Margaret CPA in OH

I've never had such a late client - new, artist in New York. She has yet to get me her data. Is e-filing still possible given the above cut off times?

I don't see that SendSafely has e-signature capability. Lion, it seems that the CCH portal doesn't either, ,that you also need CCH e-Sign, right? I'm struggling to find a portal option that includes e-signature capability. Maybe I'm using the wrong search terms. Yardley, does the ATX portal have e-signature option? I just may end up using snail mail again! (kidding)

I just looked at a SendSafely demo. It seems to cover the bases except, of course, for electronic signature. I called ATX and the portal cost was $450. No bargains for me, I guess. SendSafely is $20 per month for one user. I'll keep looking, especially for something that can be e-signed.

Just WOW! You have excellent taste in gifts. That necklace is stunning. The shoes are beautiful but make my old feet hurt just looking at the pointy toes. I'll bet your wife is beautiful, too, and so appreciative of your generosity and obvious love.

Thanks so much, friends! I may return with questions if I ever get her documents. She didn't seem too worried so I will not be, either!

Thanks, I was hoping that at least one was allowed! I used to have a NY client several years ago but she moved back here. Could be a scary adventure!

Daughter of friend has contacted me to prepare her 2018 returns. She is an artist living in NY, Brooklyn, and sells through a Detroit gallery. Yes, she is successful enough to live in NY but, well, an artist. No extension, no estimated payments (she wrote, "I know, I know"). So I'm in Ohio but pretty sure she has to file NY state and NYC. I will look up MI and Detroit as she will receive her 1099 (hope she has it already!) from the gallery that represents her. My question is whether I am allowed to file in NY. I seem to recall sometime in the past that NY was getting really picky about out of state preparers. If this doesn't work, any volunteers from NY?

Thanks, Yardley. I will look further into this. I suspect most will be flummoxed by it as my clients are, well, of a certain age and are now experts at using encrypted email though that took some time. Or maybe I'm not giving them enough credit. But that seems like a reach to cover so few clients.

Yardly, how much did the portal cost? Did you add something like a technology charge to cover it? I have only about 50-60 clients so the per client cost is a consideration for me.

"effeminately?" Not sure what kind of line that actually is given the definition I Googled.

Well, I wish you a most wonderful birthday! Enjoy the celebration. How nice that it isn't during tax season like mine in March. Hey, take lots of time off to celebrate and get the rest you deserve. Taxes, wedding, birthday - all merit a good break!

IRS updated my file to license expiration date of 2022 and PRESTO! I had the option to renew and did so promptly. Another task checked off. Now on to the year end newsletters and insurance renewal. Oh, and the amended 2017 returns of a former, now returned, client. Are we having fun at last?

Consolidated companies? Division? Subsidiary? DBA? Do you know of any relationship such as identical shareholders?

I've not gotten bitten but would never put myself in that situation, either. It's one thing to not get paid, even for months or ever, for services rendered but it's for certain I would never put out my own money for the tax debt of someone else. Guess I'm not as kind hearted or trusting as you.

Oh no! You have more issues than I can imagine. I do hope you can get it all completed then breathe, breathe, and promise yourself that you come first next time. Good luck!

How lucky you were! I tried again just now but renewal was still not an option. So I selected Update and realized that my license expires Dec. 31, 2019. Aha! That's the problem! So I just spent over an hour renewing my Ohio CPA license. Accountancy Board now shows Dec. 31, 2022. I changed to that date on PTIN but still no option to renew. I can see messages, number of e-filed returns, etc. just no renewal option. Maybe in a couple of weeks...

You could try deleting the input numbers for those fields and re-entering. Sometimes a space before or after can creep in unawares. Otherwise, search Google for reject error list.

I have referenced my 2019 Church and Clergy Tax Guide and it may provide the answers you seek. There is just too much for me to write here but my browsing inclines me to believer that, without a relationship to a church and/or performing sacerdotal functions, he is not permitted an excludable housing allowance. In the section titled Counselors, all examples were as employees. Only one was allowed a housing allowance exclusion as he was employed by a nonprofit religious organization not associated with a particular church but spent a majority of his time 'in performing service in the conduct of religious worship or the ministration of sacerdotal functions, such service in the exercise of his ministry...' The other two examples of counselors, both employees (nonprofit pastoral counseling center and organization the promoted recovery through spiritual ministration and counseling) provided indicated that only about 5% of the 'taxpayer's working hours are spent performing duties such as the conduct of religious worship or the performance of sacerdotal functions...' IRS rejected excludable housing allowances for the latter two. I don't know if this helps or totally confuses you. I would not attempt to justify a housing exclusion given your description. I also suggest that you reread the Exempt earnings portion of the instructions for Form 4361. If this counselor is not performing sacerdotal functions and is filing Sch. C, he may well be subject to SE tax. You might want to contact, for example, churchlawandtax.com and maybe get a copy of this tax guide or other similar organizations. If you expect to have clergy clients of any type, I suggest good resources to be educated and support your decisions. Good luck!

I didn't get the letter, I know it's for 2020. But the website specifically states that it is open for renewal applications. I copied the message from the website. I sort of think that if it was open for renewal and stated so, well, it would be possible to renew. Wrong again!

Curses, I tried to renew but renewal is not coming up as an option on the Main Menu despite this: SYSTEM STATUS: Sign-up and Renewal applications for the 2019 calendar year are now available. I followed the directions but no renewal option. Any successes here?

Thanks Lion and Judy, it appears as though she qualifies as a dependent. Disability income does not count no matter the amount and gross cd redemption income offset by basis leaving no taxable income doesn't count. What she contributes to her own support is apparently irrelevant. This mom and daughter will be happy as they need all the help they can manage! Thanks again...

Daughter is considered disabled emotionally, age 59, so not child but relative. I think at 65 it converts to regular SS. I have the worksheet but don't know whether to include the $6100. The SS is not included for this support test even thought the worksheet Line 1 says to include taxable and nontaxable income. I know the $6100 gross proceeds could be the difference as she pays all her money for medical expenses and share of food and own clothing plus grandchild gifts and vacation expenses. If GROSS income is used ($8500 + $6100), she provides more than her own support.

Adult daughter of client has disability income of $8500, not taxable, and gross proceeds from cd's of $6100, face amount of $6100. As this $6100 exceeds the threshold of $4150 for a person's gross income, does she qualify as dependent? The basis equals the proceeds so no tax is due BUT the gross receipts are $6100. Pub 501 does not seem to address net taxable security sales just gross income. Thanks for quick reply!

How wonderful for you all! Looks like a perfect day. Be sure to upload the photo of the proud parents, too!

Thanks, I will likely amend HIS filed return to include her unfiled information as Lion mentioned. I just have to get all of his documents now. For the college son and 529 distributions, it is a real challenge getting actual documents for 8867 proving dependency. He has lived in an apartment year round so gets no mail at parent's address. School info does not come to parent, privacy stuff you know. I will have to rely solely on a phrase from the divorce decree that she gets to claim one son for tax purposes, ex claims the other. I HATE 8867!