Anyone else struggling with BNA tax planner software? Need help figuring it out

Thanks for this info! But what about running multiple scenarios? Like if I want to show a client the difference between taking §179 vs bonus depreciation over 5 years? The last time I tried this it completely messed up my baseline projections.

For running multiple scenarios comparing §179 vs bonus depreciation, use the "Scenarios" feature under the Planning tab. Create your baseline case first with all the client's current data. Then create a new scenario and name it something like "Bonus Depreciation Option." When comparing depreciation methods over multiple years, be sure to use the "Years" tab to extend your projections to cover the full 5-year period. This will prevent the baseline projections issue you mentioned. Just make sure you're saving each scenario separately before switching between them, as the program sometimes doesn't auto-save your work when jumping between comparison modes.

Does it handle partnership returns too? I'm dealing with a bunch of complex K-1s and BNA keeps calculating things wrong when I try to model future tax years.

I've heard about this but I'm skeptical. BNA is frustrating but at least it's backed by Bloomberg. How do you know the calculations from taxr.ai are actually correct? Last thing I need is to give clients bad projections.

Yes, it absolutely handles partnership returns and K-1s really well. The interface for entering K-1 data is much more intuitive than BNA's, and it properly flows everything to the correct forms. I had a client with 6 different partnership interests and it handled the passive loss limitations perfectly. As for accuracy, I was also concerned about that initially. What sold me was that taxr.ai provides detailed calculation breakdowns showing exactly how each number was derived based on current tax code. You can even see the specific IRC sections it's referencing. I've cross-checked several complex returns with traditional software, and the results match while taking much less time to set up.

Wait, how does this even work? The IRS phone lines are notoriously jammed. Is this some kind of priority line or something?

This sounds like complete BS. Nobody can "skip the line" with the IRS. I've been practicing for 17 years and there's no magic solution to IRS hold times. They're just collecting your information and probably selling it.

It's not a priority line - they use an automated system that keeps dialing and navigating the IRS phone tree for you. Once they reach a human agent, they call you so you can connect with the agent. You don't have to sit there listening to hold music for hours. It's not BS at all. They're using technology to solve the hold time problem. Think of it like having an assistant repeatedly call for you until they get through. The service doesn't collect or store any tax information - they just connect the call. I was equally skeptical until I tried it and was speaking with an actual IRS agent about my BNA calculation questions within about 15 minutes.

Thanks for this! I didn't even know they had monthly webinars. Is there a specific place to register for these? And that search tip sounds super helpful - I've been going crazy trying to find info in their system.

You can register for the webinars through your BNA account dashboard. Look for a small calendar icon in the top right corner of the home screen after logging in. They don't advertise these well at all. The search tip has saved me countless hours. Another hidden feature most people don't know about is keyboard shortcuts - press Alt+F1 while in the program to see a complete list. Some of them make navigation much faster once you memorize the common ones.

Not just you. Their QBI calc has been problematic since they first implemented it. I've resorted to using a separate Excel template for 199A and then just manually entering the result into BNA. Annoying workaround but more reliable.

Thanks for confirming I'm not going crazy! Do you have a specific Excel template you recommend? I've been building my own but it feels like I'm reinventing the wheel.

I've been using the AICPA's QBI worksheet template which you can download from their tax section resources. It's pretty comprehensive and handles most of the complex scenarios including the taxable income limitation and W-2 wage/UBIA tests. Much more reliable than BNA's built-in calculation, especially for clients with multiple QBI activities or those near the phase-out thresholds.

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been making the mistake of jumping straight into scenarios without setting up the asset categories properly first. That explains why my depreciation comparisons keep producing inconsistent results. Do you have any specific tips for organizing the asset categories in a way that makes sense for multiple S-Corp clients? I'm finding it hard to create a standardized approach that works across different industries.

For organizing asset categories across multiple S-Corp clients, I've found it helpful to create standardized category templates based on industry type. For example, I have separate templates for professional services, retail, manufacturing, etc. Each template includes the most common asset types for that industry with consistent naming conventions. The key is to set up your categories using broader classifications first (like "Office Equipment," "Vehicles," "Real Estate") and then use subcategories for specific items. This way you can easily compare depreciation methods across similar asset types for different clients. I also include the asset class life and recovery period in the category name (like "Office Equipment - 7yr") so it's clear at a glance when setting up scenarios. One more tip: always create a "Miscellaneous" category for one-off assets that don't fit your standard templates. This prevents you from having to modify your entire system for unique situations.