Tax Preparation

I made initial contact with Wayne Smith, Smith & Company, 200 E Main St #300, Midland, MI, 989-839-5750, 989-839-0151/fax (wbsmith@smithandcocpas.com).

I advised Wayne that we wish to engage his services to prepare NJW 2008 individual tax returns and final tax returns for the estate. No retainer is required; I told him I'd be in contact with him as information becomes available.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION:
- NJW final tax returns will cover time period from Jan 1, 2008 - Aug 5, 2008. Returns do not need to be filed until regular filing date of Apr 15, 2009.
- Estate tax returns will cover time period from Aug 6, 2008 - no later than Jul 31, 2009. End date for time period covered by this return can be earlier than 7/31/09, depending on completion/wrap-up of estate distribution, but no later than one year after date of death.

FOLLOW-UP WITH ATTORNEY REQUIRED:
Wayne mentioned two specific items that he can handle for us, but that we should first check with the attorney because it's important that neither of these items is applied for twice:
1. Application for State of Michigan clearance for the house owned by the deceased. He indicated that there are probably no liens on the house, but he wouldn't want us to get to the point of closing in any potential sale of the house and then find out that there is a problem. This requires a simple one page application which he could handle, but we should find out first if the attorney will be handling.
2. Application for Estate ID#. Again, he could handle, but we should find out if the attorney will be handling.

It may be a good idea for his name to be given to the attorney as the CPA handling the tax filings in the event there is a need for direct contact between the two offices.

Pat