Tax Prep by Deb

I have never been to interested in sports, but living within ear shot of a Fresno radio station, I was tuned in to the game tonight and I was so excited. It's good to finally see Fresno put on the map in a good way. They have a team that it seems everyone locally gets behind! Way to go DOGS!!!!!

Cute! Deb!

I had that problem a couple of years ago and tech support had me move the ATX file on the server to a folder at the beginning the of the c drive. This moved it way up on the chain and so it required the workstation less time and effort to find the program. I still had the problem, but the speed was enhanced. Someone had also suggested clearing the temp files, which we did, also run a program to check and see if any programs had been installed, (without my knowledge) and clean them up. When we did the above recommendations, we noted an increase in the speed and performance. Each year it seems to be getting a little better, although I have not changed anything on my workstation. I've been using the same computers for the last 4 1/2 years. Hope this helps! Deb!

That's Why I Love This Board!!! Everyone is eager to help even with non-tax issues. Some of my greatest computer fixes have come from this board as well as the old community. My opinion however, is that everyone is soooooo much more helpful on this board than on the previous one. Deb!

Same Here! I haven't renewed and probably won't till towards the end of the year. I agree the discounts aren't nearly enough to warrant them using my money, and then at the last minute make some other dumb move. I'm going to sit and watch. At the same time however I am looking for a replacement and am very much interested and excited about what you may come up with! Deb!

I also tried to head it off by taking a few minutes when my clients came to pick up their returns to explain to them what would be taking place, including how they personally would be receiving the payment (electronically or paper). Inspite of this I too receive at least one or two calls a day asking the same questions that I had already explained! The real solice of this however came from one of my clients this morning, who after I explained it to her stated, see that's why I love having you do our taxes! It made my day! Deb!

Thanks for your responses. I just wanted a little feed back before checking it out, but this program sounds ideal for me. Again thanks alot! Deb!

Amen! Well said! If I have to learn a new program I would rather do it now when I still have a few returns left to finish under no deadline stress, than to wait until December only to find that the program I was expecting has been changed significantly. Keep in mind that they promise us ATX but what if they substitue their other program and just name it ATX? Really what's in a name? Just my two cents worth! Deb

Does anyone know of TRX is networkable? I have two computers that are currently networked and I have used ATX networked for several years. Everything I have heard about TRX sounds appealing, except I have not been able to determine if it will work on a network or if I have to purchase two programs. If I have to purchase two programs I'm not any better off price wise than with ATX, however the support sounds much better. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Deb!

I could add as many of those as I wanted, in fact, maybe I'll add one for 500+ called ATXaholics Anonymous

Same here! I just e-mailed tech to see what kind of an answer I could get. According to MYAtx all acknowledgements have been received and posted to our mailboxes, but if that's the case I have three files that are lost somewhere! Deb!

Is that what it is? I was wondering what stress was! (hahahaha) Today has felt soooooo good. I actually got through a complete meal without the phone ringing, or somebody coming to pickup or drop off! It's so good to finally have a life again! I hope all is well with everyone and that they have a wonderful rest of the year. Deb!

I FINALLY GET TO SHOUT!!!!! I have never looked forward to April 15th so much in my life! I can't believe it's finally here! I too want to take a minute to thank everyone for such a wonderful community. I am a one person office, and it is so good to have others to bounce ideas and opinions off of! Every year I feel like I learn more and more and much of it is because everyone is kind enough to share their knowledge. Again thanks everyone and may you have a wonderful rest of the year! Deb!

Rub it in! I'll probably be joining you next year! Their package looks pretty good! Deb!

I can only predict one thing! ATX lost it this year and as far as am I concerned is not even a contender for next year. Today was an absolute nightmare! I didn't like the idea of learning a new software, however I feel that is exactly what I've had to do this year! ATX did not perform as well as they had in the past, and that is a crying shame! The post card everyone is talking about TaxRefund Express is looking very inviting, but I too have faith that Mel will get something going. I'm very much interested in what he may be able to offer, but not the least bit interested in going through another year with ATX! That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it! Deb!

I had a similar year. Early in January thru all of February I was slammed, there was a brief slow down in March, but slammed this past week. I also filed more extensions than ever, unfortunately most of them because I was waiting for one piece of info! You think people could stop for one minute and get me that one piece of info, but noooooo! I also will be sticking around. Last year on the other community I missed checking one day and poof!!!!! it was gone. So I'm checking in daily! Deb!

In all the past years we were told that the time that ATX receives it from us is the postmark that it has been timely filed. In the past we were given notices to that effect, but this year ATX is a totally different thing. It's basically anybody's guess! Deb!

