mcb39

Ah! The plot thickens. I am beginning to see the light. Did not realize that you were part of the original team. I also remember when we all contributed to that BBQ and did see the picture once when posted on the old ATX Board. By the way, after all you have done for us, you can be as nerdy as you like! :D

If I were given a choice, I would definitely stay with XP. That is what I am running on both of mine and have no complaints; whereas some people with Vista are pretty upset a lot of the time. This is one time that I can't bow to the wisdom of Jainen.

They not only give you the option; they INSIST that you change it on a regular basis. I am following KC's advice about the month, but that doesn't solve the problems we run into when trying to access their site. So far this year, my change went through just fine, but I am not holding my breath.

Opened program again today and updated from internet again today. No issues.

I just started program. All OK. Updated from web. All OK. Shut down and restarted program. All OK. Running Windows XP with SP3. I installed from the disk. I was told to be SURE that nothing was running in the background during the install. That includes virus protection (temporarily disable), screen savers and/or anything else that you have running automatically on startup. Also, defrag and run a scan before installation. Make sure your computer is fine tuned before any major installation. My friend and advisor is always adamant about these things. Taking a little extra time can save you headaches in the end.

I have had no issues with SP3 on either my desktop or laptop.

My Windows XP upgrades to SP 1, 2 and 3 all went smoothly. Had no problems installing or upgrading the program. However, have not tried to open it yet today, but will, as others are indicating new issues.

I am running Windows XP with SP3 and had no problems installing, updating or setting up the program. (So far)!

Good for you Lucho! Some things are better left undone.; or if it's not broke, don't fix it. Have a great tax and holiday season.

I just did a clean install from the disk with no problems. Before you start, get your computer ready as KC has already noted. Disable your anti-virus software temporarily as well as your screen saver and/or anything else that may be running in the background. Good luck to all and have a great tax season.

One instance comes to mind immediately where that feature would be worthless (or worse). I have a Partnership that I prepare the Partnership return for; but do NOT prepare the personal returns of the partners; due to a conflict of interests. One of the Partners is my boss at my part-time dental job. I absolutely do not think it would be good for either one of us to have me know his personal affairs. This is a sideline business that he has with his brothers and has nothing to do with Dental. Nor, do I prepare either of his brothers' personal returns.

This is certainly all really good information so early on. It was an exceptionally good question and a lot of others have been answered along the way. The biggest thing that they stressed to us was to be sure to educate the clients as to the payback rules of this "loan".

The credit is $3.750 for a married individual filing separately; or 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence. They discussed this subject at some length at tax school and were very careful to STRESS that this credit is really only a loan that will have to be repaid beginning in the second tax year after the year of purchase. If the taxpayer sells the home (or ceases to use it as his or her principal residence) before the credit is completely repaid, any remaining credit balance must be repaid on the tax return for the year the home is sold or ceases to be used as principal residence. There is more to this "credit" than at first meets the eye. My assumption, without research, is that the answer to your question is NO; or at the very least, the deduction would be reduced.

Very smart of you to learn to use a calculator left-handed, BTW.

Umm, I got 17. Missed 8. Also erred on acknowledgement and judgement. Maybe it depends on when we went to Grammar school.

Shame on Me!!! I have always prided myself on my spelling ability. How do they say that? "Pride goes before the fall........" My score wasn't terrible, but much worse than I expected. That was a good test.

That is what I was referring to. You are right. I misspoke by calling it a credit. It IS a deduction from taxable income. I still think clients will like it as more and more are unable to itemize.

I understand about the ethics credits. However, the stimulus worksheet will only work if we KNOW how much the taxpayer received. How many do you think will bring in their stub? We will be back to checking most of them out just like last time. Also, I like the Property Tax Credit for people who do not itemize. I am sure the clients will like it and it should bring in some traffic when they start advertising the changes and some individuals won't have a clue as to how to go about claiming their credits.

:huh: Just finished with 2 days of Tax Insight 2008 Income Tax School. Picked up some interesting tidbits and some very interesting changes to the tax code. (Additions and Subtractions). They did spend 2 hours the first day on Ethics; so apparently that is an ever increasing subject of interest to the IRS. Anyway, the new season is starting and the repercussions of the stimulus payouts in 2008 should add a lot of spice to our practices. ie; the parent who didn't get to claim the child last year will get a credit for the $300 stimulus they did not receive in 2008. There are other instances of credit increases; no paybacks. So, all of those parents who hurried to file first and messed us up with amending returns; will get the deduction on this year's return. I feel the pain already.

I always order the oval e-file stickers and put one on the cover of every return that is e-filed. The clients like that touch.

That goes for me too, Julie. Many of us go back a long way together and you are one of the beginners. Hope you had a wonderful day....... :read:

No Kidding! Another ATX preparer called me the other night with a question and I pulled a complete blank. Eventually, we did figure it out though. Very basic operation too.

I echo Margaret. This board is also "critical"" to me. Pub 17 and Quickfinders and whatever knowledge I pick up at Tax Seminars are all secondary to the things I learn in this Community. I don't understand, however, how this original post ended up turning political.

I also have experienced the frothing. Have not considered the same extremes as ERC; primarily because this cat was newly adopted from the Humane Society and was traumatized enough. KC.....if you love cats (and I know that many people do not); you will put up with a lot of frustration. Our first cat was with us for 21 years and gave us so much love. The second one was with us for 15, but she was a stray so we never really knew how old she was. We finally had to have her euthanized due to kidney failure. We waited a long two years before adopting and have now had Annie for a year. Adult cats are much harder to adapt; but she needed a home and has a totally different personality than any other cat we have ever lived with. We love her anyway and she loves us.

Deb...so sorry to hear about your Dad. Some of us can relate very well and understand. Tax Progams aside; keep your chin up.....one day at a time.