Cathy

Eli, To confirm what Tom said, that's correct. Both spouses must have OWNED and LIVED IN the SAME home in order to qualify for the long time credit. For the 1st time credit, NEITHER spouse could have owned a home.....just another tax code that penalizes married couples.....also what we get when congress hurriedly pass laws! Cathy

Lynn, Think you missed my point all together! It's NOT a 5 - 7 turnaround from e-filing. It's a 5 - 7 day turnaround AFTER YOU CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE to inquire about returns that were accepted in January and on 2-4-10 that aren't received. Again, it's only after you call them that they fix whatever has gone wrong on their system that clients will get the refunds within "5 to 7 business days" (of calling them). I NEVER tell them 3 to 4 days either..in fact, my instruction sheet has "USUALLY" sooner than the Federal deposit.....and we know what USUALLY means with our great State. Cathy

FYI: Many clients have called questioning why their Louisiana refunds weren't direct deposited yet. As you know, normally it takes just 3 to 4 days. I finally sat (49th in the que) and talked with a live person about 2 of my clients....on both she asked "were refunds to be direct deposited?". Yes, both refunds were. She then did something with her computer (I could hear her working) and said tell clients to "allow 5 to 7 business days" and they would have their refunds. I asked if there is some type of problem with direct deposits and she stated that "well...sometimes there is some maintenance to do or something" and to tell any others who called that they should call their office. SO IN OTHER WORDS.....There is a problem THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT and aren't doing anything to fix it. No wonder today was the first time I could even get through to hear their line ring....it's been constantly busy! I have a call in to the LA E-File help desk and IF they call me back, hopefully we can get whatever the problem is fixed. Frustratedly, Cathy

In 2008, client received a letter after we had efiled with a Lump Sum Election designation of LSE and a Public Safety Officer designation of PSO. Both LSE and PSO appeared on the hard copies of the return. Both issues were addressed in the correspondence. The agent at IRS I spoke with did indeed see the LSE designation on the e-filed return (she fussed that another had missed it), however, the PSO designation did not appear on IRS' return. She told me at that time that their systems do recognize the LSE designations, but NOT the PSO designation. She told me to mail in those type of returns in the future. I don't have but a couple as most public safety officers' retirement benefits are paid in full by the agencies they worked for. (FYI) Cathy

The only e-filed direct deposit I've had was one that should have been deposited today, 2-12-10. The only difference in this return and the many others that have all been direct deposited on time was the delayed deposit includes an energy credit. Has anyone else had a similar delay? Just wondering if the energy credit is going to delay the direct deposits???? Thanks, Cathy

Just be glad that you didn't miss the "free" money by one day.....closed on 12-31-08 means loan.....closed on 1-1-09 means free! Cathy

If your having trouble creating an e-file with something to do with a "summary....", it's fixed. Update, close program and restart. Cathy

Jack, I agree with John. It sounds like possibly a line by line audit conducted to see where IRS needs to focus their attention on further audits. I'd ask (but might not get) a deferral until after tax season so you can work with client in getting his ducks in a row. Just be very positive, have a good attitude (instruct your client also if he goes with you) and make sure you bring in very, very organized receipts, etc.. The auditers are humans just like us with a job to do. If you make their job easier with organized data they will love you...and your client too! Just think how you feel when those unorganized clients come in...the ones you want to spit on...in March and April, especially! Cathy

Booger, Whatever you did "wrong", I did also. However, ALL of the information does appear correctly on NEW returns.....only the name appears on returns rolled over (after changes made to master form). Cathy

jasdlm, Simply delete the returns rollovered prematurely....and roll over again...or as needed. I like to roll over ONLY after a client has scheduled an appointment. That way, I can quickly go back to the returns "not rolled over" and see who is left to schedule. Cathy

Thanks, Don! The instructions definitely are different in 2009 than in 2008. I could just hear an agent telling me next year that the 1040 was not completed properly for a 3rd party designee. I changed the master form so he/she won't get that satisfaction! Cathy

Possibly the following will be of some help: "Decades ago, it was illegal in every state for adult lovers to live together without being married. Today, on the other hand, just seven (7) states (North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Idaho and Michigan) still criminalize cohabitation by opposite-sex couples, although anti-cohabitation laws are generally not enforced. Many legal scholars believe that in light of in Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) such laws making cohabitation illegal are unconstitutional (North Carolina Superior Court judge Benjamin Alford has struck down the North Carolina law on that basis)."

