mcb39

Actually, as each return is different, I really don't mind choosing the forms and worksheets or reports that I want to print. It has become second nature to check the "usual" ones for the uncomplicated returns. I never use the default, I always use the custom. I guess I am not complaining, because I can still remember the days of running all over town to find some odd form or other. My particular favorite memory is the 2106. Things have gotten so easy for us that we tend to forget at what price. Every time we ask for and get something new, the price goes up. I am about priced out in my one person office. Even though I prepare many returns, it takes a while before I reach profit mode. Just my take on being careful what you ask for.

You could go to the Return Manager, click on Support, go down to Customer Service Utilities and then to Syncronize with EFC.. That should update your E-file Manager to match ATX's records; but as long as you know it is accepted, why just not wait until you get back so as not to add any more stress to your life. Have a great week away, whatever your plans are.

Margaret, log into MY ATX at the top of this page, or however you usually get there. Click on E-File Center in the tabs at the top of the page. Then, click on E-File status of the page that opens. From there you can enter your information and get your results. (Took me a minute to remember how to do this too)

Your post and your attitude are so very special. Wishing you the very best of all good things to come.

According to the panel, the test will be relatively basic and will be given over a three year period, starting sometime after the filing season in 2011. It will be open book and online. Details have not been ironed out yet. The PTIN registration or renewal will begin in September, 2010 and they are projecting the fee to be somewhere between $75 and $300 for a three year period. They said several times that it would probably be more toward the lower end of the spectrum as these monies are to be used to implement this program only and not used for any other IRS or Federal programs. I have several notes at home, but have just arrived at the cottage for the weekend. They didn't seem to think that anyone who knew anything about preparing a 1040 would have any reason to fail. We shall see.

I agree with you, Margaret, I have had my PTIN from the beginning. However, it sounded as though getting one now might be a little more difficult so am happy that they are just going to allow us to renew the one that we have. As for the fee, we have to bite the bullet and if they were honest in the projection, I guess it could be a lot worse.

The IRS Webinar yesterday afternoon, though brief, was extremely helpful and informative as to the upcoming requirements regarding preparer registration and testing. They clarified several questions as to how the procedure will work and the timeframe that will be allowed. I didn't find it a waste of time.

Go to Global Settings at the bottom of the Asset Entry page. There is a box to check for short year.

Line H of the Schedule C asks if you started or acquired this busienss during 2009 and there is a check box. That is all they ask for. Line G is the Did you "mateially participate in the operation. I guess I am wondering what you are overriding. His income and expenses are only whatever the books say they are from Nov 1 to Dec 31. For depreciation, it asks for the date placed in service, which will then automatically figure the depreciation for the short year.

It's mighty uplifting and somewhat irritating.

I got a phone call from TRX this afternoon offering me the deal of a lifetime. Where did they get my phone number as I have never done any business with them? Hmmmmm?

Page B-17 column 3 of Small Business Quickfinders states that "....The ordinary gain from Form 4797 reported on line 6 of form 1065 (page 1) is not subject to SE tax. See the IRS Schedule K instructions for the worksheet for figuring net earnings (loss) from self employment."

I agree with both Jainen and KC. That is exactly how I do it and I have a fair amount of rental returns. The bottom line here is that it is a legitimate deduction and is being deducted somewhere. I really believe that is all that matters.

Yes, Bob, I remember William Tasker well. He is the first person that I ever got phone support from, many years ago. He went on to bigger and better things and for several years was the trusted ally of the ATX Community Board before CCH took them over. Is he still with them? In all honesty, in all of those years, I have only had to call support a handful of times. Mostly because somebody on the "board" had answered the question before I had to ask it. This is in reference to both the old ATX board as well as this new one that Eric so kindly created for us. I have e-mailed them twice about the referral matter and have never received a reply. I also talked to a sales rep in that regard and he was going to take care of it and get back to me. At this point, I no longer care. I have not received a renewal call from them to my knowledge. To be fair, though, I am away from home a lot and could have misseed it as sometimes messages get deleted before I get to listen to them. But, I have my cell phone with me at all times. Yes, I have been with them a long time. In fact I still have the 1999 through 2009 programs, inclusive, on my main work computer. Jump drives enable me to work when I am away from home as I am now. Thank you for acknowledging my post. (I was part of the meal that many of us old faithfuls put on for the support crew when William was still there and it was still ATX.)

