Randall

Working on a 1065 with rentals Form 8825, three properties. When in print menu, depr schedules won't print. When I go back to return, the info isn't there. I can't move between properties. I check the Fixed Assets and luckily, they're still there. I close return, open it and the 4562 and schedule info is back. But when I go back to print menu and try to print 4562 and schedules, same thing happens. Sheesh.

Thanks for the comments on Drake. They are currently number one on my leader board. Lecerte would be but they're in the high price category.

Just copied my ATX Backup files to a flashdrive. Was looking at it and under Company, only saw entity names, no individual returns. Saw a folder name Formset and saw the individual names. Is this where my returns are backed up? Just wanted to check. So far, nothing's happened for me to need the backup but was wanting to make sure I do have a good backup of my returns.

A lot of small unaffiliated churches do things on the fly. They may pay someone a 'housing allowance' and have 'heard' the minister doesn't have to worry about tax. Yes, when they hear how it should be done, they're not happy. Either because of the tax or the paper rigamerole they have to go thru.

Yes, JohnH, it's been a slog with ATX this year. I'm finding just hitting the tab is taking a few seconds to move to the next line or box. I like the toggle you mentioned. This sounds more than enough to make up for the forms entry. And ATX has added more input worksheets over the years so you're not always entering info directly on the form.

taxxcpa, thanks. There's so much commentary about these things. How can a non-techie know?

And yes, residuals are SE income. But the residuals are now going to the buyer, not the seller. And I think that's what they're attempting to do, transfer the SE obligation to the seller.

Jainen, the contract reads Asset Purchase Agreement, includes the standard language, even has a list of tangible assets included (office furn, equip, etc). One larger payment received in Dec, another in Jan 2013, 42 monthly payments (the first received in Dec 2012). Promissory note also included. I think the 8594 is necessary and that the buyer is stuck with some intangibles to be amortized. Contract also states that a 8594 shall be prepared. Says consultation of buyer for a period stated shall be compensated at $25/hr above and beyond the purchase price previously stated. Buyer's wife admitted she hasn't read the contract and seemed annoyed that husband did this without her seeing the contract.

Definitely buyers' advantage. But I can't help that.

My thoughts too SFA. No, seller is not staying on as a consultant. Buyer's wife is a CPA working for P&G's tax department. Talk about name dropping credentials. Said she researched, mentioned a State Farm case. But I think that case had to do with an agent retiring and continuing to receive payments from State Farm. Ruled SE income. I don't think that fits my situation.

Birddog, thanks for the info on Drake and Dos. I don't know programming but I assume that is a big thing coming. Also, the owner will eventually want to cash out. Mainetaxguy, I agree. There will be a lot of great sounding offers. I'm hoping to get several free programs after 4/15 and run my extensions on several going up to 10/15. If ATX looks like they have gotten thru this, I'll consider renewing. I don't want to jump into something that is going to run into these problems while ATX has gotten thru the worst. The big pricey programs are out for me because my practice is not that big and they are out of my budget. And the innovations are going to keep coming, XP out, W8 and all the rest. These programs are going to have to keep up with the tech changes as well as the tax changes.

Client sold insurance agency. Seems like cap gains and installment sale. Buyer issued 1099-MISC Box 7 for payments in 2012. Said it was just buying the commissions and they should be reported by seller. I seem to recall something in the past about this but it seems that pertained to an agent retiring and continuing to receive commissions from the insurance company. I think a 8594 needs to be prepared allocating the assets between tangible and intangible. Any comments or references?

I'm one who hasn't had the serious stuff. But the general slowness of the program is really bugging me and it is a lot slower than previous years.

Slept in a couple of hours later this morning. Does wonders.

I've not noticed this but I don't actually review the copy I attach to the email. I make my pdf copy of the return from ATX using profactory, then save it to my client file as an Acrobat pdf. Then in my email to the client, I attach this acrobat pdf file. Once it's in the email as an attachment, I open it and encrypt with a password. I then close and open to check the password before sending. But I don't actually review the return at this point. I'll look next time to see if anything looks mssing or funny.

I don't know much about Drake or other programs. But from what I've heard in past years and now, Drake has been at the top of my list if I ever change. That change is looking more inevitable.

Yes, usually the local taxes are based on where you work, not where you live.

Medlin, I liked your analogy, but it doesn't give me much confidence. Numbers and Jack, thanks. Not knowing the guts of the matter, I'm getting that same feeling.

I'm not a techie regarding programs. In the past, I've heard ATX was a spreadsheet based program. Not being a programmer, I always assumed this is why it was slow. This year, there was supposed to be this major overhaul. I'm not sure of the details, but is it still a spreadsheet based program. I'm wondering if this is the reason it is even slower than past years. Maybe they just tried to do too much with this type of program. Jack of Ohio and others may know more about this.

I think I found my answer on Q&A link of CTEC regarding out of state tax preparers not required to register. And can prepare CA returns.

Is there a CA licensing requirement for out of state preparers to efile a CA return? Only one return? Or a minumum number exemption?

Seems even slower.

RitaB, can you send me some seedlings of that tree?

ATX didn't sell itself to CCH. The people who started and built it up sold to CCH and were probably paid a very large sum of money.

If you have Acrobat, you should be able to convert the pdf to Acrobat. I use pdfprofactory and I have the acrobat icon in upper left. I just click it and I have the document in acrobat, which has a lot more functions available.