Discussion:Does anyone like the way Tax Almanac has been going for the last year?

Specifically, is the quality of information up?

Have you noticed more help among professionals?

Is it easier to find what you're looking for without having to wade through basic questions from non-pros?

We'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks.

That alone should be a signal that things have improved.

Also - pet sitting OIH? What kind of animals are sitted - horses?

For awhile there, I think there was too much harping on DIY'ers or new members and I'm afraid we might have lost the interest of some very qualified people. It's not productive or fun to go to a bulletin board expecting to get support and help then find a lot of antagonizing between the board's members. This board is a lot like being in college sometimes, I used to tell my son to ask any question he needed answered in whatever class he took. He was afraid someone would think badly of him, especially as a freshman in a class with upper classman. I told him not to worry about that because everyone in the class paid for the privilege of asking questions and everyone in the class paid for the obligation and responsibility to listen to the question without passing judgement.

Sometimes this past year I was more frustrated with Taxalmanac than I ever have been, but it's still my favorite resource and I keep coming back because I get real help and real answers to book "larned" things. And until they write the tax code in clear English, it's always a good place to come for clarification, or just discussion. I still say thanks to everyone here for all you do. I hope someone is keeping an eye on the legislation to allow a deduction for my critters!!

I think there should be a clear area for the DIYers and others seeking advice. It may be here somewhere but it's not easily found. I think it's a positive thing to help these people out. It strengthens our position in the community as well. So, if we do have a DIY area, can we please make it more prominent.

It's the same opinion I have with the profile police. Anyone can post anything in a profile, I haven't given my respect to the regulars here because I read their profile, I give it based on the interaction given here in the forums. I know that when Riley gives his answer, it's rarely wrong, not because his profile says he's smart , but because I have seen the consistency of his correct answers.

I think that some might have left because of the DIYers, but also some may have left because of the constant policing and, dare I say it, whining.

We now have a community of people with knowledge, but we have now made it an exclusive community where newbies might be afraid to ask questions for fear of being ridiculed. The great part of this place is that it helps all of us, but it also has the ability to teach the newbies a lot as well and we should encourage questions by them, no matter how basic. We can help them learn how to search the code. If we blast them immediately we chase them away and the other lurkers become afraid to ask questions.

I'm not saying take away the good natured ribbing and busting their chops, I'm all for a little hazing before you enter the fraternity, but we should really make them feel welcome rather than afraid to ask questions.

Span the generational divide and remember when you were young and needed guidance. In my mind, we all have an obligation to help pass that along. The stronger the overall profession is, the better it is for all of us.

And to those newbies lurking out there reading this, I am interested in your opinion on these matters as well. Remember, these are just words that really can't hurt or define you.

Fsteincpa

I have participated in several tax forums. The better ones restrict participation.

Of course, we don't know why people leave -

Is it because they got tired of answering the same questions over and over?

Because they didn't like the answers (or sometimes non-answers) from others?

Because they got tired of people expecting free answers WITH CITES and explanations/summaries of regs, code, tax and district court decisions?

Because they got tired of people not doing their own basic research?

Because they got tired of answering questions whose answers could be found in Pub 17 or by reading the instructions to a form?

Because others also volunteered to answer?

Because they had paying work to do?

Because they were asked to fill out a profile?

Because they did fill out a profile and someone took them to task on their credentials or lack thereof?

I think some may have left for each of the above, and a few may have left for all of the above.

And don't leave out, Because they don't have a sense of humor? (Or don't like, JR, Fred, Kevin, fill in the blank_______?)(Because they don't have a sense of humor.)

Personally I had to walk away from the posters that treated others w/o respect or dignity, those that always slammed the newcomer, complained about mispelled words, telling others that shouldn't take on an engagement in the harshest tone and attitude.

IMHO, the code of conduct is vital to the board and I have seen that code violated and disregarded by the powers that be. How unfortunate

TexCPA 12:29, 24 August 2009 (CDT)

Now could someone explain to me how I can writeoff my earnest money?

Sometimes I want to be lead, and sometimes I'm just hoping for the answer. I definitely think leading the newbies/younger generation of preparers is the way to go. But, I also think we can do it in a kindler, gentler fashion. That's not to say we need to be super nice, it is ok to haze as long as it is an educational hazing and we should also let new users know that a tough skin can go a long way, both here and in the real world.

One other way to write it off: if your ex-wife gets the house and earnest money, it's known as an involuntary conversion. If she lets you keep your own house and moves out, you have to capitalize it though: It's a capital improvement.

None of the above for me. I get tired of doing the same thing sometimes, and when I find something else to do, I'll quit doing what I was doing. Sometimes, I'll go back to doing things I used to do, but not very often. Messing around on the web is one of the things I've gotten tired of doing. I don't know if I'll ever get interested in spending time on the web or this site again.