JRS

The only thing I can come up with is a previous letter from the FTB requesting additional information. Who knows if or when a letter was sent or even received by your client I had a similar situation years ago. Talked to the Hot Line, the letter was "qued" but never sent! The penalty is assessed for failing to provide requested information. "Failure to Provide Information Requested/Failure to File a Return Upon Demand Any taxpayer for failing to provide requested information, or failing to file a return after notice and demand. 25% of total tax liability assessed without regard to any payments or credits."

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that guidance will soon be issued outlining a new voluntary program designed to encourage education and filing season readiness for paid tax return preparers. The program will be in place to help taxpayers during the 2015 filing season. The Annual Filing Season Program will allow unenrolled return preparers to obtain a record of completion when they voluntarily complete a required amount of continuing education (CE), including a course in basic tax filing issues and updates, ethics, and other federal tax law courses. "This voluntary program will be a step to help protect taxpayers during the 2015 filing season,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “About 60 percent of tax return preparers operate without any type of oversight or education requirements. Our program will give unenrolled return preparers a way to stay to up-to-date on tax laws and changes, which we believe will improve service to taxpayers.” Tax return preparers who elect to participate in the program and receive a record of completion from the IRS will be included in a database on IRS.gov that will be available by January 2015 to help taxpayers determine return preparer qualifications. The database will also contain information about practitioners with recognized credentials and higher levels of qualification and practice rights. These include attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPAs) and enrolled actuaries who are registered with the IRS. “It’s also important to note this program is not to replace the important tax work done by certified public accountants, enrolled agents and attorneys,” Koskinen said. “Tax professionals with recognized credentials will be publicly listed on IRS.gov, and we plan to help inform taxpayers about the professional options available.” Anyone who prepares all, or substantially all, of any federal tax return or refund claim for compensation is required to obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). The pending guidance will also explain that tax return preparers with a valid PTIN who do not obtain a record of completion as part of the Annual Filing Season Program, or are not an attorney, CPA, enrolled agent, ERPA, or enrolled actuary, may still prepare tax returns, but will not be included in the public directory. In 2011, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued regulations that mandated testing and CE for paid tax return preparers and created a Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) credential. The RTRP designation was for preparers with valid PTINs, who passed an IRS competency test and completed 15 hours of CE. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the lower court’s determination that the IRS regulations from 2011 mandating competency testing and CE for paid tax return preparers were invalid. The IRS continues to believe regulation of paid tax return preparers is important for the proper functioning of the U.S. tax system. To that end, the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2015 Budget includes a proposal to explicitly authorize the IRS to regulate all paid tax return preparers. Prior to the 2013 court decision, over 62,000 return preparers passed an IRS-administered competency test and completed the requirements to become Registered Tax Return Preparers. The Annual Filing Season Program will exempt RTPRs and others who have successfully completed certain recognized national or state tests from the filing season refresher course that will be required for other participants. The Annual Filing Season Program will be an interim step to help taxpayers and encourage education for unenrolled tax return preparers. The IRS will assess the feasibility of administering a uniform voluntary examination in future years in order to ensure basic return preparer competency. Annual Filing Season Program – Record of Completion Requirements In general, non-exempt return preparers with a valid PTIN for the program year will need to complete 18 hours of CE annually from IRS-approved CE providers to obtain an IRS record of completion. The hours will need to include: 6 hours of federal tax filing season refresher course (with a required comprehension test at completion) 10 hours of federal tax law topics 2 hours of ethics For the first year, a transition rule will apply to prorate the required hours. For a return preparer to obtain a record of completion for the 2015 filing season, a total of 11 hours will need to be earned in 2014, including the six hour refresher course, three hours of other federal tax law topics, and two hours of ethics. Once the official guidance is issued, IRS-approved CE providers will begin to offer qualifying federal tax filing season refresher courses. A list of all IRS-approved CE providers is available and includes a new column to indicate which providers are planning to offer the qualifying courses. The list is updated daily. For 2015, qualifying courses will be offered through December 31, 2014. The IRS will begin issuing records of completion to those who have met the requirements in mid-October 2014 after the 2015 PTIN renewal season starts. Consent to Circular 230 restrictions As a prerequisite to receiving a record of completion, an individual will be required to consent to the duties and restrictions relating to practice before the IRS in subpart B and section 10.51 of Treasury Department Circular No. 230. Modification to limited practice permissions The pending guidance will also announce that effective for tax returns and claims for refunds prepared or signed after December 31, 2015, only unenrolled tax return preparers who have a record of completion under the Annual Filing Season Program for the calendar year of preparation and the calendar year of representation will be permitted to represent taxpayers before the IRS during an examination of a return that they signed or prepared. Attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents will continue to have unlimited representation rights and can represent clients before any office of the IRS.

