mcb39

I have not done batch printing or Organizers for years. There are too many clients who don't need or use them and/or don't bring them back. I know which clients are going to want one for the most part. In my yearly letter, I instruct them to ask for one if they want it. Printing them separately is not that big of a deal and is a huge savings on paper, toner, postage and time. IMO

Not ready here either. Several calls today for various reasons. A few appts set up for Feb already. Today, clients wanted Organizers, EOY Sales Tax Reports and Payroll Reports done. I don't even know if the software is ready for that. Have an audit next Thursday and my office is a mess. Will she allow my assistant to be present during the audit process? She can be working quietly in the other half of the office. Anybody know?

What I actually meant was that I absolutely love the Surface. However, I have no issues with 8.1 either. I just would not update any of my work computers from Win 7 Pro.

The Surface Pro 3 was definitely a learning curve for me, but once I "got" it, I was off and running. I had never dealt with Win 8 or 8.1 prior to that. I absolutely love it, particularly for traveling. My personal advice is that if you are going to indulge yourself with something that expensive, go the extra mile and get the keyboard. Have someone (I used my Grandson) come in and show you the basics of getting around in Win 10 and it will get to feel like home and I have no issues switching back and forth to 7. The Surface was a "something for me" purchase and just having it gives me the warm fuzzies. The size is perfect for moving around. Both of my laptops are 17" and would never think of using them on my lap. Good luck whichever way you decide.

Don't know what to tell you. That is why I got my Surface while it was still bundled with 8.1 and that was enough of a learning curve as I have 7 Pro on all of my work computers. However, Surface is not for tax prep and I have learned to love it. It, too, is hounding me to update to 10.

So, this is it in a nutshell for me. I have moved on from the malignancy diagnosis for myself and we are handling the one for my husband. We feel that we are very fortunate and neither of us really wants to do anything else. We had our adventures when we were younger and are both involved in our own businesses. I started cutting back on business clients several years ago. Actually, one of my business clients who is semi-retired got notice yesterday that he has been randomly picked for a full blown audit in two weeks. I offered to have it held in my office but don't know why the decide to do these at this time of year. When I think I am starting to wear down, something like this happens and fires my ambition and confidence in my ability to handle it. Yes, each of us is different and my parents and grandparents also lived into their 90's with no signs of dementia. This could all change in the blink of an eye but I am not going to sit around waiting for another diagnosis of Cancer.

If you are healthy, age is a number and/or a state of mind. Up until now, my husband and I have both been healthy and considered ourselves to be very fortunate. That has not been true this past year and someone has tried to slow us down a bit. Except for fatigue, I am pretty much over the hump for now. IMO, nothing will keep your brain sharper; longer; than trying to interpret the tax law. Other than having to work medical appointments into my tax schedule, I feel that I am ready to keep on keeping on. In my heart, I am still the young wife and mother with two small children who was looking for a way to supplement our income. I was fortunate to find my niche and it has served me well. I still find tax preparation to be challenging and fulfilling. I will continue as long as my body and mind allow me to.

You are well qualified in whichever category you want to put yourself. You are experienced and knowledgeable as anyone on this board.

I am well past 70...............

You may be putting the cart before the horse. The LLC is the cart and the horse is the tax entity.

IMO, procrastination is no excuse. They have been reminding us for months.

I actually started in about 1973. However, the use of pencil and paper as well as the unavailability of forms, greatly limited production. I slowly evolved over the years to the purchase of a copy machine (such bliss) to the purchase of my first computer. In the course of working for another accountant, my own practice was beginning to grow. I was able to maintain a part-time Dental Receptionist job for 20 years because they were willing to work around my tax schedule. It finally became a case of give it up or give it your all. Well, I am still here in a new office addition. You really have to wonder when enough is too much. I hope I have the sense to know when it is time. Happiest and Healthiest of Holidays to all of you and Merry Christmas!

I read this earlier today. Is it not correct that this bill still has to be passed? Is that going to happen and how long is it going to take? Seems like every year we are sitting on this same fence at this same time of the year. As far as making extenders permanent; I often tell my clients that "it is the law now, but who knows what will happen down the road!" I hate that I am becoming such a "Doubting Thomas"!

Good points!!!!! Well, voluntary is what some of us are doing now and that is fine with me. It should be fine with others as well. The IRS shouldn't necessarily have to be the regulator.

