First, we want to thank each of you for your dedication and commitment to make this a banner year for return production.  SPEC’s goal is not only to reach 4 million returns for Filing Season 2018, but also serve more taxpayers and touch more lives by offering as many free tax preparation options as possible.  We are confident and poised to accomplish great things this filing season with your assistance.

To help track our progress, we have developed weekly projections to determine where we should be in relation to our 4.0 goal.  Each week this message will be updated with our progress and promote SPEC’s theme: SPEC 4.0, Watch us Grow!

For the week ending 3/4/2018, 356,317 returns were projected to be completed.  We reached an actual count of 313,542 and are almost at the 1.5 million mark. Our cumulative return count is 1,468,961.

While the actual count is below the SPEC projection, there is still time to narrow the gap!

If you have any ideas on ways to help this initiative, we would love to hear from you! Some of you may consider extended hours or days.  Every little bit helps!

Thanks for your engagement and all you are doing to provide free tax assistance to the taxpayers in your community!

SPEC Headquarters

The following items were covered by TaxSlayer at the opening of the call

• There have been well over 500,000 returns electronically filed since the last partner call on February 15th.
• TaxSlayer delivered Form 5695 – Residential Energy Credit in Thursday morning’s deploy.  This goes along with the other three items already in the software for the recently passed extenders:
  • Tuition and Fees
  • PMI in Itemized Deductions
  • Form 982 – Cancellation of Debt
• The 1040 View is still showing Line 34 as reserved.  This is just a display issue and does not impact the calculations of the return
• We are still gathering information from the states regarding how they are going to handle the recently passed extenders.  We will keep a blog post updated as that information comes in.
• We resolved the issue from Tuesday afternoon where the states were not automatically being made available to the IRS state delivery system after the federal return was accepted.
  • If there are still states that are outstanding from your perspective, please send the information to support.  They will need to know SIDN, last 4 of the SSN and which state (in case you have multiple states on the return)
• We have been getting several inquiries regarding Form 8867 – Paid Preparer Due Diligence.
  • The software bypasses the form this year when going to E-file.
  • The form is not in the default print sets that are delivered by TaxSlayer
  • If the form is in a custom print set and was manually completed, it WILL print the preparer’s name on it, as this form is designed for our Paid Preparer customers.
• IRS Reject IND-046
  • We are seeing a lot of support traffic regarding this code because a lot of sites are seeing it more this year than they have in the past.
  • The IRS went back and added additional items to be flagged as disallowed (CTC, ACTC, and AOTC).  While these have different business rules, they could have also updated more taxpayers for being disallowed EIC
  • This business rule also applies if EIC was partially disallowed
  • If the taxpayer’s return is issued this business rule, the only way to electronically file the return is to add the 8862 to the return.
• Disaster Areas for California Wildfires
  • We are in the process of adding California Wildfires to the drop down list in personal information
  • During the meantime, you can still designate the disaster area:
    • Navigate to personal information
    • Select the disaster area box
    • Select enter Disaster Designation from the list
    • Type in California Wildfires
  • This will follow the path of returns marked for the hurricane area
• The 933 Exclusion has been added to the 1040 program.  There is a blog article with screenshots on how to use it, use keyword search 933 to bring up the article or click here
  • Navigate to Other Income
  • Select Other Compensation
  • Answer the Bona fide resident question
  • Enter the amount of income to exclude
  • If you are itemizing deductions the program will tell you the Pro rated percentage
  • If you are using the standard deduction, the program will automatically prorate the deduction
• We added a new dialog to the Submission page in the e-file section last week.
  • If you click Save and Transmit, a new dialog box displays that requires an action
• We corrected an issue last where where IRS Accepted returns were being resent (which generated a 902 reject) if the user exited the application through Save and Exit return on the submission page in e-file.  This is no longer happening
• The IRS MeF system will have an extended maintenance period on Sunday from midnight to 2:00 pm EST
  • This means any returns sent to us during this time will be held until the IRS completes their mainenance
• TaxSlayer maintenance will be Sunday morning (March 4th) from 1:00 am to 7:00 am EST
• At the time of the call we were having an issue with the states generating a validation error if there was a date field on the entry page.
  • This was Resolved at approximately 4:00 on Thursday afternoon

Q:  Where is the direct debit information printed on the return?

