On Mar 10, 11:13 am, seaweedsl <seaweedst...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
- quote -


O.K. I finally signed up with TaxBrain, went to prior years filing,
filled it out for 2005 and it came up as a 2007 form when I went to
print it out, not 2005.

I tried going back at it a different way and came to this:

quote:
IMPORTANT
» 2005 Returns are no longer accepted by the IRS electronically.
» 2005 Returns must be printed and mailed.

So, I went into a chat session:

Ben: Hello. How may I assist you?
me: I want to clear up if Taxbrain is doing a bait and switch or
simply discontinued a service
me: "Prior Year State & Federal Income Tax Return Preparation, and
Filing." This is what your prior year page says
me: http://www.taxbrain.com/prioryear.asp
Ben: Yes, you can print and mail it, the IRS doesn't accept electronic
filing
Ben: A lot of sites do not allow you to print out a prior year return
or prepare one.
seaweedsteve[at]yahoo.com: So why does the site say you do?
Ben: It doesn't say electronic filing, it might be poorly worded, but
it means that you are able to print and mail your return.
Ben: On the beginning page for a prior year site, in big red letters
at the top it does say that the IRS does not accept e-filing from
prior year returns.
Me: Yes. I think it's deceptive. The statement: "Prepare Prior Year
Taxes Online Income Tax Return & e-File" is clearly wrong. I suggest
you inform your marketing dept that people are complaining about their
bait and switch style marketing. Meanwhile I'll inform people on the
Tax group I'm in, as your site was being discussed as to whether it
was a legitimate claim or not. It clearly makes the claim.
Ben: On which page are you finding this? So I can speak to our
developers
Me: http://www.taxbrain.com/prioryear.asp
Me: Just clarifying and letting "you" know. Have a good one.
Ben: I'll be sure to tell someone right now. Thank you.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 11, 11:45*am, seaweedsl <seaweedst...[at]gmail.com> wrote:

- quote -

Um, if your total reportable income is only $3,600 then it would seem
that you might not even need to file an income tax return at all.
Perhaps you should look at the "Do I Need to File?" instructions.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

seaweedsl wrote:
- quote -

I'd suggest reporting rental income on Line 21 is more of a flag than
Sch E as well as losing justifiable deductions as others have noted. I
simply mentioned that its possible w/ a low-dollar-value return there's
insufficient interest that it would get flagged, but certainly no
guarantee.

- quote -

In absolute terms that's pretty small which was my point...but I still
don't see the reason desire to throw away the allowable deductions
simply for the sake of a few algebraic calculations?

--

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 11, 12:14 pm, dpb <n...[at]non.net> wrote:

- quote -

I can't see a way to call it not-for-profit. It's simply a casual
income that does add up. I missed the part about my house not being
personal property.

- quote -

Hmm. "Might get away". Sounds hopeful. I imagine that I will be
taxed the same whether I list the income on line 21 of 1040 or line x
or schedule E. Yet I don't want to put up a red flag and attract
attention.

In any case, I doubt $3600 will qualify for a "small amount" if it's
100% of my reportable (cash gifts made up the balance) income !


Steve

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

Tom Russ wrote:
- quote -

Yeah, I realized it and had posted a retraction but it hadn't yet
propagated to your newsreader by the time you saw it...

--

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 11, 10:33*am, dpb <n...[at]non.net> wrote:
- quote -

Bearing in mind that I am neither a lawyer nor a tax professional, but
I disagree.

The instructions refer to the rental of PERSONAL property, which I
believe is actually different from REAL property, such as rooms,
houses, etc.

There is a potential entry for income that is from an activity "not
engaged in for profit".

A better source of information would be Publication 17, which has a
lot more detail. There is an extensive section on real estate
rentals, in which it does mention rental of real estate not for
profit. It also refers one to Publication 535 (which I did not look
at). If you conclude that the "not for profit" description applies
to your room rental activities, it seems that you could use line 21 to
report the income. It also means that there are more restrictions and
limitations on the deductibility of any associated expenses.

So I would suggest you look at Pub 17 and 535 to help clarify if you
think the room rental is being pursued with or without a profit
motive.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

dpb wrote:
- quote -

No, it doesn't -- I retract that, and sorry. It refers to _personal_
property rental, not real estate.

