MsTabbyKats

Just one last name story. I have a client who is now about 30. Very long, very Polish last name. About 5 years ago she referred her parents to me.......same very long, very Polish last name. Remember, the parents are from the days when women changed the last name....and this was a stay at home mom....not a career woma. Return gets rejected....based on mother's name and number not matching. I called the IRS e-file help....the rep laughed and said the mom's last name was not even close to what I wrote. Totally confused I called mom and said there was an issue with her name (and it was the sane name on the prior paper return she gave me from the prior year). She said her name was. B---------------------ski. I then asked for her maiden name. It was Chung! Return accepted! Every year I tell her she has to get it changed at SS ....and every year I e-file her as Chung!

Btw..JB...if that's how he e-filed last year and it was accepted ....it will be accepted again this year.

It's hard to tell a name by the SS card. It doesn't say "first name" is: Mary Middle name is:Jane Last name is: Smith It just says Mary Jane Smith. So, the last name could be Jane Smith. I know that's s simple example but I deal with mainly non-Americans ....whew it really gets confusing. I start off with what they think their name is....I give it 2 tries with a variation...and then I tell them to call social security to find out exactly how it's listed.

No sale...company hasn't gone public yet.

Client got this form..... Exercise price is higher than fmv on the date the option was exercised. I've been researching this all day. Nothing is on the W-2...I guess because there wasn't a gain. Is he allowed to take a loss?

I'm just reporting what was happening. When Norton wanted me to test if they were removed I came back to this forum, clicked on a link.....and got all those underlined words that, if you put the mouse on...gave me even more ads. Maybe it wasn't from this forum....I mean I was coming here for months w/o issue...but since Nov..lots of issues that I noticed as soon as I used this site.

I was getting a lot. I have Norton...and they still got thru. However I called Norton and they did something to get rid of them. This happened 3 times from Non- Jan. I hate to say it...but it always started when I clicked on links in this forum. Now I just use my iPad here.

So, are you suggesting entering it on Line 21.. and then adjusting it to cancel out the income?

And my son (now 27...but filing since infancy) wondered why just about everyone but him got refunds. I taught him very early on that a refund is a tax free loan to the govt...better to break even or owe.

Client rented out his apt for a few day (less than 15) and Airbnb reported it on a 1099-K for $1700. My software is telling me it doesn't have to be reported on the E....based on the time. However....since this income is being reported to IRS ....I'm sure it will generate a "you owe us $$$" letter in a year or so. I was going to report it....and then take the $1700 as an expense with a comment such as "rented for less than 15 days". Any critiques or comments.

I agree. I consider this passive income. He isn't in business.

Dear Client You know I work out of my home. You also know I do not like clients to come to my home unless absolutely necessary. You know that my husband has a business across the street that is open M-F from 9-6....and that's where people drop off and pick up from. I do make exceptions. Do you remember 3 years ago I let you pick up your return from my home? You came in, took your boots off...and talked to me for about half an hour. Then you realized I had work to do, so you left. Thinking you wanted to be "my friend" I invited you for lunch after the season. We even picked out the restaurant. Then, when I called you to confirm that morning you said "Oh, did we have plans? I have something else to do." You weren't even apologetic. So, why this morning (Sunday..when I do things with DH)....did you and your husband get annoyed when I told you I was unavailable for a drop off...as i have plans all day? Should I sit home all day to accommodate you? You don't work. Please drop your papers off with my husband or learn to fax or e-mail.

A group I avoid....lawyers. My "smart people PhDs and electrical engineers" are concerned with the size of the refund. One lawyer I dropped had a long list of charities ....and got upset because I used "&" instead of "and". Probably the best clients are of average intelligence with blue collar jobs....that think we're really smart....and would never challenge.

Ok...once, I think it was 2 years ago...and I was using TRX...there was actually a mistake with the TRX software on the 2241. I think it was a year TRX used Redgear. The client (PhD of course) double checked me with 2 other softwares....and they both got a result different from mine. I read over the form very carefully..and there was an obvious mistake. I ended up spending several hours on the phone with the programmers to get it corrected. So, it isn't always the client playing stupid games with cheap software. As I said, many of my clients are ultra-bright...and probably more double check than I care to know.

Just a bit of a rant..... Many of "my guys" are PhDs in science or have degrees in electrical engineering. They could do their own returns easily...but really just want another name on the line. They seem to double check me on Turbo Tax....and when the result is different, I have some explaining to do. Example, PhD....2 W-2s (one for wife, one for him)....got $200 more when he did the return. Well yeah...he didn't add in his refund from CA last year. I do have a policy....whenever a potential client mentions TT....I tell them that I expect a consultation fee if they ask me to do the return and then change their mind. I do get several "consultation fees" per year.

But...suppose dad gives mom a lot of child support. I mean really a lot...more than mom's income. And the child lives/sleeps 365 with mom. If dad claims the child, based on support, mom still wins? Something isn't fair here!

So, what's the bottom line, whose home the kid slept in more?

This is not what I was told by an IRS agent. They will not get involved in family disputes. Eta...of course when the second return comes in with documentation...they could ask mom for proof of support....but as you said...it could take a long time.

The legal fees probably would outweigh the tax benefit. Foe the future....dad should probably be first in line to file and claim the child...even if it means amending when he gets all his information.

The IRS will tell them they have to work it out. The first one who claims the dependent gets the dependent. I'd file paper return with a copy of the custodial agreement unless the ex refuses to amend.

That's what I would do.

I got "Edible Arrangements" chocolate covered strawberries once. On the negative side, I've told clients not to bring their children. One had 4 kids...jumping in my living room. Wow....looking back, I really used to put up with a lot.

Just a question because I have an Ohio client who got married in 2013. Is it because of the state....and under what circumstances? My client works...spouse is a stay at home dad...maybe with a tiny pension.

But you (and I) assume that they aren't in the middle of a nasty divorce....or that the data was entered for both parties. This is my biggest tax nightmare...incorrectly e-filing.

Did you tell the client yet? What was the reason for mfs....maybe you can let them know they are better off by filng jointly. If you have to amend....I hope they're on speaking terms.