Update 6:25pm:  Real time calcs have been turned back on.  Thank you for the patience as we worked through bringing everything back online.

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Update: 5:52 pm:  We are in the process of turning “Real time” calcs back on.  Otherwise, the application is running as expected.

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Update 4:51pm:  We are in the process of turning off “real time” calcs (the ones that display in the right nav bar) to see if this allows enhanced performance on the application

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Update 4:38 pm:  Sorry for the delayed update.  We are continuing to work to improve the performance of the application.  We are receiving e-files and they are going through the system.

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Update 4:04 pm:  If you get the blank white page when opening a return, click on the left navigation bar to proceed through the program.  You can go to the personal info page and send your taxpayer a customer portal invite.  This will allow you to Quality Review or complete their return at a later date.  The calculations are loading slow.  We are continuing to communicate with the dev team on a permanent resolution

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Update 3:38pm:  The site is no longer in maintenance mode, but running slower than expected.

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Update 3:15pm:  We are still working on the deploy.  You are most likely experiencing server errors (or time out errors) when trying to login.  If you are inside the application, you are most likely experiencing slowness.  We are in constant communication with development to get an ETA.  We are putting the site in maintenance mode to complete the deploy

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Update 3:00 pm:  We are making an emergency deploy.  You may experience getting kicked out during this process

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Update 2:45:  The returns are opening and you can create new returns, but site is running slower than expected.

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We have opened a critical ticket to resolve the error messages when attempting to open and/or create a new return.  We will update this blog with additional information.

Question:  Will we need to add Schedule 1-A to our custom print sets?

TaxSlayer:  Yes.  We have already added them to the ones we assign on behalf of the IRS

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Question:  If there are multiple W-2s that have the qualified overtime, should we combine the amounts

TaxSlayer:  Yes, when reporting them in the Additional Deductions menu.

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Question:  Currently client status only shows when you print the return from the client list.  It does not show if they print it from the last page in e-file.  This would give us more visibility in who is really touching the returns and what actions they are taking.  I had a counselor mark a return complete, but couldn’t tell if they printed a copy.

TaxSlayer:  We do have some client status items on our development backlog.  We will take a look to see what they are.

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Question:  How should I handle the situation where I have a W-2, but nothing is showing in Box 7.  The taxpayer knows the tips were reported and included in the total wages.

TaxSlayer:  If the taxpayer knows the tips are included in Box 1 wages, no additional adjustments are needed on the W-2 because the tip income is being included as income as expected. For the purposes of the No Tax on Tips deduction, the TP would need documentation from their employer so you know the appropriate tip amount to enter in the Additional Deductions menu.

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Question:  How long does the taxpayer have access to the client portal account?

TaxSlayer:  We typically cut that over in late October after the October 15^th perfection period.

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Question:    Where do you enter a county in TaxSlayer for Form 4547?

TaxSlayer:  The county automatically pulls into the return based on the zip code entered.  If you are having issues with a certain return, please reach out to VITA/TCE support with EFIN and last 4 so we can look at it.

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Question:  I had an old site admin setup my information and now I cannot change it.  Is there a way this can be changed?

TaxSlayer:  Reach out to VITA/TCE support with the username, EFIN, SIDN, Site name, etc and they can update the information for you.

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Question:  Have you ever considered adding a prompt for IP PIN like you do if marketplace was used in the prior year.

TaxSlayer:  There is a prompt on the carry forward screen if there was an IP PIN in the prior year return and there is also a warning going into e-file if there was an IP PIN in the prior year and not in the current year.

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Question:  How can I delete a return

TaxSlayer:  You cannot delete a return, but you can deactivate a return if you have the appropriate permissions (from the Tools menu).  The return has to be in the status of “in progress” or “Review Failed” to deactivate it.

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Question:  What is the status of the Schedule C tips?

TaxSlayer:   This has always been and will remain a manual entry on the Schedule C.

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Question:  Why does the IRS notice about IND-477 show on the IRS ack report rather than before we submit the return

TaxSlayer:  This is the notice the IRS sends back with their acceptance if the taxpayer request a paper check.  The application displays an informational message to the preparer on the Return Details page when they select to have their refund via check.  We treat IRS acks like a post office…we simply pass along what they send to the end user.

