Lion EA

Thank goodness, I check each year, even when I have a copy or it's a state that rolled over. Discovered last summer that a client in Singapore had lost his license, so got a new one when in NY -- with a new number!

IRS Forms & Publications; search as you wish, current year, or exact form #, or name or.... Then click on the form. For instance, here's a W-4: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf If you find a RED form, look into e-filing instead. And, a few forms still say DRAFT, not for filing (but they often can be e-filed, just not ready for paper filing, yet.) Can you be more specific about the form you need?

I want to get 1099s out of the way before I have a backlog of partnership and s-corp returns to start. I already have two partnerships, one s-corp, and probably a second on my desk or waiting for me to download from FileShare. And, personal returns, but most are waiting for broker statements or K-1s, from me and from other preparers. I finished one small client's 1099s for them to sign and mail. I'm going to another client's site today and hope they still have few enough to get away with mailing -- and that he remembered to buy the forms at Staples! Otherwise, I'll be back there next Wednesday, too. I was filing my own reports and W-2s via QB electronically. All the reports seem to be accepted, but two or so federal payments were rejected. (So far, CT accepted all.) I changed my EFTPS password per IRS's and QB's instructions last September and filed 3Q reports and payments just fine in October. They say I'm not registered for EFTPS and made me go through the registration again; so now I'm waiting for a new code/temp password/whatever to show up in the mail in another week so I can change info and try again. (It would've been here this week without the MLK holiday.) I'm glad I started about the 12th.

I use ProSystem fx, so the names of the products are different. I have FileShare included free with my CCH SiteBuilder website; I use it to upload returns and such to my clients, and they use it to upload their tax information to me and to return signature pages. And, CCH offers a more robust free-standing portal. If you use CCH's eSign, it automatically delivers a client copy when it delivers the signature pages for verification. Many of us have been demoing Verifyle that's free with NAEA membership and another professional membership, too. And, not expensive if purchased on its own, I think. It's great for private communication. More companies -- tax prep software, website builders, email providers, professional organizations, etc. -- are getting into this market. I hope that means that services will be easier for us and our clients to use and that prices will be competitive.

Thank you, Judy.

I think some states require that it be typed in each year.

I've asked similar questions in prior years, but couldn't locate them in a search. My one of very few PA clients listed their (MFJ) taxes as Starlight, PA $295 School tax $2,384.18 Real estate $922.09 Occupation $137.20 In a prior year, she had used the phrase Property tax; does that sound like the current Real estate? Which of the above are expenses for their single-family rental house? Oops, I can't tell what she gave me for their residence vs. what she gave me for their rental. I'll ask her. Other than Sch. A vs. Sch. E, does it make any difference which types of taxes are deductible?

Not often enough! I need to fire a couple of difficult clients; I've been raising their fees, but I'm not happier. I also have a couple needy clients, but they are very appreciative of my help; I should raise their fees, but they are nice, retired ladies on fixed incomes, so I don't. No pay = no more work from me. That I have been doing.

I've been using MalwareBytes for a long time and I forget what, plus I'd removed BitDefender as it was causing problems. With the move to a new computer with Win10, my new IT guy likes the Windows Defender, or whatever it's called, but the computer came with a free year of Norton, so that's what he set up for me. Don't know why he changed his mind, but he came highly recommended, I like him and how he explains most things to me, so I do what I'm told. I think he has MalwareBytes set up, but I'm going to ask him!

It's been awhile. The license is free. Let me see if I can find an invoice with the pay-per-client fee and get back to you. It used to be inexpensive, such as $3 for verified signatures and $1 without. (Although, CCH charges me more for everything because I'm using ProSystem fx. I've been tempted to buy the cheapest ATX each year, not to use, but to get the lower prices on all the extras, such as web site, portal, etc.!) Just pulled out my November invoice. For a late filer, I paid $5 for Esign, with tax $5.05

Just remember with Verifyle that YOU have to verify your client's identity for 8879 purposes and YOU have to record within Verifyle (in a thread, perhaps) your verification details. But, it does look handy to have emails and documents and everything for a client all in one place. What happens if you stop using Verifyle? Is everything stored on your computer for future use and recordkeeping purposes? At least one professional organization has been providing Verifyle free for at least a year. Have any of you been using it that long, free or paid? Do you still like it?

Verifyle is free via NAEA and other professional organizations. But, it's a communication tool and can be for storage and document delivery (from you and to you), too. You need a process that meets the IRS definition of an authenticated signature, one that uses third-party authentication, to use electronic signatures. There are more out there every year. (I use CCH's eSign.)

And, so true!

My old HP LaserJet P2055dn is still going strong with my new Dell win10 computer. It's a model down from the duplexing model, though. It's about 45 pages per and is now my oldest piece of equipment, so I'll pay attention to what you all are using. All my HP printers have been workhorses; I pass them down to hubby when I buy a faster one. Take good care of yourself. I know you're taking good care of your sister. And, I know it's cutting into your work time and probably sleep. If clients don't understand, send them away. If they do, put them on extension or at least give them a later appointment. Prayers for your sister, you, your family, and her whole medical team! You know we're all here for you, and NOT just for taxes.

