BulldogTom

Well, most of that went over my head. A couple of things I am considering. 1. I don't think ATX was intended to go away. They would not have spent this money if they were just trying to push their clients to Taxwise or something else. 2. Someone must have had a plan for the software. It may have needed updates as they say it did. So someone had to try and figure out what to do. 3. If they have hosed it so bad that they can't fix it, they are going to have to do something to try and keep the ATX customers in CCH. That will be expensive too. And the hit to the parent company would reverberate through the tax prep community. Can you imagine the prosystemfx customers who pay through the nose asking their rep if CCH will stand behind them? Not sure how this will all play out. Will have to watch and see. I am hoping they get it fixed. If they can't, then I will move to something else. Tom Hollister, CA

Elrod has evolved, ATX, not so much this year? De-evolution? Is that even possible? Tom Hollister, CA

No, our greedy bastards in this state (otherwise known as politicians) have not evolved the tax code to apply to every city and municipality in the state yet. Tom Hollister, CA

Hey - don't pick on Elrod like that. Comparing him to ATX support is a very low blow. Tom Hollister, CA

From California, you head south on I-5 until you get to I-10. Go east on I-10 until you get to Georgia. When you find the offices of ATX support (it will be easy to spot as there will be a big building with an empty parking lot), go to the door an knock. I think this will be the most effective way to contact tech support. Tom Hollister, CA

I have a couple who have gotten theirs. I have been pointing out to clients that I don't know and the IRS won't tell me anymore when to expect their refund. My standard line is "the IRS want you to reach out and touch them to find out when you will get your refund. Don't call me unless they say they don't have your return. Otherwise, calling me will not get you anywhere as the IRS wants you to go to their website and find out when you will get your refund." Tom Hollister, CA

Then why don't we have working software? Inquiring minds want to know why they are getting picky about things working now. Tom Hollister, CA

Thanks. That is what I thought, but I just don't do enough of these to be sure. Tom Hollister, CA

Taxpayer needs to report both Misc and INT 1099's for the year. How many 1096's - 1 for all the 1099s or 2 - one for MISC and one for INT? Thanks Tom Hollister, CA

Whoa nellie....this is the board where we play nice...most of the time. I use the other board to vent, rant, and talk smack about the TURD that CCH has become. But we do like to be nice here because this is home and we are like family. I feel your pain brother...it is not a good situation this year. Weird crap coming up. I have 2 computers, a desktop and a laptop. Both are indespensible to the practice. The desktop has no issues to speak of, the laptop has all kinds of weird crap coming up. The latest is you can't add a form to a return unless you bunny hop on the green arrow to the form. What the helllllll........seriously? When you hit add a form, the box opens up, minimizes, and you can't make it come up. You can only close it. Spouse was on the phone from sunup till the battery in the phone died, no help from CCH. We need to go to the remote office tomorrow. Figured out a workaround. Went into 2011, created a dummy return with every form in it (well...Sch A, B, C, D, E, EIC, 8863, etc.) and rolled it. Named it master return and will just duplicate it for a new return. Sucks, but that is life. Wish you the best this year. Hope it all works out in the end. Tom Hollister, CA

Got paid on my first Fee Collect. It was not the first return with Fee Collect on it that we e-filed. I am glad I am prepping my clients that I have no idea when they will get their refunds, because I am not going to try to explain this. Tom Hollister, CA

Well, that is just silly... I do things for my friends and family that I don't do for the public, and I don't charge them for it. I consider you a friend. My offer is always open, any your money is no good to me. Tom Hollister, CA

Eric, Remember that your records for education expenses are more accurate than the 1099T. All they know about is the tuition and fees? And yes, the amount of scholarships and grants should be deducted from the tuition and fees on the 1099T. Be careful that TT is not giving you the American Opportunity Credit, as that is only for the first 4 years of education. She will only qualify for the lifetime Learning Credit or the Tuition and Fees deduction. Depending on what else you have on your return, the Tuition and Fees deduction may be better for you if reducing your AGI is going to bring in another credit (like the retirement saving credit) that is AGI sensitive. ATX has the neat little button that allows you to check 1 box, look at the refund, uncheck that box and check the other one and see which one gives you a better number. You probably should find a tax pro that you can meet with. But if you can't find anyone, I would be more than happy to do it electronically if you will teach me how to use my camera on my laptop to conference with you. My services to you would of course be gratis. Tom Hollister, CA

Please let us know how it works. I have not heard from my client who has all the trades yet, but I will. TIA, Tom Hollister, CA

I am assuming this is in a business context where the liquidated damages are part of a contract. Maybe a bad assumption, but since I work in the Construction industry, I gravitated to the things I see in this industry. Tom Hollister. CA

They should be taxable to the reciepient and deductible by the payer. Tom Hollister, CA

I am having a problem with the client letter. When a client selects fee collect, I can't get the "where's my refund" IRS.gov verbage paragraph to print on the letter, even though I have the box checked. The issue is that the client still wants to know when to expect the refund, and with IRS.gov being the only resource, they have to know where to find the expected date of the funding to the bank. This decision to suspend the refund cycle chart sucks on the part of the IRS. It doesn't help that the ATX letter sucks as well, and trying to explain all this crap is costing time and frustration. Any help on getting this into the letter is appreciated. Tom Hollister, CA

what you can do is use a list. They still have that feature. Put 5 on line 1 and 15 on line 2 and at the bottom it will show 20. Tom Hollister, CA

You know the client that comes in and what they tell you, and what the kids say that the parent hopes you won't hear doesn't add up? Like when she says they have not lived together all year, and the little girl asks if "Daddy is going to be home tonight" on the way out the door. I fired her. We were hoping they would not come back. She called to make an appointment and I told her no. She was not happy. I feel great. Tom Hollister, CA

Hobby income and expense netted and put on line 21. Cannot show a loss. Tom Hollister, CA

How much can she pay for you to represent her at audit...because it is likely to be coming when you find the code for Horse Racing in the schedule C. If she wants to roll the dice and give you a retainer up front, take the position. Let her pay you for the audit as well. Found money. Tom Hollister, CA

I think you need to check all the 8867 answers on your return. Be certain you are checking all the boxes. This is the first year the 8867 has gone with the return through e-file. The things that error is saying all look like the questions on the 8867. That is the best advice I can give you. Tom Hollister, CA

Pleasantly suprised so far. Only the EIC with no child issue cost me one return (and I don't like that client anyway - he is the daddy of my great nephew - so I do the return - but I charge him full price and will continue to until he puts a ring on my niece's finger - but that is beside the point). Supposedly the EIC thing is fixed as of today. All my other Fed and CA came back likity-split. May be some salvation to this year after all. Tom Hollister, CA

Dude, not trying to be mean, but Turbo Tax is a competitor to all of us on this board. We could give you the answers, but almost every person here will expect to make their living off of the amended returns you are going to have to do after you hose this return using TT. You don't know what you don't know, and that is what is going to get you in trouble. Tom Hollister, CA

It was a bug in the EIC form according to ATX board Michelle. She says they fixed it and when you download the latest form it should not happen again. Will check and see later today. Tom Hollister, CA