Scenario:  The 2023 and 2022 Form Finder feature is not rendering results

Workaround:  Utilize one of the other entry methods such as “Select” from the menu option or click on on the entry from the 1040 View

Resolution:  Our development team has a high priority ticket because this impacts your current training sessions.

The following information was distributed regarding a critical outage for the Link and Learn Certification: (Note:  TaxSlayer hosts the Practice Lab, not the LLT Certification Site)

The Link & Learn Taxes (LLT) certification site is offline for critical system maintenance. The maintenance is crucial for ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and security of the system.

Scheduled Downtime Details:

Start Time: Nov. 29, 2023, 10:00 AM ET

End Time: Dec. 11, 2023, 10:00 PM ET

Impact on Services:

During this period, the LLT certification site will be unavailable.  The scheduled downtime is essential for implementing necessary updates, conducting routine maintenance, and ensuring the overall health, reliability, and stability of the system.

Important Note: TaxSlayer support cannot assist volunteers with the Link & Learn Taxes certification site. TaxSlayer hosts the Practice Lab, not the LLT Certification Site.

Scenario: An existing TaxSlayer Pro Online site from 2022 now has a new Site Admin for 2023.

Question: How does the new site admin gain access to the site if they do not already have a login?

Solution: Send an email to TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Support ([email protected]) with the following information and subject line:

Subject Line: New Site Admin

Body: I am the new site admin for the following site and need the link sent that allows me to create my admin credentials.

EFIN: {Enter six digit EFIN}

Site Name: {Enter Site Name}

Site Admin Name: {Enter your name as the new site administrator}

Site Admin Phone: {Enter your phone number)

Site Admin Email: {this is the email address the link will be sent to}

Purpose

To inform volunteers about identified issues with the tests.

Message to Volunteers

Volunteers should make the changes below to their Form 6744 to ensure accurate completion of the tests.

NOTE: Link and Learn Taxes is scheduled to launch on December 1^st. Volunteers wanting to certify earlier should use the electronic VITA/TCE training products.

Use caution when completing the following test and retest scenarios:

• Basic, Scenario 3
  • Page 62, Ian’s age should be 17.
• Basic, Scenario 7
  • Page 42, Box 5 of Form SSA-1099 should be $15,000.
• Basic, Scenario 9
  • Page 52, Hailey Simpson’s Savings Account number 987654321
• Advanced, Scenario 7
  • Page 79, Form 1099-R is missing the Payer’s TIN. Use any EIN for this scenario.
• Advanced Scenario 7 and 8
  • Schedule C, car expenses, Practice Lab may ask for the mileage to be split into two parts of the year. TaxSlayer has been notified of this issue.
• Intake/Interview and Quality Review Certification
  • Test Question 3

Change the question to read as, “The Basic certification level is required to      prepare a return with unreported tip income.”

• Retest Question 3

Change the question to read as, “The taxpayer answered “Yes” to Form 13614-C Part III Question 2 “Tip Income”. What certification level is needed to prepare a return with unreported tips?”

• Over the Phone Interpreter
  • Test Question #4

Change response A to 5590.

Resources

Any questions related to TaxSlayer, or the Practice Lab should be directed to your relationship manager.

For specific information refer to the following resources:

• TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Blog
• Pub 4491, VITA/TCE Training Guide, Important Changes lesson

Thank you for volunteering and for your dedication to top QUALITY service!

The application is currently generating an error when trying to open existing returns and/or create new returns in all  years.  We have opened a critical ticket to get this resolved.

VITA/TCE support will be closed on Sunday, April 9th.  We will resume normal tax season support hours on Monday, April 10th.

4/11/23 – This is resolved.

We are currently experiencing an issue with MI returns that are caught in a calculation loop.  If you need to file the federal return, remove the state and file only the federal return.  We recommend creating a return tag to tag the return so you can go back and file the state.  If you are filing a “state only” return due to a credit, we recommend creating a return tag to tag the returns so you can go back and file the state.

A product deployment for TaxSlayer Pro Online will occur Wednesday, March 15th, beginning at 5:00am ET to release the below update(s). Note that deployments may take up to 3 hours to complete. During this time, access to the program may be limited.

Form 2106

• 2106 remove “above” from the text “Commuting miles included in total miles above” (Issue 9842)

Schedule B

• Schedule B display issue when more entries than line items on the print (Issue 9848)

Minnesota

• MN standard deduction for TP claimed as a dependent is not including scholarship income (Issue 9937)

Oklahoma

• OK 500-A fini check when “Yes” selected for recipient’s address same as Federal (Issue 9866)

Iowa

• IA filing status 3 – Form 130 showing TP’s name and SSN when SP had other state income / making manual entry for SP creates additional 130 for TP (Issue 9884)

Pennsylvania

• PA Schedule RK-1 / NRK-1 print issue (Issue #9891)
• PA Sch E manual entry for depletion not allowable still carries to the print (Issue #9908)

Michigan

• part year MI-1040CR line 33 not using annualized household resources / incorrect percentage on line 43 from Table B  (Issue 9897)

New Hampshire

• NH 2023 DP-10-ES line 4 calculating 5%, should be 4% (Issue 9905)

Massachusetts

• MA Sch SC line 35 Interest Subsidy missing entry for Total interest actually paid on the loan or betterment  (Issue 9863)

Virginia

• MFJ Fed, VA MFS for TP, Other Income for SP from Fed pulling to VA (Issue 9831)