Beginning of official filing Jan 22?

[luke]

seminar

I was told in seminar (working together w/IRS) that IRS could NOT extend filing deadline because it was in the "code" - Congress would have to extend!

[taxea]

Yep, got that IRS email too. Wonder if tax season will be extended? Or I wonder if the IRS thinks us preparers need no sleep, I understand 4562 returns are late Feb. and maybe March???? A large portion of my business has 4562's!!

No extension for 1040, however there is an extension for farmers to 04/15/13

[Jesse]

Not all forms can be filed 1/30

Here is a list with a very common 4562 listed:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/List...nto-March-2013

[taxea]

Current day for elf from IRS notices is 1/30.

[Super Mom]

Yep, got that IRS email too. Wonder if tax season will be extended? Or I wonder if the IRS thinks us preparers need no sleep, I understand 4562 returns are late Feb. and maybe March???? A large portion of my business has 4562's!!

[Lion]

IRS Newswire via email. Subscribe at Subscriptions at the top of the IRS web site.

[JSLATER]

I just searched the IRS's website and did not find anything on this. Where did you see it was changed?

Dusty

IRS email.

[Dusty2004]

Where did you see this

Guess that bill the Congress passed was a little more complicated than they originally thought.

I just searched the IRS's website and did not find anything on this. Where did you see it was changed?

Dusty

[JoshinNC]

IRS just changed it to 1/30

Guess that bill the Congress passed was a little more complicated than they originally thought.

[FEDUKE404]

Way the game is played

Slimy tax work at its best.

Some years ago I worked a few hours for a national firm that was "preparing" tax returns on January 2nd...."from paystubs." For the first few days in January, the lobby was full and the lines were out the door.

Well, they never filed the returns until the W2s actually showed up, but they were running the numbers from the pay stubs + weak interview and handing out expensive quasi-RALs (some per cent of anticipated refund??) on the spot. Needless to say, the tax returns were generally quite simple. Those going the EITC route had a chance to try out their "facts" in early January. Folks would later show up with their W2s and get a "free" return prepared then.

Biggest problems were the "Oops, I forgot about that job! Here's another W2 that came in the mail yesterday" and then trying (from paystubs) to get "correct" W2 numbers when non-taxable retirement pay, or cafeteria plan stuff, was present. Many people had also "realized" there was another warm body in their household, so they could max out on the EITC. Many others realized they had originally made an error and they really were divorced...."can't I file married filing single??" was the original early-January query.

It was only a marketing ploy (I think Block and Jackson-Hewitt were the primary players at the time) to get people in the door. Some people tried to file an "original" return at Company B after first going to Company A. That made for some interesting discussions/angered clients re the repayment of the RAL to Company A when no return was filed with them. From what I heard, the overall process (due to volume) was a money-making scheme, but truckloads of money were lost to the clients who bolted and were never seen again.

I've never dealt (personal business) with RALs and that keeps me out of the fray and somewhat preserves my remaining sanity. I just do not need those headaches and costs. Other tax folks are more than welcome to pursue that type of business/clients. There is a place for everyone.

Just my 2¢ worth!

FE

[David1980]

there are signs at every corner in my city. They advertise "doing returns with last pay stub" and another one mentioning the maximum EIC credit. How can they be doing this? I want to stop and rip the signs out of the ground. I have had 2 clients call and ask me about this.
I told them that IRS won't accept any returns until Jan. 22. I also told them that no one can file a return without having the W-2 in their hand. I told them with the last paystub I could tell you what your refund would be but I couldn't process the return.
It is FALSE advertising. I was tempted to call the number and ask questions to see what they would tell me. It makes my blood boil!!!! Better up the dosage of high blood pressure medicine.

Linda, EA

I wouldn't be surprised at all if those preparers really were filing returns based on paystubs or making fictitious numbers up to get the maximum EIC. You can report bad preparers to the IRS, they've got a form for it, but their enforcement is limited so a lot gets by. I'm really hoping the IRS fraud filters that are supposed to delay refunds potentially are good and catch a lot of the fraud, but I doubt it. Until congress moves welfare off the tax return I think this sort of thing is just going to continue.

[taxea]

OK, I'm driving down the road today and see someone on the side of the road for Liberty Tax Service saying "have a w-2? file now" ---How are they doing that? Filing now and waiting for acceptance? Even RAL's need acceptance first, right? Anyone know? Thinking of calling them and just asking unless someone knows.

Obviously they are trying to get customers. They know they can't file until the IRS allows it and they rarely are ready for efiles before Jan 20. This sounds like false advertising to me.

[oceanlovin'ea]

signs

there are signs at every corner in my city. They advertise "doing returns with last pay stub" and another one mentioning the maximum EIC credit. How can they be doing this? I want to stop and rip the signs out of the ground. I have had 2 clients call and ask me about this.
I told them that IRS won't accept any returns until Jan. 22. I also told them that no one can file a return without having the W-2 in their hand. I told them with the last paystub I could tell you what your refund would be but I couldn't process the return.
It is FALSE advertising. I was tempted to call the number and ask questions to see what they would tell me. It makes my blood boil!!!! Better up the dosage of high blood pressure medicine.

Linda, EA

[veritas]

Aw

OK, I'm driving down the road today and see someone on the side of the road for Liberty Tax Service saying "have a w-2? file now" ---How are they doing that? Filing now and waiting for acceptance? Even RAL's need acceptance first, right? Anyone know? Thinking of calling them and just asking unless someone knows.

Lady Liberty with earphones, twirling sign and some sweet dance moves. It's officially tax time.

[Super Mom]

file now??????

OK, I'm driving down the road today and see someone on the side of the road for Liberty Tax Service saying "have a w-2? file now" ---How are they doing that? Filing now and waiting for acceptance? Even RAL's need acceptance first, right? Anyone know? Thinking of calling them and just asking unless someone knows.