Jack from Ohio

The fact that the scammers are successful with this group of "educated" people speaks loudly of how low our educational standards have fallen. Natural sense (once called "common sense") is a RARE thing today.

Now you have a bigger issue to deal with. This might be a reason for me to refuse this engagement.

Some of us sounded the warnings 3 years ago...

If you can get Rita to give them each a hug, I have a client with a backhoe and a huge plot of forest land...

You will have to start with her return and amend to add his information. Who is primary will have no effect on tax or penalty consequences. Amending to include his unfiled information will NOT eliminate penalties and interest. Amending to MFJ will make her jointly and severally liable for penalties and interest. They chose the path/actions/procrastinations. They are the cause of the penalties and interest. Be sure you charge adequately for your work.

Restore QB from the end of the year being audited. No entries for years after. Then, close out all prior years. In order for anyone to see the prior years info, they will need the associated password. The agent will only be able to see the year in question information. If your client does not have backups for the end of each year in his archives, he is SOL. If he does not have backups, THAT is not your issue. After you close all prior years, create an accountant copy. Then create a .qbm backup file to give to the auditor. This copy will not be able to be modified.

The fraudsters will always be the winners. America will never tolerate waiting for their savings account. Besides, the money the fraudsters get is not theirs anyway, so why be concerned? Our country has become so financially irresponsible that the fraudsters have an easy task. Rant over.

Send a postcard mentioning that you need for them to verify some information. Put their file in the back of a drawer and go on with your life. The situation will self-correct within 24-36 months. Just keep an increase of your fees growing as time goes by. You are NOT A BABYSITTER for irresponsible people. "Lack of preparation and planning on your part, does not create and emergency situation on mine." This is a sign we should all have in our offices.

Until America is cured of the addiction of the IRS savings account and demanding very fast refunds, the scammers will always have the upper hand. To stop the scammers, force everyone to wait for refunds till June or July, giving the IRS time to data match. Of course, all the financially irresponsible Americans (probably 80%+) will scream loud and long about discrimination and a new "war on the poor."

Agree. No deduction for personal loss if he sells for less than his basis. If he sells for more than basis, he has a capital gain. Transfer for less than FMV = gifting of the difference between $ paid and seller's basis. This is not a difficult or complex thing.

Shipping includes the Master Tax Guide. What if there was just a single price including shipping and you did not see the breakdown? Would it change how you felt about the price? No, you would complain about not seeing a breakdown. Get a grip. Consider the total cost, then choose to buy or not to buy. So much drama over a simple business decision.

Correct

I stand by my position.

I may have to do that!!

Except for claiming as a dependent, which was the first half of the question.

This can only end badly...

No. The older child is NOT providing more than 50% of the support for the sibling. No EIC. The older brother is NOT providing the household for his sibling. Short answer... No & No

I was never so glad to see a government employee retire in my entire life as I was when she retired. (Current POTUS probably does rank higher, but he has no choice about leaving) She was a very vocal "enemy" of all us honest tax preparers.

She is correct. After Jan. 1, 2015, only E.A.s, Attorneys or CPA may use a POA to have in depth dealings with the IRS for your client. AFSP only gives you rights for the IRS to "discuss" the tax return. The IRS has turned the RTRP & AFSP into a total joke. No possibility of representing your clients in any manner before the IRS.

Refer him to his brother. Do NOT talk to him about the return. Circular 230 violations abound if you do.

Here is what I found when I followed the e-mail link to my offer... Your renewal quote is currently unavailable. CCH is still in the "Customer no-service" business.

Sign in front of a large bin of peanuts in the grocery: WARNING! This product contains peanuts.

Once the money is deposited, it becomes the responsibility of the executor to be sure it is properly handled. That is not an IRS issue.

Yes