Lion EA

Well, my very fancy, very pricey, ProSystem fx does NOT have an opt-out form for CT. Has one for NY. The best they could suggest is a "footnote" so it prints right after the CT return. I used the wording TaxPerson gave, the ending of that paragraph, for the client to sign and mail in with their return and to sign a copy for me to keep. I also put in a suggestion at Pro fx!

If you can't get it working with the help from some of our more computer literate posters, then try our friends at VMSUS.

Thank you. I thought I read everything on their site. But, I was skimming things re preparers. I file electronically. I encourage it of my clients. But, I have a couple that will not, and they pick up this week. Still want to cover myself, something on paper that client instructed me that I can keep in my files, as well as for them to mail in as their "written request." Guess I'll just make it short and sweet, a sentence...

What do other CT preparers do when you have a client who will not e-file? Do you write up something for them to sign? Does your software have a form? Do they mail it in with the return? Do you keep it like you do Forms 8879? Have you had any correspondence from CT re not e-filing? (This is only my second year out on my own after being under the umbrella of a corporation, so it's the first year I "qualify" to e-file ALL returns.) I have a client picking up this week who must mail their returns. What do I need to do to CYA?

Maybe one of the tech savvy types like KC will know what *.exe files should be in ATX and whether you should have your AV software remove it. Can you print now that it's quarantined? The VMSUS guys respond in 90 minutes and can clean your computer remotely. Good luck.

The liability protection of a corporation, no matter which kind, can vary from state to state, so let us know where the doctor practices or have him consult or you consult with a lawyer well versed in that state's corporate liability laws. Of course, he needs to maintain his malpractice insurance. And, he must do all the usual things to act like a corporation and not mix business with personal, keeping funds separate, etc., no matter where he is or what entity he is. Some states have professional limited liability companies of some type that might be right for him. And, such structures might protect his personal assets from acts of his staff or falls on his property or other things not associated with his professional actions, but situations due to his own professional actions are hard to escape personal liability for.

A couple of years back I moved to a new computer. Installed the ATX years I wanted on the new computer. On old computer, did an export of returns for a year to a flash drive. Then, on new computer did a import. Repeated for the years I wanted to move. Was quick and easy. Good luck. (NOT backup/restore.)

Good Luck !! :P

Did you hear that huge intake of breath as all preparers suddenly turned to their stacks of unfinished partnership returns?!

I'm going to use that one: $50 for checking with HRB, $75 for listening to your barber, mechanic, or neighbor's son.

And everyone seems sure that their paper losses mean big refunds this year. I need to learn how to explain why paper losses don't change their taxes, especially when the losses are in their IRA.

I always used to start my return early for all the reasons mentioned by others. It sat through the season, though, so I used it to test things for months. It was my dummy return. My daughter's first year in college she panicked about her FAFSA and insisted I complete our return early -- which I did, but that year only! Now my software includes sample returns of all types. The last two years I have not even started my return until after tax season. Wait'll next year, says the Cubs fan.

Yes to everything. I have about the same amount of clients, but they're more complex this year. Clients say their taxes are simpler this year because their investments lost money, but they have more complex situations now with sales and exchanges and sales they think are losses but had depreciation reducing their basis or capital gain dividends or.... And, since most of mine do have investments, the extended deadlines for brokerages to mail combined 1099s and annual statements until 17 February and for Merrill Lynch and some other financial institutions to 3 March means I have less than six weeks to do the work I used to do in 2 1/2 months! I'm exhausted and panicking. I have what used to be an LLC/partnership that is now an S-corp (can't pro forma all those assets!) and due Monday that I'm trying to get off my desk so I can try to move some of the personal returns off their stacks and piles and heaps and onto my desk. Thank goodness for all of you virtual colleagues who know and understand what's up this time of year and who can set me on the right path for research or preparation during my sleep-deprived times. I read ALL the posts. Thank you, everyone, for contributing questions and answers and moral support and humor.

That's it. And, I think they're due in March, or at least during tax season. Clients think you can do it for them, but only part of it is income information. The other part is asset information, savings, investments, retirement plans, etc. And, you repeat both parts for both the parent and the child, so unless you do the child's taxes also, you're doing extra work. But, you can mark that you have not yet filed a return and use your best guesses.

That means estimated amounts when returns aren't filed yet, not estimated tax payments.

FAFSA accepts estimates. Take it from a procrastinator. My return it now the last one I do, and it's getting later every year. Close to 15 October last year.

A very :bday:

Did he just have a baby with a funny name? Is he getting married?

Sale incident to a divorce has no current tax consequence. Basis stays the same in the hands of the now sole owner as it was the last day both of them owned the home. Only when now sole owner sells, will he/she have potential capital gain. New non-owner has cash instead of his/her share of home, just a property settlement. This is the simplified version; your mileage may vary.

Certainly start with HP and then ATX. Try the VMSUS folks. For a couple of years at Block, our ATX returns were painfully slow, pausing after nearly every page. We worked on it, the Block techies worked on it, the dedicated Block tech support at ATX worked on it. We used Brother printers and tried HP printers. Tried printing from server instead of workstations. Nothing changed. Other offices did NOT have our problem. I think our first year(s) with ATX, printing was normal. Later, Block bought TaxWorks and stopped using ATX and I stopped working for Block, so no recent history. But, sometimes, you just can't find the problem. Good luck.

I miss Jerry, too. Thanks for the explanation.

What does that mean, anyway?

I stole this one from another preparer who is very polite: IMPORTANT IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, this notice is to advise you that any federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. IMPORTANT CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail transmission and any documents, files, or previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain confidential information that is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by reply e-mail by forwarding this to sender or by telephone at (203) 557-0909 and destroy the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. Thank you.

A very :bday:

I try to get the freebies to be on extension. But, now son's girlfriend wants to fund her IRA with her refund. And, son was buying property so needed return for bank and couldn't wait. And, they live in another state, so research involved. And both son and daughter have amendments that have to be done by 15 April (they're for 2005) to get their refunds. And, son and girlfriend formed two LLCs with, I think, two members each! I'd put those off until after tax season, but I need the K-1s. Girlfriends parents own an inn and let us stay free, so saying no is too hard.