Lion EA

If the price is similar, I'd go with the more recent Office 2007 just because I'll be able to go longer before I have to upgrade again. I think for an "upgrade" you just have to have an earlier version installed on your computer. It's probably more a pricing thing, but it should bring in your settings from your earlier version.

Do you use QuickBooks or a write-up software for bookkeeping anyway? See if something you already work with has a payroll module available.

Back up now. And, if you don't have an external hard drive that you back up to, get one now. Two is even better, swapping them out every other day. Or, back up to the VMS server. When your computer crashes, you will be able to grab your external back up or download from VMS and be back up and running on a new or borrowed or rented or purchased computer fast. Good luck.

Was "Somebody" his barber or mechanic?

Hope this means fewer corrected forms from brokers arriving in March and later.

IRS starts accepting Friday 16 January. Check the ATX release dates for the forms you still need.

He's still going to get a 1099-R for his 401(k) distribution, retiree or not. And, unless he's filed any change of address notices, it will probably wind up in HER mailbox. Jainen gave you a likely scenario if that happens.

A very :bday:

Bob, so did I. Call Kyle. They are techies but know ATX and other software, too. A good combo for your needs.

I love HPs. They're workhorses. I also had an old HP 4L; my husband now uses it. I have a color 2550n which has been replaced by HP with a newer and cheaper model, maybe in the 2600 range. I might buy a black only with a small footprint and speedier printing this year or next. I've been watching sales at Staples and HP online, too. Some people swear by eBay and Craigslist.

Bob, you're gonna love these guys. Probably already know some from their old ATX days. Call Kyle to discuss your needs. Like you say, even if you can do it yourself, you don't have time during the season. I talked to Kyle and got set up with support plus off-site automatic backups. Then Susan solved my printing problem. At a time that was convenient for me, Thomas set me up for the backups, got things going to my external drive, also, worked on a restore to previous set point issue and taught me about defragging. Then he called me to set an appointment to make sure my computer was clean and at peak performance going into tax season; he checked on the previous restore issue, on Norton, installed a spyware program, set up automatic scans by everything, answered questions, etc. I've had hours and hours of service, all for $199, and have a year to go! And, they're around 24/7 during tax season. It's a bargain.

This type of issue might be one that Kyle and his crew at VMS could resolve.

But, he's not lowering his salary to save someone's job or to save the company, he wants to take a lower salary so he can take higher distributions. I realize that he has a strong personal reason for doing that, but does he have a business reason? If his only reason is tax avoidance, do you want to sign that return?

A very [And, it's nice to see Billy as our official greeter, again!]

I too sometimes leave it out of the government copy after preparing the balance sheet. But, that's usually because I'm not convinced the client did what he said instead of what's necessary for a "balancing" entry -- not me, I didn't take any money out of the company...

If you lowered the salary for any other employee, would he remain with you for long? Still be productive? Do you have a business reason for lowering your own salary? If you do something for tax reasons only and not for a business reason...

Wow, that's brilliant, Zeke!

it was soaked in milk, I think, as part of the preparation, and grilled on the bar-b-q outside, and eaten in a bun.

all the warnings scare me

Also, limits on amending from MFJ to MFS...

We've been having ice storms. All the gravel is scrapped away from my driveway; it'll be treacherous for clients. And, with the branches heavy with ice and snow, the power keeps flickering out so I lose computer, telephone, etc. Not to mention that hubby the teacher gets delays and snow days and is underfoot and playing havoc with my schedule! It's going to be a long winter.

What was it that I ate in CA? Tripas or something like that. Cows' intestines?

I like to fill out the L. Most of my clients don't have a balance sheet, except an inaccurate one in QB. Filling out the L turns up all sorts of information. If it doesn't balance, did money go in or out? Then, you know what questions to start asking. Besides, when they sell assets or sell the company, you need some of that information that your client hasn't been tracking!

I learn something new -- or two -- every day! Thank goodness. And, thank you all for sharing.

I did the export/import thing the year I got a new computer to get the prior year returns there for rollovers. I exported the prior year returns to a flash drive, ran upstairs to my new computer and did an import. Now, I'd installed the prior year program as well as the current year program on the new computer before importing the returns. It was quick and easy and worked perfectly. In fact, it worked so fast that I decided to move even older years' returns, too. All done in minutes.