Below are bullet points from our opening presentation of the All Partner Call before opening up for Q&A from the field.

• We are running ahead of last year in terms of e-file volume
  • Support calls, emails and chats are significantly down

• Forms that have a “Do not mail” watermark
  • As we receive print approval from the state we remove the mark
  • The states are looking for very particular things, especially if they take advantage of bar codes
  • One update is the remaining CA forms with watermark are expected to be removed tomorrow (2/14/2020)

• Watch the blog for messages from the states regarding electronic filing
  • i.e. New York is currently delayed in sending acknowledgements

• Extenders:
  • We have implemented the Kiddie Tax in desktop
  • Working to get it implemented in online

Q1: When will the extenders be added to the 2018 program?

• Our priority for implementation is with the current year software (all but F8615 added). We do not have an ETA for 2018 implementation

Q2: In our print sets, how do we display Direct Debit information for our taxpayers benefit?

• Make sure you have “Client Form Listing Summary” added to applicable print set(s) being used. This is also available in the Quality Review print set.

Q3: Is there an update on the Refundable Portion of AOTC issue?

• The fix is already live and applicable blog posts have been updated as well.

Q4: Is there an update on when State Status from Client List will show the status of state returns?

• The fix has been made and is currently being tested through our pre-production environments. We expect the fix to be live early next week.

Q5: Is TaxSlayer Pro Online compatible with iPads?

• Yes.

Q6: Is the FSA available for free prior year return preparation?

• No, only for the current year.

Q7: How do we add Form 8888 to our site so we can split refunds?

• In “Office Setup” within “Configuration”, make sure “Offer 8888” is checked.

Q8: FSA Software – How to toggle to Spanish?

• We have opened Issue 4444 to address why the Spanish translation is not available.

Q9: FSA Software – Who do we (the volunteers) contact for support related questions?

• VITA/TCE Support

Q10: FSA Software – How do we get reports on our URL’s?

• Reporting information must be asked of through your IRS SPEC Relationship Manager.

The site will be placed in maintenance on Thursday, February 13th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below update. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

HAWAII

• Correct an issue where the carryover unused EIC from the prior year was not carrying to Schedule CR (Issue 4407)

MICHIGAN (2017)

• Correct an issue on Form 4884 where Section C was populated instead of Section D when TP born after 1/1/1953 (Issue 4384)

Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes & Program Enhancements.

Software vendors have received word from the New York Department of Taxation and Finance that they are experiencing delays in sending acknowledgements. They have also indicated that acknowledgements are not processed over the weekend. If your site(s) have outstanding acknowledgements for New York returns, it is likely an acknowledgement will not be issued until next week. No action is required on your end.

The site will be placed in maintenance on Wednesday, February 12th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below update. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

1040 VIEW

• Correct display issue where specific lines are out of alignment (Issue 4020)
• Correct a display issue on what is shown on Line 4b (Issue 4111)
• Correct an alignment issue in the 1040 Header when return is MFS (Issue 4317)

AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT (AOTC)

• Correct an issue specific to the refundable portion of the credit for taxpayers age 18 and over and provided more than half of their own support (Issue 4208)

CALIFORNIA

• Correct a calculation error when the allowed charitable contributions was overstated on Line 11a/b (Issue 4388)

FSA SOFTWARE (1040-NR)

• After beginning a 1040-NR return, returning to the Filing Status page does not show the 1040-NR filing statuses (Issue 4260)

MEDICAID WAIVER PAYMENT – 1099-MISC

• Correct an issue when a 1099-MISC, Box 3 amounts were not being included for EITC when checked as “earned” (Issue 4259)

MICHIGAN

• Correct an issue where Section D of Form 4884 was being completed instead of Section C for a specific return (Issue 4384)

Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes & Program Enhancements.

The site will be placed in maintenance on Tuesday, February 11th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below update. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

CALIFORNIA

• Form 3532, Line B not checking disabled box when applicable (Issue 4358)

FORM W-2

• Under State Area, update link to 2019 School Districts when Ohio selected for state (Issue 4300)

MICHIGAN

• Corrected an issue where a 3rd rental address for MI-1040CR was not populating under “Part 4: Renters” (Issue 4362)

MICHIGAN CITY FORM

• Correct a calculation error where CF-1040, Line 16, Column B amounts should be carried to Column C (Issue 4363)

Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes & Program Enhancements.

Update: 2/12/2020 – Issue 4208 is now resolved.

Update: 2/11/2020 – Issue 4208 is actively being worked. The update should be released this week. This blog post will be updated once the update is live.

Issue 4208:

Unable to Claim Refundable Portion of American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for Students that provide more than half of their own support.

Workaround to Calculate Refundable Portion of American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC):

In Basic Information, check the box indicating the Taxpayer CAN BE claimed as a dependent on another return but IS NOT claimed as a dependent. Complete the Education Credit menu and answer YES to qualifying for the Refundable Portion of AOTC when asked. Continue to save the entry. Return to the Basic Information page and uncheck that Taxpayer CAN BE claimed as a dependent on another tax return. The Refundable Portion of AOTC will remain calculated on the return as long as the Education Credit menu is not accessed again.

The site will be placed in maintenance on Monday, February 10th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below update. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

CONNECTICUT

• Correct a calculation error on Schedule CT-SI, Line 30 (Issue 4302)

LOUISIANA

• Update LA Use Tax rate to 2019 rate (Issue 4339)

MINNESOTA

• Correct an issue resulting in Reject Code 0126 related to Schedule M1REF not being present (Issue 4352)

MISSISSIPPI

• Correct an error on Form 80-401, Line 1 for Long-Term Care Credit (Issue 4336)

MONTANA

• Correct an issue where the entry for “Federal Income Tax for 2018” was not staying saved in the MT program (Issue 4329)

PENNSYLVANIA

• Correct an issue where the Philadelphia BIRT locality return could not be accessed (Issue 4298)

Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes & Program Enhancements.

Update: 2/12/2020 – Issue 4366 is now resolved.

Update: 2/10/2020 – Issue 4370 has been corrected and is now live. Returns claiming “Tuition and Fees Deduction” can now be electronically filed.

We have two issues reported that we wanted to share on the VITA/TCE Blog. Both are reported as high priority items.

• Issue 4370 – Tuition and Fees Deduction Prompting Erroneous E-file Block: For any returns where the “Tuition and Fees Deduction” is claimed, an e-file block is received requiring that an Educational Institution be added. Educational Institution information is required if claiming the “American Opportunity Credit” or “Lifetime Learning Credit”, but not for the “Tuition and Fees Deduction”. Until Issue 4370 is resolved, returns claiming “Tuition and Fees Deduction” should be held until this is blog post is updated.
• Issue 4366 – Transmission Menu Not Displaying State Return Types: When transmitting returns from the Transmission menu, the “State Type” column may reflect as “No Electronic State” even though a state return type is selected when the e-file was created. As long as an e-file return type is selected in e-file for your state(s) and saved when continuing to Submission page, the state return will be electronically filed as expected.