notice 1444

Your client *should* have some clue as to how much money they received, especially if a check or direct deposit was the method of delivery.

If not - I think you'll have to assume the FULL possible amount was received.   Maybe not fair, but oh, well..... folks really do need to pay attention. 

Ask the client to check their bank account records, or have them get their transcript from IRS. 

Or you could charge them $100 to get their transcript for them, they usually manage to dig up the info on their own if they have to pay you to find it.

You could always ask the client.  If they say they don't remember and don't want to take the effort to look at a bank statement, just assume they got the full amount and go on with life.  We run tax practices, not daycare centers.  Clients need to take a little responsibility for their own tax returns at some point.

Thanks all! Yes I'm hoping for an updated tool ... I'm afraid I think I may have lazy clients

Based on another question I read on another forum, it seems like the 1444 may only tell you what was deposited into the bank account (or check sent), but does NOT factor in the amount used to pay off Child Support.

For example, a person may have qualified for $1200, but maybe $500 was sent to pay off Child Support.  The 1444 would only show $700 (the amount actually put into the taxpayer's bank account).  So in those cases, the 1444 would NOT be the amount that we need to have.

Can anybody confirm?