BulldogTom

Not so fast llbwest. Jainen is in California, but located in Santa Cruz. They really aren't part of any state but their own. People from Santa Cruz laugh when Cal Berkley is described as liberal. Go Frikkin Banana Sluggs!!!!!!!!!! Tom Lodi, CA

That is what I was wondering. When you take a 1040 EZout and put a 1040 in, it lets you. Will it go from a 1040 to a 1120 and keep all the supporting schedules? I don't know, but I would try before typing in all the assets. Tom Lodi, CA

TAXIZEN, Why don't you try duplicating the return, changing the main form (1040 to 1065/1120) and see if the assets move over and populate. I think you would have to just go into Asset Entry and change the link from the Sch C to the new form. Might save a bunch of typing? Never had to do it myself, just thinking out loud. Tom Lodi, CA

Call the IRS and tell them what happened. There is a number on "Where is my refund" that will get you to the right place at the IRS. I think it takes about 6 weeks to fix and get a new check. Tom Lodi, CA

I am thinking the same thing as Eli, I did not read "divorce decree" or "legal" in the OP. However, you start pushing on this and a lot of non tax issues are going to land in front of a lawyer if he makes enough that he can be phased out for the dependency exemption. If she wants to open this can of worms, see what the divorce decree says and then look at the collateral damage that might be done to other areas of her life. IF there is no legal obligation, the rules are pretty clear that the parent who has custody more than the other gets the goodies (Dependency, HOH, EIC, CTC). Tom Lodi, CA

Give us an update Mel. We are dying to know how far you are along with this. Like the Tom Petty song says "The waiting is the hardest part" How about a place we can go online to get an update? Tom Lodi, CA

I get the 5% from the properly kept mileage log. The $300 was fully taxed, so there is no issue with income there, it is already included in his W2 in boxes 1,3, & 5. The $300 was not a reimbursement for that reason, it is just additonal income. So I have the business miles but not the amount of reimbursement. I understand that the 5% would be excess reimbursement subject to tax IF he did not have enough expense to cover it. He does if the cost of gas per mile is less than 45 cents. I guess what I was hoping is that there is a gas portion of the mileage rate (like the depreciation portion) that I could strip out and say the rest is deductible mileage less fuel. I am grasping at straws, I understand that. But hey, I am always learning new things so I am looking for a new approach to this problem. Tom Lodi, CA

Client uses his vehicle extensively for his employer. He keeps a milage log. Employer adds $300 every month to his wages (box 1 in the w2 fully taxed) and gives him a gas card. The amount of gas he gets is not taxed or reported back to him. Client has no way of knowing what the reimbursed amount is for his vehicle use. Can I use the mileage method and then assume (ass u me) that a portion of the rate is fuel and the rest is depreciation and maintenance? We are talking about 95 % useage of his personal vehicle. Sorry, but I am just not thinking clearly on this one. I don't want to send the guy looking for all his reciepts for actual because it would take forever. Help please. Tom Lodi, CA

You were not supposed to read that!!!!!! Anyway, I do like Jainen, and I was just kidding about the rest. Tom Lodi, CA

I like working directly on forms. I like KC I used to like William I still like Kerry, but he is not part of ATX anymore I like the price I like the community I liked Total Tax Guide for $35 I like e-file (I didn't like it 4 years ago) I like Eli I like Alpha I like Jainen, but don't tell the arrogant stuffed shirt contrarian know it all ;0) I would like to take a nap. Tom Lodi, CA

Don't you have to make a §195 election to do that? Is that election on the elections form in ATX? Just thinking out loud. Tom Lodi, CA

It started just after sundown here, with the moon rising over the Sierra Nevada mountains. The rain and clouds cleared out yesterday giving us a very clear sky (no fog or smog) to watch. My kids thought it was really cool. Tom Lodi, CA

Maribeth, Do you have a website for AME? Thanks. Tom Lodi, CA

I think (don't hold me to this) that the form says "expenses that you paid for improvements to your main home located in the United States". That would mean lost. The kids can't say it was their main home and the parents can't say they paid the expense. Tom Lodi, CA

