RitaB

I thought I was the only one this was happening to. I have noticed this several times and REALLY wanted to scream. I feel better now. Here's another thing that really aggravates me: The client who actually fills out the forms first and brings them in with their stuff. I have a couple that do this every year. What? Are they trying to show me that they don't really need me? Are they hoping for a discount? What is it? I love it when they're wrong...

Thanks, taxbilly and Marilyn! Appreciate the nice thoughts!

Form 5329 is also my first thought. I'm not at work right now, but I'm pretty sure exception code 12 "other" would cover this. I have used the "other" exception in the past when a distribution code was incorrect, but not for this situation, so I could be wrong.

Yes, he may qualify for the RRC this year even though he did not qualify for the stimulus rebate last year.

Thank you, and that's the plan!

He's a sweetie. My older son (the one who forgot) said, "What a suck up." My other son said, "It's Mom's birthday, you moron."

They figured it out when my daughter's boyfriend brought me tulips at her basketball game. So far today: Bucket full of chocolate candies, a cheesecake, and roses. Valentines Day is looking good!

From Instructions For 1040, p 34 - must be taxes that would have been deductible if you had itemized... So, I would say, Yes. Don't forget that he may have other real estate, like a lot somewhere (but not foreign). Hope this helps!

You sure did and I believe I quoted your entire comment, too.

I'm glad to hear this. I saw (at least I think I saw) that IRS estimated that 3% of returns would have RRC. I have had way more than 3%.

Yes, I'm glad you're back, too! You have always been great to help others, and I missed you! WELCOME BACK!

Sweet! To clarify, I thought it was kinda funny that michaelmars (to whom I was posting), asked for help from you after saying you had too much free time. Guess that didn't come across.

Good luck getting help from jainen on the "KC, JAINEN, Tax help needed" thread. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Edit: Hahahaha. This is a joke. Hahaha. See, michaelmars said jainen had too much free time, then asked for his help. Some might think that's not the best timing. hahaha.

Client comes in with kid's W-2: "This can't be right, they only withheld $82! Can you check with them?" Me: "No. Didn't he keep his last check stub?" OK, it's a Wal-Mart W-2. They're not exactly low tech. Of course, a week later, she comes back: "It's correct." No, you don't say...

I just saw the commercial tonight, and I will have to admit I laughed out loud when the guy said, "I can't believe my eye." I never laugh out loud during tax season...

God bless you! I CANNOT believe how few clients bring in the letter that said "save this important form" (or whatever). Maybe four out of 100. I don't even mention the rebate, cause they either don't remember, or jump on me saying, "I don't have to pay tax on that!"

This just in (literally). Non-custodial parent dropped off stuff: "Remember, I claim child this year." Oh, yes, and how long did she live with you? "She lives with my ex for six months and with me for six months." Exactly six months each? She doesn't live with one of you more than the other? "Yes, exactly six months each." Comes in to pick up return: "Did you file me as HoH?" No, you don't qualify if dependant didn't live with you for more than six months. "Oh, I didn't know how that worked." Obviously.

Nothing from ATX, but I have had a letter dated Oct 2008 that I received in Dec 2008, saying someone would call me in a "few days" conducting a survey for the IRS. Surveyor called Feb 6. 18 minutes, 42 seconds. When she asked how many returns I prepared last year, I said, "Hang on, I'll open the program and look." "Oh, just give me an estimate," she says. OK, sounds like a very reliable method to me.

Good grief! YOU GO, GIRL!

One of my clients is HoH, and I'm thinking her live-in BF is going somewhere else and claiming HoH, too. I hope they get caught, but they won't, will they? On a happier note, had a client last year, (HAD being the key word), that overdid it on the cheating thing. Brought in his stuff, I could see he had a loss (yeah, right), kept telling me his daughter lived with him "all year." Well, on the way out, "Oh yea, I forgot to tell you my mileage." His "mileage log" was on the back of a deposit slip. Mileage made his loss even greater, like (30,000). When he picked up return, was furious that he didn't get "that there unearned income credit." On the way out, I said, "Be sure and let next year's preparer see my return. You have a NOL you want to take advantage of."

#4 is my personal favorite, although I like them all. I gotta say, I just wanna yank those papers out of their hands and whack them over the head with 'em! #4 also reminds me of the non-client caller who says, "I have a question for you." I always want to say something smart like: "Oh, that's ok, I've already had one today. Thanks anyway! Click.

Actually, a couple of times last year, when clients called to "see if you have done my return yet" or "see how it is looking" or "wondered if you needed anything else", (you know how they do) I just said, "No, I haven't been able to do it yet. Would you like to pick up your forms and take them somewhere else?" "Oh, no," they said. I think it worked. They've been more considerate this time. With some people, I think they just don't get it until they realize that they need YOU more than you need them.

I had trouble last week with this, and I am not looking at the Sch D instructions, but I believe they said to enter "Wash Sale" in the description column, and the amount of the disallowed loss (as a positive #) in the last column. That's all IRS wants, and ATX just doesn't work that way. Or, it didn't for me. Wow, I had trouble. I had to override, and I believe I finally had to put "Disallowed Loss / Wash Sale" as the description to get it done. (Which is unfortunate, cause when the taxpayer sees the words "Disallowed Loss" she's gonna require an explanation that she won't like and/or understand.) Anyhow, I finally got it like I thought it should be. Sorry, I can't say about the e-file, client is in her eighties and would never stand for such.

Haha! Had one 20 year old male, living at home with mom and dad, never married, claiming dependent (who lives with ex-girlfriend) every other year. "I want to be HOH" he says. I wanted to say quite a few things there, but I didn't.

I know! What is it?! Like the guy above. I was actually pretty rude to him. I hope I don't see him again after this year, but I betcha I do. Another pet peeve: Why do some people bring their two W-2's and one 1098 for mortgage interest in an accordion file or other beautiful, brightly colored file folder? What's that about? Can they not round up a paper clip? I also love it when people bring their receipts for $320 in church "tithes", or $412 in medical expenses, but they have no other itemized deductions. Of course, I go over it with them for two or three years, explaining standard deduction vs itemized, 7.5%, blah, blah, blah. Then, I just fill out the schedule A and don't say anything. It's not worth the headache.