There are some still using TRX. There are complaints on the BBB board as late as 4/14/14. I can't see why someone does not shut them down..The software was not approved by California or 2012 or 2013, yet some of the complaints are from Ca preparers..

"And on top of everything else, they sent a nice Easter card " AND a thank you video for using Drake! My only complaint with Drake this year is I used HALF the paper and toner than with ATX. Drake actually printed what I wanted.

I have emailed Drake twice this season and received the usual "will respond in x amount of hours or days" (can't remember which). Barely had time to delete the message when the answer arrived. Totally impressed with the software AND support.

He posted on Fairmark forum on the 17th of March.

Never had a problem.

From Pub 502: Breast Pumps and Supplies You can include in medical expenses the cost of breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation.

http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/

>>but the darn brokerage companies had until Feb 18th to get out the 1099s.<< A couple of my clients, including my self, received this from Fidelity today: *Fidelity has received a mailing deadline extension from the IRS. Mailing some original forms by this date will mitigate sending a similar number of corrected forms. We apologize for any inconvenience that you might experience. The NEW estimated time is Feb 28. (Hopefully they mean 2014.)

>>No wonder everyone on the Drake forum is so happy and helpful!<< I have a very small practice and moving towards retirement. Every year I attend a seminar where Drake has a booth and they have worked to convert me. I should have listened sooner. Tax software is a tool for me to use to aid in my profession. When a tool is broken, you throw it away and buy a new one. I am over joyed "it broke."

Even though I am now with Drake, (cost and concerns), I go on this board multiple times a day, looking for insight and problem solving not haggling and "sniping."

I am shouting...THANK YOU GAIL!!!!

No.

Same with my family.

Thanks

Oregon had the same problem, "The Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the plan, said last week it would change its asset-recovery policy. Starting Oct. 1, anyone applying for coverage under the plan won't be subject to asset recovery rules meant for those receiving long-term care, the agency said. The agency also plans to remove the alarming fine print in Cover Oregon's application. "We are not going to be implementing the state recovery for people receiving just the Oregon Health Plan," said health authority spokeswoman Patty Wentz. "(Recovery) will remain in effect for long-term care services and connected medical costs."

My client base has been reducing itself by "natural causes" for the last few years. Two or three years ago I went to " pay per return." After "the add ons" my renewal was $100 more than last year AND I was told, via email, no early discount was available on the PRS system. I never have been contacted to renew. I went with Drake.

The conversion program for ATX is available on Drake"s support site.

IRS Tax Professional PTIN System Sign-up and manage your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) All paid federal tax return preparers must obtain a PTIN and renew it annually or penalties may apply. Renewal and registration for 2014 are now available.

John: Check this thread in General Chat: Beta Tester - Redux

No, couldn't find it either.

WASHINGTON–The Internal Revenue Service today announced a delay of approximately one to two weeks to the start of the 2014 filing season to allow adequate time to program and test tax processing systems following the 16-day federal government closure.

Count me in. [email protected]. Thanks

Time for a Politics forum yet? Yes