VITA/TCE sites that prepared tax returns prior to January 24, 2022 will need to open the returns prior to transmitting to TaxSlayer.  This will ensure these returns are re-calculated based on the updated forms and instructions released by IRS to software vendors. This will ensure previously prepared tax returns have the updated IRS and state forms calculations applied prior to transmission and reduce the need of VITA/TCE sites having to prepare amended returns.

Tips for identifying these returns:

(1) If they were marked complete, they will be listed in the transmission list.

(2) Run the Pro Web Returns – Detailed Return Report. It also includes the state abbreviation of any state listed on the return.  This is listed under Reports>>Management Reports  Make sure you select 2020 and select the EFIN even if you are running it at your site level.  If you run this list prior to opening the returns, the amounts listed will be based on the last edited date.

(3) You can utilize return tags to identify the returns.  This allows you to filter on the specific return tag to see the identified returns

We delivered the following enhancements to Customer Portal

• Removed the preparer email address from the Customer Portal link email
• Preparers that have access to Scanned Documents can  now upload a PDF (limit 5 meg) and make it available to the taxpayer via their established customer portal
• Any user that has the ability to see all returns can now message/chat with any taxpayer via customer portal
  • Note:  If the user can only their own returns, they can only chat/message  the taxpayers they created the returns for via customer portal

Question:  What email address should I use to setup the customer portal for a MFJ return?

Answer:  It doesn’t matter which one you choose.  Choose the one that is going to be the most accessible by the taxpayer and/or spouse.  Both will need to establish a signature once they register their customer portal account.  The key is that you can only create one customer portal per return because the portal is tied to the return.

Update:  You can now send correctly formatted portal links from any access point from within the return.  Reminder:  You can resend the link if the taxpayer is  having challenges registering their account.

Scenario:  You sent your taxpayer a customer portal link from the left navigation or taxpayer drop down from inside the return

Problem:  The taxpayer cannot get their account created through registration

Reason:  Incorrect link

Solution:  We will be correcting this with an update in the morning.  This update will also remove the preparer’s email address

Alternative:  Navigate to the e-file section and send the link to the taxpayer from there

We are scheduled to turn on Start New Return at the site level on Tuesday, January 18th.

Keep in mind, that these are considered live returns and will show in your reports and counts.  If you are having your volunteers complete practice returns, we strongly recommend you have them create practice returns in the Practice Lab (remember, it is a super site in the production system).

Once we turn on Start New Return, we will begin the process of turning on Scanned Documents for all sites.  This process could take up to 72 hours and should be completed for all sites by Friday, January 21st.  It is enabled in all of the security templates assigned by TaxSlayer on behalf of the IRS.  If you create your own templates, you will need to make sure it has Scanned Documents enabled (same goes for customer portal).

This post is for non AARP Tax-Aide sites that have requested either a MSA  or Relational Group during the ordering process.

• Multi-Site Group (MSA) = Allows a group administrator the ability to create and assign items from the Configuration menu
  • No  Consent is required because the group administrator does not have the ability to see taxpayer data at the sites
• Relational Group = Allows a group administrator the ability to create and assign items from the Configuration menu, review returns, transmit returns, access returns at the child site level, and run reports for the group of sites
  • A TaxSlayer Relational Consent is required and will be assigned to each site, including the group master, prior to Start New Return from being turned on (January 18, 2022)

When are new sites added to existing groups?

We add new sites to groups once the orders have been processed.  We do this on a weekly basis. (Note:  All groups have been created and/or modified against all existing orders)

When are new groups created and notified of their group login?

We create any new groups once the orders have been processed.  The group master location must be ordered prior to the group being created. (Note:  All groups have been created and/or modified against all existing orders)

How will I be notified of my group login?

You will be notified of your group login, default passwords and the sites associated with it via VITA/TCE customer support email.

I have a Relational Group that requires a consent, what is the deadline for adding a site?

You cannot add a site to a Relational Group after the site has started preparing returns.  Once we turn on Start New Return, each request will be verified against the returns created at the site level.  If the site has created returns, the request will be denied.  The relational consent is no longer valid if added to the return retroactively.

How do I change the group level administrator?

• AARP/TCE sites must submit the request to AARP Foundation
• Non AARP/TCE sites must submit an email to VITA/TCE Customer support that contains the old group level logins, along with the email address and cell phone (optional) of the new group admin

How do I make changes to the sites assigned to my group?

• AARP/TCE sites must submit the request to AARP Foundation
• Non AARP/TCE sites must submit all request to VITA/TCE Customer support via email that contains detailed information, including the EFIN, Site Name and SIDN

WASHINGTON − The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation’s tax season will start on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.

The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers allows the IRS time to perform programming and testing that is critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. Updated programming helps ensure that eligible people can claim the proper amount of the Child Tax Credit after comparing their 2021 advance credits and claim any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 tax return.

“Planning for the nation’s filing season process is a massive undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several months to prepare,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund don’t face processing delays. Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid delays.”

The IRS encourages everyone to have all the information they need in hand to make sure they file a complete and accurate return. Having an accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received on IRS.gov.

Like last year, there will be individuals filing tax returns who, even though they are not required to file, need to file a 2021 return to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the tax credit from the 2021 stimulus payments or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. People who don’t normally file also could receive other credits.

April 18 tax filing deadline for most
The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots’ Day holiday in those states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, to file.

Awaiting processing of previous tax returns? People can still file 2021 returns
Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on critical areas affected by the pandemic, including processing of tax returns from last year and record levels of phone calls coming in.

“In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me,” Rettig said. “IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our employees do more in 2022 – and beyond.”

The IRS continues to reduce the inventory of prior-year individual tax returns that have not been fully processed. As of Dec. 3, 2021, the IRS has processed nearly 169 million tax returns.  All paper and electronic individual 2020 refund returns received prior to April 2021 have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require further review.

Taxpayers generally will not need to wait for their 2020 return to be fully processed to file their 2021 tax returns and can file when they are ready.

Key information to help taxpayers
The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 million calls from January 1 – May 17, more than four times more calls than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from free assistance at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly locations across the country to the availability of the IRS Free File program.

“Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels,” Rettig said. “We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way for taxpayers to get the information they need.”

Last year’s average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional April tax deadline.

Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever possible.

By law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February, though eligible people may file their returns beginning on January 24. The law provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued.

Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual review, which delays the processing, if our systems detect a possible error or missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers, but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than the normal 21 days to issue any related refund. In those cases where IRS is able to correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an explanation to the taxpayer.

File electronically and choose direct deposit
To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.

Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/forms.

We will be enabling Start New Return on Tuesday, January 18th.  This will allow sites that are opening to begin the process of preparing returns.  Keep in mind that the IRS is not opening e-file until January 24th this year.  This also means that even though your state may be approved and ready to accept returns, you will not be able to send them until the IRS opens.

We strongly recommend that you open all returns and review them prior to submitting the e-file on the 24th as calculation changes could impact the original refund/balance due depending on further instructions from the IRS, state and software changes.