The Save and Enter Another button will be added to the following entry pages:

• W-2
• Interest Income
• Dividend Income
• Schedule B Other Interest
• 1099-R
• RRB-1099-R
• W-2G

Purpose:

Allows the preparer to open a blank entry screen without having to go back to the summary page when entering income information.

Benefits:

• Quick Data input
• Allows the preparer to enter multiple income documents when using Taxpayer Profiles
• Allows the preparer to enter multiple income documents when using the Quick File feature

Note:  Selecting Continue will take you to the Income Summary Screen

We will be putting the returns in maintenance mode for a series of updates on Thursday, May 24th at 5:00 am EST.  The update is subject to be rescheduled.  It is scheduled to include the following:

• Add Form 2120 – Multiple Support Declaration
  • Will be prompted to complete this form after adding a dependent and checking the box, “This dependent qualifies for a Multiple Support Declaration“
  • The option to add up to four (4) Form 2120’s is available
• Add Form 8919 – Uncollected Social Security and Medicare Tax on Wages
  • Available within the “Other Taxes” menu of the Federal Section
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the W-2 entry page
• Remove the requirement for the ID for Home Mortgage Interest Not Reported on 1098 (Issue #1812)
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the Interest Income entry screen
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the RRB-1099-R entry screen
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the Schedule B Other Interest Entry Screen
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the Dividend Income entry screen
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the 1099-R entry screen
• Add “Save and Enter Another” button on the W-2G entry screen
• Add “AGI” column to show AGI on Site Production Detail Report – Paper (Issue #135)
• Fixed an issue where exporting the “Return Questions” report to Excel was throwing an error (Issue #1986)
• Phase II: 1040PR when using 1040 – Added the ability to adjust earned income specific to assisting in calculating CTC/ACTC when less than 3 qualifying dependents are on the return (Issue #1793)
• 1040NR:  Access Schedule OI in Basic Information by clicking Continue on the Dependents section
  • No longer have to access the federal section prior to completing Schedule OI

There are two spreadsheets

• Spreadsheet #1:  Dedicated to application and federal suggestions
• Spreadsheet #2: Dedicated to State suggestions

An example of the status column can be found by Tracking ID 269372 (Ctrl+F allows you search in the document)

Below are some of the items that we have committed to completing (We are still reviewing all requests and there will be more commitments coming your way)

• Display AGI
• Make Consents Year Specific
• Create a Consent report that indicates the consent Title and corresponding acceptance or denial

More exciting changes to come.

We are still reading through and analyzing the suggestions.  We are also beginning to update the Status column as we commit to implement a suggestions.

Click here to view PDF

The link will launch a Brainshark video with instructions on how to view the file.

This essay was published by the New York times:

Click here for entire article

There are two spreadsheets

• Spreadsheet #1:  Dedicated to application and federal suggestions
• Spreadsheet #2: Dedicated to State suggestions

An example of the status column can be found by Tracking ID 269372 (Ctrl+F allows you search in the document)

Below are some of the items that we have committed to completing (We are still reviewing all requests and there will be more commitments coming your way)

• 1040NR: Load Schedule OI while in Taxpayer Information
• 1040NR:  Carry data from schedule OI to Form 8843
• Add a Save and Enter another button to make repeat entries easier for the following
  • W-2 entry page
  • Interest Income entry page
  • Dividend Income entry page
  • 1099-Entry entry page

More exciting changes to come.

We are still reading through and analyzing the suggestions.  We are also beginning to update the Status column as we commit to implement a suggestions.

Click here to view PDF

The link will launch a Brainshark video with instructions on how to view the file.

Happy 40th anniversary to New Hanover County VITA.  This is an awesome accomplishment to serve your taxpayers for 40 years.

On behalf of TaxSlayer, thank you for your volunteer service.

We will be placing the site in maintenance on Tuesday, May 15th at 5:00am ET to release a series of updates.   This is a change from the original post on Friday.

• 1040-PR using 1040 – Phase I released: Added the “Taxable Earned Income for Form 8812” entry field within the Credits menu. This allows users with 2 qualifying dependents or less to adjust the applicable earned income to calculate CTC/ACTC
• Zip Code Update
  • 99354 – Richland, WA (Issue #1980)
• 1040-NR/Schedule OI – Text update within the “Travel Dates” menu to clarify only travel dates specific to the current filing year should be provided
• GA – Remove the automatic e-mail pre-fill entry within GA Basic Information (Issue #2000)
• KS – Correct an issue where excluded SSS disability income was not removed from K-40H household income calculation (Issue #407)
• MI – Correct a PDF display issue where the percentage entry for Veteran Disability (1040-CR2) was not carrying to the return (Issue #1991)
• VT – Correct a PDF display issue where the Form 144 entries for additional household members (if more than 2) were not carrying to a new statement in the PDF (Issue #1999)

Partner mentoring leads to rural success

As SPEC continues its efforts to help more taxpayers in rural communities, the RM & partner success stories are building too. The goal is to share as many of these stories as possible, with the premise that they may possibly help others expand their reach in rural areas.

Here’s a rural success story from Tax Consultant Therese (Tess) Armstrong

Describe to us your geographic area and current partnership base.

As the sole SPEC Relationship Manager in Maine, my territory covers the entire state – which is large enough to fit the five other New England states within its geographic borders.

How did your success story begin?

Back in 2008, Maine’s rural strategy plan included expansion into rural Aroostook County, and in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide, a VITA program was proposed at a presentation to local officials in Presque Isle.

What steps did you take next?

Three years after that initial presentation, United Way of Aroostook contacted me about establishing the Aroostook CA$H VITA coalition. Also, as initially proposed, program leaders were encouraged and agreed to volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide to obtain experience in tax preparation, site operation, and to learn the Quality Site Requirements necessary to run a successful VITA site.

How long did it take you to work this opportunity?

The saying, “never give up” is so true. It was five years from the time I initially presented my proposal to Stakeholders in Aroostook County and the actual establishment of their successful VITA program in 2013.

In your opinion, what were the key actions that made this turn out successfully?

Mentoring with AARP Tax-Aide of Maine provided Aroostook CA$H with an understanding of the complexities of operating a VITA site. Aroostook CA$H mentored with AARP Tax-Aide of Maine for one filing season. The next filing season the coalition successfully e-filed 151 federal tax returns, easily surpassing their initial set goal of 50 minimum tax returns. During the 2018 filing season, the coalition e-filed more than 700 federal tax returns.

Consistent leadership and enthusiastic support from United Way of Aroostook (and its board members) has also been integral toward the program’s success.

What advice would you give to fellow TCs/RMs to gain additional successes?

Positive reinforcement and quickly responding to your partner’s questions and concerns is instrumental in your partner’s continued engagement.

Other information:

The program has expanded to Fort Kent, Maine (on the Canadian Border) and Houlton Maine, but it took years to find the ideal sites in those locations. In 2017, County Federal Credit Union joined Aroostook CA$H and expanded the volunteer base to include 21 new Asset Building Coaches.