Lion EA

I have some that require 20% be changed, so I have a ten-character password where I change two characters for those requirements. I have some that can't take my last four or last 20, yes 20, passwords that are more challenging. And, then there's the online banking and pension websites for our church that I have to make the changes that two other treasurers and our bookkeeper can use also (all part-timers and only one paid, so lots of hands/eyes on our finances). Hubby uses Dashlane. I keep a BOOK. Separated from my computer. But, if anyone stole my book, he could get into anything and everything.

Other than tax issues, tell him to freeze his accounts with the three credit reporting agencies. Anyone: do you know if filing an extension would return a reject if someone has filed a return with that SSN? If so, that could be a method to find out....

Let your cat walk around your desk, batting the mouse around.

I just move on to the next client and put the client with missing items at the bottom of my stack. When he gives me the last item, I'll pull out his folder and complete his returns, as soon as I complete what I'm working on at that time. IF, and only if, he had an honest omission, such as the new DD requirements. If it was someone who was missing items he well knows from prior years are necessary, then the date on his folder becomes the new date the last item is received; therefore, he sits at the bottom of the stack. I had to wait on him; he won't make me fell guilty now that he has to wait.

But, I for one would accept help from RitaB for the one OH return I prepare!

I'm in CT but have NY commuters, so I subscribe to NYS e-newsletters, check the NYS website, belong to the NY/CT-ATP which has state updates during our 2-day December seminar as well as lots of networking with NYS colleagues during each dinner meeting and seminar, subscribe to CCH's e-newsletters including their State Tax Review and Tracker News - State Tax News, and read everything I can, not to mention having NY colleagues that I can question when needed. I already had copies of both DLs from my Singapore couple (US citizens) with a NYS rental two months ago. This wasn't a big surprise. For 2015 taxes, I had to get DLs from my VA (? one of those southern states) clients. I started warning my northern clients last year that DL information might be a state or even federal requirement in the near future. We knew this was coming. NYS isn't the only state requiring DL information for 2016. Expect even more next year. As an EA, I do NOT receive CEs for state education toward my license renewal or even for NAEA membership, but I consider state education very important to my career so take courses re CT, NY, PA, MA, multi-state returns, etc.

I thought it was just me!

Agree with Jack. The IRS computer takes info from the SSA computer, so your client has to start with the SSA to discover the mismatch between what the SS card says and what the computer stores. Only after the SSA updates information can you really start with the IRS. Paper file. Are you sure your client didn't have a name change? Did you e-file them last year? Do they have one of those ID theft PINs?

I think this one is the 2016 version of what I have; you can check out the .pdf: https://www.bulkorder.ftc.gov/system/files/publications/pdf-0009_identitytheft_a_recovery_plan.pdf If you like it, order -- it's free, including free shipping -- and share with other professionals in your area. Or, drop some off at your church, broker, lawyer, town social worker, local small businesses, etc. (Introduce yourself and leave a business card.) The flyers look good, too, for a checklist of what to do, and you can easily print those one-pagers as you need them. Look at the other titles (and other languages, depending on your neighborhood). Click on them and check out the .pdf version.

Mine was a 2013 edition, but someone was passing them out at our January NY/CT-ATP meeting. I do see it as a .pdf publication now: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0009-taking-charge.pdf And, lots of other related titles. I'll take a look at their site again.

Federal Trade Commission puts out a great book, Taking Charge -- What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen. It's free; our tax dollars at work. I think the minimum order is 80. I kept about 10 and took the rest to a meeting of one of my professional organizations to share. Have your client order 400+ for his employees. Make sure you have at least one on your bookshelf for reference. And, a handful to give out as the need arises. FTC.gov/IDTheft

He needs to help his 400+ employees. And increase security in his payroll/HR department with new and stronger passwords, updated training, need-to-know access to sensitive data, written process re disclosing employee date, etc.

Definitely as needed. Including when needed to file extensions. For all the reasons stated above.

Your client lives there? Personal use, primary residence. Is the profit under $250,000? What else do you need to do?

it's only February, and Rita's hugs have started.

I would keep the seller happy while still under a loan contract with the seller. Issue a 1099-INT.

The 1098-T just tells you the person was a student. Your client, usually via a bursar statement and their own cancelled checks and letters re what the scholarships/grants apply to, must provide you with payment amounts and dates. Report what actually happened and keep your notes/documents/whatever. Do you think the IRS can interpret the 1098-T with their crystal ball any better than you can?! Tell your client that the IRS cannot interpret the 1098-T in isolation, and not to be alarmed if a letter arrives from them. Just notify you immediately so they can provide additional information under your guidance if the IRS asks.

Definitely a good one for an extension. You'll probably need the divorce decree, also. Did the rental go to her as part of the property settlement in the divorce? If so, the adjusted cost basis on that date came with it. So, she could file Form 3115. And, include 2015. (She's not trying to amend prior MFJ returns.) But, you need to start with the IRS letter, and her prior tax returns. Extension.

Wait, your client and her brother lived in the house? Then section 121 for $250,000 of profit, right? Sales price - basis at transfer/FMV if lower + improvements = profit. Unless brother paid rent, one flat was depreciated, other details I'm missing.

I can see why the colleges don't want to do bookkeeping on a calendar basis when they are on a fiscal year. But, they have to do calendar year for their own payroll. They are not unfamiliar with calendar year reporting! I try to get the financial transcript from the beginning of the calendar year that includes the freshman year to match up "due" to "paid" and then highlight when by parent or student loan as opposed to scholarship/grant. Sometimes, it works out best for the student to have taxable scholarship money on her return at a low tax rate in order for the parents to claim education benefits at their higher tax rate -- but that's a separate topic than the messed up reporting that colleges do.

I try not to give prices over the phone. That Schedule A could be mortgage interest and property tax or it could be unreimbursed employee expenses where you have to teach them about business mileage/clothing/lunches. Or "charities" as Catherine said. And oh yeah can you compare MFJ vs. MFS? I just rent out my Cape home when I'm not there, don't really try to advertise or anything, don't make any money on it anyway. And, I don't make any money selling cosmetics either. My wife and her girlfriend sell clothes but don't make any money on it, so you won't charge extra for that, right; yeah, they did form an LLC together. And.... If they ask, I say returns start at $500. That gets rid of most of the shoppers. If their real question was what can you do for me/help me with/plan with me instead of how much does it cost, then the conversation usually continues and the final price might be much, much lower.

I vote for unpinning so new posts are higher, don't require as much scrolling.

Yes, I do keep any documents provided by the taxpayer that I relied upon. If the client didn't provide any, my answer is yes. If I didn't rely on any, my answer is yes. I only have to keep documents provided by the taxpayer THAT I relied upon.

I agree. Really need to pick one of their many, many templates or upload my own logo, photo, whatever for the top. Thank you for the feedback.

From CCH's e-Newsletter last week: Partnership, Corporation, S Corporation, Fiduciary, Exempt Organization Officer ID - State requirements for electronic filing most state returns now stipulate the inclusion of an ID for the return signing officer. This ID is the social security number for the signing officer. States also allow for the federal employer identification number as an ID for the signing officer, if applicable. Number of W-2s - State requirements for electronically filing returns require the number of W-2s associated with any deduction for salaries and wages to be included for electronic filing purposes. All Fiduciary returns, Federal, California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas returns are not requiring this information and can be electronically filed without the number of W-2s present. Notes: If this information is not provided, your return will not qualify for export. The following states do not require the signing officer ID or the number of W-2s: California Florida Michigan Texas