The site will be placed in maintenance on Monday, February 3rd 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.

ARIZONA

• Correct a display issue on AZ-8879 where the current date was listed for direct debit instead of future date listed in E-file (Issue 4173)

CONNECTICUT

• Correct a calculation error on Schedule CT-1040AW, Column C when negative values are applicable to lines 5-7, 11, 14, and 16 (Issue 4212)

DELAWARE

• Adding DE Schedule A to generate in PDF. New to 2019 form (2019 Update)

ILLINOIS

• Adjust on the PDF where “Deceased” displays when applicable (Issue 4245)

INTEREST/DIVIDEND/OID PAGES

• Removing non-required payer input fields (2019 Update)

KENTUCKY

• Correct an issue causing Reject Code F740-0041 (Issue 4246)

MARYLAND

• Correct a Two-Income Subtraction allocation issue when capitol loss carryover is over $3,000 (Issue 4204)

MASSACHUSETTS

• Update text within the “Income Subject to Tax” menu (Issue 4206)
• Correct an issue where Box 1 wages instead of Box 16 wages (from W-2) is pulling to Form 1, Line 3 (Issue 4205)

NEW YORK

• Correct a display issues on Line 83 where the Current Date for Direct Debit was showing instead of future date listed in E-file (Issue 4248)

NORTH CAROLINA

• Correct an issue where the “County” selection in Basic Information was not saving (Issue 4230)

OHIO

• Correct an item within OH returns that is breaking the real-time calc (Issue 4218)

PENNSYLVANIA

• Correct an item within PA returns that is breaking the real-time calc (Issue 4170)
• Correct a PDF Display issue where the site name is not carrying to PA-8879, Section 2 (Issue 4207)

REJECT CODE

• Reject Code S3-F1040-136 related to F5695 being included with return. Once live on Monday, impacted returns can be resubmitted (Issue 4226)

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CREDIT

• Add back Nonbusiness Energy Property due to Federal Extenders (2019 Update)

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

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

E-file

• We had good participation in controlled launch last week.
  • Exposed some state rejects that we were able to get fixed
• All years of e-file are turned on
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
• The ability to send State Only e-files has been turned on
  • If you send the federal without the state, you will have to wait until the federal return ack is received back before you can edit the return
  • Remember that you must choose a federal electronic filing type even though you are just sending the state…marking the federal return paper will prevent the state from being sent
  • You MUST send “state Only” returns from the submission page
• Rejected Returns
  • You can manage them from rejected clients menu
    • Displays both Federal and State
• Validation Errors
  • You can manage them from the rejected clients menu, just change the drop down to validation errors
    • Things that need to be fixed on your side before we send the efile.
    • We do secondary validation and will kick the efile back if we know it is going to get rejected

Application

• We delivered the fix that allows you to edit or delete security templates that were created at either the site level or group level
  • The ADMINISTRATOR template the we assigned is now called ADMINISTRATOR (TS)
    • We recommend you do not create templates with the same name and capitalization as the ones we assign because both will show up in your list of templates when adding preparers

Federal

• Delivered the additional of the PMI field earlier this week
• Working to add back the Energy Credits pages
• Waiting on final instructions for the Kiddie Tax
• Delivered Medicaid Waiver changes
  • Added a question to W-2 if you want the amount entered for Medicaid waiver to be included in earned income (for credit purposes)
  • Added a box to enter Medicaid waiver payments to the 1099-Misc, as well as the questions
    • These will be added to prior years as well
• Strike Benefits
  • We have tax law guidance, but we are still waiting on e-file guidance

States

• Updating the blog with state issues that impact e-file and calculations
• Updating the blog when the states send us messages about their processes

Return Tags

• We strongly recommend you create a return tag and assign it to any return you need to go back and file at a later date due to outstanding changes in the app

Blog

• If you are not already getting daily blasts of updates, you can now register on the blog to have them sent to you.

Contacting Support

• What do you need?
  • EFIN
  • Exact error and where you were in the application when it happened (if applicable)
  • Last 4 digits of a return if you believe there is an issue and the return needs to stay in the state of potential error

Q1: When will watermarks be removed from state returns?

• Watermarks are removed as we receive form approvals from state departments. All state returns can be electronically filed and it is safe to provide taxpayer copies with watermarks.

Q2: Is there a platform to practice preparing tax returns using the software?

• Yes, the Practice Lab. Visit www.vita.taxslayerpro.com and click on Practice Lab.

Q3: FSA Links – can they be shared publicly?

• No.

Q4: After a return is transmitted, we can no longer see our returns in Client List. Why?

