Problem:  You currently cannot view the reason the return has been IRS Rejected on some returns.  This also impact the IRS Ack reports not displaying the reject reason.

Workaround:  None

Solution:  We are investigating why the reject reason is not displaying.

When the taxpayer uploads a document or sends a message, a red dot will appear next to messages.  You will then select the Unread Message dialog in the lower left corner of the screen (same as always).

The portal list will also display the number of documents that were uploaded.

In the below screenshot the link registered date is now populated because I created my portal login in order to upload the document.

Problem:  You or your taxpayer receive the following message when clicking on an activation link (site activation, admin activation or customer portal activation).

Reason:  This is due to the privacy settings on the device you are using.  The privacy settings are trying to safeguard you from clicking a harmful link

Solution:  Copy and paste the URL to a new browser window

The Customer Portal list allows the sites to more easily manage the taxpayers who have been sent a customer portal link.

Select the Portal Clients button on the Welcome Screen.

This will display a client portal listing for the taxpayers you have sent a customer portal link:

• SSN: Taxpayer SSN
• Status: Federal Status
• States: States listed on the return.  Hover over the ? to see the state status
• Messages: Displays the number of messages from the taxpayer.  Unread messages will have a red dot
• Docs: Number of documents the taxpayer has uploaded
• Link Sent Date: The latest date the volunteer sent a customer portal link
• Link Registered Date: The date the taxpayer registers their portal link by creating their account

You have the same abilities to manage returns as you do on the client list pages.

Select allows you to enter the return from the Portal Clients list.

Note: Due to the amount of data on the listing, you will need to scroll horizontally. You also have the ability to search for the taxpayer in the search bar.

We are getting several calls and emails regarding challenges with the certification tests for Link and Learn.

TaxSlayer DOES NOT host and/or maintain Link and Learn.  Please reach out to your SPEC Relationship Manager if you are having challenges.  We are sure they are aware of the challenges and making this a priority.

TaxSlayer cannot change the EFIN associated with a site without authorization from SPEC Headquarters in Atlanta.

If the EFIN associated with your site was ordered incorrectly or the site has been issued a new EFIN,  you will need to do the following:

• Reach out to your SPEC Relationship Manager with the information
• Your SPEC RM will follow their protocols to get the information to SPEC Headquarters in Atlanta
  • We cannot change the EFIN even if the SPEC RM makes the request with TaxSlayer
• The TaxSlayer Relationship Manager in Atlanta will send a formal request to have the information changed if applicable

TaxSlayer will update their internal CRM system and also the ERO information for the site.  A site cannot transmit returns with an EFIN that is not on file with TaxSlayer.

TaxSlayer 2023 is officially open for sites to utilize the “Start New Return” menu item.

Things you should know:

• Start New Return at the site level should only be used to prepare live returns
• All Practice Returns should continue to be completed in the Practice Lab
• All States will be released today
  • States not approved for electronic filing will have an e-file block
    • The e-file blocks will be removed as we receive e-file approvals
  • State forms not approved for printing will contain a “Do not Mail” strip down the middle.
    • The strips will be removed as we receive print approvals
• Electronic filing
  • Opens January 29, 2024
  • Each site must transmit their returns after we turn on e-file on January 29th (will post processes and times close to January 29th)

IR-2024-04, Jan. 8, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, as the official start date of the nation’s 2024 tax season when the agency will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns.

The IRS expects more than 128.7 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15, 2024, tax deadline.

Although the IRS will not officially begin accepting and processing tax returns until Jan. 29, people do not need to wait until then to work on their taxes if they’re using software companies or tax professionals. For example, most software companies accept electronic submissions and then hold them until the IRS is ready to begin processing later this month. IRS Free File will also be available on IRS.gov starting Jan. 12 in advance of the filing season opening. The IRS Direct File pilot will be rolled out in phases as final testing is completed and is expected to be widely available in mid-March to eligible taxpayers in the participating states.

Taxpayers will continue to see helpful changes at the IRS following ongoing transformation work. Building off the success of the 2023 tax season that saw significant improvements following passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the 2024 filing season will continue reflecting the focus on improving services to taxpayers.

“As our transformation efforts take hold, taxpayers will continue to see marked improvement in IRS operations in the upcoming filing season,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “IRS employees are working hard to make sure that new funding is used to help taxpayers by making the process of preparing and filing taxes easier.”

Some of the new and expanded tools and resources include:

• Expanded in-person service that meets taxpayers where they are by opening or reopening Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs). The IRS will also offer extended hours at many TACs nationwide.

• Increased help available on the toll-free line and an expanded customer call back feature designed to significantly reduce wait times.

• Improvements to the Where’s My Refund? tool, which is the IRS’ most widely used taxpayer service tool. However, the tool provides limited information, often leading taxpayers to call the IRS to inquire about their refund status. Updates to Where’s My Refund? will allow taxpayers to see more detailed refund status messages in plain language. These updates will also ensure Where’s My Refund works seamlessly on mobile devices. Taxpayers often see a generic message stating that their returns are still being processed and to check back later. With the improvements, taxpayers will see clearer and more detailed updates, including whether the IRS needs them to respond to a letter requesting additional information. The new updates will reduce the need for taxpayers to call the IRS for answers to basic questions.

• Enhanced paperless processing that will enable taxpayers to submit all correspondence, non-tax forms, and responses to notices digitally and will be able to e-File 20 additional tax forms. Achieving this milestone will enable up to 125 million paper documents to be submitted digitally per year.

• An enhanced IRS Individual Online Account that includes chat, the option to schedule and cancel future payments, revise payment plans and validate and save bank accounts.

• A new, pilot tax filing service called Direct File that gives eligible taxpayers a new choice to file their 2023 federal tax returns online, for free, directly with the IRS. It will be rolled out in phases and is expected to be widely available in mid-March. Find more about Direct File pilot eligibility, scope and the participating states on Direct File.

April 15 tax filing deadline for most taxpayers

For most taxpayers, the deadline to file their personal federal tax return, pay any tax owed or request an extension to file is Monday, April 15, 2024.

Taxpayers living in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 17, 2024, due to the Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day holidays. If a taxpayer resides in a federally declared disaster area, they also may have additional time to file.