Lion EA

NY argues compensation earned in NY...

Client's bookkeeper copied me on their Notice CP136 re payroll tax deposits. (I try to avoid payroll preparation.) Does anyone have any familiarity with CP136?

CCH Software News - URGENT - EFIN Application Summary Submission Must Be *.PDF and From IRS e-Services Dear CCH Tax Customer: All software providers must have an EFIN application before electronic filing is allowed. This EFIN Application Summary must be generated from IRS e-Services and in a PDF format. If you have not yet submitted this document, or it was not submitted as a PDF and generated from e-Services, then you may be delayed in e-filing 2016 returns. What Document to Submit for EFIN Verification To e-file returns, you must submit official documentation of your credentials to e-file as a Provider in good standing with the IRS following these guidelines: The EFIN Application Summary must be obtained from IRS e-Services Web site. Documents from other sources will not be accepted. Downloading your IRS EFIN Application Summary. EFIN Application Summary must be submitted as *.PDF file(s) only. How to Submit your EFIN Application Summary Provide your EFIN Application Summary using the secure Support site to upload the *.PDF document(s). How to upload EFIN letter summary PDF to CCH Support. Knowing your EFIN Application Summary was Successfully Uploaded Once you have uploaded your *.PDF documents successfully, you will receive the message: "Your files have been successfully uploaded. Thank you." If you receive this message, we have received the documents. If you did not receive our previous communications regarding the EFIN Application Summary requirements, please ensure you create an account on Support.CCH.com and immediately sign-up for our CCH Software News to ensure you receive all important updates. For IRS e-Service issues, please contact the IRS. Find answers to your questions in our Knowledge Base. Please feel free to Contact Us online if you have any questions. Sincerely, Wolters Kluwer

Probably not for subsequent agreements, but just saw this posted: IRS ‏@IRStaxpros3 hours ago New streamlined installment agreement criteria being tested thru Sep 30, 2017. More info now available #IRS http://go.usa.gov/xKeUc

Prepare the B.

I have one that had to revise agreements multiple years to keep adding new years (long story, includes a FL rental that fell into a sink hole, lack of NY w/h for hubby, tax preparer disappeared, and more). She made a call each year and asked nicely. It stretched her out until we got their withholding in good shape going forward. She still has a long way to go to pay off the older years; but at $200/month and no more new balances due, they will make it. Tell him to CALL.

Dashlane is what hubby uses.

My husband times the reading of the side effects, sometimes it's 3/4 of the commercial. I hate taking meds that are advertised, because then I'm hearing the side effects all the time!

That little ball my old eyes can't follow and the slow pace and the one batter against a team instead of a team against a team and little action and.... But, I did watch my Cubbies. I like your graphics!

Basis, basis, basis. Read the last sentence first to learn the question. Then go back and read all the information now that you know the question and can pay attention to just the information needed to answer that particular question. Breathe.

Maybe many of the non-credentialed surveyed are experienced tax preparers not bothering with testing if their practice is as full as they desire. I know many that are at the stage in their careers where they are purposely shrinking their practice or selling or actively considering selling, sometimes just a portion, such as biz returns or payroll clients. Those that never got an EA are not inclined to take the time to test now. But, after years of experience, they might be charging higher prices than a newbie AFSP. Just my theory.

RIch: are we (Circ 230) preparers allowed to charge extra for e-filing? I have charged extra for paper returns for my last dinosaurs that refuse to e-file.

Other than the 34 I have automatically scheduled with NY/CT-ATP (I'm on the education committee and point person for the October all-day seminar with ethics, and we committee members are on the list without even registering, just need to opt out if unavailable) I take courses when I spot a topic I need or want. Although, MaSEA has some great topics (and I have driven to MA for events in the past) but they meet straight through tax season. Some of their topics that looked worth a drive to MA were on dates when I could not afford a long day driving and in a classroom. But I stay on their mailing list, because the topics look good and I know the quality of some of the instructors.

CPE Link is now owned by CCH. Might be some discounts or package deals available. They do have a good one for companies where everyone you choose can get an unlimited firm pass for $195 per staff member. www.cpelink.com/firmpass

