We’re excited to announce an enhancement released into the 2023 and forward TaxSlayer Pro Online application for Federal returns. Details below…

Problem To Solve: [Example Scenario] Preparer completes return as Direct Debit with $400 owed. Quality Reviewer makes an update resulting in a change in amount owed of only $200. Quality Reviewer skips the Bank Account page in e-file without updating the direct debit payment amount. Return is filed and $400 is paid to the IRS instead of $200.

• Existing Functionality: In the above scenario, whether the amount owed increases or decreases, IF the user visits the Bank Account page in e-file, a validation error appears indicating the direct debit payment and amount owed does not match. User does not see this validation when skipping the Bank Account page often resulting in a higher amount being paid to the IRS than what is actually owed.
• ENHANCED Functionality: In the same above scenario, whether the amount owed increases or decreases, when a user clicks “Save & Exit” or “Transmit Return” on the Submission page, the below dialog box will appear if the direct debit amount has not been updated. Clicking “YES” will redirect the user to the Bank Account page to make an update. Clicking “NO” will continue the desired action (Save & Exit or Transmit Return).

9/25/24 – Outstanding acks are now being returned.

We are aware of some 2021-2023 returns stuck in “sending” or “transmitted” status since Monday, 9/22/24. Our developers are aware and looking into this issue. This post will be updated when the issue has been resolved and acks are being returned.

Software vendors received the below messaging from the Ohio Department of Taxation.

“Ohio is experiencing a delay of processing MeF transmissions and sending acknowledgements for all electronically filed Ohio taxes (Individual Income Tax, Muni, PTE/Fiduciary) as of today.  We will communicate when this has been corrected.“

We received the below confirmation from Connecticut regarding CT returns still waiting on acknowledgments. There is nothing to do on your end. As CT issues acknowledgements, they will update in your site(s) automatically. Any CT returns transmitted prior to 4/15/24 at 11:59 in your local time zone are considered timely filed.

“We have some issues with some acknowledgments not being sent out.  We are looking into the issue and are hoping to have them all sent out in the next few days.”

3/21/24:

Now that sites are beginning to prepare amended returns, we just wanted to post a reminder that through TaxSlayer Pro Online and TaxSlayer FSA, only Federal Amended Returns can be electronically filed. State amended returns must be paper filed at this time. We did mention in the Enhancement webinar presented in December 2023 that we expect to support State Amended E-file experience in the 2023 program. We do not have an ETA at this time but we will post to the blog once the State Amended E-file experience is in production.

5:13pm ET:

We have completed the deploy to correct CA Reject R0000-065.

Action Required: You can now re-submit your rejected CA returns.

Scenario: CA returns filed today are receiving CA Reject R0000-065. The calculation of the return is correct, but there is an extra document count going in the e-file causing the reject.

Solution: We are going to do an emergency deploy to resolve this.

What you may see: You may see a momentary blip  on the site or kicked out of a return.

We just wanted to share a quick reminder about state PDF’s when they display the “Do Not Mail” watermark (shown below) and what that means.

Why does a form in my State PDF say “Do Not Mail”?

When a PDF has the “Do Not Mail” watermark, this means we have not received “Form Approval” or “Print Approval” as of yet. This means that the PDF can not be mailed to the state as a paper filed return. However, it is perfectly fine to provide to a taxpayer for their records. As “Form Approvals” are received, the “Do Not Mail” watermarks will be removed.

Can I e-file a state return when a PDF says “Do Not Mail”?

Yes, e-file approval is a separate review process and all state returns (and forms) are e-file approved. All state returns (and forms) can be electronically filed.