Tag: Training

We are excited to begin introducing changes to the e-file section of the application. These changes are designed to increase efficiency and to produce a more quality return. As we begin seeing these changes internally, we will introduce them to you to make you aware of any changes that could impact the day to day operations of your site.

Return Type: Select your ERO

The first action you will take is to select the ERO if you are preparing and transmitting for adhoc/virtual sites that have their own unique SIDN. Note:  Check with your SPEC Relationship Manager regarding the requirements for your ad hoc/virtual sites.

Note: This does not impact how you setup your user accounts for each different SIDN.

Click here for Adhoc/Virtual instructions

We are excited to begin introducing changes to the e-file section of the application.  These changes are designed to increase efficiency and to produce a more quality return.  As we begin seeing these changes internally, we will introduce them to you to make you aware of any changes that could impact the day to day operations of your site.

Access to Return Menu

You will now have the ability to see and more easily navigate back to the return while you are in the e-file section.

Advantages:  More efficient quality review process

We are excited to begin introducing changes to the e-file section of the application for the upcoming filing season.  These changes are designed to increase efficiency and to produce a more quality return.  As we begin seeing these changes internally, we will introduce them to you to make you aware of any changes that could impact the day to day operations of your site.

Horizontal instead of Vertical Layout

You will access the different sections in a horizontal tabular manner rather than one long vertical page separated by accordion style folders.

Purpose:  The application saves the data each time you hit continue to move to the next or different section.  All required entries per section must be completed before saving and exiting the section.  This is consistent with how the preparer navigates the entry pages in the return.

Advantage:  The preparer or quality reviewer can quickly see the pages that have been completed by the indication of the checkmark associated with each heading.

• Return Type = This is where you decide how you are filing the federal and state return
• View Fees = This gives the sites that are tracking fees to capture “savings to the taxpayer” for reporting purposes a more in-depth look at the fees that would be associated with the return if the taxpayer went to a paid preparer.
• Bank Account = This will display the information needed for Direct Deposit or Direct Debit.  This is where the preparer will access the information for Form 8888 if they have made this selection in Office Setup.  We strongly recommend making this selection.  If the taxpayer does not want to split their refund, simply enter the information in the first bank account and Form 8888 will not be included with the return.
• State ID License = This will be optional or required based on the state(s) in the return
• Taxpayer Consent = Access the consents that are assigned to the site or created by the site.  This will be where you access the Global Carryforward Consent
• Custom Questions = Access the questions that are assigned to the site or created by the site.
• Custom Credits = Access the custom credits that are assigned to the site or created by the site.
• E-file Summary = This is equivalent to the submission page where you will have options to print the return, mark the return for review, mark the return complete, select return tags, etc.

Each section will have the ability to select Back, Continue or Save & Exit

If you have attempted to view one of our TaxSlayer training videos in the Practice Lab but only see a white screen instead, this post is for you.

All Practice Lab videos support Closed Captioning and for that reason, Adobe Captivate is used to create the videos. In order to load/view videos created using Adobe Captivate, make sure Adobe Flash is enabled on your preferred Internet browser. To assist with ensuring Adobe Flash is enabled (or how to enable) on your preferred Internet browser, we have provided links below for each Internet browser which provides click-by-click instructions to enable Adobe Flash.

Note: Internet Explorer generally uses Adobe Flash by default so no action on your end may be needed if using IE. We also recommend using the latest version of your preferred Internet browser as well.

• Google Chrome
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari
• Mozilla Firefox

Suggestion from Volunteer

If you have a reject for EIN or SS Number highlighted the incorrect number in red. We have many clients that have multiple children, W-2s. and/or 1099-R.

TaxSlayer Recommendation

There are several ways in the software to make this determination.

(1) click the word Reject under the status column to display the rejected value

(2) Selecting Client Status from the tools drop down on the Client List will display the reject value and

(3) the IRS acknowledgement will display the reject value.  This is typically the last 4 digits of the rejected SSN or the EIN if it is a 1099R or W2 getting rejected.

F1040-NR users claiming a tax treaty exemption for W-2 income this year are now eligible to e-file those returns. If eligible to claim this exemption when completing a 1040NR return, got to Basic Information > Schedule OI > General Information. To claim the treaty exemption, you first must check the box “Check if you were subject to tax in a foreign country on U.S. exempt income” then enter the applicable amount of wages from the W-2. The below red text will be removed now that the e-file block has been removed for 1040-NR returns claiming the treaty exemption for wages. Don’t worry, you CAN e-file these returns.

After completing the applicable information within the Schedule OI > General Information, select Continue to complete the rest of the Schedule OI’s menus, such as “Income Exempt from Tax”. This is where you will select the country and Tax Treaty Article to support the exempt wages.

We are excited to announce that the addition of the Affordability Worksheet (Phase II of Health Insurance redesign) will be released soon (tomorrow that is – 1/12/18)! Click here  to then download a PDF providing additional information regarding the implementation of the Affordability Worksheet. The PDF will be found on the left-hand navigation bar after clicking the link.

Remember, the intent on the redesign after adding the Affordability Worksheet is specific to the order in which claiming exemptions is presented to the user. Previously, the determination to claim the affordability exemption was presented too early in the Health Insurance menu way before users had the opportunity to claim other coverage exemptions that applied (causing increased legwork on the preparer). The general order for claiming exemptions for not having Health Insurance is as follows:

1. Program first determines if “Household or Gross Income below Filing Threshold” exemption applies
   • If the return qualifies, exemption is applied to the return and the Health Insurance menu is complete
   • If the return does not qualify, move to Step 2.
2. Preparer is now asked if any household members received a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate or qualifies to claim another coverage exemptions besides affordability
   • If the household members came to your site with a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate or qualified for another coverage exemption, this information can be entered into the program and applied accordingly to each applicable household member
3. If a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate was not received (or will not be applied for) and another coverage exemption does not qualify, the preparer can then make the determination to see if the “Coverage is Considered Unaffordable” applies and are then taken through those steps.

We have received a few issues reported in various states where an entry field acknowleding users can enter a +/- value is not allowing a negative entry (most commonly used when subtraction retirement income, military pay, etc.). This particular issue is across all states and not specific to just a few states. With that said, we are actively investigating to provide a quick resolve but in the meantime, there is a current work around that will allow negative entries to be captured.

For example, if you are looking to subtract $10,000 in a state return, your thinking will have you enter the negative sign “-“ then the amount (-10000). This is currently validating and not being allowed. The workaround would be to enter at least the first two digits (10 in this example) then using your mouse, click to move the cursor in front of the first digit (1 in this example) then you can then enter the “-“ sign. You can also use the “HOME” key on your keyboard for the same result.

Internet Explorer Specific: The negative sign “-“ that must be entered using the above steps must be the one located on the main keyboard to the left of the Backspace button and NOT the “-“ located on the number keypad.