TaxWise Changes Document

Transcription

1 TaxWise 2009 Changes Document Purpose: Distribute the changes that have been made to TaxWise The following will be described in this document: Changes What s New Benefits Instructions for using a changed or new feature Revision History September 19, 2009 Document Created October 26, 2009 Revision 1 Page 1 of 33

2 Setup Options General Tab in Setup: What s New: Prompt before closing TaxWise will give the user a warning message when they select the X in the upper right corner of TaxWise. This option will be selected as the default value when the software is installed. Benefits: Keeps the preparer from accidentally closing the application while they are in a return. We received a lot of complaints that customers were accidentally selecting the X to close the application rather than selecting the X to close the open return. Page 2 of 33

3 Printer Setup Tab What s New: Automatically print acknowledgements option Benefit: We implemented a feature that will automatically process the acknowledgements when they are picked up from the Electronic Filing Center. Selecting Automatically print acknowledgements will automatically send the detailed acknowledgement report information to the printer designated in Section 2: Returns, Reports. Page 3 of 33

4 If you do not select this option, TaxWise will display the dialog box that will allow you to select the acknowledgements that you want to print. This dialog box will be similar to the Select Acks to Process dialog box used in TaxWise Change: Moved Auto load soft fonts each time a tax return is sent to the printer? option to the Default Print Method section Benefit: The option is only applicable when the PCL print method is selected. Allows TaxWise the ability to display Section 3 options in a more user friendly format. Indirect Transmitter Tab Revised October 25, 2009 Changes: The Indirect Transmitter tab has been removed from the software. The site will be prompted to answer their method of communication during the installation process. ( ) Internet (which includes Dial-Up Internet, Cable Internet, DSL, High Speed, etc ( ) Modem (I have a modem that dials an external number using my phone line Benefit: Allows us to more easily support modem users while at the same time improving our communication methods. This change allowed us to upgrade our communications libraries to allow for more CRC checks to cut down on corrupt file (or grayed out acks) Direct Filer Tab Changes: The Direct Filer tab has been removed from the software. TaxWise 2009 does not support direct filing. Page 4 of 33

5 Utility Program File Menu >Return Explorer: Change: Renamed to Return Explorer Benefit: More intuitive for the preparers to quickly identify what option is used to manage their return files. Return Explorer Return Grid What s New: The columns in the Return Explorer Grid can be sorted in Ascending or Descending order Benefit: Provides the preparer with an easier way to locate and manage returns. Communications Menu: Change: Removed Benefit: The items under the Communications Menu are either obsolete or duplicated on the main program Communications Menu and the Communication page located in Tasks You do Most Often Tools Menu: Change: Renamed Install State/Bank Updates to Install Module Updates Change: Renamed Install Federal Updates to Install Program Updates Change: Renamed Transfer State/Bank Updates to Transfer Module Updates Change: Renamed Transfer Federal Updates to Transfer Program Updates Change: Renamed Uninstall State/Banks(s) to Uninstall Module Updates Page 5 of 33

6 Benefit: We have separated the process of updating the Federal tax calculation files into a modularized update process that will mimic the state module update process. This will allow us to more easily update tax law changes and tax related defect fixes once the initial version of the software is delivered. This change also allows us to ensure that electronic returns are created and transmitted with the most current version of tax calculations. Beginning in January of 2010, we will validate the minimum version of the TaxWise program and also the version of the tax calculation files during the e-file process. The EFC will reject electronic files that were created with older versions of the tax calculation files. Page 6 of 33

7 Setup Menu>View Authorization What s New: Added the version number to the Packages and Options section Benefit: Allows users to verify the currently installed version of the Federal Tax Calculation modules. For trouble shooting purposes, the user will be able to verify this version against the tax calculation version that will be posted to the Hot Topics section on the support site. Page 7 of 33

8 View/Edit Print Packets Watermarks What s New: Added the ability to print watermarks for following Print Packets: File Copy defaults to printing File Copy Taxpayer Federal Copy defaults to printing Taxpayer Copy Taxpayer State Copy defaults to printing Taxpayer Copy Benefits: Allows the preparer to quickly distinguish between the printed packets when printing multiple packets. This feature also allows the preparer to create custom watermarks to print on the copies of the returns they retain and also give to the taxpayer. Instructions for using the Default Watermark: The following instructions demonstrates how to set the Default Watermark that can be utilized for all users Login as the ADMIN User Open the Tools menu Page 8 of 33

9 Select Utilities/Setup Options to open the Utility program Open the Setup menu Select View/Edit Print Packets Select the File Copy, Taxpayer Federal Copy, or Taxpayer State Copy from the Packet list Select the Print Watermark option Select Save All others uses will now see the File Copy watermark when they print the return using the File Copy print packet. Page 9 of 33