• Client List view depends on the Security Templates assigned to users at your site(s). Check your Security Templates to make sure they are set up how you wish them to be set up.

Q5: Error when starting a return about EFIN not in database?

• Please reach out to VITA/TCE Support with EFIN so this can be reviewed.

Q6: Foreign students – can we e-file 1040-NR and Form 8843?

• Form 8843 can be electronically filed with a 1040-NR, but Form 8843 cannot be e-filed by itself.

Q7: Can FSA returns be printed and mailed by taxpayers?

• Yes, but when mailing, advise Taxpayer to physically sign their returns before mailing.

2/3/2020 – This was resolved with the update this morning.

We have a high priority issue reported (Issue 4248) regarding future direct debit payment date entries in e-file reflecting as the present day when transmitted to the IRS and/or State Department. For example, if you choose Federal Direct Debit Return Type and choose 4/15/2020 as the debit date, the current date (i.e. 1/31/2020) is being transmitted. If taxpayers are coming to your site and wish to have a future direct debit listed for their return, we advise their returns not be transmitted until this post has been marked as resolved.

The site will be placed in maintenance on Friday, January 31st 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.

MISSISSIPPI

• Correct an issue where Capital Gains allocated to SP not carrying to Line 39, Column B (Issue 4154)

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

The site will be placed in maintenance on Thursday, January 30th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below updates. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

MEDICAID WAIVER PAYMENTS

• Update Medicaid Waiver Payment behavior within W-2/1099-MISC pages based on 2019 tax law changes (2019 Update)

SECURITY TEMPLATES

• Correct issues outlined in this blog post available here.

WISCONSIN

• Correct a calculation limitation applicable to Subtraction Code 03 on Form 1, Line 11 (Issue 4105)
• Correct a calculation error where only one Subtraction Code 03 is being calculated when both TP’s are students (Issue 4195)

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

The site will be placed in maintenance on Wednesday, January 29th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below updates. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

ARIZONA

• Correct an issue causing Reject Code 605. Impacted returns can be resubmitted after deployment (Issue 4176)

CALIFORNIA

• Correct a display issue with a checkbox on Form 3885A, Part I, Line 1 (Issue 4191)

HAWAII

• Add N-356 to State PDF View (Issue 4203)

ILLINOIS

• Correct an issue causing the IL E-file Block when requiring Preparer EIN (Issue 4196)

NEW JERSEY

• Correct an issue where Worksheet L was marking dependents as Under 18 regardless of age (Issue 4181)

OREGON

• Correct a calculation error where the Kicker Credit is not calculating in some instances (Issue 4192)

PENNSYLVANIA

• Correct an issue where PA Estate Interest Income is being included on both Line 2 of Schedule A and Schedule J estate income (Issue 4174)
• Correct an issue where the “Refund” menu in the Local Return was redirecting to “Income” page (Issue 4159)
• Correct an issue where taxable HSA amount is not generating the PA Schedule A (Issue 4194)

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

The site will be placed in maintenance on Tuesday, January 28th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below updates. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

ARIZONA

• Updated schema to correct Reject Code 707 (Issue 4177)
  • To resubmit impacted AZ returns where Fed is already filed and accepted, site(s) must wait until “Send State Only” is available
• Apply a calculation update to correct Reject Code 702 (Issue 4180)
  • To resubmit impacted AZ returns where Fed is already filed and accepted, site(s) must wait until “Send State Only” is available

CONNECTICUT

• Correct a calculation error when Schedule CT-1040AW, Line 10, Column C results in a negative value (Issue 4167)
• Correct a calculation error where the subtraction for pension/annuity modification was not being limited based on Federal AGI (Issue 4128)
• Correct a calculation error on the value carried to Form CT 1040-NR/PY, Line 43 (Issue 4153)

MICHIGAN

• Correct a calculation issue for MI-1040CR-7 and the Standard Allowance when Dependent and Special Exemptions are applicable (Issue 4132)

MISSISSIPPI

• Correct a calculation error on Form 80-105, Line 48, Column B (Issue 4165)

NEW JERSEY

• Add Schedule NJ-COJ to State PDF View (Issue 4144)

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Correct PDF display issues on Schedule AMD (Issue 4156)

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

The site will be placed in maintenance on Monday, January 27th beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below updates. Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

CLIENT SEARCH – STATE STATUS

• Phase 2 introduced to populate state status column with state details (Enhancement)

CONNECTICUT

• Remove “Paid Preparer” information from displaying on PDF (Issue 4164)

ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

• Add back PMI Deduction menu due to extenders (2019 Update)

SUMMARY VIEW

• Line 21a displays “9” instead of calculated refund (Issue 4116)

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