IR-2020-02, January 6, 2020

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service confirmed that the nation’s tax season will start for individual tax return filers on Monday, January 27, 2020, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2019 tax year returns.

The deadline to file 2019 tax returns and pay any tax owed is Wednesday, April 15, 2020. More than 150 million individual tax returns for the 2019 tax year are expected to be filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional April tax deadline.

“As we enter the filing season, taxpayers should know that the dedicated workforce of the IRS stands ready to help,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We encourage taxpayers to plan ahead and use the tools and information available on IRS.gov. The IRS and the nation’s tax community are committed to making this another smooth filing season.”

The IRS set the January 27 opening date to ensure the security and readiness of key tax processing systems and to address the potential impact of recent tax legislation on 2019 tax returns.

While taxpayers may prepare returns through the IRS’ Free File program as well as many tax software companies and tax professionals before the start date, processing of those returns will begin after IRS systems open later this month.

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When will TaxSlayer turn on the ability to Start a New Return at the site level?

We will be turning on the Start New Return feature at the site level on Friday, January 17th.  This is in an effort to ensure the returns you prepare for the taxpayer do not change significantly between the time of return preparation and the ability to transmit an electronic file.

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What returns should I complete at my site?

We strongly recommend that you only complete production returns in your site (actual taxpayer returns).  The Practice Lab is a Super Site in the same production environment.  If you need to conduct training or just try out a scenario, you should continue to utilize the Practice Lab.

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Have all forms been finalized?

No.  All software vendors are still waiting to receive final forms and instructions for several forms. This includes Federal and/or state forms.

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Can I electronically file returns?

No.  We are currently scheduled to turn on electronic filing on January 27th when the IRS MeF opens.  We will have e-file stops on any applicable extenders that have not been updated in the IRS electronic system.

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What happens to the returns I have created if the IRS issues form changes or TaxSlayer issues calculation changes prior to e-file opening?

We strongly recommend that you open each return and exit through the Submission screen of E-file by clicking the Save and Exit return button. This allows the most recent forms/calculations to be saved with the return.

You can then navigate to Client Status for the return by selecting Client Status from the Tools menu on the Client List.

Compare the AGI and Refund calculated today with the last time you were in the return before sending the file electronically (January 27th).

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I ordered a FSA Fusion or Stand Alone site, when will I receive the URL

We will be generating and issuing the URLs close to the time we turn on Start a New Return.

Update 7:55 am EST:  The issue causing the runtime error has been corrected.  We recommend you close all instances of your browser and start a new one to ensure the error is not stored in your cache.

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The Practice Lab and all years are receiving a runtime error when trying to access.  Our IT team and development deploy team are currently working to resolve.

1/3/2020 – This was resolved in this mornings deployment.

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We are getting sporadic reports of the following error when trying to open a 2018 return or navigating through it.  We have opened a ticket with our development team.   Click the Log Back In button and open the return again.  You can then continue to work in the return.  This is  not impacting Practice Lab 2019

1/3/2020 – The alignment and update to 2019 forms issue has been resolved. If you continue to see the below screen, clear your cache and refresh your screen.

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We are in the process of updating the 1040 view to accommodate the changes to the 1040 pages and schedules.  This morning’s delivery left the feature with a combination of a 2018 form background and a 2019 entry layout.  We have a high priority ticket in to get this resolved.  Page 4 of the 1040 view displays correctly.

4:46 PM est:  The issue has been resolved and the site is working as expected

We are currently experiencing errors when logging in.  We have opened a critical ticket with our IT and development teams.

 

6:54 pm — The errors have been resolved.  We will continue to monitor the situation

We are currently experiencing server errors in the Practice Lab and in your production sites.  We have opened an emergency ticket and the engineers are trying to determine the cause of the errors.

 

When will TaxSlayer start processing TY2019 orders?

We have processed 2 orders received from the IRS.  We will receive orders on a weekly basis through December 31st and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January.

Returning Sites will receive the following email letting you know the order has been processed

There is no attachment to the email.  It is notifying  you that your site has been processed for TY2019.  Site Admins can use their existing login credentials to start getting your site ready for the upcoming filing season.  We currently do not have a date of when we will turn on the “Start New Return” feature at the production sites (we estimate mid-January).  However, you can access all items under configuration to setup new users, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Sites will receive the following two emails.

(1) Setting up your site administration credentials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting up login credentials for Account Hub (where you can download the contingency software)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to thank Grace for sharing this partner spotlight with us.

• Area 3, Territory Manager Grace McKnight, Seattle Territory in Seattle, Washington – Our territory consist of WA, OR, ID, MT and WY.
  • Northwest Indian College/Lummi Tribe is located near the Victoria BC border West of Bellingham, Washington, in Western Whatcom county.
• Lummi Nation is the third largest tribe in Washington with more than 5,000 members and a 13,000 acre reservation.
• Traditions include:  the Lummi Nation Salmon Ceremony, the Lummi Nation Stommish Water Festival, which started in 1946 and the Tribal Canoe journeys/paddle which begin in 1989.
• The Lummi Nation recently poured $900,000 in charitable donations into the local and greater Washington economy.  Since 2002, the Lummi Nation has given more than $5 million dollars in community contributions to surrounding community and organizations.  Every dollar earned from tribal gaming is invested in public purposes.
• Northwest Indian College is a public college.
• It was established by the Lummi Nation Tribe and is the only accredited Tribal College or University serving reservation communities of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
• Northwest Indian College has partnered with SPEC since December 2014.  They have one VITA site and one Facilitated Self Assisted (FSA) site.
• Northwest Indian College-VITA site is located at Lummi campus.  NWIC designates several of their private offices to assist and prepare tax returns during the season.  The number of volunteers vary from as many as 8 to 4.   NWIC marketing consist of advertising to the tribal community via flyers , bulletins and social media.
• NWIC set their first goal in 2015 to e-file 50 returns.  The next year, the plan was to increase by 5% and each year thereafter by 5%.
• Northwest Indian College offers benefit screening, Financial Education and Coaching throughout the year.   Their Financial Literacy program provides regular financial literacy education classes and workshops to students.
• One challenge for NWIC has been maintaining a core group of volunteers.
• Best practices:  The site is set-up to be “family friendly”, providing light snacks and beverages for the taxpayers and their children.  Another best practice is “Mentor the New Volunteer”.
• Future Plans:  Continue to open the site early in the season.  Add additional days.  Host events.  Start the volunteer recruitment early in the year.  Continue to advertise in surrounding communities.  Reach out to more tribal members.
• Partner with other tribes.
• In 2020, NWIC will partner with the Swinomish tribe on an Adhoc basis.  Then in 2021, the Swinomish tribe will have their own VITA program.