Randall

I thought the Total Tax package was more than the Max package. More in what is included as well a higher price ($1826 plus $99 CD shipping). So I would think going from Total Tax to Max would be a downgrade, not an upgrade. Can you explain?

I'm seeing Total Tax Package for $1826 plus $99 shipping package. When I look at what the package includes, it doesn't saying anything about Intelliconnect. It does refer to Master Tax Guide, various Tax guide books, practical aids. I'm wondering if they are downsizing us on the tax research tools.

I do this too.

March 16

Client checking out Where's My Refund IRS tool. IRS showing return not filed. I'm showing return efiled and accepted. ATX showing same. Client says bank info is correct and info entered on IRS tool is correct. Anyone know what might be happening?

I would use dollars for AOC first assuming income is low enough for eligibility. Then excess cost including room and board for the 1099Q dollars. Also, poster said $9300 was gross distribution. How much was reported as earnings? Only the earnings would be subject to tax if not enough dollars to offset. It sounds like there's plenty of cost dollars to apply to both.

Ok, I've seen it.

Am I reading this correctly? Client has Sch C income of $31k. K-1 partnership loss of $44k (he is general partner, has basis). K-1 shows loss in SE earnings box. With investment income, AGI showing positive $3k Client got health ins thru exchange and received advance premium credit. With low AGI, income drops to 19%, less than 100% of poverty level. I'm showing on Form 8962 that he not only doesn't have to pay any back (max would have been $600) because his estimated income when applying thru the exchange was at least 100% of poverty level but he is also eligible to get the reimbursed credit for the additional amount above the advanced credit. I wasn't expecting this and just wanted some confirmation. I was expecting the payback for those whose income exceeded the 400% of poverty level.

Extension. Tell client good books or new tax accountant.

Multiple naps.

I don't bother anymore with past returns except for one year back. I do have someone with 2012 and 2013 to do. She's been dragging her feet on getting me info so now it's two years past due.

I've always used the comparison for myself but seldom giving the client a copy. I've been doing that more this year though whether they read it or not.

Same here with Ky credit for tax paid to other state via a K-1 composite.

I agree with Bulldog Tom, mcb39 and Jack from Ohio. I have had Drake for two years (paid for it, am I crazy?). I tried to get into Drake more. I wanted to give it a try. I'm sure it's a good program and once you're used to it, it is good. But I prefer ATX. I have the Total Tax package. I'm used to it. It's much more intuitive. More forms, payroll, tax research. All handy in one program. I will renew ATX again but not Drake again. I'll just live with the slow reaction time of ATX. My volume isn't that great. The pros just outweigh the slowness of the program.

Yes, a lot easier now that a few years have gone by and brokers have the info needed to code A and D. Should get even easier each year.

I agree, price and forms. But I still wonder with a high volume, multiple user office, why they wouldn't want a more powerful and stable program. They should have the revenue to support the higher end programs. But I also realize the big guys are raising their prices higher and higher too.

I don't know why those with high volume would want to use ATX. I'm a one person office so it fits my needs very well.

Jack, I'm not having problems. I just play it safe with fewer things open at once. I have a new system, no problems. I do keep several programs open at once, say a webite, email, QB, others. But within ATX, I like to keep it as simple as possible.

As a side, I don't update with the open program. I go to ATX and download, then run the update. I also close everything else. I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem. It's just that these programs seem to be sensitive and too many things going on at the same time makes me nervous.

I don't get this comment. I've been a long time user of ATX. It's slow but I think that's the type of programming it uses. I haven't had the problems others have had, returns not opening or whatever. Something must be going on unique with them.

Nevermind. Found my answer. I had the spouse marked in the SEP worksheet.

Now I'm looking at SEP for client. If he contributes to SEP, he's an active participant and can't make the IRA contribution. But ATX is showing spouse also as an active participant. I'm wondering why he can't contribute to a SEP and she contribute to her traditional IRA based on his earnings.

DevM, thanks. That was it. W2 info from several years ago was still in the return.

My IRA worksheet is showing box checked for participating in an employer plan. I can uncheck it but I'm wondering why it defaulted that way. Client receiving Govt pension, both spouses receiving some RR SocSec equivalent. Client has a Sch C consulting business with high profit. Both ages under 70. I'm wondering if the box is checked because it's rolled over that way from several years back when client was still working govt job and was an active participant. I think I just need to uncheck the box but was curious why this box was checked in the first place. Maybe the program knows something I don't.

I have a similar situation. Surviving spouse received 1099R and I think there should have been two 1099Rs. There was a distribution with tax withheld and there was a rollover into spouse IRA. I have the statements showing the amounts. It was with a broker and the IRA and non-retirement account was with the same broker. A direct transfer. Sheesh. They just took a short cut in issuing one 1099R. I warned client of an IRS letter.