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Question:  I have a typo on a username and cannot modify it

TaxSlayer:  That is correct, we would recommend you create a new username with the correct spelling and then you can mark the wrong one inactive

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Question:  I am a bit confused about when you said specific forms did not go to the IRS

TaxSlayer: I was referencing when TP’s come into your site with forms like 1099-MISC/NEC. Since the amounts on these forms carry to other areas of the 1040/Schedules, the actual 1099-MISC/NEC are not included in the e-file sent to the IRS.

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Question:  Can we use the last paystub for the premium portion of overtime if it is not designated by the employer?

TaxSlayer:  That is not really a TaxSlayer question, but we understand that it can be done and there is a formula that can be used if the premium amount is not designated.

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Question:  You claim the 3 year look back (prior year comparison) was fixed

TaxSlayer:  We added line 13a and 13b in the total deductions field.  Tips:  Only populates if site to site carryforward was utilized and a PDF was generated.  Reach out to support if you are having issues so we can look at the specific return

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Question:  When can we start transmitting returns with the new tip deduction

TaxSlayer:  The application is not stopping you from doing that.  This is guidance from the organization you volunteer for, not a stop within the program or at the IRS

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Question:  There currently is not a way to prevent the senior allowance if the taxpayer/spouse has a SSN  not valid for employment.

TaxSlayer:  We have a solution in the works for this.  We will be adding a checkbox for the taxpayer and/or spouse if they do not have a SSN valid for employment.

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Question:  When the SSN benefits are not fully taxable, should the worksheet be printing out with the return

TaxSlayer:  We believe so.  If you are not seeing this, reach out to VITA/TCE support with the EFIN and last 4 so we can look at it.

Title: TaxSlayer All Partner Calls
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time

Dial-in Number: 1-202-735-3323 or 1-888-978-8818
Access Code: 7938262#

This is a great opportunity to ask the TaxSlayer team and the IRS general questions.  If you have a return or site specific question, we encourage you to reach out to VITA/TCE support.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act – New Deduction for Tips Knowledgebase Article – CLICK HERE

In TaxSlayer Pro Online, to report the new “No Tax on Tips” deduction, go to Federal Section > Deductions > Additional Deductions > No Tax on Tips and enter the qualified tips in the appropriate field(s). If Form 8995 is present on the return, the software will automatically reduce Form 8995, Line 11 (Taxable Income Before Qualified Business Income Deduction) by the appropriate amount.

Specific to the Qualified Business Income Deduction, the QBI of the business that received tips being claimed under the No Tax on Tips Deduction must be reduced by the amount of tips being claimed under this deduction. To reduce the QBI of the related business, visit Federal Section > Income > Schedule C > Add or Edit the appropriate Schedule C (or Schedule C’s) > Qualified Business Income Deduction > Enter the amount claimed under the No Tax on Tips Deduction in the Qualified Business Income Adjustment Amount field as a negative value. For additional information, please refer to the KB linked above.

Reminder to click on the validation errors on the Welcome Page to correct any outstanding validation errors.

Our top validation is currently:  The element ‘IRS4547’ in namespace ‘http://www.irs.gov/efile’ has invalid child element ‘ResponsiblePrtyUSAddress’ in namespace ‘http://www.irs.gov/efile’. List of possible elements expected: ‘ResponsiblePrtyEmailAddressTxt’ in namespace ‘http://www.irs.gov/efile’.

Workaround:  Navigate to the return details page in e-file.  Enter the primary and/or secondary email addresses and resend the return.

Solution:  We issued an update on Wednesday, Feb 28th that will resolve this for newly created returns.  We also added an e-file warning that you must have an email address entered in personal information for Form 4547

F8962-070: The e-File database indicates that Form 8962 or a binary attachment with description containing “ACA Explanation” must be present in the return

TaxSlayer TIP:  The IRS has information on their master file that indicates that someone on the return has a 1095-A on file for at least 1 month during the tax year.  This data must be provided in order to electronically file the return.

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IND-181-01:The Primary Taxpayer did not enter a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number.

IND-180-01: Primary taxpayer’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) must match the e-File database. Please double check your entry and resubmit your return with the correct number.

IND-996: The Dependent/Qualifying Person Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) provided on the return is not valid. Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number

TaxSlayer TIP:  If the return is carried forward, a warning will be displayed prior to going to the e-file section to let you know that someone on on the prior year return had a PIN. An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year. Clients must obtain a new IP PIN each year at the start of the filing season by accessing the account they created at www.irs.gov/ippin.

