Tag: Pro Online

You will notice a few changes to the print sets that we have assigned.

Master Print has been renamed to 2018 TAXPAYER COPY PRINT and will print the 1040 and schedules stacked with the “do not mail” strip

Master Print (2 8879s) has been renamed to PY TAXPAYER COPY PRINT and will be used to print the taxpayer’s copy for all prior years so it will include the 2-page 1040 and only prints one 8879

Quality Review can currently be used for all years. When in prior years, it will include the 2-page 1040.  In 2018, it will include the 1040 and schedules stacked with the “do not mail” strip and will also include the new 1040 a second time.

We will also be creating and assigning a 4th print set this year 2018 PAPER FILE that will print the new 1040 and schedules as required by the IRS for the purpose of mailing a paper return to the IRS

We will be placing the returns in maintenance mode on Wednesday, December 26th at 5:00 am Eastern for a series of updates to include:

• Adding the new line box 5 REIT dividends to the 1099 DIV menu (Part of tax reform)

 

*Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes.

When:  Saturday, December 8, 2018

Time:  11:00 am – 12: 15 PM Eastern

Where:  TaxSlayer Practice Lab 2018 from anywhere with an internet connection

Goals:

Users: 8,000 – 10,000 concurrent users to most closely simulate our peak hour during tax season

Return preparation:  24,000 returns prepared during the period

Identify Items:  Identify any items that need adjusting prior to busiest day of the tax season.  We cannot do this without your participation.

Selecting the My Account Login from the VITA/TCE Springboard will take you to a more modern version of My Account.

Note:  For now, it is going to take 30 – 90 seconds to render the login page.  We are aware and are working on a solution.

Login

You will use the same username and login credentials that you used for My Account.  If you have forgotten them, you follow the same forgot password process as usual.

Software Options

Select to download 2018, 2017, 2016 and/or 2015

Account History

Click View to display your EFIN Validation Code (required for completing desktop installation)

Account Information

Displays your email address, telephone number and allows you to update your password

Company Information

Allows you to view the information we have on file.  Changes made to this page have no impact on your Pro Online setup or how we have you setup in our system.

Changing your SIDN:  Email support

Changing your EFIN:  Contact your SPEC  Relationship Manager

Any changes you make to this page should also be emailed to your SPEC Relationship Manager so they can update the IRS Ordering System

The new 1040 Post Card and new Schedules 1 through 6 will require a print set to be created that can be used to print returns that will be mailed via paper to the IRS.

The existing print sets that TaxSlayer delivers will contain the “stacked” version  of the schedules that will contain a “do not mail” watermark.

• Master
• Master (2 8879s)
• Quality Review

What does Stacked mean?

We can print two of the schedules on the same page as long as they are watermarked in a way that indicates they are not to be mailed to the IRS.

What will the new print set assigned by TaxSlayer be called?

We are not sure yet, but it have a clear indication that it should be used to print “paper” returns that will be mailed to the IRS.  The IRS requires that each of the new Schedules be printed on an individual page for all mailed returns.

This is just a heads up that changes to print sets will be changing prior to e-file opening in January.  We DO NOT have a specific date when the Schedules will be available to add to the print sets or when the new “stacked” schedules with a watermark will be available.

We will be placing the site in maintenance on Wednesday, November 14th to release a few updates but mostly back-end items.

1040 VIEW

• Update the 2018 1040 View to address formatting and the new schedules

KNOWLEDGEBASE

• Launch the new VITA/TCE Knowledgebase and update corresponding Knowledgebase links on The Springboard

RETURN TAGS

• Within Configuration>Tags, Site Administrators can now reorder Return Tags to determine the order they will display to the preparer on the Submission page of e-file. This is the same behavior as reordering answers to custom questions.

*Click here to download a PDF of our Cumulative Release Notes.

For Tax Year 2017, e-file closes on Nov. 17; After that, disaster victims, others need to file on paper

WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people, including those in disaster areas, who want to file a 2017 tax return electronically to do so by Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Filing of paper tax returns will remain available after that date.

IRS Modernized e-file, the system that processes electronically-filed individual returns, will shut down after Nov. 17, enabling the IRS to perform annual maintenance and to reprogram the system for the upcoming 2019 tax-filing season.

As a result, any taxpayer needing to file after Nov. 17 will need to do so on paper.

While the vast majority of individuals have already filed their tax year 2017 federal tax returns, victims of Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Florence and other recent disasters qualify for an additional extension. This includes taxpayers who live, work or have a business in a federally declared disaster area, have a U.S. tax filing obligation and had previously obtained a valid 6-month extension of time to file their federal tax return. Extended deadlines vary by locality and range from Dec. 17, 2018, to Feb. 28, 2019. Currently, parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and the Northern Mariana Islands qualify.

Note:  TY 2016 and TY2015 returns will also have to be paper filed during the cut-over period

With the initial launch of the 2018 TaxSlayer Pro Online software, reporting Tax-Exempt Interest and Dividend Income now requires less clicks! On the screen below in Income>Interest and Dividend Income menu, the highlighted menus for the main 1099-INT and 1099-DIV entries now house the tax-exempt income entries. The radio button to select “Tax Exempt Interest and Dividend Income…” will be removed in future updates prior to the filing season.

Note: The entry for “Specified Private Activity Bond” has also been added to the 1099-INT/DIV entry pages and will automatically carry to Form 6251 (Alternative Minimum Tax) when applicable.