I revert to my earlier reference to Pub 527 section on "Not Rented for
Profit" section so see if can qualify under that provision. Otherwise,
seems the Sch E route is the correct choice.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p527/ar02.html#d0e1413

Of course, you might get away w/ a small amount on Line 21, but seems as
though you would be leaving money on the table as others have noted. Of
course, it may be that it's not sufficient $$ amount as to fret over...

--

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

In article
<c2b88f9b-520a-4aa8-8388-efb9c7815d47[at]s37g2000prg.googlegroups.com> ,
Tom Russ <tar[at]isi.edu> wrote:

- quote -

That thought crossed my mind also, but the web site in question says
"Prepare Prior Year Taxes Online Income Tax Return & e-File Starting at
$14.95"

Also and 'print paper and send' would require real signatures would they
not? I thought e-file was the _only_ way to file without actual
signatures.

--
-Ernie-

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

seaweedsl wrote:
....

- quote -

From 1040 instructions booklet for Line 21 --

"Income from the rental of personal property if you engaged in the
rental for profit but were not in the business of renting such property.
Also, see the instructions for line 36 on page 31."

It would seem that would fit your situation to a T...

--

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 10, 7:23 pm, Tom Russ <t...[at]isi.edu> wrote:

- quote -

Exactly what I was thinking. They have a work-around. Or else it's
another program that's not called e-filing, so is outside the e-filing
guidelines ?

Anyway, returning to the original topic and my original question:

I am not in the business of real estate, nor rental properties, I
simply have somebody renting a room from me.

Reading the IRS instructions I see this:

IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF RENTING OUT PROPERTY THEN ON 1040
LINE 21- LIST THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF INCOME ON THE DOTTED LINE

Can I do it this way or MUST I use a schedule E?

Thanks
Steve

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

"Ernie Klein" <ecklein[at]pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:ecklein-5447B8.12462610032008[at]news.newsguy.com...
- quote -

There's also one other condition - that's not listed:

Any individual whose accounting method is not "cash basis." (cf. other
than IRC 446(c)(1)).

With those (few) individuals, their W-2/1099/other-IRP documents, which are
reporting on the cash basis of accounting, will usually never match.

- quote -


--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 8, 11:36*am, seaweedsl <seaweedst...[at]gmail.com> wrote:
- quote -

Hmmm. But does ONLINE necessarily mean e-Filing?

Could they allow you to prepare the return on-line and then THEY print
a paper copy and mail it? I wonder if there would be a signature
issue?

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

Phil Marti wrote:
- quote -

Actually that's not the "general" rule. It is THE rule. period.
- quote -

has in the last year been CONSIDERING making previous years' returns
available for efiling, but has not implemented the plan.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA
and ERO, and ET

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

In article <L2fBj.20594$Ls6.15575[at]trnddc01> ,
"Phil Marti" <prm20871[at]verizon.net> wrote:

- quote -


<quoteReturns Not Eligible for IRS e-file

The following individual income tax returns and related return
conditions cannot be processed using IRS e-file:

--Other than current year tax returns;
--Tax returns with fiscal year tax periods;
--Amended tax returns;

"Filing individual income tax returns using IRS e-file is limited to tax
returns with prescribed due dates in the current year. An individual
income tax return cannot be electronically filed after the 15th day of
October following the close of that tax year even if the taxpayer has
been granted an extension to file a return beyond that date."

<end quote
Since this is one of the documents that 3rd party e-file providers are
supposed to follow, it seems pretty clear. If they are actually
e-filing prior year returns it would be interesting how they get by
these requirements.

--
-Ernie-

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

"seaweedsl" wrote:

- quote -

I was curious too, and had the same experience as you at their site. I did
check at the IRS site and found a link to Tax Brain, so they're not a total
fraud. However, that link was in connection with online payment of balances
due.

As someone mentioned, the general rule is only current filing season returns
can be e-filed. I haven't seen any IRS publicity about the ability to
e-file prior years' returns, which is odd but doesn't necessarily mean
they're not testing something special with one provider.

I suggest you send IRS an inquiry with reference to the Tax Brain site's
claim and ask.

