NASSAUSUFFOLK

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

Hi Dan,
I have used the new feature when emailing a return to the client.  I don't think I know the answer to whether or not the full SS# must be on the 8879.  
I'll reach out to some others in the group to see if we can't get an answer.
Sandy

-------------------------------------------
Sandra Johnson
SANDRA JOHNSON, CPA PC
Bellmore NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

Hi Dan,  
Right after I posted my response, I opened an email to find that Accounting Today has an article on the topic.  The link is below.
Sandy

Accounting Today article on masking SS#

-------------------------------------------
Sandra Johnson
SANDRA JOHNSON, CPA PC
Bellmore NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

Great question Dan! I have to check and see if Ultratax has the option.

Thanks for the info Sandra!

Robert

-------------------------------------------
Robert N. Brown
CPA
ROBERT N. BROWN, CPA
Jericho NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2013 09:09
From: Sandra Johnson
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Dan,  
Right after I posted my response, I opened an email to find that Accounting Today has an article on the topic.  The link is below.
Sandy

Accounting Today article on masking SS#

-------------------------------------------
Sandra Johnson
SANDRA JOHNSON, CPA PC
Bellmore NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

Hi Dan:
I certainly understand the potential problem. Would you like me to bring this issue to the IRS National Office and get a definitive response? I'd certainly do that with our contact at the IRS if you like.
Good Luck in tax season. Sorry i missed you at the LIE Meeting this year - first time i missed it in over 10 years!
all the best,
bob

-------------------------------------------
Robert Goldfarb
SCHOENFELD MENDELSOHN GOLDFARB, LLP
Woodbury NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2013 09:37
From: Robert N. Brown
Subject: Masking SSNs

Great question Dan! I have to check and see if Ultratax has the option.

Thanks for the info Sandra!

Robert

-------------------------------------------
Robert N. Brown
CPA
ROBERT N. BROWN, CPA
Jericho NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2013 09:09
From: Sandra Johnson
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Dan,  
Right after I posted my response, I opened an email to find that Accounting Today has an article on the topic.  The link is below.
Sandy

Accounting Today article on masking SS#

-------------------------------------------
Sandra Johnson
SANDRA JOHNSON, CPA PC
Bellmore NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

PROSERIES does not block ss# that I know of. I will look into it with intuit.
-------------------------------------------
Donald Ingram
CPA
DONALD INGRAM, CPA
Plainview NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

WOW - go.nccpap.org has some real potential power - great job setting this up!

I think we'll just continue to password protect the pdf file that we email to the clients and keep the SSNs on the forms.  No use in going through all the trouble preparing the returns and then getting nabbed on a foot foul with improper info on the 8879

Sandy: Thanks for the link - at least we're not the only ones talking about it

Bob: You were certainly missed, but Sandy and Carol didnt miss a beat that day.  The MAP /  TAX split was a good idea.  No rush in bringing it up to the National Office...thats a good 'after tax season' issue.  Thanks for the offer.

Good Luck Everyone

-------------------------------------------
Daniel Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2013 12:41
From: Donald Ingram
Subject: Masking SSNs


PROSERIES does not block ss# that I know of. I will look into it with intuit.
-------------------------------------------
Donald Ingram
CPA
DONALD INGRAM, CPA
Plainview NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------

I read through the instructions for form 8879.  The instructions specifically state that you should enter the taxpayer's Social Security number.  The instructions do not state that you can mask the SS#.

-------------------------------------------
Sandra Johnson
SANDRA JOHNSON, CPA PC
Bellmore NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2013 10:19
From: Daniel Bloch
Subject: Masking SSNs

Hi Guys,

Have you seen the new feature in Lacerte that allows us to mask the clients social security numbers?  There will be an asterick in the place of each number.  Sounds good, especially in light of identity theft and identity fraud.  Is anyone using this feature?  If so, are you using it on the 8879 that the client is signing.  Should we be concerned about #1 of the the ERO Reposnsibilites on the 8879 instructions on page 2 of the form?

An agent at the IRS eHelp desk this morning advised that the taxpayer's SSN 'should' be on there...

I've taken my mask off...much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

Thoughts?

-------------------------------------------
Dan Bloch
BRASS & BLOCH, CPAs LLP
North Babylon NY
-------------------------------------------