I sent a batch out over the weekend and I am now preparing my next batch. Some are definitely going, others I'm getting ready just in case. I am soooooooo looking forward to tomarrow and beyond! (tomarrow because I will only be in office part day due to out of town Dr. appointment)! Deb!

I think ATX and IRS is having problems keeping up with the extensions this year. Atx is stating that there is only one drain @ midnight. They don't say if it's there time zone or ours, but I've got to believe it's theirs. They also state that although we might submit them before the drain it takes time to batch them (not my words, theirs) and so it's possible that some of the extensions miss the drain and are not drained until the next day therefore taking way too long to acknowledge back. I don't remember this from last year at all. This year has definitely not been a normal year! Deb!

That is exactly what FTB instructed me to do. Fortunately the client had not cashed the check and it was easily taken care of. But I do agree that it appears that FTB runs way behind and that is most likely the case with this final bill. It has been my experience with both agencies for the most part that even if it says final, it isn't always final! Usually if you give them the info they are asking for they will re-open. Not exactly sure if this is the case with an audit but most of the issues I have dealt with are not audit related but rather a seeking for additional information. Deb!

Because I am just a lowly tax preparer and have nothing else attatched to my name, I do not practice before FTB but I have had a client in just this same predicament. All I had to do was respond to the questioner and I sent a brief letter of explanation stateing (in my case client missplaced the notice) and in this letter asked that they reconsider based on the submission of the questioneer. Client got a letter of closer returning his account back to the way it had previously been prepared. Go ahead and have you client get his info together, but I would try just submitting the questioneer with a letter and see what happens. I have also found calling FTB is extremely easy and they are very helpful. They help me with my clients when IRS won't. Hope this helps some, and I hope it turns out well for your client as it did with mine! Deb! P.S. I went back and re-read your post, and see that it was and already has done what they instructed him to do. Call FTB because my gut feeling is they are running way behind in their processing and the final bill was sent out via computer, whereas the paperwork he sent it takes time to process. I have had a real problem when I have ammended a return, had the client send in the additional payment, only to have the payment returned several months later, called to find out why was told because there was nothing on their account showing it was due, told them about the ammended return, acknowledged receipt of the return, but not posted to the account until after the check was return, now client receives new bill with added penalty and interest. A real pain, however FTB is good to work with you to straighten things out! Deb!

Thanks jainen, I have reviewed most of the documents, the only one I really don't have but will request tomorrow is the 45 day letter identifying the property. Escrow on the apartment closed on June 23, 2007 and the lot, (Ruby Tuesday sits on) was closed on September 13, 2007. So I have a good feeling that all the time tests have been met, but I will request the additional documents. As far as other personal property, the only thing I am aware of is some old washing machines that have already been completely depreciated. To my understanding and what I see in the documents the only thing they get from the land purchase is just the land. The actual building belongs to a corporation. At least that it the way it appears. They did assume the lease on the Ruby Tuesday ground, but other than that I don't think they got anything else. But I do have another question. The apartment building was purchased in 1967 and is thus completely depreciated. The apartment was originally purchased for $68,000.00 and there doesn't seem to have been any major improvements other than maintenance type repairs. From the records I have which I have been doing their taxes for several years now is a roof that likewise is depreciated out. This is one of the reasons they sold, they are an older couple and the apartment building is needing some major repairs and they just don't have the energy to complete them. My question is due to recapture of depreciation they are going to have $68,000.00 that will have to be reported as ordinary gain, correct? Then remainder of the gain gets deferred into this new propertry correct? I do feel I'm in over my head, and would like to file an extension however I need to tell the how much money to come up with. So if you can give me any help at all I would sure appreciate it. THIS IS NOT MY EXPERTISE!!!! Deb!

California offers a six month automatic extension even if you do not file a federal one. Nothing is needed except that if there is an amount due that it be paid by April 15th. Otherewise nothing needs to be done! So basically the answer to your question is yes they are both covered, but basically it's because California offers the automatic extension without needing to file anything, just be sure if a payment is due that is be paid by the 15th to avoid any penalties and interest. Deb!

Does anyone know if this software can be networked? That's one thing I do like about ATX, although the network isn't always so good! I would be interested in this software if it is networkable and if the cost to network doesn't exceed what I'm currently paying. I'm also still very interested in what Mel can come up with! It's still exciting to me tobe on the ground floor of a new piece of software! Deb!

According to the e-file report on MYATX site, they are only transmitting the extensions one time a day. They state 12:00 a.m. and I assume they are referring to their time zone. Therefore expect a minimum of 24 hours to receive any acknowledgments for the extensions. I sent my first batch out yesterday and I too am waiting for acknowledgements, but I won't get to excited unless tomorrow comes and goes and I haven't received them yet. Hope this helps alleviate any anxieties! Deb!