Lion EA

It's my desk chair. I bought a more expensive one last time that's lasted longer, but the lumbar support is less support lately and the seat now presses the backs of my thighs. No time to get a new one, so been trying to watch my posture. And, I tried all the throw pillows in the house until I found one that puts the seat at the right angle. Also, found some reading glasses at the grocery store that work for reading, computer, and over the desk/client, so I don't lean as much. It still takes time to heal once the muscles start spasming, if that's a word. Being over tired makes it hard to maintain good posture, too. On Wednesdays, I'm at a biz client's site and have a crummy chair; usually have leg cramps on Wednesday nights. This getting old is hard work.

My laptop did that. I didn't accept the terms, so it went back to 7 taking a very long time. But, it went back. Not updating during tax season. Probably not updating until it's a new computer. (I'd followed some instructions I read here to keep my desktop from asking to upgrade, but hadn't gotten around to doing that on my lesser used laptop. Now, I can't find those instructions.)

I had a computer crash during the season a few years back that took its toll on me. Actually it was a new computer late the year before that had one or more fans that didn't work that overheated the video card on the motherboard starting in January and finally getting all new innards the end of March. Everyone went on extension with a lot of zeros. I feel your pain. Your clients need an intelligent, ethical preparer. But, I can understand that you need some peace of mind and body. Give yourself some time after the 19th to unwind and decide what you want to do. And, for now -- breathe.

And, I hate the rubber glue on SSA forms, too. And, I prefer perforated forms so I can keep one and return the rest to the client in his folder. If not perforated, I have to copy.

I'd probably prepare a bill covering all the time I spent, deducting the $75 on account, and giving a balance due, and put it on top of their documents for them to pick-up. It's just me, so I'd hand it to them and not say a word and get back to my desk. I wouldn't expect to get paid but would expect them to shut up about the $75. If I had an assistant to hand the stack to them, she'd ask how they want to pay their balance, check or credit card, and then not argue but let them leave. If they insist, I'd return the $75; it'll be worth it to get rid of them. But, I think I'd mail it to them along with that invoice that now doesn't have $75 on account !!

I've needed the late nights, but back is in spasm to the point of taking muscle relaxants that have me too drugged up to work, so I'm falling farther and farther behind and the calls from clients re their pending returns put me farther behind, too. Wish I had an assistant to return the emails and calls or maybe should just set up an auto-response. I too have fingers with arthritis this year, one of which is painful, so more typos and more time proofreading. Thermacare heat wraps help my lower back without the extension cord of a heating pad, but don't do much for the spasm in the middle. I have a cold or sinus issue, coughing (which throws my back into spasm each time I cough). So, zinc and cough drops for that and turmuric and Move Free from Costco for the arthritis and the heat wraps and anti-inflammatories (sp?) for the back and then the big guns when I finally sleep. It looks like a doctor's office in here with a pile of pills on my desk. I have a cracked tooth, too, that the dentist said could wait until I have more pain. Maybe Joan and I can merge practices and share an assistant and a nurse.

CCH has good publications.

Happy Easter! Off to church. "Kids" stopping by this afternoon. Then some work, too.

Yeah, it really was an investment, Schedule D, DOD basis, make it easy on yourself.

I know. I used it at Block when it was spreadsheet based and thought I might use it in my own business. But, I chose something else as working more the way I work. I still benefit from the wise and humorous people on this site, though, and love you all.

Haven't used ATX since Block days for entities, but we used to be able to click on the title of a column to sort in ascending or descending order; however, it was a spreadsheet-based program back then. My software can do that but also has a checkbox per return and one universally to sort alphabetically. Very handy when new 1099s get added over the years; happens most often with my elderly and their CDs maturing so adding a couple new banks with 1099-INTs each year.

I agree with your suggested technique in OP. You will have to prorate his NY tax using the ratio of income earned before and after the move. I go with whatever I can get from the client the easiest: either the actual $ amount of earnings from a paystub near the move or the days worked before and after the move if client gives me the date (usually easier to get). My software will work with the date (or $, but clients don't save paystubs very often), so I don't do any of it manually. Can't help with the ATX part. NY has told me "any reasonable method."

I especially love it when there IS a 1099-INT for six cents. Now it was reported to the IRS, usually as part of his brokerage consolidated 1099 along with dividends and capital gains. I always put $1 so IRS computer can match a TD or whoever 1099. Client already owes $98,201 so owing an extra 39.6 cents plus 6.7 cents to CT is just his penalty for having so many investments.

So jealous! And, drooling! Enjoy! You deserve them.

Client brings in Feb 15, 2016 letter saying IRS has resolved an issue with his 2013 return and will be mailing him a check for $8.73 in two to three weeks. That's after amount applied to tax owed for 2014 $4.67. We didn't even know there was a 2013 overpayment or 2014 underpayment. Well, we didn't know there was a 2014 underpayment that small; his 2014 balance due was $98,201.

I'd fix the return and e-file correctly; or if already e-filed, amend the return for free. If they already paid, I'd give them a gift certificate for free prep next season. If not paid, I'd waive this year's fee. Thank them for doing their job to make sure everything on their returns is complete and accurate. Remind them that you do your best with their help. There was only one perfect man, and we crucified him. Today's a good day to think about that.

Get his paystub for the period ending closest to the move. Or count days.

I have clients who bring in last year's form. And, I have some that receive their form for current tax year, but it says it bold red something like, an updated form will be provided by May 31st for any contributions by April 18th for 2015.

Don't think so. So, you're off the hook for the 706.

We finally put in a generator. Love it. Best decision we ever made. Don't know why we didn't do it years ago. Worth every penny. Even when we don't need it, it reduces my stress and worry because I know it's there and I won't be out of work for 11 days during tax season every again.

You may want a 706 to make the portability election. At least inform your client and get in writing if he chooses not to file a 706.

I love extensions, and even the people who can't get it together until October or November or the next year, so I can work all year long and make money all year long. I almost never let someone jump my queue. I have done some quick ones ahead of their spot in line when they were nice about it and long-time clients and had a one-time need (first FAFSA is one example) and charged them a $100 rush fee or even an additional 50%. I had one this year who needed a prior year done for a mortgage, and I said No at first because I never prepare prior year returns during the main tax season. But, he's a nice guy who's been with me a long time and had everything in perfect order and offered to pay whatever I wanted; so, I charged him double. As I told him, and he was fine with it, I might lose a client for good that gets pushed farther back in the line, so I need to cover myself. $1,620. Probably worth it.

My filing instructions state, "If after three weeks you have not received your refund, you may contact the IRS at 1-800-829-4477." And, I highlight it in yellow along with the amount. I still get calls. But, I like to think fewer calls.

I do have to keep the stacks separate, not let papers from one client slip into another stack. And, you should see the stacks on my floor with the cross-leaved clients when I have to get everything out of site for a client's arrival. My 2015 TTB and JK Lasser are on top of the printer that doesn't work, because I haven't cleaned out my bookshelves to make room for the current year. I have reading glasses all over with at least two pairs on my desk and another in my briefcase and maybe one on a bookcase. And, that picture showed just the client end of my L-shaped desk that was once a computer hutch, but I needed the space and took the hutch off so I could spread out more. And, the file cabinet that I just cleaned off since a client's coming now.

This is taken from my chair so you see the stacks on my desk before you see that bookcase!