easytax

Thank you all. I will stick with no MFJ to MFS after year return deadline. As to // sister wives and farm animals // (for once) NOT brave enough to go there --- been beat up before when mentioning the idea (probably still have marks).

Does this mean that you do NOT subscribe to the NEW MATH? 6 x 1 x 18 (hours left in day) = all you want to accomplish. Is that not how the NEW stuff works? remember the /s.

New client and actually first I have had that is better at MFS for dollars back than MFJ. During review of pass three years returns, MFS would have gotten them between 400 and 756 MORE each year. This year depending on some 1099-S (timber) basis it might be 365 to 981 more back. I am/was under the impression that you could not change from MFJ to MFS once the due date of the return has occurred. However in checking the 1040X instructions (2016) to be sure, I found a mention on changing from MFJ to MFS referenced in the section that discussed same sex marriages. It says you can. NOW, if that is true for same sex, is it true for difference sex marriages? Additionally I could find any reference to being NOT able to change from MFJ to MFS in the instructions (the reference I did find was on the TaxBook web service). Any ideas, comments, confirmations (either way - if possible with something I can reference) will be appreciated (once I wake up tomorrow -- I am going to bed // night, night).

Received same as stated. I did reply (only) asking for phone and best times to call --- guess what --- no replies??????? s/ Must be a government employee with spare time, just playing around till busy ....

No, reg says 2 months or less for that exemption.

Once registered they should have given/sent you a "preparer certificate" online. That has your number. If you need to reprint the certificate go to https://otc.tax.ny.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001 and under tax professionals sign in and on the left side is a column that says "tax preparers registration program". Under that heading is a 'marker" for printing or reprinting your certificate. That is where I find mine. Hope this helps.

Another webinar being given March 8, 2016 -- sign up now, they do fill up. Attended webinar today at CPAacademy.org for circular 230 given by new director IRS OPR. Informative, some new changes (at least to me) and worth while. Also 2 hr. CE credit for ethics. New person seems reasonable and willing to explain, etc. different pertinent parts.

Telephoned the Director for the Maryland preparer program (she called back and was informative). Unwritten position (out of state preparers) is that if you do 5 or less then you do not -- really -- have to register (in keeping with substantial part of business -- just use your PTIN as number) /// BUT /// more than five and you should register and PAY the $100.00 registration fee. Any changes or limitations as NY (less than 10 and no registration fee) is not currently even being thought or discussed. Thanks again Judy for cites and info for contact numbers, etc..

President Obama signed the following (pretty straight forward but see my question following): White House The president on February 24 signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (Trade Act) (P.L. 114-125), which includes an increase in the penalty for failure to file a return and a permanent moratorium on state and local taxation of Internet access (TAXDAY, 2016/02/26, W.1). For taxpayers who fail to file their returns more than 60 days after the due date or extended due date, the Trade Act increases the minimum penalty tax to the lesser of $205 or 100 percent of the unpaid tax, effective for returns required to be filed in calendar years after 2015. Does this say to you that someone who should file BUT does NOT and has no tax liability is basically clear of any penalties? --- if no tax due, then 100 % of unpaid tax is zero. Will this negate any other non-filing penalty too? Thanks, just straitening out my mind --- (impossible. yes, but every now and then I try).

Only had two of these that I had to "start-from-scratch" and both DID NOT have any COLA's etc. each year so basically same numbers each year to work with. Each one proved to be all taxable after 19 years. Both were regular retirement NOT any disability so I do not know if that might make a difference or not. As Randall stated, only real workable way (no pun intended - as it will take work doing each year) is to re-calculate each year from day one.

Register with NY. If less than 10, no fee but do the paper work. https://www.tax.ny.gov/tp/ go under "tax professionals".

While discussing Installment Sale, Usually not a problem and probably not now either --- BUT --- I would like to be sure... Client sales personal home to son (installment sale, decent price, etc. no problems) and goes "on road" traveling. Client makes no taxable money on sale and will only have interest to report for future years. All proceeds of sale being reported on sch D for 2015 and exempt from income taxes (both state and federal). Also filing the installment sale form. Is this OK? sch D completes the sale (again, no taxable money now or in future, it will only be interest received each year). The installment sale form, just to show it is an installment sale but with no future payments for tax purposes as all reported in 2015 (year of sale). Should I just file the sch D? Am I thinking this incorrectly? Appreciate the comments, Thanks.

