Michael T Wing CPA wrote:

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Ed Zollars, CPA wrote:
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Even if the reasonable cause was attached to the return? I
think that does it - I've been thinking about possibly
running for the BoE at the next opportunity, and may do so
just to tell the FTB that they can't do this! :-)

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Well, I guess it's time to limit myself to the 24 most
complex returns, and let the family members' (of those
clients) related returns go for FREE. :-)

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D. Stussy <kd6lvw[at]bde-arc.ampr.org> wrote:

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My guess is that they'll require the election to file a paper
return to be filed electronically. <g
MTW

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D. Stussy wrote:

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That's presuming the FTB doesn't "expand" somewhat in the
regulations to require specific issues and disclosures. Or,
even better, adopt a "shoot first and ask questions later"
approach by simply mailing out proposed fines to the
preparer and *then* letting them argue reasonable cause.

That is, there are a few ways the FTB could simply make this
such a pain that preparers will simply give up--including a
few I'm sure I haven't yet thought of <grin> .

--
Ed Zollars, CPA
Phoenix, Arizona

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Ed Zollars, CPA wrote:
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I don't see that as a problem: Attachment - "Taxpayer's
election to file a paper return" (and have them sign that
page too!).... :-)

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Nan Eklund wrote:

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Of course, I expect the Franchise Tax Board to come up with
some guidance on just how that election is documented and
what has to be done for it to be a valid election. I
wouldn't be *terribly* surprised if the FTB makes it a real
pain to meet the "taxpayer election" test in order to
"encourage" practitioners to steer clients away from it.

I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the taxpayers had to
sign a form that essentially says "I understand my preparer
is an idiot and so am I" <grin> in order to get out of this
requirement. I also wouldn't be terribly surprised if the
FTB required this form to be signed after the return is
prepared.

I'm just presuming the FTB is not going to want to see many
"taxpayer elects out" returns coming to them and will work
to try and insure that result...

--
Ed Zollars, CPA
Phoenix, Arizona

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