With eSign, it sends the client his returns, federal and states, for review with the signature pages at the front. The small fee is per SSN, so one fee per client no matter how many states. If a married couple, I use both email addresses, but eSign combines the signatures on one 8879 and one form for each state and sends them back to me. Clients can sign on their touch screen, such as a cell, or type in their name after passing the KBA questions. If I'm sending a prior return someone lost, I upload to FileShare. I have a couple clients that like for me to keep them up there, so they can grab a new copy if they need for mortgage or FAFSA or whatever. Otherwise, after I see they downloaded and I think we're done with that year, I delete before I upload the current year. I've had clients get confused and download everything they see! I also have on FileShare -- available to all -- my engagement letter and a Goodwill or Salvation Army list of prices for used goods. Going to upload 2019 EL now. NY is the only state that will not accept electronically signed forms at all. Some states have restrictions, such as residents or full-year returns only.

I use CCH's eSign. The license is free, just pay per use. It was the first to meet the IRS requirements for a verified electronic signature. By the way, NY will not accept electronic signatures. For my NY residents and NY commuters, I upload to FileShare; they print, sign, upload to FileShare or fax or snail mail or drop through the mail slot in my front door. I have a few who UPS or FedEx or even email, no matter how many times I tell them not to email unencrypted. CCH's eSign will not work for the young children without a credit history to lead to third-party authentication.

I use CCH's FileShare that's included with my CCH SiteBuilder web site. NAEA and other professional organizations offer Verifyle included with membership. See what your tax software or web site or email or telephone provider might offer.

I don't see how NJ can sell their method on sole proprietorships. The CT law re PEs hasn't been challenged by the IRS -- yet. The CT law taxes PEs on their profits, requires electronic ES payments by PEs, and a couple of other provisions. It's only effect on federal personal returns is smaller pass-through profits so smaller federal taxes. (Not like NY's try at a charitable contribution, no quid pro quo on federal personal returns.) The credit happens on the CT personal returns. 2019 was only the second year, so we'll see how CT makes out.

Yes, it's a state tax paid by an entity, so the entity deducts the tax at the entity level. Partnerships and S-corporations only. Less entity profit to passthrough to personal returns; lower personal federal tax, supposedly to help make up for the SALT cap. Then that ever-shrinking percentage as a credit on personal CT returns. It was sold as a win-win for all. But, CT benefits the most. And, we tax preparers who have entity ES tax computations and CT tax credits and more forms with the entity returns and personal CT returns, more paperwork. A LOT of time explaining it to PEs during 2018 when the law was passed (in May or June?) and made retroactive to 1 January 2018, so everyone had missed one or two ES payments. I really need to raise my fees again this year!

Both CT and NY did the non-resident thing for a short time, and, of course, at the top rate. The newer CT tax on PEs is a deduction at the entity level on the federal return (taking it off the personal federal return where it would be of no use) at the top rate. But, it does pass through a percentage of the tax paid to the personal CT return. Of course, for 2019 the percentage is smaller than it was for 2018. And, it hits residents and non-residents alike. Generating more tax for CT and more paperwork for all, even though CT sold it as helping its taxpayers!

CT has been taxing pass-through entities for over a year now. The K-1s pass through the CT tax paid, and an ever-shrinking percentage is used by the partners &/or shareholders on their personal CT returns as a credit. A LOT of paperwork. And, I charge for it.

I saw ATX at the CCH User Conference "Connections" last October. Look for conferences in the very short off-season.

I think it's the federal and state Departments of Labor that you need to worry about. Check on their criteria for employee vs. IC. They seem to have the manpower to chase employers who mis-classify employees. I've heard labor audits referred to as "the audits from hell." Most states also have agreements with the feds to "cross report" their findings. Be careful what you advise.

I want to shrink my client base at my age and think that clients moving, passing away, and not itemizing will accomplish that. But, I remain wrong. Just had another client ask me if I can take on a new client, her fiance (they've been engaged forever, so it'll never end up one MFJ return). I continue to add at least as many as I lose. Family members. Clients opening businesses/separate entities. And, I like almost all of my clients, so I'm not looking at firing anyone this year. Maybe a couple of healthy price increases...

My brand new, professionally-set-up computer is fast and pretty and now shows that I'm an ATX Supreme Guru, have six black dots (which I take it are not at all like being black balled), a green Donors sign, 5,822 posts, and am in CT. Even better, I can see which states all of you are in, because I have clients from CT to CA and many states in between and may need your help from time to time. I'm a happy camper for many reasons. One of which is all of you helpful, happy folks who are my virtual water cooler tax experts. Happy New Year!