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

Scenario: An existing TaxSlayer Pro Online site from 2024 or a prior year now has a new Site Admin for 2025.

Question: How does the new site admin gain access to the site if they do not already have a login?

Solution: Send an email to TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Support ([email protected]) with the following information and subject line:

Subject Line: New Site Admin

Body: I am the new site admin for the following site and need the link sent that allows me to create my admin credentials.

EFIN: {Enter six digit EFIN}

SIDN: {Enter SIDN associated with the site}

Site Name: {Enter Site Name}

Site Admin Name: {Enter your name as the new site administrator}

Site Admin Phone: {Enter your phone number)

Site Admin Email: {this is the email address the link will be sent to}

Important Dates

• Early January:  We are releasing states as we receive final approvals
• January 12th:  Start New Return is available at your site
• Week of January 12th:  Email 2025 VITA Kiosk URLs who have submitted required support information
• Controlled Launch:  Date and time to be determined.  This allows us to send a few e-files through the system.
• E-file Opens:  January 26th at approximately 11:00am EST.

If your site is no longer active, please reach out to your SPEC relationship Manager to ensure that your order has been placed with the IRS.  There may be outstanding questions and/or paperwork needed.

1/20/26 – All states are open.

We have released the first version of the following states. This list will be updated as additional states become available.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Are tax calculations in the states finalized?

• No, this is an early version of states. As we receive finalized tax law and e-file changes from the states, we will be updating the state software. This will be a continual and ongoing process through early to mid January (which is typical of any tax year).

Are state prints finalized?

• No. As we received approved prints for the state forms, we will remove the “Do not Mail” watermark.

My state is not on the list, when will it be available?

• We will continue to post states as we receive approvals and/or communications from the states.

This post will no longer be updated as of 1/6/26. Please refer to the “What We Know” post instead – Available HERE.

With the release of a new application year (2025), some oddities and functionality issues may occur. Below are items that have been identified and reported to our development team. This will be a fluid blog post of known functionality issues within the 2025 Practice Lab. NOTE: You will see various 2024 forms and calculations still used which is normal this time of year as tax changes/updates are ongoing.

• Qualified Tips Not Carried to Line 4a and 4b of the Schedule 1-A (Issue 3553)
• No input for entering a value to carry to Line 4c of Schedule 1-A
• 1040 View, Schedule 1, Lines 14-19a are misaligned

Scenario:  Complete a 2025 return in the Practice Lab and Click Save & Exit without selecting “Mark Return Complete”

The following red error will appear  “Before you can save the submission page, you must save the fee summary checkpoint”

Reason:  This is a residual error from removing the “Fees” page from e-file if there are not fees established

Work Around:  Select “Your office” from the left navigation bar to exit the return.

Note:  Once you get the error on a return, you will continue to get the error.

The 2025 OnDemand Return Preparation Parts I & II webinars for the 2026 Filing Season are now available. A direct link is available below and is also accessible under Section 6 in the Practice Lab.

• Return Preparation I – Click Here
• Return Preparation II – Click Here

The 2025 Enhancement Webinar (2026 Filing Season) will also be OnDemand this year and available mid-December.