RitaB

Thanks for the info, everybody. I, too, have to decide what to do after this next update. TaxAct does not support Form 990, from what I could tell, right? And, the news about twelve clicks to get thru e-file process is not good. However, I noticed last year with ATX if I sneezed, went to the bathroom, printed the Sch A that was already chosen to print but didn't, etc., I had a message that the return had changed. Well, there must be a little demon in there, cause I didn't change it. I really hope Tuesday is a magical day, and I don't have to decide. But right now, I can't open my own tax return. It's big but not anything special. And, yes, I have the computer geek looking at my system. Cha-ching. Edit: I did a search regarding the 990, and found the answer in their first non-sentence: "While TaxACT does not support Federal Form 990, the annual informational return required for some 501©(3) organizations. Please click on the links below that are applicable to your filing situation to find the information you will need to complete the Form 990. The completed form can then be mailed to the IRS."

OK, sweet, I checked "Always" on Sch A, 1040-SS, and 4562. Thanks!

Oh, and another thing: Even when I check that I want to print Sch A when it is not required, and also select the box under forms to print, it doesn't print. Same thing last year. I always had to be looking at Sch A and "print current page." Not cool, ATX.

It better be.

I have dinked around with the letter trying to figure out how to increase the top margin, and it is really a small problem considering everything. I mean, hey, I have a letter, some do not, right? I gave up because everything I do is like having a slow motion out of body experience on this program. If you know offhand, would appreciate a quick tip. Not asking anybody to read the manual, it's not that big a deal. I am just a little anal about putting out crappy looking letters. I know, I can make my own on a word processor. Would like to use the one I purchased from ATX. Sorry I am snippy. And the next person who comes in here and says, "Bet you are gettin busy, huh?" is leaving on a stretcher. Happy Groundhog's Day.

In case ATX is reading, one thing has bothered me for a couple of years: Having to recreate e-files every time I sneeze, go to bathroom, go to fridge to see if something edible magically appeared, etc. NO, I DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING.

Thanks, Judy, this is really helpful to me. I spent three hours today on a pretty simple return with a Sch E that usually takes 30 minutes for the computer end. Not counting chatty with the taxpayer who has nothing to do and assembly. Everything was slow, printing in particular. Boxes would not stay checked, a field in the second column of the Sch E input didn't link to the field right beside it. I spent quite a bit of time dinking around trying to make it link. I have been thinking for a few days about what to do next week if this software doesn't get better. I am having more memory installed, and will have the computer geek see if he can find anything else to work on. But, I amended a 2011 return (it was huge), and it was like seeing an old friend. Yes, I know, that doesn't help... Glad to hear your ideas about Drake, that's the one I was going to look at first, based on nothing but reviews on another forum. Who am I kidding? I don't have time to "look" at software. I will just have to buy one and hope I picked the right one. I really hope it doesn't come to that, but I'm about to the point where I'll never recover. Nobody knows how far behind I am. In a few days, they'll start calling.

I saw something over there that said "the week of 2/4". I sooooo hope it works and is 2/4. I can't continue like this. And, my office smells great, JB. I clean while returns open and print.

Hmmm. I was able to clean out the fridge and take a nap while my guy's 1040 with the one W-2 printed. Gonna open this thing, cause, you know, it SHUT DOWN FOR SOME REASON, and try to transmit something. Woot.

I was gonna "like" that, but I had reached my quota for "likes" for the day. What is the world coming to?! No way can I make it till midnight, so two thumbs up.

Well, I figured out that one guy that was drooling wasn't flirting.

Me, too, hence the Klondike bar. And, I actually was able to clean out the fridge while that one tax return printed.

Well, I got one too, and the other fun thing that happened today was I talked to about 14 people, then looked in the mirror, and I had a quarter-sized piece of a Klondike bar on my shirt. Bet they all left my office singing that song, "What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike bar?"

I know, and it's not us. I don't care how inexpensive a program is perceived to be (and it ain't cheap to this gal), boxes oughta stay checked. I would so like to smoke right now. And I don't smoke. While I eat my candy bar, I am going to watch Kid President's pep talk that I posted last night. Not cool, ATX.

Yes, thanks, I am doing that. Cause I am also getting the message, and it's closing down, in the middle of returns when my computer sits idle while I talk to Chatty Cathy and friends. Oh, wait, I mean while my sweet clients and I catch up. So, I restart the whole kit and kaboodle. I'm getting a candy bar now. Maybe that will help.

I repented, and the fourth time was the &^*%^^$ charm. This is like when gas goes down 3 cents, and we celebrate. Nevermind that it's still twice what it should be.

Alrighty, then, the third time it happened my life changing technique did not work. Wow, I'm glad I'm a pretty laid back person, cause $%^& and $%^& and #$%^&*.

I was able to update by going to ATX, saving to desktop, etc. Got that error message "CCH encountered a problem... needs to close" when trying to open the program. You know the one. Anyway, I have done this twice, and it worked: I view the error message, don't send the report, close that box. Then, when I try to open, it opens. And then I spend three times longer working on a return and ten times longer printing it. Hope this helps someone.

I think we might be on that road less traveled... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

I am just hoping to e-file an original. That would be the cat's pajamas. At the rate we are going, I fear that I will walk out of my office on April 15th squinting and asking, "What year is this?"

I just went to this video, then copied and pasted. You won't know it worked til after you post. It's kind of terrifying, really... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbL_G-7TV4Y

Yeah, I remember clicking it. Still could not find it in the return. LOL. Will check out your "print packets" post. Thanks! Ron, I do several with TN returns, and a few other states. Will check out your suggestion. Thanks! Jack, I hate your stinking guts.

Hahahahahaha! No, I had not thought of that, and it will be fairly hilarious when I get over the coronary I seem to be having. I sure hope some things get resolved. I have only done one return, super easy, took so long to print I was wondering if I would still be in my 30's when it finished. OK, 40's. I started reminiscing about the good old days with pencil and paper. And abacus. Anyway, I couldn't even find the Return Cover Sheet... work on two returns? Hahahahaha!

Yeah, I think it might be wise, considering all the problems many of us are having with ATX, to put a flashing sign up there somewhere with directions to the Official ATX Community. I tried to open the program this morning and it immediately closed, error messages were sent to somebody, maybe, probably Santa. I know I am not tech savvy, but I know how to double click an icon. It's them, not us.

My first thought was, "Really? These people may be the ones they are surveying to come up with "The time it takes to prepare Form OMG" in all the pubs. Hahaha.