If either of you go to work for a company that has a group health insurance plan, then yes, you will have portability of pre-existing conditions provided that you can prove evidence of being covered with a break not to exceed 90 days, I believe. However, you seem to be where I was several years ago when I gave up employment in a parish (county) job and we had to buy an individual plan as we both were self employed. Our state (Louisiana) also guarantees everyone insurance but the premium was ridiculously high with horrible coverage. I applied and was accepted with Blue Cross Blue Shield in my state...you may have one in your state also. On my application I went with the highest deductible of $5,000 at that time which made us eligible for an HSA. We did have pre-existing conditions, but all of them were under control......at least until 3 months after our policy became effective....then all hell broke loose! Deductible is now $5,600 but 100% of prescriptions and medical bills paid in full after the deductible. The policy has been a God send! Take care, Cathy

Gene, No problem...was glad to have helped. I don't check the status box a couple of times each year when I have a new client.....at least it gives the heart a couple of extra beats and gets the blood flowing a bit more! Cathy

Gene, Also, it makes sense as no "exemption" amount is included on line 30 of the 6251 if no status is checked....so all of the income would be taxable for amt. Cathy

Gene, Can't remember how I did it the first time.....but when I go back to the return now and uncheck single...the amt pops up....then when I check single....no amt.....can keep on doing this at this point in time. Cathy

Hmmmmm....I entered $3,500 in income with a 6251 added to the return and without checking the single filing status, the amt was $910. That's eerie, to say the least! Cathy

Gene, Sounds like the filing status box has not been checked....don't ask how me I know.....been there, done that! Cathy

Thanks again, Wayne.....and I do like the "free" part! Cathy

Thanks Wayne. I very much respect your opinions. Question, please: I'm finished with Norton...had enough! What virus protection do you use/recommend? Thanks, Cathy

Eli, Don't let it bother you at the moment.....get the client to come in to your office to verify to IRS that you can talk to them over the phone. Of course a POA will work also, but having the client in your office will be much quicker. I have NEVER seen so many letters from IRS issued in COMPLETE error as letters received by some of my clients this year. It sounds like whoever looked at the return didn't know their a_ _ from a hole in the ground. Sorry, but it has just been SO frustrating this year.... Cathy

She quite possibly heard exactly what she told you. I shudder at times to the "advice" given by "tax professionals" on tv. Cathy

Catherine, As your return is done first, it must be horrible not to have it "hanging over your head" all year. Can't imagine NOT having mine torment me all year long! Cathy

2007 return was on extention to 10-15-08. Along came Hurricane Gustav and another automatic extension to 1-5-09. For some unknown reason, I actually finished my 2007 return a day early....1-4-09...ready to be mailed......usually don't print it out until the very last day. On 1-5-09 I found myself hospitalized with gall bladder attack from hell....thank goodness I had it ready to be mailed. So the moral of my story is I will NEVER wait until the very last day to complete my return.....will have my 2008 return ready to mail on 10-14-09! :spaz:

Margaret, I would tell the client (especially at this late date) to mail the check directly herself/himself. It's fine to e-file...just print out the voucher and let her/him get a check from her/him and mail it herself/himself. Now...wasn't that as plain as mud! You have too many other issues than to worry about having the taxpayer's payment be credited properly...and you know who will get the blame and have to straighten the whole mess out if it happens....u