We are excited to begin introducing changes to the e-file section of the application for the upcoming filing season.  These changes are designed to increase efficiency and to produce a more quality return.  As we begin seeing these changes internally, we will introduce them to you to make you aware of any changes that could impact the day to day operations of your site.

Horizontal instead of Vertical Layout

You will access the different sections in a horizontal tabular manner rather than one long vertical page separated by accordion style folders.

Purpose:  The application saves the data each time you hit continue to move to the next or different section.  All required entries per section must be completed before saving and exiting the section.  This is consistent with how the preparer navigates the entry pages in the return.

Advantage:  The preparer or quality reviewer can quickly see the pages that have been completed by the indication of the checkmark associated with each heading.

• Return Type = This is where you decide how you are filing the federal and state return
• View Fees = This gives the sites that are tracking fees to capture “savings to the taxpayer” for reporting purposes a more in-depth look at the fees that would be associated with the return if the taxpayer went to a paid preparer.
• Bank Account = This will display the information needed for Direct Deposit or Direct Debit.  This is where the preparer will access the information for Form 8888 if they have made this selection in Office Setup.  We strongly recommend making this selection.  If the taxpayer does not want to split their refund, simply enter the information in the first bank account and Form 8888 will not be included with the return.
• State ID License = This will be optional or required based on the state(s) in the return
• Taxpayer Consent = Access the consents that are assigned to the site or created by the site.  This will be where you access the Global Carryforward Consent
• Custom Questions = Access the questions that are assigned to the site or created by the site.
• Custom Credits = Access the custom credits that are assigned to the site or created by the site.
• E-file Summary = This is equivalent to the submission page where you will have options to print the return, mark the return for review, mark the return complete, select return tags, etc.

Each section will have the ability to select Back, Continue or Save & Exit

Q: How long can a Taxpayer access their tax documents in their Customer Portal account?

• A: Current year return access is available through November of the current year.
  • Future Enhancement: The goal for a future year enhancement is to allow the taxpayer to have access to multiple year returns associated with their secured customer portal.

Q: Does a Taxpayer need a new Customer Portal login each year it is used?

• A: Short answer: No, the same login can be used by the taxpayer, but only the current year return (at this time) will be available until access to multiple years is available.
• A: Longer answer: If the taxpayer uses Customer Portal in Year 1. In Year 2, the preparer will still need to send a link to the taxpayer for Customer Portal for that year. The Taxpayer can use the new link to login to their existing Customer Portal account, which will automatically link to the current year return.

The taxpayer is allowed to upload the following file types to their secured customer portal

• pdf
• png
• jpg
• tif
• doc
• docx
• xls
• xlsx

The size limitation is a max of 5 meg per file with a total max of 25 meg of files the taxpayer can upload.

We are currently experiencing technical challenges with our phone system.  This impacts our ability to take inbound calls and chats.  You can continue to reach out to support via email during this time.

Drum roll please…….it is finally coming to a Pro Online application near you.

You will be able to enter the Taxpayer/Spouse e-mail address on the Personal Information page.  It will be located directly under the telephone number fields.

The volunteer will have two options for sending the link to the taxpayer

1. Send the link to the taxpayer via email (The goal is to pull this from the return)
2. Send the link to the taxpayer via text

Please note that if both options have been completed, the application defaults to sending the link to the taxpayer via their email address

Below is a screenshot that demonstrates what the volunteer will see when they select customer portal

There will be three access points available to all users that have been granted access to use the customer portal feature after completing the Basic Information section:

1.  Taxpayer name dropdown

2.  Left Navigation Bar

3. Submission Page

Click here to submit a suggestion

We are working through the suggestions you submitted to us during the season. We encourage you to continue to send us suggestions throughout the summer and fall.

Reminder: The suggestion box should not be used for calculation errors or software issues.  You should reach out to VITA/TCE support.