Opening Comments

• Almost 500,000 returns filed since as of 2/17/25
• IP PIN and 8962 reminders now available on carryforward page at start of return
• QCD designation now available within 1099-R
  • Future update in the next week or so will auto adjust Box 2a
• CO controlled launch started 2/18 – still no date of full open but you may have started to receive acks for a small number of returns.
  • Can still transmit CO returns to us
• Duplicate transmissions – fix went out 2/19 and has appeared to resolve the issue at this time but we’re still monitoring
  • Impact was less than 1% of all transmissions
  • Currently determining if TaxSlayer can resend state transmissions that were killed due to this issue (We were able to programmatically resend any state returns that had not already been sent as state only by the sites)
• Subscribe to the blog
• Housekeeping reminders: One question at a time. Multiple questions get back in the queue. Keep questions general and not return/state specific

Question and Answer Session

Question:  How do I check on an open ticket?

TaxSlayer:  You can reach out to VITA/TCE support and they can give you an update on any open ticket.

Question:  Are  you aware of any error messages when trying to open scanned documents?

TaxSlayer:  We have an open issue with development on this.  Issue #2925.  This site preparers the return, uploads the scanned documents, closes the return, QA opens the return to review and gets an error when trying to open the docs that were just uploaded.

Question:  I have a volunteer that cannot mark a return for review?

TaxSlayer:  This is based on the role that is assigned to the preparer.

Question:  Can you sort the client list on status and return tag?

TaxSlayer:  Not currently.  We believe we already have a requirement in to allow this.

Question:  Carryforward of 5695  part 1 is out of scope, can we stop this from happening?

TaxSlayer:  No, we don’t program the software to “in scope” or “Out of scope”  If there is an issue where it is not carrying correctly, please reach out to VITA/TCE support.

Question:  Should we complete Form 2210?

TaxSlayer:  We recommend you reach out to your SPEC RM for guidance on the policies around completing the form or allowing the IRS to calculate penalties and interest after accepting the return.

Question: Is there any training on what the taxpayer sees via Customer Portal?

TaxSlayer:  Yes, there are training documents and videos on the Practice Lab.  You can also create a fake return and send yourself a portal link so you can experience what the customer experiences.

Question:  Is there a way to determine the number of local returns prepared at a site?

TaxSlayer:  No.  We recommend creating a return tag so you can identify the returns and run reports on them.

Question:  How do you print MFJ vs MFS?

TaxSlayer:  Once you complete the comparison, there is a print icon on the menu.

Question:  Is there any help for management reports?

TaxSlayer:  Yes.  There are user guides and training videos on the Practice Lab.  There is also a section in the User Guide found on the Springboard.

2/24/25 – It appears we spoke too soon. Initial testing on our pre-production levels with Issue 2543 passed successfully in all environments but the deploy to production did not pass in the live VITA environment. At this time Capital Loss Carryover is not being included in carryover when following the below guidance. Over the weekend, Issue 2990 was opened to correct the VITA environment. Once fixed, the below guidance will work as expected.

This is related to Issue 2543 that was recently corrected on 2/17/25 where the Capitol Loss Carryover from the prior year was not being included in the current year when carryforward was available and used. The below instruction will only work for Site to Site Carryforward and not Global Carryforward.

To allow for the prior year capital loss carryover to be included when beginning a new 2024 return, the 2023 return needs to be accessed and re-saved by going through E-file and clicking “Save & Exit” on the Submission page. Look at the screenshot below so you are clicking the correct “Save & Exit” buttons. This needs to be done before the 2024 return is started. Re-saving the 2023 return on the Submission page will allow the Capital Loss Carryover to be saved in the appropriate database to be correctly stored and used when starting a 2024 return.

To help assist in identifying potential returns with Capital Loss Carryover, we recommend running the Site Production Detail Report – Electronic or the Federal Return Summary reports in Management Reports. Each of these reports has a Schedule D column. Identifying returns in 2023 that had a Schedule D present will narrow the search to identify returns that may have had a Capital Loss Carryover.