A:  It is printed on the Client List form, which is currently in the Quality Review print set.  An alternative to pulling this up and just printing out the page, would be to create a Direct Debit print set that just has the Client List Form in it.  This would allow you to print the tax return as normal and then for those taxpayers using direct debit, you can choose that print set and it will just generate a PDF with the Client list form in it.  You can then print the entire Client List for or the page the information is listed on.

Q:  Are there more instructional videos or information on entering ACA exemptions A and C

A:  There is a blog post that outlines how to use the new Affordability worksheet.  This can be pulled up by using the keyword search of Affordability or clicking here.  The Taxpayer Opportunity Network will be sending out some training information on this later next week for sites that are members of this group.

Q:  When does Form 5405 print

A:  It only prints if you are disposing of the property.  If the taxpayer doesn’t know how much they have paid back, there is a lookup tool on the entry page that will give this information if the taxpayer is there to provide the required information for pulling the data from the IRS.

Q:  When will prior year reports pull return data for TY2016 returns that were prepared after January 1st, 2018

A: We do have an issue in development to display this information on the Site Production Detail and Summary reports for 2016.  The following reports until Management Reports will display information on these returns

• ProWeb Reports — Detailed Return Report
• Electronic Filing Summary Report
• State Detail Summary Report

Q:  Do front line reps have access to returns this year?

A:  Yes because our system has been revised to mask the personal information.  They do not have the ability to change and transmit these returns, just view them.

Q:  If there is an occasion when TaxSlayer goes in and resubmits a return, how would the volunteer site know?

A:  This would be a very rare occurrence and limited to a few people with the appropriate credentials.  We would only do this to troubleshoot something going on in the field for the site, or test a fix that would bypass a validation error.  If we do this, it logs our username in the return client history so the site can tell.

Q:  How to resolve getting a message that the SSN already exists, if we prepared the return in TS 2016 and then switch to TS 2017?

A:  The best solution for this is to have the user log out of the application, close the browser, open a new instance of the browser and then create the 2017 return.  This will by pass the error message and allow for prior year data.  This does not happen all of the time, but sometimes the session does not end switching between years and the application still thinks the user session is in the prior year.

Q:  Does TaxSlayer prevent $0 AGI returns from being electronically filed?

A:  No, but the IRS will reject them.  If you need to file a state that does not have a federal filing requirement, make sure you select the “Send state only” box in the e-file section.  Note:  You must select a federal filing type for E:file, but as long as the “Send State Only” box is marked, the federal will not be transmitted.

blog posted 03/02/2018

The Augusta Chronicle Published a News Article on the Front Page Thursday February 8, 2018 about the AARP Volunteer tax help.

Click here to read full article

Thank you John F for sharing this with us.

We would love to hear your site stories and share them with the VITA/TCE community.  It doesn’t have to be a news article, just tell us about your site and how you make a difference in the community.

Below are some questions and answers asked on the call that may be beneficial for all sites:

When will the new extenders be implemented in the software?

The IRS is working to release updated forms, updated instructions, and updated e-file schemas to all software vendors.  Once these are released, we will start the implementation process.

What does it mean that the extenders are retro-active?

Once the updated information is in the software, to add back items such as the Tuition and Fees deduction and PMI as part of itemized deductions, if this would have benefited the taxpayer, their original TY2017 return can be amended.  This is most likely something that you will receive guidance on once the extender instructions have been finalized and implemented into the application.

Why doesn’t the date of birth entries allow for people with a February 29th (leap year) birthday?

We recommend that you select the Year first, then February 29^th will be available if a leap year is selected from the Year drop-down.

I don’t have the option to deactivate a return on Client List

The ability to deactivate a return is governed by the security template assigned to the user.  If the user has the appropriate security template, the option to deactivate returns will be available under tools for returns with the following status

• In Progress
• Review Failed

You cannot delete returns in any other status.

How can I change a “Complete” return to “In Progress”?

Must have a security template that supports the ability to change “Complete” to “In Progress”. If you have this type of security template, changing the status is done on the Submission Page of e-file.

Why does the Site Production Summary Report contain information for rejected returns?

It no longer does, this change was made and deployed.  It now only reflects totals based on accepted returns.

Will you be changing the other reports to reflect only accepted returns?

We can look at them, but since the other reports have details per taxpayer, the sites can manipulate the data to only show the information they need.  We tried to make them very flexible.

This is a great video and news article on New Bern VITA, located in New Bern, NC.   Great testimonial from a taxpayer showing her appreciation.

Click here to read article and view video

Thank you Al for sharing this with us and for volunteering your time as Site Coordinator.

