VITA/TCE sites that prepared tax returns prior to January 24, 2022 will need to open the returns prior to transmitting to TaxSlayer.  This will ensure these returns are re-calculated based on the updated forms and instructions released by IRS to software vendors. This will ensure previously prepared tax returns have the updated IRS and state forms calculations applied prior to transmission and reduce the need of VITA/TCE sites having to prepare amended returns.

Tips for identifying these returns:

(1) If they were marked complete, they will be listed in the transmission list.

(2) Run the Pro Web Returns – Detailed Return Report. It also includes the state abbreviation of any state listed on the return.  This is listed under Reports>>Management Reports  Make sure you select 2020 and select the EFIN even if you are running it at your site level.  If you run this list prior to opening the returns, the amounts listed will be based on the last edited date.

(3) You can utilize return tags to identify the returns.  This allows you to filter on the specific return tag to see the identified returns

Question:  What email address should I use to setup the customer portal for a MFJ return?

Answer:  It doesn’t matter which one you choose.  Choose the one that is going to be the most accessible by the taxpayer and/or spouse.  Both will need to establish a signature once they register their customer portal account.  The key is that you can only create one customer portal per return because the portal is tied to the return.

We are scheduled to turn on Start New Return at the site level on Tuesday, January 18th.

Keep in mind, that these are considered live returns and will show in your reports and counts.  If you are having your volunteers complete practice returns, we strongly recommend you have them create practice returns in the Practice Lab (remember, it is a super site in the production system).

Once we turn on Start New Return, we will begin the process of turning on Scanned Documents for all sites.  This process could take up to 72 hours and should be completed for all sites by Friday, January 21st.  It is enabled in all of the security templates assigned by TaxSlayer on behalf of the IRS.  If you create your own templates, you will need to make sure it has Scanned Documents enabled (same goes for customer portal).

1/14/22 – The Phase I rollout consists of adding F8915-F menu to the program and implementation of carryforward from a prior year 8915-E (not visible in Practice Lab). Additional rollouts will include calculating the current year taxability and carrying those values to the 1040.

With this mornings deployment, Form 8915-F is now in the 2021 application. It is its own menu item located under the 1099-R menu. When accessing Form 8915-F, if Form 8915-E was available on the prior year return, the input fields within Form 8915-F will populate automatically.

This post is for non AARP Tax-Aide sites that have requested either a MSA  or Relational Group during the ordering process.

• Multi-Site Group (MSA) = Allows a group administrator the ability to create and assign items from the Configuration menu
  • No  Consent is required because the group administrator does not have the ability to see taxpayer data at the sites
• Relational Group = Allows a group administrator the ability to create and assign items from the Configuration menu, review returns, transmit returns, access returns at the child site level, and run reports for the group of sites
  • A TaxSlayer Relational Consent is required and will be assigned to each site, including the group master, prior to Start New Return from being turned on (January 18, 2022)

When are new sites added to existing groups?

We add new sites to groups once the orders have been processed.  We do this on a weekly basis. (Note:  All groups have been created and/or modified against all existing orders)

When are new groups created and notified of their group login?

We create any new groups once the orders have been processed.  The group master location must be ordered prior to the group being created. (Note:  All groups have been created and/or modified against all existing orders)

How will I be notified of my group login?

You will be notified of your group login, default passwords and the sites associated with it via VITA/TCE customer support email.

I have a Relational Group that requires a consent, what is the deadline for adding a site?

You cannot add a site to a Relational Group after the site has started preparing returns.  Once we turn on Start New Return, each request will be verified against the returns created at the site level.  If the site has created returns, the request will be denied.  The relational consent is no longer valid if added to the return retroactively.

How do I change the group level administrator?

• AARP/TCE sites must submit the request to AARP Foundation
• Non AARP/TCE sites must submit an email to VITA/TCE Customer support that contains the old group level logins, along with the email address and cell phone (optional) of the new group admin

How do I make changes to the sites assigned to my group?

• AARP/TCE sites must submit the request to AARP Foundation
• Non AARP/TCE sites must submit all request to VITA/TCE Customer support via email that contains detailed information, including the EFIN, Site Name and SIDN

We will be enabling Start New Return on Tuesday, January 18th.  This will allow sites that are opening to begin the process of preparing returns.  Keep in mind that the IRS is not opening e-file until January 24th this year.  This also means that even though your state may be approved and ready to accept returns, you will not be able to send them until the IRS opens.

We strongly recommend that you open all returns and review them prior to submitting the e-file on the 24th as calculation changes could impact the original refund/balance due depending on further instructions from the IRS, state and software changes.

Update 1/6/2022: The Puerto Rico practice exercises are now updated and available under Section 6 of the Practice Lab.

Update 12/29/2021: Practice Exercises 1-7, International, and Military are now updated using the current 2021 Practice Lab calculations available in the application to date. This time of year both the IRS and State Departments are continually releasing and finalizing forms, schedules, and instructions to software vendors. Regular updates will be implemented into the software as information is released/provided to software vendors. The Puerto Rico practice exercises will be updated by end of week next week.

To help set expectations in the field, the practice exercises under Section 6 of the Practice Lab will be updated to 2021 closer to the end of December. This article will be updated when 2021 Practice Exercises are live in the Practice Lab. We want to provide extra time for additional updates to be applied to the 2021 software before updating the exercises. This time of year both the IRS and State Departments are continually releasing and finalizing forms, schedules, and instructions to software vendors, not to mention the many changes impacting 2021 returns from the American Rescue Plan and Consolidated Appropriations Act. Regular updates will be implemented into the software as information is released/provided to software vendors.

At this time, the practice exercises are still based on the 2020 application.

Phase I of the 1040 View on Summary/Print has been updated to 2021. Development is aware various display issues remain and are actively working them. Updates will be made with future deployments.