RitaB

Brilliant! Thank you!

Return has been ready for two weeks. Client owes about $2000. Buddy tells him, "Ah, just stick a stamp on it. Don't worry about certified mail." I look at Buddy, "Well, maybe you should be doing this." Seems they need to get to the golf course. It's like 50 degrees and overcast here. I can't believe how many people waited til today to pick up. This won't happen again. I really could lose it today...

I finally created a new return (not an actual return, just the name, address, SSN, but it's still a pain) from scratch to get the dang 4868 e-filed.

You guys crack me up. "Janitor" Bob - ha, I get it. "Bite me" even better. Thanks! Boy I needed that!

People you have to deal with today should all be shot. OK, maybe that's a little harsh. Next year, I hope I have everything in shape to be closed. Have to do two payrolls today. Slackers come out of the woodwork today. Don't feel bad. They've had 100 days in 2009 to talk to you before today.

Take a look at one from 4th qtr. Don't think so.

Why did I update this morning?! I am getting this message, trying to create 4868 e-file for this person who has always been single. I swear, there is no info for any ^&%$ spouse. Gotta believe ATX messed up something. Anybody got another idea?

You have no authority to correct the W-2 Try Form 4852, or something like that, search for "Substitute" in your forms list. Sorry, I'm slammed. The person getting this EIC did report tips, right? Sorry, again, but I am really tired of paying taxes knowing lots of other folks are not reporting income.

Another thing they heard on the radio (barber shop, mechanic's place, etc) was that "EVERYBODY'S" getting a Stimulus Payment, "just like last year." Hey, maybe the phone tax credit is coming up again, too.

Thanks, John. I am actually doing a 941 right now. Peachtree will not print unless I enter something in the SSN box. I have an EIN which I input two boxes down. Think I'll get run out of town if I put EIN in the SSN box? I guess I could enter whatever just to get PT to print, then wite out. Frustrating to spend money on something and have to make adjustments that take time... Also, I'll have to enter it all again next time. Nothing rolls over. Maybe I haven't completed something properly. I'm using PT Complete Accounting. (There's probably another version for only a million dollars that will do what I want done.)

I looked briefly at Pub 225, cause I thought it used to say something about a farm is a business that produces a commodity for sale. I must be crazy, cause it's not there now. Anyhow, I don't know if pet food (boy, I hope it's pet food) would fit that definition. Maybe a "commodity" is not even food for humans, shoot, I don't know. But, hey, since I'm apparently losing my mind about where I saw that, and it's April 14, and it won't matter in the long run, I'd go with Sch F, too.

Had one come in yesterday, all smiles, with copy of his DIY 2007, WHICH HE NEVER FILED, and a 40 lb stack of folders with crap for 2008. "It's OK if you file an extension." Me: "Wait. You don't understand. I was not ASKING you if it was OK. I was TELLING you that you ARE getting an extension if I am going to prepare any returns for you. Feel free to ask someone else..." And, I just went back to what I was doing. He left his stuff. (Yay.) People "showing up" right now (especially 7:10 am or calling on Easter Sunday), I have no patience for. I'm all for extensions, and happy to work after tax season; this is my full-time job. But, these slackers bringing crap in right now...

One of those good clients, huh? LOL.

Thanks, I needed that! I'm cryin over here, laughing so hard.

Feels good, doesn't it? Best thing I ever learned to do: fire people that waste my time and energy. I probably would still be putting up with some of them, if it were not for encouragement from people on this board.

Yes, I agree with that, too. If I were MAS, I'd be letting this client move on. And, I don't document EVERY phone call, but anytime a client calls for advice about a money move, I sure do. It takes time, but even the good clients forget what they told you, forget what you told them, etc. I'm pretty anal about that stuff.

Me: "So far, between $45 and $600." This is after the person asks me, "Can you tell me what you charge to do tax returns?" OK, people, it's APRIL. This is just like taking your lawn-mower-chopped-off-finger in a bag of ice to the doctor's office and asking, "Can you tell me what you charge to sew this back on?" Ok, maybe not JUST like that example, but COME ON, the ice is melting. What - When the doc tells you his charge, are you gonna say, "OK, I'll check around and let you know."?!? BTW, the next thing I say is, "But, I'm not taking any new clients. Thanks for asking, though."

I was thinking the same thing. MAS - take very accurate notes. People like this are a problem (yeah, I know I'm pointing out the obvious.) 2007, client took out his entire IRA, plus sold a rental property at a big profit, then tried to tell me I said it would be OK to take out the IRA since he would have a loss on the sale of the rental. My response to him: "Well, I document every phone call, and not only did you NOT call me prior to withdrawing the IRA, if you had, WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME YOU WOULD HAVE A LOSS ON A PROPERTY YOU SOLD FOR $250,000 WHEN YOU ONLY PAID $180,000 FOR IT?!? (Not to mention recapturing depreciation.) Client: "Oh. Uh. Oh..." That went on for a while.

Michael - I would guess that your client should use Sch D. I believe that is the most common way reported. However, not always. Maybe this document will help: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/library/timbertax.pdf

Sounds to me like you have it exactly right, Tom! One of my favorite preachers always says, "You can't give your kids what you want them to have. You can only give them what YOU have." Christian home, strong work ethic, a few dollars for college - your kids have been raised well. They'll do great. I pray that mine are learning the same things. P. S. Mine have ROTH IRA's, too. I wish I had known the value of time when I was 16 years old. A while back, I sat with my 21-year-old at the computer, showing him what saving $100 a month would look like at age 65. The look on his face said it all. He said, "Whoa. Anybody can save $100 a month, Mom."

I ran a 1041-ES on the 2007 program and mailed check with that. Didn't know what else to do, and to be honest, I did think about it too much. This 1041 is for a lawyer, died without a will, and the PR, his niece, is also a lawyer. This has dragged on for three years, and the investments are worth half what they were. So guess what? NOW she's gonna wrap it up. Sorry, too much information. I'm grouchy, can you tell?

I fell for it. Good one! My nose was like 4 inches from the monitor, no way was I going to miss whatever the trick was. I love it! Thanks.

That's money well spent! I secretly wish one of mine would decide they want to be an accountant and work with me. But, then, I think about how most of these family things work out, and think, nah!

I love Easter! (This whole week, except for the people. Haha!) My kids are 21, 17, 16 and I have candy and fun stuff to make treat bags for them. We are having three performances of a drama at church, and I am soooo looking forward to Sunday. (I am NOT in the production.)

LOL. Gotta love those kids! Mine are about like yours! BUT, Tues we had snow, and mine were out of school. 17-year-old daughter brought me lunch, put up about a million files (or 75), and swept the office. Has not asked for ANYTHING, and I heard no bad reports from other moms. WOW!!!