We want to hear your VITA/TCE stories that can be shared on our Volunteer Time blog

Blog posted 02/08/2018

Shout out to Citizens Bank and all of the other companies that provide financial support for our VITA/TCE programs.

Click here to read full article

Thank you to Cary G. for sharing this article.

We look forward to hearing stories and/or articles on your site is impacting your community.

Blog posted 02/07/2018

This program has a significant impact on their community:  Last year volunteers prepared more than 5,000 federal returns; $7 million in federal tax refunds was returned to residents, including $2 million through the earned income tax credit.

Click here to read full article

Thank you Cary G.. for sharing this story with us.

We look forward to receiving many more volunteer stories from the VITA/TCE community.

Blog posted 02/05/2018

The following are questions and corresponding answers that we received on the Partner Call that was held on Thursday, February 1st.  We are posting the ones that are most applicable to all sites.

Q: When will the 2018 1040 ES be available in the software?

A:  The IRS has not released the 2018 1040-ES.  Currently the 2017 forms are still printing in the application.  Once the IRS releases the forms, we will make the appropriate updates to the application.  This impacts both ProOnline and Desktop.  The IRS issued a statement that is located under the IRS Alerts page on the blog.

Q:  Why do the Consent forms show up in prior years of Pro Online?

A:  The consents are currently not year specific, which populates them in all years.  For the prior years, you can select No, enter a PIN and a date to move through them.  We are looking at making these year specific, but it is most likely not something that will happen during tax season.

Q:  There are some prior year e-files that have been stuck in “transmitted” for quite a while.  Are you sending prior year returns and are you aware?

A:  At the time of the call, we did have prior year returns in the status of transmitted. A blog post was made at the request of the volunteer and we have since resolved this.

Q:  Concern was raised around navigating between the e-file section and return section because the left navigation bar changes.

A:  Last year we had a “back” button at the top of the e-file page once the user navigates through the warnings and validation errors pages.  We have put in a request to have this added to the top of the e-file page.  You can scroll to the bottom of the e-file page and click “Back” to return to the Summary/Print page

Q:  How can I review the EIC worksheet prior to completing the return

A:  You can review the EIC worksheet by selecting the print option when you are on the Summary/Print page.

Q:  Will the paper Carry Forward consents be available in different languages?

A:  The IRS will bring this up to the IRS Products team to see if there are any opportunities to accommodate this request.

 Q:  Are there any “Best practices” that can be shared about how to most efficiently handle the use of Carry Forward Consents?

A: The IRS discussed a few options that they have heard from the field

• Some sites are placing the paper copy inside the Interview and Intake form for the taxpayer to review and sign while they are completing the intake form
• Some sites are discussing and then turning the keyboard around for the taxpayer/spouse to enter the PIN and and date.  This prevents having to make paper copies.
• The volunteer can choose the PIN if the paper copy was signed by the taxpayer
• Review and become familiar with Pub. 4299, page 9 & 10

Q:  When will release notes be fully functional?

A:  We are successfully populating the ProWeb tab with release notes.  Our ultimate goal is to populate the Federal and State tabs as well.  We will also continue to use the blog because we can add screenshots.

Q: Why do notes carry forward from year to year

A:  A big request from the field when we enhanced our notes feature was for the notes to carry forward year over year.  Some sites are using these are reminders in case there are special circumstances with the taxpayers year over year.

Q:  We are having a hard time distinguishing between last years notes and this years note.  Do you have any recommendations.

A:  We are looking at making sure the notes show a date and time stamp.  However, during the meantime a best practice may be to enter the year at the very beginning of the note to make it easier for the quality reviewer, or delete the older notes when you go in to add a new one.

Q:  Where is the direct debit information printed on the return?

A:  It is printed on the Client List form, which is currently in the Quality Review print set.  An alternative to pulling this up and just printing out the page, would be to create a Direct Debit print set that just has the Client List Form in it.  This would allow you to print the tax return as normal and then for those taxpayers using direct debit, you can choose that print set and it will just generate a PDF with the Client list form in it.  You can then print the entire Client List for or the page the information is listed on.

Q:  Does TaxSlayer Pro Online handle the tax returns needed for the displaced victims of Puerto Rico?

A:  Currently the 1040PR has the disaster area items incorporated into it.  We are in the process of completing the 933 exclusion that will be needed for the Puerto Rico residents that need to file a 1040 return and exclude Puerto Rican income.