Tax Prep by Deb

You see, that's why I love this Community! If only we got the same kind of attention with ATX most of us would be extremely happy and not even be thinking of leaving. Thanks for the heads up as I love this community! Deb!

I sure hope someone can help me. I had this problem last year also and the tech guy walked me through changing windows properties ect... but I didn't have time to write it down, and it seems like this year the computer guys have changed something again. The problem I have is that when I download updates on my computer that is acting as the server I have no problem getting the new forms ect... The problem is on the workstation. In order to get the updated forms to open on that computer I have to go to a return on my computer, opened it and save it. Then and only then does the new form open on the workstation computer. Right now it's not that big of a deal but in about two weeks it's going to be! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Deb!

Glad I could pass on some useful help! It worked great for me and Nicole was very clear in the directions she gave. I've actually printed them out so that if it comes up again I will know exactly what to do. Deb!

Just sent mine out last week. But I must say I have had far more calls in the last week than I have had since I started my business. All indications are it's going to be really busy this year! Deb!

I had a similar problem and Nicole helped me out by telling me: To correct this problem, modify the Microsoft® Internet Explorer (IE) Local intranet settings on each computer receiving this message. To modify IE Local intranet settings 1. Double-click the My Computer desktop shortcut. 2. Under Other Places, click Control Panel. 3. Double-click Internet Options. 4. In the Internet Properties window, click the Security tab. 5. Select Local Intranet, and then click Sites. 6. Mark all three check boxes, and then click Advanced. 7. Under Add this Web site to the zone, type file://<Server Name> (where <Server Name> is your server computer's name). If you do not know the name of your server, see the procedure below. 8. Click Add, and then click OK. 9. Click OK in each open window, and then close the Control Panel. You will now be able to open your ATX software without receiving this error. Follow the procedure below if you need to determine the name of your server (see step 7 above). To determine the name of your server 1. On the desktop of the server, right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties. 2. Click the Computer Name tab. 3. Note your server's name as it appears in the Full computer name field. I followed her instructions and it took care of that problem. Hope this helps! Deb

It looks like we are waiting for the release of the 540. According to the e-file update on my ATX it should come sometime Monday. At least wise that's what I'm guessing. Deb!

You would put 12. A child born at anytime in 2007 is considered to have lived with you for the full year as per info in Publication 17. Deb!

Thanks Nicole! That is probably one of the easiest fixes I've had to do. But I can't help but wonder why? I have other programs that are networked and I have never had this problem. Also I have networked ATX software for several years without having this happen. Just curious, but do you have any idea why now? Deb!

Good morning all! Are we having fun yet? Everything with my program seemed to be doing fine. I've done my daily updates, ect... I am no having any problem at all with my own computer which is serving as the server. My problem is as usual on the second computer that I have networked. When I initially installed the program using net setup I had no problem at all accessing the program. However I had not opened the program in the last several days and when I tried to this morning I kept getting different messages but all relating basically to the same things, just defferent file extentions. The messages like this: Open File Security Warning, Do you want to run this file? Name ATX 2007.exe (ect...) all the warnings are alike except the name or file extension changes. This occurs both when I open the program as well as when I try closing it. I uninstalled the network copy of atx 2007 and tried re-installing it through net setup but still having the same message. Any thoughts! Thanks in advance, Deb!

Jainen, You are absolutely right, and I guess I should have been more specific with my point. When I researched this issue initially it was for a client who had purchased his home and never re-financed it. I will try to be more specific in my future posts.! Deb!

Here's an article I dug up. It appears that perhaps with the passing of this new bill, your clients will be O.K. http://www.realestateinvestingtax.com/shortsale.shtml Deb!

Never mind! I found it. It applies only to wages earned after January 1. For those who have a split pay period, for example some time worked in 07 and some in 08 you can pay based on both rates. Found the answer on Calchamber.com Deb!

Any of you who prepare California Payroll I have a question. As you know the minimum wage went up to $8.00 per hr. on the 1st. My question is does this raise pertain to hours worked starting January 1 or let's say a person's pay day falls on the first, would the minimum wage increase apply to the check he get's on the first or would it become effective on the 15th when he has actually earned the increase? Any help would be appreciated! Deb!

The more the merrier! Welcome! Deb!

Great Idea! I'm going to try it immediately. I have done some correspondence through e-mail regarding questions I have of clients, and one thing I really appreciate is that I have a written record of my correspondence and their replies, ect... This goes in their client file and if ever needed I can produce exact conversations. You cannot do this with phone conversations! But I must admit I never thought doing it on a normal basis. I love the idea! Deb!

