MsTabbyKats

Definitely will be available in "Print Spiral"! Yeah!!

I think "the word" is wrong....because I just noticed that I got a "1040 Express Answers" 2014 renewal notice.... It says "spiral bound"....so I assuming this is old fashioned print I'm going to call them later today....just to confirm

Thanks I really prefer "the hard copy" when looking for information. (Am I showing my age?)

Do you have a link or phone #? Thanks

Ugh....I use the "1040 Express Answers" as my bible.

For the record....more than one person at IRS has told me mailing something certified is meaningless if they don't receive the return. I was told it's actually worse, because it disrupts the "posting sequence".

No...you didn't misunderstand. When she called me (yesterday) I didn't recognize her name and thought it was a potential new client. She told me "someone referred her". She didn't say "my husband referred me to you". His name was familiar. Then, in conversation, she mentioned the large refund last year....and said I did the return. I looked it up...and sure enuf.....MFJ. Realistically, being that she isn't getting any refund (but had anticipated one based on last year), lives 10,000 miles away, is never coming back, and I do charge a fee....I'll probably never here from her. She bought maybe $2000 worth of costume jewelry...and sold $0. She thought that she would recoup the $2000. So, I explained "how things work". If the husband contacts me, and they're still legally married.....I'll just suggest he file jointly and he should discuss with the wife. No $$$ will be mentioned. I have a habit of thinking of "these kids" as "my kids"....and get subjective. Bad habit....!

Interesting point....about who funded "the business".

No...they aren't non-resident aliens for tax purposes. They file the regular 1040. As far as being "stiffed"......it's really funny....but that's never happened. And I've had clients that live on tiny islands in the middle of nowhere....and they know they won't ever need my services again. Sadly....I think "stiffing" is more of an American thing....because in other countries there are penalties for "stiffing" someone, or giving a check that bounces. I know as a fact, that in the country from where these people come from...bouncing a check can lead to jail.

I did the return. But, when I spoke to her...her name didn't stand out. They were "first timers". I checked my records; she was there. So far, in 20 years, I've only been "stiffed" once....and that was by an American in CA. I'm not concerned about that at all. I'm not going to ask him his side of the story or anything like that right now. If she contacts me again...I'll repeat that he's better off if they file joint. But...should I really reinforce "by how much"? If he contacts me before she does....I'll let him know I was in touch with her....and that they should discuss whatever. At that point I'll tell him that he would be better off to file jointly...but not by "how much". I just feel kind of bad....because he'd be paying a lot more as a MFS. I'm using this more as a sounding board.....just want feedback as to what people think my involvement should be, if any. I got the impression that they aren't hostile towards each other....but just wanted to put a really short marriage "in the past".

Just want to get some feedback: Here's the story (and this has nothing to do with foreign income, excluded income, circulars, publications etc) I got a call from a woman yesterday. Her name is Jane Smith. She said John Doe referred her. Her story: Lived in US for a few months....started "a business" (got tax ID#).....made $0 but had expenses....then moved "back home" (another country) and is not planning to return here. I told her the return would just have a negative number....when she asked about "her refund". Then I explained that if she had other income, it would reduce that...but there was nothing to reduce. So...she said..."but last year we got.....". Huh...last year????? It turns out that she is married to John Doe, and I did their return. (His name was familiar...I didn't recognize hers.). Last year (2012) they had moved to the US. He had a work visa...she didn't. For the half of the year he made about $60,000....and they got a huge refund. More of the story....they are divorcing. It sounded as if this is a chapter of her life she'd like to forget. It's not a bitter divorce...but she doesn't want to bother with him. The divorce may or may not be final by 12/31. So...I explained to her...that if they aren't divorced...they are entitled to file a joint return....and the fact that she has a loss (besides the extra exemption and joint deduction) would mean several thousand dollars less tax to him, She was vague after that...and said she probably would prefer to file separately....and she wants to do it NOW or asap. Obviously I'm not going to "tell on her"......but this whole thing is making me feel like I should really try to convince her to do a joint return. Then again....I don't know the reasons for the divorce and I should probably mind my own business. (For all I know, since she won't get a refund, she may decide not to bother filing....and he may do his own return or go with another preparer.)

As I said...."the smoothest path". The taxpayer should "do better" as an HOH anyway (tax, childcare credit, EITC etc...).....so I don't see a point to MFS.

But, for anything other than HH he would need an ITIN#.....and he would need to submit his original passport to get one (unless they changed the rules again). Getting an ITIN is a real PITA...even if you are entitled. Last year all my clients had to make "personal visits" because I would not allow them to mail in original passports. One even had to bring his daughter "as evidence"! So....no matter what "she can file as"....HOH is the smoothest path. And then she can amend down the road.....