I have no problem with the printing, especially as you say with e-file. I always go to Custom and print only the forms and worksheets that I want. If more is needed, it is always on the harddrive or backup disk. Actually, I have had no serious problems with the software and the improvements over the years have been fantastic. My problem is with the communication. I am waiting for two weeks now to find out why I have never gotten a credit for a referral that I made last year, which was fulfilled. Someone was going to get back to me and since I have also e-mailed them twice and gotten no response., I am disappointed, to say the least. Because of this, I have missed the discounted renewal date it they don't appear to care. I might add that I have used this software since 1996, and feel that I should have earned some respect as a customer. Consequently, I am now in no hurry to renew, nor am I sure that I am going to. $1,000 plus is no small matter when you are a self-employed, one person operation. I have to measure the increasing costs of everything as well as the software. I don't think the price of the software is excessive, I just want what I am entitled to as a faithful, long-time client.

I believe you can only do that in 2009 and then it is only for a brand new vehicle. Otherwise, it is one or the other.

Brandy is a girl after my own heart. I am also planting this weekend and loving every minute of it. Cheers!

Carolynm; which package did you order? They just assured me that there is no way you got MAX for that price. I am also in the begging process for the $100 referral fees that I have earned and never received. Needless to say, I did not renew today.

We just finished spending two days celebrating a 50th with two of our best friends and their family. Last night was the formal party; this morinig at church came the renewal of vows and after that the informal party continued at their home. It was beautiful. My husband met this fellow when they served on the same ship in the Navy. That was in 1954. When my husband came home, his good friend came with him even though he was from a different state; he stayed and met his future wife here. They were married in May, we were married in June of the same year, 1960. As I said, it was, and is, beautiful.

Jainen is correct. Health Insurance Premiums are not a deductibe expense for Partnerships. They possibly could be Guaranteed Payments to Partners, subject to SE tax, though.

Re: Question 2....a contract is not a requirement for applying for this credit. An Occupancy Permit is. I just finished one of these. My client does have the original bid, which we will send along, but is not asked for at this time. Why would a contractor not necessarily keep good records? I would think being in business is all the more reason to do so. As long as you can prove $80,000 or more; or as in my case,$65,000 or more, you qualify for the credit if all of the other criteria is in place.

I had a client (deceased a year ago Dec at age 58) who got into a mess before I met him. He then became my client for about 19 years. He had owed the IRS somewhere in the area of $20,000. He had a payment plan in place, and religiously paid $500 a month for 10 years, which equals $60,000. At that time, he still owed $17,000. The IRS forgave the debt at that point. It took us another two years to get the debt off of his credit report, so he could borrow money to purchase a newer semi. (SE trucker). He never would talk about the original trouble other than that it had something to do with a relative who was doing his bookkeeping. It took me most of the years that I knew him to get him to trust me enough to do his bookkeeping. Then he has a stroke and dies. One of the saddest funerals I ever attended. Now, wife, from whom he was separated but not divorced., is not filing at all. She consulted me several times after the death, but never brought me the rest of the bookkeeping for 2008 and never heard from her in 2009 until April 15, 2010, when she shows up on my doorstep and says, "Remember Me?" I sent her to a friend of mine who needed clients and filed an extension for her. So far, my friend hasn't heard from her since. Perhaps this will offer some insight into my cynicism in regard to these kind of clients. They have everything to lose, but it doesn't seem to matter. After all the time he spent building his business back up; she is apparently willing to throw it away. This is not the only such case that I have had over the years. My experience is that many non-filers are not concerned with the IRS until they get caught. Had to file four years in April because one of my good clients happened to marry a guy who hadn't filed from 03 through 06. Got nailed when they filed jointly and the IRS held their large refund until the returns were filed. He hadn't owed much and even had a couple of small refunds. He JUST didn't file.

We have 50 coming up in June. There surely have been ups and downs. My parents had 68 and my grandparents 69. It isn't ALL about values, but most of it is.

I had boys too, but tux rentals sure sound a lot less expensive in CA than they are in WI. And then the boys have little girls who grow up and get married like ours did last Sept. Sooner or later, you get nailed.

The only Insurance "employee" I ever had who got a W2 instead of a 1099, was an Insurance Adjuster. And now, after retirement, they bilked him out of his "lifetime healthcare benefits". All of the agents I deal with receive a 1099 and file a Sch C. In some ways, this is beneficial because, for one thing, they put on a ton of miles. Some can do Office in Home, and most have many deductions. Nobody likes paying quarterly estimates or SE Tax, but that appears to be pretty much the norm with Ins salespeople. Thanks for the cite, Lion.