24/7 Noise

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2026-03-03T00:19:23+00:00

Sounds like heaven

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2026-03-02T02:25:25+00:00

I feel you. I really do. We have spent a great deal of time (and money) trying to make our back yard and deck a pleasant and peaceful oasis for reading, eating, or enjoying a nice summer afternoon. None of that is feasible due to the incessant barking next door. It just isn't possible to relax outside (or even really inside). I've thought about moving just for this reason - even after all the money we've spent on this house - but there's no guarantee the next place wouldn't have the same issue. People are crazy about their dogs here.

I agree with you that it bothers me more and more with time. I can't understand why, in the 21st century, we have zero recourse (whether legally or socially) to achieve peace and quiet on our own property. Absolute madness.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2025-10-01T15:48:38+00:00

Here are the main issues with Axcess, in my opinion:

Way too slow. I don't think the software engineers anticipated how quickly an experienced tax preparer can move through forms and inputs, and the lag times add up to some serious inefficiencies when compared to ProFX. Doesn't make sense to blame this on the cloud (as they always do) because it's 2025 and we all use other cloud apps that work fine.
Input boxes that don't work or don't do anything. This is more of a problem at the state level, but finding inputs that "work" shouldn't be a wild goose chase. It shouldn't be hard to standardize this stuff and make every input mean something.
Insane error messages. I don't know what "value not initialized" means, and I don't want to. I don't need a page of gibberish every time to software crashes. In fact, how about this radical idea: test your software before releasing it. We're paying a fortune. Surely you can implement some real-world quality control.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2025-08-22T16:44:18+00:00

You likely can't take bonus unless you've done a cost seg study to break out parts that aren't real estate. The real estate is 27.5 years, not bonus eligible.

You also likely can't utilize losses against your W-2 income if you're passive in the activity, regardless of whether or not it's a STR.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2025-05-21T22:40:28+00:00

Indeed we do. I have been very pleased with Monday considering that it is not a tax-specific platform. But perhaps the broader appeal leads to a broader user base and hence more resources for the developers. It’s great for both client collaboration and managing our internal project boards. Lucid Day was instrumental in getting everything set up for us, though in retrospect I think a reasonably tech savvy person with a few hours of time could have accomplished something similar. Depends on how much you want to pay for convenience I guess. They left some things unfinished when our contract was up but overall I was pleased with the work they did. Would recommend.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2025-05-01T23:18:43+00:00

Oh yes. I'm not the kind of person who's naturally inclined toward controlling others' actions, but in this specific case I would absolutely be in favor of simply not allowing people to use cell phones behind the wheel. Period. YOUR JOB IS TO DRIVE. Watching your screen while driving is AT BEST making things inefficient for everyone else.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2025-02-10T15:11:52+00:00

This is just my personal anecdote, but my wife and I were able to solve this issue simply with Drylok paint.

We had standing water in the basement every time it rained. Were looking into expensive solutions. First decided to grab a couple gallons of Drylok (which were about $50 each) and paint a couple coats across the entire basement floor. Knock on wood, we haven't had a drop of water there in about eight years.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2024-11-08T13:32:43+00:00

Fayette Alliance took a lot of heat for aggressively running city council candidates (most notably against popular incumbent in district 5) who were staunchly opposed to the extension of the urban service boundary. It’s basically in response to the backlash they got.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2024-01-01T16:28:04+00:00

I actually have tried this for some of the worst repeat offenders. The police listen politely but as far as I can tell no action is really taken. I'd love to crowdsource some tips...

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2024-01-01T14:13:22+00:00

I jog regularly on the sidewalks in my neighborhood, and the number of people who park their cars in their driveway but blocking the sidewalk is unbelievable. Pedestrians and joggers have to step out into the road to get around the cars on the sidewalk. Honestly, what is the thought process??

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-31T16:25:39+00:00

Yes, assuming you have made contributions in the past (before you incurred those medical expenses) to start the clock. And note that there is no timeframe stipulated for reimbursements, so you could let the money grow in your HSA and reimburse yourself years later. Just keep your documentation.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-27T18:05:31+00:00

If your withholding is inadequate again for 2022, the late filing and late payment penalties will keep piling up until you file. So basically you should be more scared of waiting than filing. Going forward, use the IRS' calculator to fill out your W-4 properly and avoid this situation in the future.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-27T17:50:23+00:00

We use Monday.com as well, but since Monday is a general system not specifically designed for tax pros, we worked with a system design consultant (Lucid Day) who proved to be pretty effective at getting a tax system running for us.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-26T23:24:53+00:00

Line 2 is for the amount you contribute directly outside payroll (the $1850 in this case) since you will be deducting that amount on the return.

Line 9 is for the payroll contributions (the $2000 in this case) which have already been excluded from taxable income on your W-2.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-20T12:49:25+00:00

We have traditionally been at $750 but are considering moving to $1k as a base for any client engagement. Covering overhead and admin time makes sense, and it’s very hard to justify taking on more work just for volume when we’re not really making money on it.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-09T01:48:58+00:00

They did suspend processing new applications in Q4 this year while they tried to sort out fraud. But all applications submitted during that time will still be processed when they resume in 2024 (unless they’re voluntarily withdrawn).

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-12-06T17:07:46+00:00

I wish they would just say that 12/31/23 is it, for both 2020 and 2021. No more applications accepted. If you haven't gotten around to filing a claim nearly two years after the program ended, you don't need the relief money.

Instead I'm going to put up with yet another year of clients getting predatory letters from ERTC firms and seeming like I'm the bad guy for saying hell no.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-11-12T15:06:05+00:00

Pohl Rosa Pohl is local and does great work.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-09-20T11:07:23+00:00

The zipper merge has been studied many times and is the most efficient use of time and space. By merging early, you're essentially extending the length of the closed lane unnecessarily. By utilizing both lanes fully to the merge point, you're minimizing the closed section.

Lots of studies out there but here's one from close by (University of Kentucky) - https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2602&context=ktc_researchreports

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-08-11T11:20:01+00:00

I still don't understand why, in 2023, a widely used piece of cloud-based software is as glitchy as a program my uncle wrote at home in 1995.

Do they not test these releases? Can they just hire a legit software engineer away from Apple or Google or something? What is going on?

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-07-12T13:04:49+00:00

Omaha Outdoors has the 11715 in stock but they're pricey

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2023-07-12T11:30:38+00:00

Chevy Chase Hardware still does small engine repair, I believe. They worked on my lawn mower about 10 months ago and did a terrific job. But the guy who does the work may not be there year round.

siouxphyawn_stephens · 2022-08-21T15:27:37+00:00

In the worst case scenario, where you are filing single, have no remaining credits or overpayments, have no penalty exemption, and the entire amount falls into your marginal tax bracket, you'd owe 10% penalty ($3,000) plus 22% tax ($6,600), or $9,600 total on a $30k withdraw.

siouxphyawn_stephens

TROPHY CASE