--
Phil Marti
Clarksburg, MD

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 9, 2:24 pm, "D. Stussy" <s...[at]bde-arc.ampr.org> wrote:

- quote -

Well, TaxBrain is certainly doing a good job of faking it. Has
anybody gone to their site to see if they can tell? I only got so far
before they wanted me to sign up and I'm not quite ready to go with
them (main question here is pending).

I wonder why they claim to be the only ones and, of course, if they
truly can do it. Did the IRS relent and start offering the service on
a trial basis? Have they found a work-around? Maybe they actually
just print the stuff out and mail it in for us?

I would be interested in your opinion after checking it out... is
TaxBrain known to be a decent company or is it likely that they are
doing a bait-and-switch?


- quote -

I tried to state my reasons for avoiding Schedule E in the first post
- though certainly if the TaxBrain path is based on a false claim,
then it matters less to me. I would use it for one or two lines only
if I did, as I have no intention of getting into the expenses
(fabricating numbers), basis, percentage of square footage etc, etc,
etc. No thank you.

Obviously here among a group of tax experts, not doing the accounting,
not showing expenses, not depreciating etc is akin to blasphemy, but I
operate at such a low income level that it could not make much
difference at this point. It is my primary residence and if I ever
sell it, which I plan not to do, I understand (perhaps incorrectly?)
that I will be able to do so with little, if any, taxation whether I
do it the easy way or the complex way.

The two important points that I have indentified are that:

1) I can e-file past years more affordably at TaxBrain if it's 1040
only.
2) At my income level, the only tax I'm going to pay is social
security and this may not count for rental income?

I greatly value any and all comments and suggestions, but I return to
the primary question:
Must I use an E under the circumstances listed in the original post?


Thanks,
Steve

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

"seaweedsl" <seaweedsteve[at]gmail.com> wrote in message
news:79118ba4-1ef8-4b3d-b960-fe7a9e78df1c[at]e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
- quote -

The IRS tells us practitioners that ONLY the CURRENT year's cycle (2007) may
be e-filed. That hasn't changed since the first e-file pilot projects about
1990.

- quote -

I don't know why anyone would prefer the Line 21 method to Schedule E - the
latter where the allowed deductions reduce AGI (the number on the bottom
line of the 1040's front page). With the line 21 method, allowable expenses
go on Schedule A, and where not appropriate to another line, in the
miscellaneous deductions section that takes the 2% of AGI haircut.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

On Mar 7, 11:47 am, "Phil Marti" <prm20...[at]verizon.net> wrote:
- quote -


http://www.qcktax.com/file_prior_year_taxes.php

Quote: "TaxBrain is the only IRS authorized online Tax company that
allows you to prepare AND FILE your prior year return ONLINE." (my
emphasis)


Returning to the main point, reading the IRS instructions I see this:

IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF RENTING OUT PROPERTY THEN ON 1040
LINE 21- LIST THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF INCOME...

Can I do it this way or MUST I use a schedule E?


Appreciate any help, especially if you can tell me what I want to
hear !

Steve

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

"seaweedsl" wrote:

- quote -

You must have misinterpreted something. The only year that can currently be
e-filed is 2007. All others must be filed on paper.

--
Phil Marti
Clarksburg, MD

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

Hi guys.

I saw a link here recently for e-filing past years and want to use
this as I'm not in the US this year but do want to catch up on filing.

I'm hoping to be able to e-file past years without using schedule E as
that will complicate and add expense.

My only income (besides gifts) for those years came from renting a
room in my house.

I have my own room in my house and also rent out a room for $300 a
month. I receive my mail there. The phone service is in my name as
well as others and it is my primary residence, though I spend a lot of
time in Mexico.

I actually am only at my house in the US a couple months per year.

Now that I'm working again, my business (self-employed) is
construction. This is for the present year, not past.

So, I am not in the business of real estate, nor rental properties, I
simply have somebody renting a room.

Reading the IRS instructions I see this:

IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF RENTING OUT PROPERTY THEN ON 1040
LINE 21- LIST THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF INCOME ON THE DOTTED LINE

Can I do it this way or MUST I use a schedule E?


Thanks,
Steve

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >