The following are questions and corresponding answers that we received on the Partner Call that was held on Thursday, February 1st. We are posting the ones that are most applicable to all sites.
Q: When will the 2018 1040 ES be available in the software?
A: The IRS has not released the 2018 1040-ES. Currently the 2017 forms are still printing in the application. Once the IRS releases the forms, we will make the appropriate updates to the application. This impacts both ProOnline and Desktop. The IRS issued a statement that is located under the IRS Alerts page on the blog.
Q: Why do the Consent forms show up in prior years of Pro Online?
A: The consents are currently not year specific, which populates them in all years. For the prior years, you can select No, enter a PIN and a date to move through them. We are looking at making these year specific, but it is most likely not something that will happen during tax season.
Q: There are some prior year e-files that have been stuck in “transmitted” for quite a while. Are you sending prior year returns and are you aware?
A: At the time of the call, we did have prior year returns in the status of transmitted. A blog post was made at the request of the volunteer and we have since resolved this.
Q: Concern was raised around navigating between the e-file section and return section because the left navigation bar changes.
A: Last year we had a “back” button at the top of the e-file page once the user navigates through the warnings and validation errors pages. We have put in a request to have this added to the top of the e-file page. You can scroll to the bottom of the e-file page and click “Back” to return to the Summary/Print page
Q: How can I review the EIC worksheet prior to completing the return
A: You can review the EIC worksheet by selecting the print option when you are on the Summary/Print page.
Q: Will the paper Carry Forward consents be available in different languages?
A: The IRS will bring this up to the IRS Products team to see if there are any opportunities to accommodate this request.
Q: Are there any “Best practices” that can be shared about how to most efficiently handle the use of Carry Forward Consents?
A: The IRS discussed a few options that they have heard from the field
- Some sites are placing the paper copy inside the Interview and Intake form for the taxpayer to review and sign while they are completing the intake form
- Some sites are discussing and then turning the keyboard around for the taxpayer/spouse to enter the PIN and and date. This prevents having to make paper copies.
- The volunteer can choose the PIN if the paper copy was signed by the taxpayer
- Review and become familiar with Pub. 4299, page 9 & 10
Q: When will release notes be fully functional?
A: We are successfully populating the ProWeb tab with release notes. Our ultimate goal is to populate the Federal and State tabs as well. We will also continue to use the blog because we can add screenshots.
Q: Why do notes carry forward from year to year
A: A big request from the field when we enhanced our notes feature was for the notes to carry forward year over year. Some sites are using these are reminders in case there are special circumstances with the taxpayers year over year.
Q: We are having a hard time distinguishing between last years notes and this years note. Do you have any recommendations.
A: We are looking at making sure the notes show a date and time stamp. However, during the meantime a best practice may be to enter the year at the very beginning of the note to make it easier for the quality reviewer, or delete the older notes when you go in to add a new one.
Q: Where is the direct debit information printed on the return?
A: It is printed on the Client List form, which is currently in the Quality Review print set. An alternative to pulling this up and just printing out the page, would be to create a Direct Debit print set that just has the Client List Form in it. This would allow you to print the tax return as normal and then for those taxpayers using direct debit, you can choose that print set and it will just generate a PDF with the Client list form in it. You can then print the entire Client List for or the page the information is listed on.
Q: Does TaxSlayer Pro Online handle the tax returns needed for the displaced victims of Puerto Rico?
A: Currently the 1040PR has the disaster area items incorporated into it. We are in the process of completing the 933 exclusion that will be needed for the Puerto Rico residents that need to file a 1040 return and exclude Puerto Rican income.