Note:  If the taxpayer retrieved their PIN from the IPPIN portal prior to January 26, have them retrieve it again in order to get a TY2025 PIN

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We currently have the following dates and times allotted as controlled launch windows for VITA/TCE Sites.

• Wednesday, January 21st  10am – 4pm (Eastern)
• Thursday, January 22nd 10am – 4pm (Eastern)

During this period, we will send VITA/TCE returns to the IRS and receive acknowledgements. We strongly recommend you open and review the return before sending, especially if you created the return when we opened on the 8th. Federal and state calculations changed frequently during this time period.   You must send these returns from the Submission menu during the controlled launch period.

This date and time is subject to change or the process is subject to stop based on feedback from the IRS.

Can I expect acks during controlled launch?

Yes, the IRS will be returning acknowledgements during this period.  However, the refunds will not be processed any faster by the IRS.

Does this speed up the process of the taxpayer getting their refund any earlier?

No.

What happens if I submit a return and it is not sent during Controlled Launch?

We will hold the return and submit it on Monday, January 26th when e-file opens.

Rejects we are seeing trending during from our offices using our Professional line of products during Controlled Launch

F8962-070

We are seeing a lot of IRS rejects surrounding the 8962.   As you start preparing returns for your taxpayers remember that if the IRS has on file that anyone on the return had at market place insurance at any time (even if just for a short period of time), it needs to be entered on the tax return, otherwise the return will get rejected.

Note:  If Carry Forward is used on the return and there was a 1095-A in the prior year return, a warning will be presented to the preparer prior to going into the e-file section.

IND-181-01

The Primary Taxpayer did not enter a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number.

Note:  If Carry Forward is used on the return and was a PIN in the prior year and not in the current year, a warning will be presented to the preparer prior to going into the e-file section.  The IP PIN changes each year for the protection of the taxpayer.

Note:  The IRS will not be opening the IP PIN portal back up until e-file begins.  The taxpayer should have received correspondence from the IRS with their new IP PIN.  

Below is the list of carryforward items available with TaxSlayer Pro Online. They are applicable for both Same-Site Carryforward and Global Carryforward.

• Carryforward of an IP PIN Warning if IP PIN Existed on Prior Year Return

  • Presented as an e-file warning if present on prior year but not current year

• Carryforward of Applied Federal Refund from Previous Year

  • Applicable Federal value will automatically carry to Payments & Estimates menu > Federal Estimated Payments

• Carryforward of Simplified Method Worksheet items

  • Current values included are plan cost at annuity start date, starting date of annuity, age of recipient at start date and amounts previously recovered

• Carryforward of Form FEC (Foreign Earned Compensation) data

• Carryforward of Education Credits

  • This includes the educational institution details

• Carryforward of Taxpayer Notes

  • This includes the title and details of notes added to a return from the prior year

• Carryforward of Form 1099-Misc payer data

• Carryforward of the Unallowed Loss from Schedule E

• Taxpayer (spouse if MFJ) name, filing status, taxpayer identification number (SSN/ITIN), date of birth, phone number, and email address

• Carryforward of dependents

• Carryforward of W-2/W-2PR employers

• Carryforward of 1099-R/RRB-1099-R payers including state and state ID’s

• Carryforward of Schedule D

  • Specifically the carryforward of capital loss and depreciation worksheet

• Carryforward of Schedule C, including Form 8829 if present

  • Specifically business name, business code and description

• Carryforward of Schedule E

  • Specifically rental information and Schedule K-1 payer information

• Carryforward of Child Care providers and associated dependents

• Carryforward of Schedule B financial institution info for Forms 1099-INT/DIV

• Carryforward of State and Local Refunds if itemized in the prior year

• Carryforward of F5405 Repayment

  • Presented as an e-file warning if repayment present on prior year but not current year

• Carryforward of Form 1095-A Warning if 1095-A Existed on Prior Year Return

  • Presented as an e-file warning if F1095-A was present on prior year but not current year

• Carryforward Available Business Credits from prior year

  • Presented as a pop up when Form 3800 is loaded in the return

• Carryforward of Form 5695

  • Specifically any carryforward credit from the prior year to the current year

• Carryforward of Form 1099-NEC payer data

• Carryforward of Form 8606 – Nondeductible IRA’s (Note:  Not working Issue 2750)

  • Specifically the total basis in Traditional IRA’s from prior years

• Carryforward of Excess Charitable Contributions to the Federal Schedule A

 

Note: This list is up to date as of 01/13/2025