Has anyone figured out how to efficiently import historical data from UltraTax to CCH Axcess? We've got about 200 business clients and manually reentering prior year data seems incredibly inefficient.

Going through a similar transition myself right now! One thing that really helped me was creating a comparison spreadsheet mapping the key functions between UltraTax and CCH Axcess. For multi-state returns, I found that CCH's state selection interface is actually more streamlined once you get used to it - instead of having separate screens for each state like in UltraTax, everything flows through the main return with state-specific worksheets. A couple of practical tips: First, spend time in the CCH Axcess demo environment before working on live client files. Second, for Caseware integration, make sure you understand how the trial balance imports work - it's quite different from the Thomson Reuters flow. The working papers sync much better once you get the mapping right. Also, don't hesitate to use CCH's screen sharing support sessions. They're more helpful than the generic training modules for learning the nuances of complex returns. Good luck with the transition!

Does anyone know if tax advocate services are free? I'm in the same situation. Filed in March. Still waiting. Getting worried. Will they charge me? How long does it take to get help?

I went through almost the exact same situation last year - filed in February, got the runaround from phone reps, and didn't see my refund until November. What finally worked for me was getting my congressional representative involved. I called their local office and spoke to their constituent services team. They have a direct line to the IRS and can actually get real answers instead of the generic "it's processing" response. Within two weeks of contacting them, I had a caseworker assigned and my refund was released. Don't feel bad about using this option - you've paid your taxes and followed all the rules, so you deserve proper service. Most representatives' offices handle these requests regularly and they're usually very helpful with IRS issues.

Does anyone know if the expenses for a birthing center would qualify since they're not a traditional hospital? We'll be using one next year and trying to plan ahead.

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm in a similar situation - my wife and I are expecting our first baby in March and we're also planning to use a birth center with midwives. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful, especially learning about the HSA option and the documentation requirements. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with expenses for prenatal massage therapy that was recommended by their midwife? Our birth center suggested regular prenatal massage for my wife's back issues during pregnancy, and I'm wondering if that would also qualify as a deductible medical expense since it was medically recommended rather than just for relaxation. Also really appreciate the tips about keeping detailed documentation. Sounds like having everything in writing from the healthcare providers is key, whether you're planning to itemize deductions or use HSA/FSA funds.

Just a quick tip - make sure you're tracking ALL your expenses related to your 1099 work! That can make a much bigger difference than investment losses. I do similar contract work and track things like: - Home office space - Internet/phone used for work - Computer equipment & software - Professional subscriptions - Mileage for any work travel - Professional development/training These deductions directly reduce your 1099 income before taxes are calculated, so they lower both income tax AND self-employment tax, which is huge!

Great thread with lots of helpful advice! I'm also doing 1099 work for the first time this year and had similar questions about capital losses. One thing I want to add - if you're selling stocks at a loss specifically for tax purposes, be careful about the wash sale rule. If you buy back the same stock (or substantially identical securities) within 30 days before or after the sale, the IRS won't allow you to claim the loss for tax purposes. Also, since you mentioned you haven't been withholding taxes from your 1099 income, you might want to consider adjusting your W-2 withholding to cover some of the additional tax burden. You can submit a new W-4 to your employer to have extra taxes withheld from your regular paycheck. This can be easier than making quarterly estimated payments and helps ensure you're covered for the safe harbor rules others mentioned. The business expense tracking advice here is spot on too - those deductions can really add up and reduce both your income tax and self-employment tax burden!

Random question - has anyone used the new safe harbor for small rental activities? I think if your adjusted basis in the property is under a certain amount, you can potentially avoid some of the passive activity loss limitations. Worth looking into maybe?

One thing that might help clarify your situation - since you mentioned this is through an LLC partnership, make sure you understand your ownership percentage and how that affects the losses flowing through to you personally. If you're not a 100% owner, your K-1 will only show your proportionate share of the $38,000 in renovation expenses. Also, keep detailed records of any time you spend managing this rental property (even during renovation phase) - hours spent coordinating contractors, researching materials, visiting the property, etc. This documentation becomes crucial if you want to qualify for the active participation exception or potentially the real estate professional status in future years. The fact that you haven't had tenants yet doesn't disqualify you from the rental activity treatment, but it does mean you'll want to be extra careful about demonstrating that this is indeed intended as a rental business and not just a personal investment that might be reclassified by the IRS.