b#tax

Interesting article on MFA or 2FA....again a reminder that a holistic approach is needed. I just wish the rules passed down would recognize this. https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/researchers-crack-microsoft-azure-mfa-hour

Yes it is a dilemma to know when to upgrade to a new system. I have been running my system with M.2 SSD with both raid HDD and online backup. I generally purchase upper tier processing power and with the M.2 NVME SSD I am not experiencing the slow down I have in the past as the system ages. Intel has not helped with the issues with Gen 13 and 14 processors. Makes me hesitant to jump into a system where the processors will need to be patched right off the bat. I still like desktops as they are easier for me to work on, switch out raid drives, add SSD and upgrade memory and easily connect 3 monitors. I have come across a Cisco product called Duo that is interesting for MFA application but not sure if it would work for older version of tax software that do not have it natively imbedded in the program. This is So frustrating for a small practice with myself and 1 seasonal worker. Why does this fall on us to have MFA when big providers like Intuit QuickBooks Desktop does not even have MFA in their software? Has anyone come up with a local file manager solution with MFA? I really don't want to move everything online just to comply with the new security rules if possible.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5708.pdf

Anyone had any experience using Pistus Payroll? Looks like it is a spin off project from OLT with payroll report e-fling and tax payments. Found them via searching through IRS authorized MEF providers for 94X.

There have been several resellers of CCH Taxwise and Drake in the past as cbslee stated above. I did not switch to Sigma nor am I going to switch. This was an old post I made last year and I was updating it. I switched from CCH Taxwise to Ultimate Tax for TY 2022 and plan on renewing again with Ultimate as I am happy with the service and very happy with the price. The original reference to Sigma was when I was researching last year prior to deciding on Ultimate. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes - Ultimate Tax is a full reseller of Taxwise. I have been using Taxwise since 1994. Finally switched from buying it from CCH to Ultimate Tax and saved a bundle. Software is identical with the exception of the home page has different quicklinks. Customer support is fast. You still will encounter reps that don't have state specific knowledge but what software company has people who can keep track of all state changes?

Just an update from tax season, I did not end up setting a minimum price but I did raise my rates 15% and posted that in my letter as well as in the office. I also provided information on free services from VITA and AARP for those who felt like my service no longer met their needs. I lost some but not as many as I thought I would and pickup up almost as many new clients as I lost but at the higher price point. I had less push back on the price increase from old clients than years I had a 2-4% increase and did not post it. Still have too many but I actually enjoyed my work again up to March 31 then same craziness hit.

Just a helpful update, I moved from Taxwise to Ultimate Tax Software, who is a reseller of Taxwise and saved a bundle. Tax season was great and much easier to get ahold of live support, which only used for two issues. Still have the limitations of Taxwise which are slow to roll out updates for states. Now I need to find a PPR software that supports k-2, k-3 and AAR filing for a correction on a partnership return to finish off the year.

I have worked in Desktop Taxwise since 1994 and it is great for simple and medium 1040 returns and is forms based for very fast entry. It also does fairly well with entity returns with a couple of K-1 forms. However, you will start running into limitations if you have entity returns with more than one business activity, need advance 199A calculations, need to report K-2 or K-3, need to report at risk limitation or passive income activities. I have not used the Taxwise online product which in the past has been more limited and only available for 1040. I have tried ATX but never really enough to be comfortable with it. As they are both from CCH, I suspect the support or lack of would be the same. The only reason I really use support is to report bugs in the system.

Thank you all for your thoughtful advice and taking the time in your busy lives to share your opinion. I appreciate it!

I am working way too long of hours and have too many clients both tax and bookkeeping. I plan to raise fees this year, but I don't feel like that I will lose many based on past raises. Has anyone had any experience in raising the minimum fee to focus on higher end returns? I am thinking about sending out letters to those under my new higher minimum fee stating they may be better served looking elsewhere for their tax needs. It is hard to do as many clients have been with me a long time, but I am feel like I cannot be the stop gap in the marketplace. Any thoughts would be welcome.....

I have been using Taxwise Desktop since 1994. It is great for 1040 and easy entity returns but I am looking to purchase ATX for my complicated entity returns. I will keep Taxwise Desktop for the bulk of my 1040 returns as it is great for speed and is forms based with real time calculations. I don't understand why Drake still makes you calculate the return as a separate process like it is the 1980's. Taxwise Online has only been 1040 but maybe they are starting to provide support for entities? If so 2022 would be the first year.

The IRS just came out with another notice that K-2 or K-3 schema would not be available until July 2022. I think if your software supports, you can attached pdf of the form.

Anyone have any experience using Sigma Tax Pro which claim they are a reseller of both Taxwise and Drake?

I received this email on 5/2/2022 does look like Desktop was just moved to life support: Updates: QuickBooks Desktop Payroll We are reaching out to provide advance notice of availability to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll products. QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is simplifying its product lineup. These changes allow us to sharpen our focus on delivering what we believe to be the best online payroll products going forward. Product changes impacting accountants: As of June 1, 2022, we will no longer be offering new purchases of Enhanced Payroll for Accountants, and it will no longer be offered as part of the QuickBooks Desktop ProAdvisor Software Bundle. This change only impacts new purchases and does not impact current subscription and renewal. Existing users will be able to continue their active subscription, and this change will not affect their ability to use the product or get support. If one of your accountant colleagues is looking for a new payroll service to support their clients, they may consider QuickBooks Online Payroll.1 Product changes impacting your clients: Effective June 1, 2022, we will no longer be offering new purchases of QuickBooks Desktop Assisted Payroll, unless it's part of the QuickBooks Enterprise Diamond bundle which includes Assisted Payroll. Existing Assisted Payroll users will continue their active subscription and this change will not affect their ability to use the product or get support. Share your feedback Please take a moment to tell us what you think of these changes and what you would like to see included in future versions of QuickBooks Payroll products. Thank you for your partnership and for your dedication to your clients. The QuickBooks Payroll Team