The Ghost of Competence Past

[Black Bart]

Last year, ATX seemed to have finally gotten all the kinks worked out of their technical support division. Since heavy-duty CCH bought them out, I figured they'd send in fresh troops to fine-tune the operation. We received our software last week and called support about some installation issues. They're fresh all right; real fresh (Lordy; it's gonna to be a loooonnng season).

BB: Okay, so that's all we need and it's ready for electronic filing?
Rep: Yes, you can begin December 15th.
BB: You mean January, don't you?
Rep: No; December. Why?
BB: Well, you know, about the possible IRS delay; maybe even to the last of January.
Rep:
BB: Hello?
Rep: Uh...no, I believe you can start in December.
BB: Haven't you heard there's a problem with AMT?
Rep: That's ATX sir; and we have nothing to do with the starting date.
BB:
Rep: Hello?

[Bees Knees]

Not to take away from your sense of humor, but….


There is no delay due to AMT. The law as written is the law as is. You can start to file tax returns right now, and IRS will process the return under current law.

If you choose to do so, and AMT is later revised, you will have to amend the return accordingly.

The delay that will occur is the minute Congress passes a new law, and IRS needs 10 weeks to re-program their computers. THEN, all return processing will be put on hold until they can get the new law incorporated into their system.

But as it stands now, tax season will go ahead as normal and 20 million new taxpayers will experience the AMT experience.

[Golden Rocket]

As we speak...

...the separate houses of Congress are trying to hammer out a compromise version of AMT relief. Like Bees Knees said, I don't believe anything will prevent FILING the returns, however, I believe it will take the IRS a long time to PROCESS the returns if Congress passes AMT relief.

This includes electronic filing for returns containing Form 6251. Software companies will probably beat the IRS to the punch, and get their software corrected before the leviathon IRS can get their systems to accept these forms. The delay in processing will also spill over into paper returns. I can envision thousands of returns being held up if they include 6251, paper or otherwise, and the specific logjam will crimp processing in general as well.

Noting Bart's conversation, I believe the subject matter of AMT delays was only a secondary consideration. His primary issue was with a grossly out-of-touch henchman sent by a giant corporation to man the telephones. "That's ATX sir" - indicating he did not even know what the AMT is, and the peculiar circumstances surrounding it. Even non-tax personnel (such as salesmen and programmers) working for tax software companies should be keenly aware of the threat posed by a change in legislation.

"Bigger is not always better" rides again. My tiny software company (about 5% the subscribers of ATX) is on top of the AMT like white on rice.

[veritas]

If I remember correctly BB

The ghost of the past was the first of three. You got two more coming to see ya.

[Black Bart]

Thanx boys,

Your input's appreciated (yours too, Bees; you wet blanket you). Veritas--now they can't say that you don't care a fig for anything (keep it watered).

Snag-you hit the nail right on the head--it's the support issue that's buggin' me. I swear that the first tech support guy who says to me (after having tried their "workarounds" that make my computer produce Chinese characters or the equivalent thereof) "Sir; have you downloaded the latest version of our program?" (I must have heard that 20 times last year); I'm gonna verbally strangle 'im.

Bees has a point though -- I never even thought of the filing as a separate thing (it makes sense that AMT -- scratch that; I mean ATX -- would like to say they've done their part and it's out of their hands). But, for both me and the customers, it's all wrapped up together. The why of it's just a technicality. If I can't get their refunds for them, it'll be cold comfort to say "It's there -- I sent it in -- they're just not doing anything with it."