Discussion:Amended Returns
From TaxAlmanac
Discussion Forum Index --> Advanced Tax Questions --> Amended Returns
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Amended Returns
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| Here's the situation, I use proseries basic and I did a return for a client's dependent. I checked the necessary blocks so that the dependent only got the stdrd ded. for someone claimed as a dep. I filed the return electronically. Went back and filed the client and I kept getting reject code 0383, then once the IRS fixed that, I got a 510 reject code, saying that someone had claimed my client on their tax return. Come to find out my beloved program didn't do what it was supposed to when I checked the boxes for the dependent being claimed on another return. So now the client has to decide whether to not claim the child on their return, or have an amended return done on the child's return and wait longer so they can paper file their return. My question is this...If I can convince the client to not claim the child for 2007, avoiding the amended return junk, can they claim the eligible child, who is a student on 2008? | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| Amend the child's return - the client is paying you to get it correct. Do not charge extra for it. It is 'your' software that caused the error, not the client.
Tax software is no substitute for a good tax professional.
| |
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| Thanks for the input Kevin. That's what I get for getting lax on a simple return. Don't plan on charging extra. May not charge at all. May change to different program next year. I've had other similar problems this tax season with proseries. | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| ps - my Drake software had an error that I caught tonight. you have to know how the answer should come out to test the software - it is not foolproof. | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| about 2 years ago I downloaded a Drake update between the time I had calculated some people's returns and when I transmitted them to the IRS. You got it - the software had changed the numbers and so no one got what I expected and I had to amend some returns due to 'software error'. A very hard lesson to learn. | |
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| Have another question, my client's refund will probably take a while since the amended return has to go through first, correct? I mean it will take a while since we're mailing it in, so we should probably send the amended return first and then wait a week and send in my client's return. Does that sound like it will work? How do you like Drake? They have been trying to get me to try it out, but I've been with Proseries for a long time. | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| yes, you should probably paper file the parent's return later this tax season - more chance that the IRS will have processed the amended return. One week is probably not enough.
I like Drake, but it is not always 100% correct when it first comes out - what software ever is? What I like is that you can download updates daily if needed, they send regular CD updates, they send an early version around Thanksgiving (YES), and you get everything for around 1,000 bucks. It isn't Lacerte (which handles more forms and is more intuitive with it's 'jump' feature), but it is less than 1/3 of the price. I can do a lot of jumping on my own for $2,500. | |
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| I pay around 600 for proseries and get updates daily automatically and cds every now and then when they send them. I've heard of Lacerte, but like you, couldn't deal with the price. Of course Drake is kind of pricy for me right now. I've only got about 20 clients. | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| I completely understand. First year with Drake in a new office, I only did 49 returns all year. Four years later am doing over 500 returns a year. | |
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| How'd you get more returns? Advertising? | |
Trailblazer67 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| probably will do that for 2008. Thanks for your help! | |
Lmcdon9822 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| Trailblazer67 - Take a look at TaxAct Professional Edition (www.taxact.com). I have been using it for a few years and its ok. Never had a problem with efile and I efile 95% of my clients including PA, NY, NJ and NC states. I have a small practice, 21 clients last year (first year with a face to my name). $99 for standalone version, $159 for network version and $79 for all states.
Kevinh5 - I know you conduct seminars. Any of them include your marketing strategy? If so send me some information. I may come to attend. I need to get to or close to the 500 client mark. Thanks! | |
| 24 February 2008 | |
| LM, I did a session on marketing for more tax clients for NATP's annual conference in Las Vegas last year, but don't have any marketing sessions scheduled yet for this year. | |
Lmcdon9822 (talk|edits) said: | 24 February 2008 |
| Thanks...please keep me posted... | |
