Author Archives: %s

Release Notes: September 10th – Zip Code Update

09 Sep 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

The site will be placed in maintenance on Thursday, September 10th 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.  These will be back end changes with the exception of:

Federal

  • Update zip code 78665 to Round Rock, TX

2020 Suggestion Box: Updated August 18, 2020

19 Aug 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

Click here to view and download the PDF. The link will launch a BrainShark video with instructions on how to view the PDF’s.

Click here to submit a suggestion  

We encourage you to continue to send us suggestions throughout the summer and fall.

Three attachments:

  • Attachment 1:  Dedicated to application and federal suggestions
  • Attachment 2:  Dedicated to state suggestions
    • Sorted by state
  • Attachment 3:  TaxSlayer Suggestion Status
    • Broken into status categories

Note:  Due to the extended filing season and the changes we are making to the e-file process (including, but not limited to adding the ability to e-file 1040-X) we will be adding an additional status if we need to defer an item we have originally committed to due to time constraints.  Please follow our Sneak Peek blog entries that outline the changes we are making to the E-file section.

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

IRS Announces the ability to electronically file 1040X

18 Aug 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

We will be rolling out electronic filing for the 1040X over the next several weeks.  We anticipate enabling the ability in Pro Online by the end of September.   We will post updates as well roll this out across our product lines.


Now available: IRS Form 1040-X electronic filing   Major IRS milestone helps taxpayers correct tax returns with fewer errors, speeds processing

WASHINGTON — Marking a major milestone in tax administration, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers can now submit Form 1040-X electronically with commercial tax-filing software.

As IRS e-filing has grown during the past 30 years, the 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, has been one of the last major individual tax forms that needed to be paper filed. Today’s announcement follows years of effort by the IRS, and the enhancement allows taxpayers to quickly electronically correct previously filed tax returns while minimizing errors.

“The ability to file the Form 1040-X electronically has been an important long-term goal of the IRS e-file initiative for many years,” said Sunita Lough, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement. “Given the details needed on the form, there have been numerous challenges to add this form to the e-file family. Our IT and business operation teams worked hard with the nation’s tax industry to make this change possible. This is another success for IRS modernization efforts. The addition helps taxpayers have a quicker, easier way to file amended returns, and it streamlines work for the IRS and the entire tax community.”

Making the 1040-X an electronically filed form has been a goal for the tax software and tax professional industry for years. It’s been a continuing recommendation from the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC).

Message from Frank Nolden

21 Jul 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

VITA/TCE partners and volunteers,

Congratulations on completing another filing season. This filing season was longer than we expected and was filled with unexpected challenges. But I’m very impressed with the ways you overcame those challenges.

Your VITA and TCE sites started out very strong this filing season. Unfortunately, everything changed in March as sites began to close. We appreciate the care you took in deciding what was best for the health of your volunteers and the taxpayers you serve. We also thank you for keeping in touch with your IRS-SPEC contacts so that we could be sure that IRS.gov accurately showed which sites were open.

I’m happy to report that VITA/TCE sites still submitted nearly 2.4 million returns. That’s 2.4 million individuals and families who received free, quality tax return preparation. And we know that these were “quality” tax returns because the reviews performed by our employees showed an accuracy rate was 94%.

I especially want to thank those of you who used alternative filing methods to continue helping taxpayers. Whether you offered Facilitated Self Assistance, Virtual VITA, a safe drop-off method or some combination, your willingness to try new approaches shows just how dedicated you are to serving your communities.

Finally, I’d also like to thank you for helping us spread the word about Economic Impact Payments. Many of you reached people who don’t normally file a tax return, including people experiencing homelessness. Through this outreach, you were able to positively impact the lives of many Americans.

As we set our sights on next filing season, we look forward to working with you to expand our cause to even more people. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Thanks again for your efforts this filing season.

Frank Nolden

Director, Stakeholder Partnerships,

Education and Communication (SPEC)

End of Season: Closeout Procedures

20 Jul 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

The IRS has issued the following close out procedures

Error exporting Reports (RESOLVED)

17 Jul 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

Scenario 1

Select Management Reports>>Select a Report and Run it to export.  Click Export and receive a server error

For a single site, an alternative is to Run the Full report and then export

Scenario 2

Login at the relational group level >> Select a report and select multiple EFINS…Click Export and receive a server error

At the moment, there is no alternative other than selecting one site at a time because selecting all sites automatically runs the report in “Run to Export” mode


We have put in an issue ticket with our engineers

 

 

Release Notes: July 7th – Federal, KS, MA, NY

06 Jul 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

The site will be placed in maintenance on Tuesday, July 7th 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.

CLIENT LIST (100 MOST RECENT VIEW)

  • Correct an issue where state return status stayed “In Progress” (Issue 4834)

FEDERAL

  • Remove address validation and e-file block related to Form 8862 (Issue 4931)

KANSAS

  • Correct an issue where the Standard Deduction was not calculating when attached to 1040-NR return (Issue 4947)

MASSACHUSETTS

  • Correct an issue where Line 14b was not populating when applicable on Form 1-NR/PY when filing as Nonresident and Part-Year resident (Issue 4955)

NEW YORK

  • Correct an issue where the entry for state and local taxes paid was not staying saved in the Itemized Deduction menu (Issue 4942)

 


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

IRS Quick Alert: Form(s) 1040/1040SR Duplicate Filing Conditions

25 Jun 20
Kim Manuel
No Comments

Attention: Software Developers, Return Transmitters and Authorized IRS e-file Providers/EROs

We have received inquiries about Business Rule (BR) R0000-932-02 as a result of the recent distribution of the 2019v5.2 1040 Schema and BR. This BR was modified due to the development of Form(s) 1040/1040SR amended return.

Effective immediately for Tax Year 2019 and subsequent years, BR R0000-932-02 will replace BR R0000-902-001 if a duplicate return is submitted.  

Note:  BR R0000-932-02 references the “Amended Return” checkbox. However, filers will not be able to electronically file Form(s) 1040/1040SR until August 17, 2020 (tentatively).

Duplicate returns related to Economic Impact Payment (EIP): If a filer used the Non-Filers tool to register for EIP, they cannot file a subsequent tax return electronically.  They must complete a paper Tax Year 2019 Form(s) 1040/1040-SR, print and write “Amended EIP Return” at the top, and mail the return to the IRS.  The tax return must be mailed by the postponed due date of July 15, 2020 to avoid late-filing penalties and late fees. Please visit the Economic Impact Payment Center page on IRS.gov for upcoming information regarding duplicate returns related to EIP.