RitaB

I would use the extension vouchers, but I don't think it would make a bit of difference. Who knows? Maybe the one who handles it hasn't slept all week and says, "Eh, automatic extension granted. Let me get back to Rita's new client asking me to resend notices cause he left them in Scotland and has been trying to get her to give him advice without a notice." I am joking, of course, but I don't see how it would matter what you send with the check as long as the tax year is clear.

Oh, wow, I have one or two every year that take forever to pick up. I had one to pick up today whose return had been ready two months. Got another one laying here, and I don't have a clue when they'll come in. I got both extensions, so I wouldn't have started worrying till October about either one of them. Yes, I do have one in the back for whom I did three returns a couple years ago who has never picked up. I guess he's in the dead file. Bill, yours is in the Nursing Home, or Hospice care, not dead yet, there is hope!

Can you text or email or snail mail a note? I can't get over the people who won't check voicemail. I'd say your guy has gotten the message, but just in case, I'd try another method of reaching him. Then, I'd just wait on him to pick up. It's your only chance of getting paid, and we do this to earn money, after all. There are two kinds of people, and he's in the second group. They experience zero anxiety about stuff we think about at 4:00 in the morning.

Or just have client give you the ok to give his brother a copy. That would be so simple, and keep down strife, too. I think the presenting the will stuff is if someone wanted IRS to give them a copy. Or do I have that wrong?

Did you read this and conclude that the brother had a right to the entire return? I did.

1) I want to welcome openmind, who totally nailed his or her first post. I hope you stick around; we need you. 2) That was off topic, and I am one of the worst offenders, it's true. Squirrel.

Younger brother can be dependent of older brother. Gotcha. I think.

The 25 - 65 requirement only applies to workers without a qualifying child.

Correct, parents can't claim older brother as dependent. Yes, older brother can claim younger brother for EIC purposes, but not as a dependent.

I broke it to a new realtor client two weeks ago that she could not write off her wardrobe or lunch or commuting miles. Not heard a peep from her in two weeks. She dropped off April 7 and was wondering, "Where are we on our return?" on April 14. Do you know how much I want to now ask her: "Where are we on your return?" I guess the actual rules are game changers. I also guess I will not see her next season. I'm ok with that. Had a preacher one time (he's found a better preparer, too) that told me, "It's not like I wear these suits to Wal-Mart or anything." Ran into him at Wal-Mart in one of his suits after church the very next Sunday. Gave a him a big grin, and he knew exactly why, too.

On gross income Sch C did he put, "I didn't really make anything this year"?

Yep. I don't think these I've encountered did a good job anywhere.

My experience as well. There has been more eye rolling in this office about ex-IRS preparers than anything. Any. Thing. Ever. The last one I heard was, "My old preparer [deceased, God rest his soul, but might be burning in hell, just saying] would always make an arithmetic error first thing. That way, the return would get kicked out. The arithmetic error would be fixed: Oh, haha, it's just an arithmetic error... And then everything would sail right through. He was so great, used to work for IRS, you know." Me: Yes. Yes, I know. He: Do you have something in your eye ...

Yes, forget what I said, and do this.

I would ask my client if I could answer brother's questions. In fact, brother most likely has tried to get answers from your client, and we all know he can't explain it like you can. Your client may have told brother to call you, who knows? I would be happy to answer questions about a return I prepared, as I'm sure you are, Terry. I would also ask client if you can give a copy of the Form 1041 to brother. That way, brother's preparer can look it over. I would want to know where the info on my K-1 came from, too. Possibly just having a copy of the Form 1041 would remedy the whole situation. Regardless, I'd talk to client first and get a feel for whether there is discord here, or just a simple desire to understand something that affects my tax return.

No. There is no hoping in taxes. Or crying. Only hugging.

It is a short gap for 2015, but not for 2016.

I agree with cbslee. I don't know why it was on Line 21.

Agree, your client had a short gap in coverage for 2015. I just noticed last week that I made the same mistake for a client in 2014. Nobody caught it in 2014, but I'd say it's more likely to be caught now. See # 22 https://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Individuals-and-Families/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

But do you ever wake up at 4:00 wondering, "OMG, did I do that right?" and you go to the office and check the file, and yes, you did it perfectly, and you smile all day cause you're pretty darn good and you got this? That's a great day.

1) There are two kinds of people. I am with you 100% on this. I would rather lose money than not help when I can. 2) If I name my fridge "Jim," will it count as going to the gym?

I don't know why I just thought of this, because I've said it to people a dozen times. I would enter the sum of the two 1099s as gross income and on the back of Sch C, subtract the incorrect amount with an explanation: "1099 issued in error and not corrected." IRS computers will be happy, and I bet you don't hear a peep. (I'm assuming sole proprietor; adjust for your situation.)

You all are in luck, as I do a lot of pro bona work in April. Hit me up.

Tom, I would love to hug your client. I am convinced that she deserves a good hug. To say you are unprofessional is just unacceptable. I have four here that have not picked up, their returns have been ready for days, and I am hitting the door. I got them all extensions, but they don't know that. If they have a heart attack because they thought I would stay here and wait on their precious @$$%$, it really cannot be helped.

Wow, that's a good question. There are two forms out there NOT marked corrected, and I guess the only thing IRS could assume is that they are both correct. One corrected form COULD take care of it, but I'd guess it won't. I'd guess IRS will question taxpayer for sure, since that's where the money comes from. Getting a letter from the payer sounds like a great idea!