If he is not American and a student in the Republic of Georgia with no American incomed....I'd just do a HH return (I assume the woman is American and the child was born here). If he gets a SS or an ITIN# sometime down the road (within 3 years)....she can amend to "MFJ".

I never knew the federal refunds could be extended to 3 years from the extension file date (10/15). (They do???) However, if so, since NY is a federally conforming state...they do whatever the fed does. But....I'd check on this with the tax dept. to be sure

No appointments yet (most of my work isn't face to face anyway) but one man already paid me.

If he lived and worked in another state, he shouldn't owe CA tax. You can file an NR to get it back. The employer should have withheld for the taxpayers home state. So, he'll have to pay that. ETA-What is the taxpayer's address on the W-2? Is it a CA address (which he shouldn't have if he didn't live there)?

Thanks....... I don't foresee any real issues........but, subjective is a lot more draining than objective.

Here's the exact scenario....does any see an issue? I have a Vanguard Fund that I want to sell (good long term gains). I want to use the proceeds to purchase a Vanguard NY Tax Free fund I have an Oppenheimer NY Tax Free fund being held at Chase. There are long term losses exceeding all my gains. I am holding this fund because the monthly dividend is good. I want to sell it...for the losses. I want to purchase, at Chase, a Nuveen federally (not NY) tax exempt fund because the monthly dividend, including the NY taxable part, would be just about the same as the Oppenheimer fund. I want to do the Vanguard thing ASAP (markets tumble). The Chase can be postponed....but I'd like to do it this year.

It really sounds like "the men were in cahoots" but the the cousin (wife of tire store owner) intercepted. Then she told the taxpayer's wife about "his money"....so now the taxpayer is making up some nonsense about "a verified fax number". Whenever I requested something faxed to me the rep always confirmed the fax number. This is no "small world coincidence".

I'm tending to doubt this was a mistake by the IRS. Someone gave them that number. It's just too coincidental that it was the taxpayer's cousins husbands tire shop. It sounds more like the taxpayer might used that number as his fax number....so that people at the correct number didn't get to see his "confidential information".

Hypothetically..... If a taxpayer has a Fidelity NY Tax Free Fund....and sells at a loss on 11/19 Can he purchase a Vanguard NY Tax Free Fund on 11/20 Although the funds are similar....the holdings aren't "substantially identical" (whatever that means) I know Vanguard doesn't know what happens at Fidelity....and visa versa....so this wouldn't be reported as a wash sale by Vanguard. I just want opinions......(I know what I think and would advise....I want to see what others think) The mutual funds just advise to buy another fund "under their roof"....but I can't find anything about this scenario Thanks........

Thanks!

Finding this forum as a result of being a disgruntled former TRX client...and watching the ATX proceedings from the sideline for almost a year....I have an opinion. But, I'll just keep it to myself. I hope the coming filing season is smoother for you guys!

Over the course of decades I reported "exercise of stock options" with a W-2 entry and a Schedule D entry. That was it...no questions asked and never a problem. A client just exercised options....and in the notice from the company a Section 83-b form was included. He had no idea what to do with it...and the company told him to ask his accountant. That would be me. I never heard of this form...but according to the rules...he is supposed to fill it out, send a copy to the IRS, give the employer a copy and attach a copy to his tax return. However, it's not an IRS form. I've put a cut/paste below. Does anybody know what to do with this....if anything? I am clueless! This statement is made under Sections 55 and 83( b ) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-2. A.The taxpayer who performed the services is: Name: Address: Social Security No.: B.The property with respect to which the election is made is ______ shares of the common stock of ZocDoc, Inc. C.The property was transferred on __________ ___, _____. D.The taxable year for which the election is made is the calendar year _____. E.The property is subject to a repurchase right pursuant to which the issuer has the right to acquire the property at the original purchase price if for any reason taxpayer’s service with the issuer terminates. The issuer’s repurchase right lapses in a series of installments over a ______-year period ending on __________ ___, _____. F.The fair market value of such property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse) is $_____ per share. G.The amount paid for such property is $_____ per share. H.A copy of this statement was furnished to ZocDoc, Inc., for whom taxpayer rendered the services underlying the transfer of such property. I.This statement is executed on __________ ___, _____. Signature of Spouse (if any) Signature of Taxpayer Within 30 days after the date of exercise, this election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center where the Optionee files his or her federal income tax returns. The filing should be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The Optionee must (a) file a copy of the completed form with his or her federal tax return for the current tax year and ( b ) deliver an additional copy to the Company