Blog Detail

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

E-file

• We had good participation in controlled launch last week.
  • Exposed some state rejects that we were able to get fixed
• All years of e-file are turned on
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
• The ability to send State Only e-files has been turned on
  • If you send the federal without the state, you will have to wait until the federal return ack is received back before you can edit the return
  • Remember that you must choose a federal electronic filing type even though you are just sending the state…marking the federal return paper will prevent the state from being sent
  • You MUST send “state Only” returns from the submission page
• Rejected Returns
  • You can manage them from rejected clients menu
    • Displays both Federal and State
• Validation Errors
  • You can manage them from the rejected clients menu, just change the drop down to validation errors
    • Things that need to be fixed on your side before we send the efile.
    • We do secondary validation and will kick the efile back if we know it is going to get rejected

Application

• We delivered the fix that allows you to edit or delete security templates that were created at either the site level or group level
  • The ADMINISTRATOR template the we assigned is now called ADMINISTRATOR (TS)
    • We recommend you do not create templates with the same name and capitalization as the ones we assign because both will show up in your list of templates when adding preparers

Federal

• Delivered the additional of the PMI field earlier this week
• Working to add back the Energy Credits pages
• Waiting on final instructions for the Kiddie Tax
• Delivered Medicaid Waiver changes
  • Added a question to W-2 if you want the amount entered for Medicaid waiver to be included in earned income (for credit purposes)
  • Added a box to enter Medicaid waiver payments to the 1099-Misc, as well as the questions
    • These will be added to prior years as well
• Strike Benefits
  • We have tax law guidance, but we are still waiting on e-file guidance

States

• Updating the blog with state issues that impact e-file and calculations
• Updating the blog when the states send us messages about their processes

Return Tags

• We strongly recommend you create a return tag and assign it to any return you need to go back and file at a later date due to outstanding changes in the app

Blog

• If you are not already getting daily blasts of updates, you can now register on the blog to have them sent to you.

Contacting Support

• What do you need?
  • EFIN
  • Exact error and where you were in the application when it happened (if applicable)
  • Last 4 digits of a return if you believe there is an issue and the return needs to stay in the state of potential error

 

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Q1: When will watermarks be removed from state returns?

• Watermarks are removed as we receive form approvals from state departments. All state returns can be electronically filed and it is safe to provide taxpayer copies with watermarks.

Q2: Is there a platform to practice preparing tax returns using the software?

• Yes, the Practice Lab. Visit www.vita.taxslayerpro.com and click on Practice Lab.

Q3: FSA Links – can they be shared publicly?

• No.

Q4: After a return is transmitted, we can no longer see our returns in Client List. Why?

• Client List view depends on the Security Templates assigned to users at your site(s). Check your Security Templates to make sure they are set up how you wish them to be set up.

Q5: Error when starting a return about EFIN not in database?

• Please reach out to VITA/TCE Support with EFIN so this can be reviewed.

Q6: Foreign students – can we e-file 1040-NR and Form 8843?

• Form 8843 can be electronically filed with a 1040-NR, but Form 8843 cannot be e-filed by itself.

Q7: Can FSA returns be printed and mailed by taxpayers?

• Yes, but when mailing, advise Taxpayer to physically sign their returns before mailing.