct to sign it, too, so they could cash it. I called Tax Practitioner Hotline and was told that it shouldn't have happened. You think? They are calling Taxpayer Advocate to get return address, etc. Maybe they will get a manual replacement. Sigh...

:bday: and many more!

I just set my monitor displays some time ago to 800x600. Everything is so much easier to read with my old eyes. Yes, sometimes I have to use the scroll bar to see some things to the right and below but it is a small price for me to pay to not have to squint constantly. I will check out Chrome, though, because you suggested it. Your suggestions are always worth consideration. Thanks, KC!

:bday: and many more!

The description of TaxCPANY's "filing" system is virtually identical to mine. Within each client folder is a subfolder for each tax year and a "permanent" folder for items spanning years. It's so easy to double check a document from last year with a current year form or to see what might be missing. KC's recommendation is also mine. Dual monitors are well worth the price and desk real estate. I have 2 x 17" side by side. It is so great to have the prior year return on one monitor while working on the current year. Or always having this forum open to check in quickly and having my email client open on the other. The possibilities are numerous and really increase productivity. And you will never go back to a single monitor as she said.

:bday: and many more!

:bday: and many more!

Eli, if, at my advanced age, I can do this, so can you! I follow pretty much the same procedure as TaxCPANY using PaperPort 11, Adobe Pro and the Windows file/folder scheme. I back up daily to an external hard drive (kept in a fire proof safe) and will be burning cd's of all files beginning in June to keep in my safe deposit box. I intend to replace them annually to have current files on current media. I have already transferred the important zip drive backups to the hard drive for cd preparation. It's great to not have all those paper files around. I also make sure I send pdf copies of reports and filed returns and acknowlegements/acceptances of all types to my clients. They can choose to print if they like. Good luck!

:bday: and many more!

Release letter? Yeah, what's with that? Released from what? I didn't have to sign anything. This gets increasingly interesting, if that's the correct word!

:bday: and many more!

For me the refund guarantee would allow me to purchase directly from ATX should TRX be unable to deliver. The most I would lose would be the big $111 discount for this year. If CCH pulls the plug for TRX after next tax season, I can always go back then. It may end up the $400 I save this year to get more than I want/need will get returned, in part, next year to CCH. As you say, stay tuned...

I believe it's one of those "love it or hate" things. I/we happen to love it. I joke that it was the deciding factor in our move here from Boston. One can eat only so many beans... The truth is that we have it every Thursday night after choir practice. My husband and I both play in the handbell choir and I stay for the choral choir. He stops to pick up dinner which I eat when I get home. We try to take a summer hiatus but usually don't go more than 2 weeks without it. Skyline and Chinese take out are our fast foods.

I was told by Braeden that ATX has something like 35,000 users. Our little group making this switch will apparently not affect the CCH bottom line negatively to any substantial degree, I think. They may benefit from shifting support away although, on the whole, our main support is from this forum, I venture to say. It looks to be another exciting year!

Okay, I just joined the defectors to TRX. Braeden called in response to my email. We had a nice conversation and he agreed to provide the same money back guarantee that Joel received. The clincher was the fact that he likes Skyline chili.

Thanks, Gail. That probably explains it. But now I am concerned about the other thread with changes on the TRX website and no mention of ATX. We'll see...

I hope you do get a call. I am still waiting on an email reply to the one I sent yesterday morning to Braeden. "Hello, I've been following the threads on the ATXCommunity forum with great interest and some reservations. As a 10 or 11 year user of ATX, I am a pretty loyal user. I also am a sole proprietor with limited resources so saving, in my case, $400 is a serious matter. I do have the following questions I have yet to see addressed, although could have just missed them: Since TRX will not provide an archival copy of the program, is it possible for me to burn a cd for personal use or archives or to load onto another computer that does not have internet access? I currently use the 3 computer no extra cost feature on a peer to peer network. Is that the same with TRX? I use the Uniform paper and envelopes for W-2's and 1099's. Does TRX sell those? Thanks for all the information you've provided. I still have a bit of the loyalty thing going on but am moved by the fact that, probably as far as CCH is concerned, I would still be a customer." I only hope that he is so swamped with email and phone calls that a reply will come in due time. Samingeorgia raised some interesting considerations that gave me additional pause. What about timely updates? What is the proverbial plug is pulled or something is not exactly the same? Probably is I used the other features they are including with MAX, it would seem a really, really good deal. Still, for me $400 is not chump change.

You make some salient points, samingeorgia. I am still waffling myself tending to the belt and suspenders category. I would like to save $400 but, but....

:bday: and many more!

Bonnie, I, too, remember great support in prior years including from Thomas Shaw, too. I used to keep his and William's direct line on my card to call. This year's support has improved and, like you, I don't need it much anymore. And this board is such a great resource! I just got a call from Pearl from ATX to renew. I expressed my concerns about the price difference. She seemed clueless about TRX and about this forum. I give her some credit, though. She agreed that the price variance was not insignificant but wondered if the program and support were truly the same. I told her I was still weighing options but took her number. Marilyn, I am surprised that ATX would sell the program to TRX at a price $400 or so more than TRX would sell to us. From TRX perspective, I wonder how Buy High, Sell Low can possibly be a good thing! I am a 10 year vet of ATX, maybe 11 - since Parsons was bought out in 1996 or '97. It's been a great program for me. That tug may very well be stronger than the lower price. Decisions, decisions....

Thanks, Catherine, for sharing your creation. I did download it and will look it over soon. I'm sure it is a great tool because you created it!