Blog Detail

Below are bullet points from our opening presentation of the All Partner Call before opening up for Q&A from the field.

• Important Dates
  • IRS E-file opens on February 12^th
    • We will turn on e-file around mid-day on the 12th
    • State Only E-files
      • ETA = Monday, February 15^th
    • Prior year (2019 and 2018)
      • ETA = Monday, February 15th
    • Preparers will be required to open all returns created prior to 2/12 before electronically filing them.
• Reporting Issues
  • VITA/TCE Support (email, chat or phone)
    • Support will need to return information for return exhibiting behavior (EFIN and last 4 SSN)
    • Support will reproduce and write up an any applicable issue
    • Volunteer will be provided with issue #
    • Volunteer will receive notification when issue has been resolved
  • Do not put support issues in the Suggestion Box
  • State issues should also come directly to VITA/TCE Support and not to state departments
• Blog
  • Release Notes
    • Title contains state abbreviations and other quick glance titles
  • FSA Kiosk URL posts do not apply to Pro Online users
    • Lookback using 2019 is still in the works
    • For 1040NR returns, there are instructions on how to report prior year state and local refunds. You basically navigate to Other Income, select Other Income not reported elsewhere and enter the value along with a description of Prior Year state and local income
      • If you think these items may impact the taxpayer using the FSA URL, you can send them a tip in the email when you send them the URL or if you have the URL behind a secured login, you could use that portal to post an announcement.
• Left Navigation Panel – lots of resources
  • Release Notes – goes directly to the release notes on the blog
  • VITA/TCE publications and User Guides – 13 different guides available for download
  • Quick access to the VITA/TCE Blog
  • VITA/TCE Suggestion Box
    • Open year round
    • Not for issues
  • COVID19 Information – Quick access to the IRS Coronavirus page (New)
• COVID19 Relief Section
  • Currently another way to enter RRC and 7202
  • It will contain other forms that specifically relate to COVID19 relief
  • Form 8915-E (coming soon)
• Support Hours
  • Monday – Friday 8 am – Midnight ET
  • Sat/Sunday 10 am – 4 ET (prior to efile starting)
  • Sat/Sunday 8-8 ET after efile starts
• On the Horizon
  • Entering email address in Personal Information
  • Adding Notes in the e-file section

Where is the COVID-19 Relief menu found in Pro Online?

• It can be accessed from the left-hand navigation menu inside the Federal Section.

Are we able to prepare EIP tax returns for 2020?

• The IRS has not released information yet regarding EIP returns and if they will be applicable for 2020.

What are the customer support hours?

• Customer support hours are listed in the bullet points above.

Is the 2019 prior year lookback automatic (will it choose the better of the two)?

• If the 2019 earned income has been provided, yes, the software will choose the better of the two so the taxpayer receives the greater benefit.

Is Recovery Rebate Credit available in the FSA software?

• Yes.

Will incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit values cause a rejected return?

• The IRS has not released any information about this to date.

Will the 2019 earned income lookup auto-fill from prior year, if applicable?

• No, must be manually entered by the preparer.

(FSA SOFTWARE) How does a taxpayer enter 2019 Earned Income for EITC and CTC calculation purposes?

• Navigate to Basic Information > Personal Information > Additional Personal Information. Check the box for “[Taxpayer Name] was affected by a natural disaster during the current tax year“. Enter “COVID-19” as the disaster event, then provide the prior year earned income amount.