IRS Warns Tax Professionals of New e-Services Email Scam WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today issued an urgent alert to tax professionals who use IRS e-services to beware of an email asking them to update their accounts and directing them to a fake website. The subject line for the fraudulent email is “Security Awareness for Tax Professionals.” The “From” line is “Your e-Services Team.” It has both an IRS logo and an e-services logo that hyperlinks to a URL verified as a phishing site. The spoofing site poses as an e-services registration page. The scammers are attempting to exploit current IRS efforts to strengthen the e-services authentication process and its ongoing communications with tax professionals about their accounts. Scammers are attempting to steal e-services usernames and passwords or additional personal data through a registration page. If e-services users have already clicked on the fake logo and provided their username and password, they should contact the e-services help desk to reset their accounts. If the same password is used for other accounts, these should be changed as well. As an extra precaution, users should perform a deep security scan on their computers, re-evaluate their security controls and be alert to any other signs of identity theft or data compromise. Tax professionals should always go directly to IRS.gov to access e-services and never click on any links provided in emails. Tax professionals who receive a suspicious email should send it as an attachment to [email protected] and then delete it. Recipients should not click on any links. The scammer email tells recipients that information was stolen from certain user accounts in 2015 from a state-sponsored actor. It says users are being asked to upgrade their e-service account to ensure protection of their information. It asks them to click on the login to access their accounts for security upgrade. The IRS is in the process of upgrading e-services security and has been in communication with tax professionals about updating their accounts. The IRS, state tax agencies and tax industry partners working together through the Security Summit have an awareness campaign underway called Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself. The objective is to remind tax professionals they increasingly are the targets of identity thieves seeking ever larger amounts of taxpayer data to file fraudulent tax returns. Security Summit partners recommend tax professionals: Always use robust security software Use encryption software to protect taxpayer data Use strong passwords and change them often Learn to recognize phishing emails attempting to steal data Never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails Beware of any communications claiming to be the IRS that are outside normal channels Review Protect Your Clients, Protect Yourself for various steps you can take to protect your customers’ information and your business.

Yes, the representation conference at Foxwoods. I know the lawyers. We have them on rotation for NY/CT-ATP also. And, I always keep their emails until I see if I can fit in a full day away. Almost registered this year, but think I'll see if there's still space in the Lisa Ihm courses in CT (she doesn't get out here every year). But my days are filling up with doctors' appointments. For instance, my teeth cleaning/check-up showed a cracked tooth so go back again Monday for them to start on a crown. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. Brain and body.

Or, you want to elect portability. But, we do have to report basis to beneficiaries now. Is that done on a 706?

My 14-16 hour December live seminar is huge on updates and advertises that topics can change due to new federal tax law changes, and the NY and CT hours are called Updates/Changes. The 2 hours in January is advertised as a Last Chance Update. Even if I have 100 CEs and no matter when my reporting year ends, I take those two courses. Getting the new stuff or newly reinterpreted stuff from live instructors with opportunities to ask questions and to interact with other preparers facing the same things is important to me as I go into a new tax season. I don't consider this fall as procrastinating at all.

The NY/CT-ATP offers dinner meetings with 2 hours of CE in January, May, June, July, September, and November, and an eight-hour seminar including Ethics in November and 14 hours over two days in December (16 for CPAs). I also attend the CCH User Conference, but don't get any CEs as an EA. I usually take an NATP webinar or two, maybe a Tax Talk Today or two or more, maybe CtSEA &/or CT chapter of NATP live classes. I need 72 every three years with no less than 16 each year and Ethics each year. NAEA requires 30 per year, I think. I'm usually in the 30s for qualified CEs plus nearly 30 more that don't qualify (NY and CT and multi-state courses and other courses offered to CPAs). When I worked for Block, I took everything I could as it was almost free and usually (back then) live and fairly local so had twice as much each year then as now. I still have tax returns to prepare that were dropped off recently, but I don't rush to a deadline during November and December so take more courses now. If you're in a time crunch, you can get CEs from your NAEA Journal by taking an online (?) test on the material in one or more issues of the Journal. Check with your professional groups.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/important-update-about-your-eservices-account

E-Services is putting in a new, more secure service that was targeted for 24 October but has been postponed. We will have to re-authenticate ourselves again with stricter info.

Mine too. And, I don't use ATX anymore. Last working interests I had, outside of PTPs, were a decade ago at H&R Block Premium on their proprietary software. But, our posts will keep your thread up top...

Thank you. It all helps her, helps me. Thank you, all.

Thank you, all. And, if he has a refund, I'm just applying it to 2016 so I don't have to mail anything in this year!

Client passed away this year; 2015 on extension. Daughter who's a lawyer is the executor. Dad usually owes (will get to his returns Friday, I hope.) Do I need to mail anything in with an 8453? Such as death certificate (US citizen passed away in the US; would think they know he's dead, but...) or court papers with her appointment? Sorry. I know I could look this up, but still have six complex returns in less than five days. So, hoping someone knows this off the top of their head after dealing with it this year. [Message just popped up that my sister fell twice and is in the hospital -- IL, I'm in CT -- head injury, four staples, fever, UTI, bruises, chest pain, and more. Nurse said chemical stress test is abnormal and referred to her cardiologist. Yikes! What timing to fly to Chicago now. Going to have six angry clients. And, I always prep our own return last after the paying clients and HAVE to file on time to keep my license. Prayers for younger sister Jan, please and thank you.]