Jacksorh, Don't withdraw. This is the client that needs you the most. Sure it is a mess, and they are probably lying, cheating taxpayers. But we can't pick our clients. Here is where you can do the most good. Anyone can prepare a 1040 with 1 W2 and EIC (well - almost anybody). Where is your spirit of adventure? Think of the stories you will be able to tell your grandkids about your clients who can only pay in booze. These are the clients we hate to love, but we love them all the same. Just my 2 Cents. Tom Lodi, CA

Facts and circumstances. What part of the internet is ordinary and necessary for his trucking business? If he can tell you for example that his broker only gives him loads via their website, and he must have access to the internet for that purpose, then I say go for it. Logs, exclusive use, business only, you know all the stuff to ask about. If he just "heard" that it is deductible so he wants you to put it on his C, then I would not. My 2 Cents. Tom Lodi, CA

Mapquest!!!!!! They need directions. Now how do you get to the Mustang Ranch? Tom Lodi, CA

Yeah, they only spent $225 on Accounting and nearly 10K on booze. What do you expect? Seriously, for a tavern to operate for a whole year on 20K of revenue is a bit unrealistic to me (I bartended through college). At nearly 50% pour cost, they are pouring some pretty stiff drinks, and they only served about 7K drinks in a full year or about 20-25 cocktails a day. Sorry, you can't make a business go on revenue of $75 per day and have booze costs account for about $35 of it. If those numbers are just missing a zero at the end, the pour cost is still too high. They must be pulling big tips in that bar. Tom Lodi, CA

OK, who changed the Title? KC, you messing with my posts? I like the million $ hook to get them to read it. Tom Lodi, CA [Guilty, Tom, I must confess, I did it to make readers aware that we have sort of changed the focus just a bit. I want everyone to consider evaluating and then reporting, at least one product. Hopefully without any sniping at any other product, just giving us pros and cons of the one they tried. Lion's was a good start, although I hope at the end he has at least one 'con', just to be totally fair about it. They all have some quirks, or weaknesses, after all. KC]

She was a student there and said she hated working at the place. When she graduated, she moved to CA to begin working. She tried to find the owners, but the place closed down. I called the new place, but it is only an answering machine. I was hoping there might be a member on the board from Syracuse who had that company in their W2 database. I tried an online search company and it came up blank too. I guess I will paper file the 3 returns. Tom Lodi, CA

I have a client that we have filed injured spouse (both work) for the last 4 years exactly the same way. 2 years she got 1/2 of the refund, 1 year she got her withholding, and another year nothing. Injured spouse is a crapshoot. You never know what you will get. Tom Lodi, CA

I have a mangled W2 from a company in Syracuse NY. I got the income and withholding numbers off of it, and the client gave me the name of the company. But I don't have the Federal or State employer ID #s. Can any of you please help me out? The employer is: Dakota's Brickhouse Grill, LLC Reichard (unreadable) 426 N Franklin St. Syracuse, NY 13204 The restaurant has closed (I confirmed this online). I also did an entity search on the SOS website and the company comes up. I just need the federal and state id#'s for the W2 so I don't have to paper file these returns. Any help would be appreciated. Tom Lodi, CA

Rick, You are on the track that I was going for. I don't have time to evaluate 5 or 6 software packages this summer (I am hoping Mel has his going and that is the one I want to put to the test). I would be willing to take one for a test drive and then post my feelings about what is good or bad, including customer service. If each of us were to take one and really give it a good workout, then we might be able to get some good ideas about each package. If 10 of us tried brand XXXX and 7 thought it was garbage on business returns but good on 1040s, the people who only do 1040's might want to try it, but those with business clients could save the time of looking at it. Anyway, that was the thought. Tom Lodi, CA

Thanks, that was my assumption, but I wanted to make sure. Time to look for instructions on NY state tax returns. I know how I am spending my time today in between clients. Tom Lodi, CA

Thanks Ann. I went there but it does not address this exact circumstance. Tom Lodi, CA