I totally GET that! However, I studied and studied HARD for the RTRP; which came to naught. That didn't take away the things I learned. Nobody knew what that test was going to entail. I agonized an entire weekend and traveled 200 miles to take that test. I don't believe the average man on the street; trying to make a few extra bucks is going to go through all that. I have no desire to be an attorney. I have no desire to be a CPA or an EA, because at 75 years of age it would hardly be worth the time and expense. I just don't want to be dumped in the same pot with anybody who suddenly decides it would be a good idea to prepare taxes for money. Also, truthfully, I think the ones who need the most regulation are the HRB and Liberty employees. My assistant "graduated" with 100% from the HRB course. She is no more ready to prepare a tax return on her own than she was before she took the course. She just heard about and learned some things she had never heard of before. As we go forward, we will see how much she retains because all of the tests were open book. On the other hand, I really need her assistance and she will attempt to do whatever I tell her to do. BUT, I have to tell her and this year I will be telling her to "look it up"! There is no substitute for hands-on learning and experience. When I renew my PTIN and my EFIN and take courses to enable me to continue as an AFSP; it means something to me and it should mean something to my clients. And, it should mean something to every person who puts themselves forward as a paid tax preparer.

I had a client call and tell me that she went to HRB last year because they gave her sister a ($$$) gift certificate for referring them. She also said that they were totally astonished when they received the bill for their prep. She said, "We will be back to you this year!" I made no comment as I really don't want her back. On the other hand; it is getting more and more difficult to self-prepare. I got two new clients this year who prepared with Turbo Tax and needed the returns amended. Both got large refunds after the amendment. All in all, I stand by my original post. I take ethics seriously. I won't deduct something just because my client knows someone whose preparer said they could deduct some really gray area items. Preparing income tax returns is not a game or a competition. It is a serious business. We NEED to know what we are doing and why. We NEED to have resources that will give us the answers that we don't know for sure. Some of us NEED to have regulated boundaries or get off the ship.

That is for sure! Whether you open your reference material or not; it impresses them to see that you have it and know how to use it if need be.

I have the quick finders and the paper Wisconsin Tax Guide as well as the paper Master tax guide. I miss the Pub 17 since it became digital. I have it on my desktop but seldom remember to use it. I do a lot of my research when I am relaxing and away from the computer. No, did not try the Lite research.

No clue, but I am hoping that if we maintained our AFSP status; they will allow us an exemption as they did if we had passed the RTRP even though it had been thrown out.

I hate doing electronic research.

With more people losing jobs every day; there are many who are looking for a way to produce income another way. I know that a lot of them are taking the HRB course with the thought in mind of putting themselves forth as tax preparers. I KNOW this because my assistant is taking that course and it is difficult. They are cramming a lot into their heads in a very short period of time. She came in yesterday to do a couple practice returns on my software. Now, my assistant is a smart cookie and has been studying diligently. She also attended the tax seminar in November with me. However, she is no more ready to prepare a complicated tax return on her own than I was forty years ago. This is one of the things that frightens me. I know my gal will be OK because she will be working with me; but honestly, they are throwing a lot of tough examples at these students. She had never in her life heard of most of them. Of course, they are dwelling on the credits that are available for the clientele that HRB feeds on. Yes, we have to know these things. We also have to know much, much more. I do believe that paid preparers should be tested and licensed to some degree. That is why I took and passed the (now extinct) RTRP test and continue to keep my AFSP credentials current. I want my clients to be able to trust me. More importantly, I want to be able to trust myself. If there is the slightest doubt in our minds that something we did on a return might not be exactly correct; we NEED to look it up. We have to do everything we can to prepare a complete and correct return. In closing, I thank this board for everything that I learn here. And I have learned a LOT! I subscribe to several other reference materials as well. I hope that you all have a profitable and successful tax season and a very Blessed Holiday Season.

It is very expensive on its own and I use it a lot. It is the same book used by the IRS local offices. If I really need in depth clarification; that is the place I go.

I don't think that you can take business use of the home expenses in excess of the net profit of the business. The rest is a carry-forward.

I have a really nice free-standing white mailbox that locks and has a slot to drop things off and a clip inside a closed door to leave things. Even has a red flag that they can put up to alert me that they have dropped something off. I got mine at Menards and my carpenter mounted it alongside the step leading into my home office. My handicapped people can get close enough to it with the car if they have to. Must be going on at least four years now and we love it. The generous slot is also inside of the closed drop-down door. Measures about 10" by 12".