gfizer

In the return manager select "Preferences" and then "Print." In the box that appears directly under the first set of checkboxes you'll see a section that says "Default Print Copies." The 4th line down in that section says "Print federal attachments for." Simply clear the checkboxes and Voila! the stupid attachments won't print unless you tell them to when you print a return. Hope this helps! Gina

I had one of these last year and there was no input screen for it at that time. I took a quick look on this year's software and don't see anything different for this year.

Won't hear me complaining. I like it and I agree with Jack.

I just absorb the cost. I figure the convenience is worth the small expense.

I started using Square last tax season and love it. Like you, my practice is not large enough to justify the expense of anything else. Clients were very receptive and thought it was really cool. Funds were always deposited to my account next business day.

I use a HP LaserJet Pro 400 MFP M425dn and love it. It is super fast and very reliable. I purchase toner on ebay. It's not OEM toner but it works great and is economical. I am going to duplex client copies this year to save paper. I quit printing file copies a couple of years ago. I save a pdf copy to my computer's hard drive and another pdf copy to an external hard drive.

The process is very different from previous versions, but I figured it out. For anyone who is interested, you have to open the Admin Console, click on the "File Settings" tab and browse the storage location under the backup/restore server section and change the location to that of the backup file on your external drive. Close the Admin Console and then return to the software and select restore returns under the returns tab of the return manager. Thanks for your offer of help, Jack. I appreciate it and you can bet I would have been calling on you if I hadn't lucked into it!

Long story short...my computer was acting very unstable so I decided that before things really got underway I would back up my files, reformat my hard drive, and start over from scratch. I had already installed this year's software and had worked on 1 return. I backed the return up to my external hard drive thinking I would simply reinstall the software and then restore the return. I have done this on several occasions in previous versions. I now open the restore feature in the software and find it is completely different. There is nowhere to designate a different location from which to restore the backed up return. It's not a huge deal since it's only one small return and I can easily re-do it, but I thought it might be beneficial to know how to make the software restore from an external source should I have to do it at sometime in the future. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks, Gina

Just got a call from a client saying they had heard on the local news that due to the government shutdown taxpayers would have until sometime in February to pay their 4th quarter estimated tax installment. I've looked everywhere and can't find anything to that effect. Anyone else heard anything about this?

Thanks, KC. It epitomized tax season for me this year. I toyed around with the idea of sending it with the extension but finally just decided to paper file the return.

Yes there are instructions but they only address making payments with a paper filed return, an extension, or via EFTPS. I usually do direct debit with the e-filed return but the client has requested that the payment be mailed this year to allow for some "float" time for the funds. The 990-EF info worksheet has the check box for making the payment "paper check by mail" but does not give any mailing instructions.

There is no payment voucher that I can find. Anyone have any experience or suggestions with the best way to mail these checks and make sure they get credited to the proper accounts? Thanks, Gina

There is no understatement of gross income and no fraudulent return filed so neither of those is an issue. I guess the one that concerns me is the 10 years for collection which I understand begins to run when the tax is "assessed." Has the tax been "assessed" in this situation or does "assessment" require some action from either the taxpayer or the IRS? John is right in that the previous preparer did make a mistake in the first year, which she of course has blamed on her staff, and then compounded it in the subsequent years (except for 2008 which for some reason was prepared correctly). I even believe that she caught her mistake while preparing the 2011 return because she called the client and asked him if he had taken the exemption to which he replied "no", but then she then proceeded to prepare the return incorrectly as if he was exempt. I think she assumed he would continue to use her services and hoped that the mistake would never be caught. Just my opinion.... The previous preparer did not ask me to review the returns, the client did, because he has been a little disturbed about how she has handled this whole mess and is now questioning her integrity. I will not be signing anything related to the amended returns. I just want to be able to give my now-client good advice as to what he should do about filing the amended returns for the years outside of the 3 year SOL. I appreciate all of the input from you guys. That is what makes this board so valuable! Thanks, Gina

Per IRS instructions for Form 1040-X: "File Form 1040X only after you have filed your original return. Generally, for a credit or refund, you must file Form 1040X within 3 years (including extensions) after the date you filed your original return or within 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later." I have a new client who is a minister. While reviewing the previous year's return I noticed that he had paid no SE tax which prompted me to ask whether he had a Form 4361 exemption. He said no. Turns out the previous preparer (who calls herself a clergy expert, btw) prepared the return as though he was exempt even though she admits the file was clearly marked that he did not file Form 4361. Further review of previous years' returns revealed that the same was true for 2007, 2009, and 2010 as well as 2011. She has prepared amended returns for the client's review and he has asked me to look them over. My questions is should he not file amended returns for 2007 and 2009 since they are closed returns or does the 3 year SOL only apply to refund returns? (Just for kicks, please note that the other preparer told him there was no reason to file ANY amended returns because the payment of SE tax was voluntary and it really only meant he wouldn't receive credit for the earnings for those years on his social security record.) Thanks for your help! Gina

I thought the exact same thing, Jack. I asked the previous preparer why she hadn't reported it as installment sale and how she had intended to handle this in 2012 but she was unable to recall what her plans were. Basically a big mess. She sold her practice to HRB and wasn't allowed to keep any of her files or even prepare returns for any of her old clients for 2 years, although she says she is sure she made notes in the file. Needless to say the HRB office manager was less than helpful. Let's just say I hope they never need any information from me.

I have a new client who sold his garbage collection business in 2011. He received the bulk of the sale proceeds in 2011 but the portion of the proceeds designated as business goodwill was held by the buyer until such time as the buyer had had ample time to operate the business and know that the number of customer accounts, book of business value, etc. were not overstated. Once everything checked out my client received the final payment in 2012. The previous preparer reported the sale of the various business assets (except the goodwill) on Schedule D and Form 4797 in 2011 leaving me to deal with the goodwill on the 2012 return. Am I correct in saying that the goodwill should be reported on Form 4797 as a section 197 intangible with -0- cost and -0- depreciation/amortization? Or should this be handled some other way? Thanks, Gina

KC, you absolutely must stick around! Even if I don't agree with your politics sometimes I still support you right to express yourself. And more importantly your tax knowledge and advice is simply invaluable to this forum! As far as the name of the forum goes, it doesn't really matter to me as long as I know what the name is

Some people will do anything to get out of filing taxes!

I filed 10 this year and that is the most I've ever had as well.

Kentucky has its own Schedule A. Input flows from Federal Schedule A or you can override the form and enter figures on it directly.

I just wanted to echo everyone else's sentiments. It is great to have a sounding board and a place to vent. Wishing you all a smooth and easy wrap-up of the filing season. Thanks again! Gina

It's late and my brain is about gone. I am working on a fiduciary tax return. Among the income items is a 1099-R for $63000 which represents distribution to the estate of an annuity owned by the decedent. This annuity was reported on Form 706 and estate tax was paid on it. Am I correct in saying that this annuity is IRD and that it qualifies for the estate tax deduction on the fiduciary return? Thanks for your help! Gina

I wouldn't call it inheritance. She inherited the cattle and would therefore receive a step-up in basis to the fmv at the date of her husband's death. Sale should be reported on Form 4797.

If the expenses are solely attributable to the office space I would not use the office space to home ratio. I would deduct (or depreciate, as the case may be) 100% as business expenses.

Tee Hee! Now that made me giggle after a VERY long day! Thanks, KC.