Dyrttb?

[veritas]

Short hand question, meaning Did you read The TaxBook?

I don't want to be offensive but sometimes I don't think we are checking the source material first. I think it would be helpful since we have paid good money for the book and if we can't find the answer then the authors should know.

[Larmil]

Short hand question, meaning Did you read The TaxBook?

I don't want to be offensive but sometimes I don't think we are checking the source material first. I think it would be helpful since we have paid good money for the book and if we can't find the answer then the authors should know.

Perhaps it is easier to let someone else do our research for us?

[erchess]

Confession

Sometimes my skills at finding something are not what they need to be. I will look up in the index the concept or concepts involved in my question and I will peruse the table of contents of up to three or four chapters and of course I will read any pages turned up in this way two or three times - but before I go searching through my research software I will post here and or on another board. Several times people have helped me find an answer in TTB and I have been most grateful. I figure that an original poster has the right to ask about any tax question but their doing so does not create for anyone else an obligation to answer.

[Jesse]

I figure that an original poster has the right to ask about any tax question but their doing so does not create for anyone else an obligation to answer.

I agree with erchess, I don't understand why anyone that doesn't like the question or doesn't know the answer can't just skip to the next thread?

This time of year we work long hours and the mind tends to get fuzzy - at least mine does. Sometimes the answer is right in front of me and I just don't see it. Sometimes I have the answer but I want confirmation that I am correct. Sometimes I see it but it is as clear as mud. But I do respect "the people of my virtual watercooler".

On a different thread that I asked a question someone made the comment that it was upsetting that "Jesse appears to be a student not a tax professional. Jesse is asking questions that should have been addressed in a basic tax course".

Rather than such a rude response why not just skip the thread?

[Gretel]

Confession 2

My research skills are not the best either not matter how hard I try.

Sometimes I read until I am blue in my face, and still, the question I ask is stupid in the eyes of others.

Sometimes I am so much in panic or time constraint that I won't do any detailed research before posting.

Sometimes I happily do research for someone else and learn along with the one who asked.

Sometimes I get annoyed myself with someone asking a question that just has been answered.

Sometimes I get annoyed with myself for needing so much help.

Often, I wish people in general would be less judgmental, more compassionate and kinder to themselves and others (I am "people" myself).

[Larmil]

Sometimes my skills at finding something are not what they need to be. I will look up in the index the concept or concepts involved in my question and I will peruse the table of contents of up to three or four chapters and of course I will read any pages turned up in this way two or three times - but before I go searching through my research software I will post here and or on another board. Several times people have helped me find an answer in TTB and I have been most grateful. I figure that an original poster has the right to ask about any tax question but their doing so does not create for anyone else an obligation to answer.

Like you, I try to use the front and back (table of contents and index) before I post a question. There are others that do not take these two initial steps before posting. We all (supposedly have the same resource (TTB), but some are more adept at using it and there are some more willing to use it.

[Larmil]

My research skills are not the best either not matter how hard I try.

Sometimes I read until I am blue in my face, and still, the question I ask is stupid in the eyes of others.

Sometimes I am so much in panic or time constraint that I won't do any detailed research before posting.

Sometimes I happily do research for someone else and learn along with the one who asked.

Sometimes I get annoyed myself with someone asking a question that just has been answered.

Sometimes I get annoyed with myself for needing so much help.

Often, I wish people in general would be less judgmental, more compassionate and kinder to themselves and others (I am "people" myself).

I see myself in all the above statements. Thanks for reminding me.

[WhiteOleander]

I post a question sometimes when I have read TTB. But, I want some "real life" responses. Sometimes the posters here have some suggestions to make something work out smoother. Or maybe their experience on exactly how the IRS handled a particular situation can help me approach the IRS with a little idea of what to expect.

Experience like that is hard to find in a book. That's why I like this message board so much.

[Jesse]

Sometimes I am so much in panic or time constraint that I won't do any detailed research before posting.

Sometimes I happily do research for someone else and learn along with the one who asked.

Sometimes I get annoyed with myself for needing so much help.

Often, I wish people in general would be less judgmental, more compassionate and kinder to themselves and others (I am "people" myself).

I post a question sometimes when I have read TTB. But, I want some "real life" responses. Sometimes the posters here have some suggestions to make something work out smoother. Or maybe their experience on exactly how the IRS handled a particular situation can help me approach the IRS with a little idea of what to expect.

Experience like that is hard to find in a book. That's why I like this message board so much.

These statements are worth repeating because they are so very true.

[geekgirldany]

Yes they do.

I try not to post if I am in a "frantic" state of mind. The basis question I had the other day was an example of that. I was wanting the answer at that moment. If I would had waited a little while I might have eventually found it in a calmer state of mind. Fuzz headness gets me no where In any event I appreciate the person that answered and I learned a great deal in that posting. The postings on the board I often learn something new and I appreciate people taking the time to help.

[BOB W]

TTB is a great resource and I use it all the time>>BUT sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for. It is there, but I can not ask the right question. When that happens I go to "Google" >> 99% of the time I get it there. I wish TTB Web CD had a search engine like Google.

I wanted to review the penalty exceptions for early withdrawal from a 401K. I couldn't find it in the Web CD>> It is in there, but not for me. I tried the way I knew in the search feature with MY key words.

Don't get me wrong, I use the book and Web CD all the time, but sometimes it just doesn't work for me. Is it the Web CD fault, no, it is me. I need better search skills but it would be nice if the Web CD could guess what I want like Google does.

[veritas]

I agree

the search engine is not user friendly. And from the index, it needs to link back to the page it refers you to.

[Jesse]

Don't get me wrong, I use the book and Web CD all the time, but sometimes it just doesn't work for me. Is it the Web CD fault, no, it is me. I need better search skills but it would be nice if the Web CD could guess what I want like Google does.

No worry Bob, you've got people!

[BOB W]

No worry Bob, you've got people!

You got that right..............I don't know what I'd do without ALL of you. You're my people!

[BP.]

I need my TTB message board, my virtual water cooler, virtual office mates, virtual corner bar, what have you, especially as a solo act. I appreciate the help, the consensus & even the disagreements. Assist if we can; skip it if we can't.
Peace
Barb