Out of curiosity, would you mind mentioning the supplier? I had a company call me and try to sell me toners for my Cannon printer/copier. They asked my current price and when I told them they could not believe it. They told me to be very careful as these cartridges had to be remainufactured. I told them nope, they were original. (I get them at Sam's Club for 120.00 where as everyone else sells them for $149.00. He put a quote together for me and tried to make me think that they could match that price on original product, but when I got the quote it did note state OEM. Out of curiosity I went to their web site, priced my toner and lord and behold the same price he quoted me was for remanufacured ones. Needless to say I did not go with that company. So I'm wondering if perhaps we are talking about the same outfit? Deb!

Thanks Jainen, Actually I should have stated Acquisition Debt, which is the case, this property has never been refinanced since acquiring it. They fell prey to a succor loan of interest only, and in the meantime the market dropped drastically. We just discussed your other points yesterday, and what really has him concerned is that when he went to make his first payment the mortgage had aleady been sold, and guess to whom? The same mortgage company that holds is other note! I recommended perhaps going to an attorney, and I have a feeling that's were this all heading anyway. As odd as all of this sounds, I really do believe he thought he had this all worked out and would have been able to make both payments. When he purchased the second home he already had a renter for his first home however they bailed on him after everything went through. I have know this client for about 10 years and he has always been pretty good with his finances, I just think he made a terrible mistake and now is facing terrible consequences! As always thanks for your imput! Deb!

Kea, From what I have already found out she should be O.K. If you go back to either page two or three of this forum I posted a link to another web site that had some excellent examples of tax consequences of foreclosure, short sales, ect... Since then this law has passed, and the way I see it your client will fit the bill as to what it was intended for. Try this link: http://www.realestateinvestingtax.com/shortsale.shtml Deb!

Thanks TAXBILLY. It's pretty much what I have already read. I guess I'm looking for something more specific that what I'm seeing. I guess I'm trying to look to deep. It appears that it would apply to any mortgage debt that is forgiven for whatever reason as long it is for their principle residence and not more than the thresholds that were mentioned. I will keep looking and if I find anything I will let you all know! In the meantime if you come across anything please share it as I'm sure we are going to see a lot of this coming! Deb!

Does anyone have a good site that explains H.R. 3648 better? Everything that I have read seems to be pointing to refinancing and having a portion of debt forgiven, but is there anything you have read that indicates it's also good for short sales, or even foreclosures? I have a client that got themselves into a mess by buying a second home with the intent of renting one of them out, the problem is our market here is flooded with rentals and the second home is sitting empty. Their primary residence was purchased for 595,000 and is currently worth about 365,000. The second home which was just purchased (within a couple of months ago) is about $465,000. They can make one payment but not both and would like to let the higher debt loan go and move into the other property. Any thoughts as to whether they would qualify under the provisions of this new bill? Any research site you know of that might help me understand this better? Thanks in advance, Deb!

I couldn't agree more. Mel you hit it right on the head! Deb!

I too am very glad to see your name here!!!! You have always helped whenever I've had a problem. It's so good to have you on board! Deb!

I have to agree with Mel about timing, but from a slightly different perspective. Had I known that the support people that we all have grown to love and respect, been laid off prior to my renewing I never would have done it! There was basically two issues that caused me to renew, one being the fact that if I really needed help I could rely on William and others from the old ATX to respond and help me fix my problem. The second thing that helped me decide to renew was being a part of this community. A program, now matter how inexpensive or how expensive, is only as good as the support. Now it appears that we have lost that. I definitely will be test running other programs next year. I'm with Mel, I'm very ticked! Deb!

Quickbooks also has a credit card processing package, however there is a minimum monthly usage fee, and for the one client of mine that used them, it was too costly. Don't forget to check with Costco and possible even Sam's Club. Costco has what seems to be a decent transaction rate for their Executive Member's however I have not priced them. I use Pro-pay for what little credit cards I do process, and the only reason I have it is because I get it thru a small side business that I do. They negotiated a very good rate for me and although I do have to pay a small commission it's still way cheaper than having to track down clients for payment! I know personally speaking I had writing a check, or carrying cash. I use my card for everything, then pay it off at the end of the month. I do this mainly because the three cards I carrying pay me back for using it. Perhaps our clients have similar programs and is why it is becoming increasingly popular! Deb!

Terry, I checked with my phone company and they say it's not available here. I did find a machine though that works exactly the way I needed it to. It's a Brother Intellifax-2910. I ignored the instructions on how to set it up and went ahead and set it up the way my old machine was set up, tested it several different times and have never missed a single fax. This is one of those rare times that reading the instructions was getting me into trouble! Deb!