Tag: Efile Tips

We received the following from the MA Dept of Revenue

Subject: Massachusetts Acknowledgements

Please remember that during the first few days of the tax year 2017 filing season, acknowledgements may take 24-48 hours to issue.

Blog Posted 01/29/2018  4:18 pm

Marking a return Complete on the Submission page in the E-file section changes the return status to Complete and the return will be displayed in the transmission screen.

Blog posted 01/29/2018

Scenario:  You have transmitted returns and your status is remaining “Transmitted”

Navigate to Reports and run the “Validation Erros” Report to see if you are receiving the following error:

Note:  It will be the State abbreviations of your specific site.

Updated info: Next, navigate to the Configuration>>ERO Setup and verify that the zip code field for both have the zip code and not your state abbreviations. We automatically uploaded this information to correct the zip code in ERO setup at approximately 1:00 pm EST.

The zip code we entered was based on the order we received from the IRS.  Make the appropriate correction to the zip code field.

How to I send these returns after the correction to setup has been made?

Note:  You DO NOT have to open each return.

1. Run the Validation Errors report first to identify the taxpayers
2. Navigate to Transmissions
3. Select Add Returns

4.  Select the returns that received the validation error (most likely all that are listed with the status of Transmitted)

5.  Once all the selections are made, click Add Returns

6. close the dialog box by selecting the X in the upper right corner

These returns are now available for you to resend.

Blog posted 01/29/2018

Below is a reminder of the message sent out by SPEC last week.  Today is the opening day for many sites to service your taxpayers on EITC Awareness Day.

We have an additional report that will list all returns (regardless of status) that you may want to run prior to electronically filing the return.  It also includes the state abbreviation of any state listed on the return.

This is listed under Reports>>Management Reports

Make sure you select 2017 and select the EFIN even if you are running it at your site level.

~~  Original blog Post ~~~

VITA/TCE sites that prepared tax returns prior to January 29^th will now be able to transmit those created returns.  To ensure these returns are re-calculated based on the updated forms and instructions released by IRS to software vendors, each tax return must be opened prior to transmitting to TaxSlayer. This will ensure previously prepared tax returns have the updated IRS forms calculations applied prior to transmission and reduce the need of VITA/TCE sites having to prepare amended returns.

Sites are strongly encouraged to run a Site Production Detail management report (titled: Pro Web Returns – Detailed Return Report) listing all returns prepared prior to January 29^th to assess possible return calculations changes.  This report will reflect the original return calculations for refund, credit, or balance due dollar amounts.  Sites may also review the “Client Return History” to determine if the refund or balance due changed on a tax return.

Taxpayers must sign a new declaration (Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization) if the electronic return data on individual income tax returns is changed after taxpayers signed the original, and the amounts differ by more than either $50 to “Total income” or “AGI,” or $14 to “Total tax,” “Federal income tax withheld,” “Refund,” or “Amount you owe.”  See Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns, for additional guidance.

Continuation of questions we received about e-file during the Administrator Webinar

Q: Anywhere to see state validation errors?

A:  Yes, they are listed on the Validation Errors report under the Reports Section.  They typically have a detailed explanation of the validation error and a helpful hint on how to correct it.

Q:  How can I determine if a state return was transmitted with the federal?

A:  You can run reports for Returns Awaiting Acknowledgements.   This report is located under Management Reports.  If the state is marked for e-file it is automatically transmitted with the Federal return.  Once the Federal return is accepted, it will be made available for the state to pick up and process.

Q:  Once a rejected return is corrected, does it automatically queue up for re-transmission? I just have to add it to the transmission page?

A:  No, you have to click Add Return and add it to the transmission.

Q:  What prior year returns will I be able to electronically file when Pro Online 2017 is delivered?

A:  The IRS accepts electronic files for the current year and 2 prior years.  You will be able to file electronically with TSO 2017, TSO 2016 and TSO 2015.

Q:  Will tags prevent efile (which is preferable) ? or can it be efiled regardless of whether there or not?

A:  You can make return tags required in office setup to create an e-file

Q: If a return is rejected and we must paper file it, will we be able to change the status to complete?

A:  When you change the return type in e-file to a paper option, it will automatically change the status to paper.  This new feature is already available in the application

Q:  Will selecting a return type of paper on the efile screen cause the Status to change to Paper

A:  Yes, this is a new feature we added over the summer.

These are some of the questions we received about the due diligence checklist during our Administrator Webinar:

Q: Are the EITC questions and other questions underneath it going to stay populated when the return goes from the preparer to the reviewer and the reviewer is  going through the screens?

A:  Due Diligence will not be required for TaxSlayer Pro Online 2017.  However, the questions do remain answered for the prior years when someone goes back through them fore view purposes.

Q: If there is no longer a due diligence checklist, how can the preparer remove the EIC when the program calculates it, but the taxpayer does not qualify?

A:  The process will remain the same.  Navigate to Form 8862 via Forms Search and complete the Not Eligible for EIC section

Q: Will the due diligence check list go away for prior years or just TY 2017?

A: Just TaxSlayer Pro Online 2017

Q: Will the Due Diligence checklist go away for desktop?

A:  No, this only applies to TaxSlayer Pro Online.

Blog posted 10/24/2017

If your federal return is rejected for a SSN/Name Control business rule, you will see the Imperfect Return option appear under the Federal Return type on your e-file page.

We give the preparer the choice of working with the taxpayer to make this correction or allowing the IRS to make the the correction.  If selected, an “Exception” status indicates to the IRS that the return was previously rejected for the business rule.  The IRS will continue to process the return and a notice will be sent to the taxpayer advising them of any change made as a result of the Imperfect Return indicator.  This prompts the IRS system to match the information from previously accepted returns.  The returns with the Imperfect Return indicator are typically processed in 4-6 weeks after acceptance.

Disadvantages of Using the Imperfect Indicator;  The IRS matches the information on the back end the site is unaware of the match changes to make corrections on the return.  This will result in the same data being carried forward next year and the return being rejected for the same business rule.

Blog Posted 01/27/2017  7:50 AM EST

You DO NOT  have to nor need to complete the IL short view page.  Click Continue to proceed through the page.  It is not required for electronic filing purposes for VITA/TCE.

The E-filing Information page under Enter Myself is also not applicable for VITA/TCE.  You are not required to complete the page.

Blog Posted 01/25/2017  8:14 AM EST