Thanks AGAIN Judy. My MD is occasional and really in this case depends on if some grandkids want theirs done or not. BUT, being "anal" I wanted to know. It is interesting that their requirement sounds like a "political" statement --- can be, may be required, depends if significant (well defined, is it not). AGAIN, appreciate all your help ---- now -- quit worrying about those "account statement logins" and relax, watch a good movie or go brain dead like me and watch a good "AcornTV" episode of a mystery. Be well ///

Thanks Judy. Still have a question and may call MD tomorrow. I do NOT need the test (wavier is good) but as I read this, there is still a $100 registration fee regardless of any "waiver". Am I missing something? Even NY is reasonable with a "less than 10" exemption to fee.

We do. Todays "accounting today" blurb gave an article that the top preparer companies (HRB, Lib, TaxAct, etc.) are racing to the bottom (you know the ad's and the zero cost to file, etc.) just to eventually "lock in" the new clients as their tax situations get more complex. In the mean time, we get to be proactive and fight this with good service, fair pricing (abet "too little" in comparison) -- but eventually we win ---- You always win -- if you do the "right" thing. We may not get SUPER rich, but we eat and feel good about "doing the right" thing. It is all NOT about this earth.

If you know the facts as you stated, then your only recourse is as JohnH states --- take the business somewhere else or you are becoming part of the deception. If you do not KNOW the facts as stated, then you have an option of going with correct reporting today --- which is the value of the property being purchased for $15,000 and todays computations being based from there.

You have done well to be civil and give everyone a fair chance. It may be the PO box will solve the battle -- this time, maybe. Another way might be to go to the regional post office and discuss the issue with a POSTAL INSPECTOR and ask about the identity theft, wrongful willful delivery (it is there in their regulations) since it is not an error but an on-going concern. Turn up the heat and maybe something good will happen --- do what has always been done --- well, who knows.

Take a look at Zillow.com and see what comes up for your area. I use this to find current rental and property sales values. If your area is covered, it may be a quick, accurate way.

They are ALIVE -- you said similar in your movie "They're ALIVE" --- remember?

No problem with regulation --- however ----- since I am naïve ----- I would like to see CPA's and attorney's subject to the same testing, etc.. If the question is tax expertise, then EVRYONE should have that expertise ----- NOT be GIVEN a free ride because they have a better "lobby". Just because they know law or accounting --- DOES NOT mean they know tax, etc.. Just my two cents worth.

Thanks Dan, good tool. I also like to use Zillow.com to check real estate values and rental pricing. It is a bit faster and more localized for the pricing (both selling and rental).

The cPaperless will work but again, more than I want to spend right now. The Virtru is overkill for me as I do not send many files other than just some signature forms which can be mailed back once signed. For that I send as an encrypted PDF attachment using PDFill to encrypt the form file, (PDFill.com) and it works well (does a lot more too), plus meets my price point ($19.99 one time). You buy the "editor" and all the extra's are free. Create, Fill, Edit, Delete and Submit PDF Form Fields Type, Draw, Comment, Sign and Scan PDF Documents PDF Ink or PDF Annotator on Table PC Open, View, Edit and Save PDF files without Adobe Acrobat

Took a hard look at this (price is sweet) ----- However given the IRS REQUIRES a signing done such as is done here have a security feature that has the recipient verified BEFORE they can even see the form being signed (such as the 8879) (not required with PDF, faxing, etc., just this type of signing) the regular version ($36.00) for three years does NOT support this. The PREMIMUM version does but starts at $1,000 a year (10 users and a bunch of other extras, etc.). To rich for me ---------- However because the person at support answered promptly and even after I gave this reason I could not use ------ went above the normal "customer service" and followed up a few days later with what they had found that MIGHT help me. Therefore, if you might use this, please consider contacting Mellissa Pottle (CudaSign (formerly SignNow)) @ cudasign.com. Mellissa Pottle (CudaSign ) <[email protected]> Thanks, EasyTax

From what I can see -- in ATX when you create the efile, you have the choice to link (held till IRS accepted, then state released) or to have the state transmit by itself through the fed's whether fed is accepted or not. (program this way, just checks format for state but not data). Or if the state allows, you can "file direct" but that is typically through state site. If the state is NOT held automatically, then the state should transmit when both are sent. Also, if not held (whereas you created a state amended to transmit) it will transmit just the state. Have not had to do this with anyone, just reviewed ATX help menu. Hope this helps.

Since the 8962 compiles ALL the 1095-a's even if only one. Therefore for the IRS to see that ALL were reconciled, etc., it would be good to file.