Carry Forward

• Added an informational alert to the carryforward screen if an IP PIN was used on the prior year return (Enhancement)
• Added an informational alert to the carryforward screen in a 1095-A was reported in the prior year return (Enhancement)
• Capital Loss Carryover worksheet not pulling loss carryover from prior year (Issue 2543)

We have added a “CANCEL” button to the top of the Due Diligence Checklist (required for Paid Preparers Only), that auto loads as “Earned Income Credit” in the Forms tree when EITC is calculated in the return.  This is an effort to make it easier to the volunteers to exit the page.  For example, if they open it from the Left Navigation Tree and start completing the page, they can select Exit to exit and close the page.

Update:  The issue has been resolved.  If you are still stuck on that page,  you will need to click Back and/or Exit the e-file section and go back through e-file again.

We are currently working the issue where you cannot click continue on the Consent page.  You can click Back to get off the consent page.  We recommend you flag this return with a return tag so you can go back and revisit it to complete any missing consents.

You can continue to prepare returns, but we recommend completing the Global Carry forward or any other applicable consents prior to electronically filing the return

How do I identify returns I may need to send as “state only”

• Rejected state returns are listed in your Rejected Clients list located on the welcome page

Common reasons for filing a return as “State Only”

• The federal return is accepted and the state return is rejected.
• You have no federal filing requirement, but need to file the state for a credit
• The taxpayer comes back after their already filed and accepted federal return and needs to file their State return
• The taxpayer needs to add another state to their already filed and accepted return.

When should I NOT file a “State Only” return

• While you are waiting for your state to acknowledge the return you filed with your Federal return.
• Reminder:  States typically take longer to acknowledge their returns than the IRS MeF system.

Is there a report I can run that identifies states that are marked as “electronic” and have not been filed?

• Navigate to Reports >> Management Reports >> Select the Pro Web Returns – Detailed Return Report
• You can either export the report or filter it by the state return type
  • You are looking for any state return type other than Paper with a blank status
• Note:  If you have multiple states on the return, there will be multiple rows per return

What return type do I need to select for the Federal Return?

• TaxSlayer automatically marks the appropriate federal return type when you select the State Only box.
• The federal return portion will be marked as stOnly in client status
• The type of return under the Federal Return Section of the Submission page will reflect : State Only – Federal Return is NOT being submitted to the IRS

How do I transmit my “State Only” returns?

• You must submit them from the Submission Page (Save and Transmit Return)

2/7/25 – This is now resolved.

2/5/25 – The fix has been made in pre-production and is tentatively scheduled to be deployed to production on 2/7/25.

This currently impacts the 1040-NR return in both TaxSlayer Pro Online and FSA (Facilitated Self-Assistance).

• Issue 2824: Navigating to the e-file menu for the first time in a 1040-NR return is removing the “Days Present in the U.S.” entries within the Schedule OI – General Information menu.
  • Workaround: After navigating to the e-file menu for the first time, exit e-file and go back to the Schedule OI – General Information page and re-enter the days present in the U.S. The entry will stay saved when navigating back to e-file.

• We sent around 390 e-files
  • 8% reject rate
  • Top rejects:
    • F8962-070:  E-file database indicates that someone on the return (TP, SP or Dependent) was enrolled in the ACA Marketplace
    • IND-181-01:  Primary taxpayer did not enter a valid IP PIN
    • IND-996:  Dependent/Qualifyin person did not enter a valid IP PIN
• E-file opens January 27th
  • We will turn on e-file for VITA/TCE around 11 am for current year 1040 returns
    • We will monitor rejects throughout the day
    • We will post dates on when we will turn on “State Only” and Prior year Returns (Typically towards the middle or end of the week)

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.

The following states are also participating in Controlled Launch:

MI, ME, NJ, WV, KY, HI, NE, WI, SC, GA, NM, OH, MD, AZ, OR, ID, UT, DC, VA, PA, IN, VT, ND, CA

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.