The following update to the FSA process will allow sites with an existing FSA link to be able to provide this service to their taxpayers during the time when they cannot prepare traditional returns at their site.

What the sites CAN do:

Email the site-specific FSA link to the taxpayer with information on how they can contact them (the VITA/TCE site) if they have any questions during the process of preparing their return.  This also allows the site to do the following if they can do so:

• Screenshare with the taxpayer and assist them as the taxpayer prepares the return
• Talk them through the screens via telephone (since the site can create up to five accounts per email address) to walk their taxpayers through the return
• Create a quick PPT or word doc to send with the link to provide instructions for the taxpayer

Place the site-specific link behind a secured login (similar to an employee intranet site)

What the sites CANNOT do:

• Email to a random listing of taxpayers (needs to be targeted to specific taxpayers)
• Place the link on a public facing website

This can also be extended to sites that do not have a site-specific FSA link, as long as there are available licenses to fill and it goes through the ordering system.  Sites should reach out to their SPEC Relationship Manager

How can my volunteers learn to use the link in order to assist the taxpayers?

The volunteer can create their own account using the link. This will allow them to walk through the process up to e-filing the return.  We strongly recommend that you use 00  (zero zero) for the 4th and 5th digit of the SSN because the SSN must be unique across the platform.  The volunteer will see familiarity between the application they are using via the FSA link and the application they were using while preparing the return in TaxSlayer Pro Online.

We will be turning the phones off from 1:00 – 1:30 for a brief company meeting

We have deployed updates that will facilitate the IRS rules regarding returns that need to be filed for the purposes of receiving an Economic Impact Payment (EIP).

• Filing Status must equal Single or MFJ
• Primary and Secondary taxpayers must have an SSN (ITIN is only allowed for spouse of a military member)
• Dependents must have an SSN or ATIN

The following is critical in order for the return to be sent to the IRS with the EIP code and flow through their downstream processing correctly

• Enter $1 on line 2b (Taxable Interest Income)

The standard deduction will apply and most importantly, you will have the ability to enter the RTN and Account number of where they want their stimulus check deposited.

NOTE:  This is for the federal stimulus payment only…DO NOT electronically file the state return with this..  DELETE it if you auto-load it by selecting the state of residence in the Personal Information section

Who do I need to file this return for?

Click here to review the latest official IRS filing requirements.

Note:   We are directing you to the IRS website as they are updating information as this process evolves.

How will I know that I entered everything correctly and the return is going to be filed with the appropriate EIP code?

The 1040 will have Economic Impact Payment  printed on it  (see below)

Do I need to modify my print sets for it to print Economic Impact Payment?

No, any print set that prints a 1040 or 1040-SR will print the appropriate wording if the return qualifies as an EIP return

Should I enter any additional income if the taxpayer has it, even though they do not have a filing requirement?

No, enter $1 on line 2b (Taxable Interest Income).  Entering any other information will prevent the electronic file from including the EIP code and could trigger business rule rejects.

Do I need to file a state return?

DO NOT electronically file the state return with this..  DELETE it if you auto-load it by selecting the state of residence in the Personal Information section

How should I complete the Healthcare Section?

This is not relevant to the return, but the section must be completed in order create an e-file.  Answer NO to the following question:

• Did you purchase health Insurance via HealthCare.gov or a State Marketplace

Do I still have to answer the required questions in the e-file section?

Yes, if the questions assigned to your site are marked required, you still have to answer them.

Will the EIP returns be subject to regular IRS rejects such as SSN/Name mismatch, etc.?

Yes.  You should work these rejects just like you do regular returns.  Mailing in paper returns will generate a delay in the stimulus payment due to limited resources available to process paper returns.

Will non-EIP returns that show no refund or balance due be able to include bank account information when electronically filed?

No.  The change to allow direct deposit information for $0 refund/balance due returns is specific to EIP returns

Volunteer Question:  Taxpayer clients that we already filed both 2019 and 2018  without including bank information (often because they were not receiving direct deposit refunds) and do not receive Social Security?

Per information taken directly from IRS.gov:  In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.  Follow this link for updated information https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

Volunteer  Question:  Taxpayer clients who will file this year as soon as we open up again, but will not get a refund and thus cannot enter the bank information. They did not file in 2018 and do not receive Social Security.

Based on our understanding, they will not receive their stimulus payment  until they have filed either their 2018 or 2019 tax return.  If they file their return as a direct debit, the IRS will use that account to direct deposit their stimulus payment.  DO NOT file the EIP return in this situation because it is designed specifically for those without a filing requirement.  This could cause potential business rule rejects when they file their 2019 return.

Volunteer Question:  Taxpayer clients who have closed their old bank account and opened a new one after they filed their taxes and they do not receive Social Security.

Per information taken directly from IRS.gov:  In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.  However, during the meantime, the IRS is going to try to direct deposit their stimulus check into the account on their 2019 return.   The taxpayer can be proactive and notify the bank, however, the bank will most likely return the money to the IRS and the IRS will most likely cut them a paper check at some point in the future.

Update 9:37 am:  This has been resolved for all years

We are currently experiencing an issue where the calculation of the return is not rendering.  We are working to resolve this.

To break the calculation spin, click on Basic Information in the left navigation panel.  This will allow you to safely exit the return or continue to enter data, but the return results will not be calculated.

As of April 17th, TaxSlayer support has resumed their normal off-season support hours of Monday – Friday  8am – 5pm Eastern Time.

We will review these hours again as we get closer to the new July 15th deadline.

The conference begins at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on April 09, 2020; you may join the conference 5 minutes prior.

Dial-in: 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694
Access Code: 1109639#

Please reach out to VITA/TCE Support with return specific questions.

The IRS will not be having today’s scheduled call.  They will resume calls on Thursday, April 9th.