10 Note: The Admin user can set watermarks for all users. Individual users can also set watermarks. If individual users change the watermark options, it will override the Admin options. The Admin user will not be able to overwrite any options that individual users have set. Instructions for using the Custom Watermark: The following instructions demonstrates how to set the Custom Watermark that can be utilized for all users Login as the ADMIN User Open the Tools menu Select Utilities/Setup Options to open the Utility program Open the Setup menu Select View/Edit Print Packets Select the File Copy, Taxpayer Federal Copy, or Taxpayer State Copy from the Packet list Select the Print Watermark option Select the Customer Watermark Option Enter your custom text up to 20 characters alpha-numeric Select Save Page 10 of 33

11 All others uses will now see the KIMS TAX SERVICE watermark when they print the return using the File Copy print packet. Note: The Admin user can set watermarks for all users. Individual users can also set watermarks. If individual users change the watermark options, it will override the Admin options. The Admin user will not be able to overwrite any options that individual users have set. Page 11 of 33

12 Communications Menu Menu Item changes Change: Removed Send Extension Returns to menu option Benefit: The preparer now uses the same communication menu to send both e- files and extensions. Change: Removed Get Acks Direct from State menu option. TaxWise 2009 does not support direct filing. Change: Renamed Send TaxWise Mail to Send Mail to SFS Support Benefit: Changed the format in which TaxWise Mail is sent to SFS Support. This feature will be described in detail later in this document. Change: Added Send Client to Client Mail Benefit: Allows the user to send TaxWise mail and attachments between TaxWise locations. Send Mail to SFS Support Change: Allows the preparer to send and attachments directly to SFS Support. We have changed the functionality of this feature to send via the Internet instead of sending mail via the Electronic Filing Center. Benefit: This change allows us to remove a non-transactional business operation out of the EFC. Instructions for using Send Mail to SFS Support: The following instructions demonstrate how to send to the SFS Support team. Open the Communications Menu Select Send Mail to SFS Support to open a new browser window o Note: You must have internet access to use this option Page 12 of 33

13 Enter your address o Note: This is the address that SFS support will reply to Enter a subject Enter a detailed explanation in the Body of the Select the Send button Page 13 of 33

14 Instructions for using Send Mail to SFS Support to send Attachments: The following instructions demonstrate how to send with attachments to the SFS Support team. Open the Communications Menu Select Send Mail to SFS Support to open a new browser window o Note: You must have internet access to use this option Enter your address, Subject and a detailed explanation in the body Select the Browse button to navigate to the file Highlight the file and click Open Select the Send button Page 14 of 33

15 The SFS Support team will be able to associate your s to your account by Client ID. Your client ID is embedded in the when you launch it from TaxWise. Send Client to Client Mail Change: Allows the preparer to send and attachments to another location using TaxWise. Benefit: Built-in communications mechanism that facilitates sub-office communication with their Main Office. Instructions for using Send Client to Client Mail: The following instructions demonstrate how to send from one TaxWise location to another. This feature utilizes the mail mechanism used to send mail to SFS in TaxWise Open the Communications Menu Select Send Client to Client Mail Page 15 of 33

16 Enter the EFIN of the TaxWise location you are sending the mail message to Enter a subject Enter your message in the Body Select the Send button The Client to Client mail messages will be sent to the EFC and passed to the electronic mailbox of the receiving TaxWise EFIN. Instructions for sending attachments with Send Client to Client Mail: The following instructions demonstrate how to send with attachments from one TaxWise location to another. This feature utilizes the mail mechanism used to send mail to SFS in TaxWise Open the Communications Menu Page 16 of 33

17 Select Send Client to Client Mail Enter the EFIN of the TaxWise location you are sending the mail message and attachment to Enter a subject Enter your message in the Body Select the Attach Button Browse and select the files to attach Select the Send button The most common use of sending attachments is to attach returns for the main location to review. The sending EFIN needs to put the TIN in the body of the so the receiving knows what return to open. Tip for opening a return sent via Send Client to Client Mail: The returns will be tossed to the Guest user. Login to the Guest user Press Ctrl+Y to Open Return by SSN/EIN Enter the SSN found in the body of the message o Note: The return will now show in the Return List until it is opened the first time Page 17 of 33

18 Tools Menu Menu Item changes Change: Changed the Make IRS e-files menu option to Make e-files Benefit: Creates e-files for all eligible returns that pass diagnostics (both Federal and State) Change: Removed the Make Direct State e-files option. TaxWise 2009 does not support direct filing Change: Added Edit Auto Get Acks menu option for the ADMIN user Benefit: Allows the office to designate schedule the process of picking up acknowledgements from a designated workstation. Revision 1: 10/26/09 Changed the menu name to Schedule Ack Retrieval Change: Added Edit Report Access menu option for the ADMIN user Benefit: Gives the ADMIN user the ability to restrict specified reports from being accessed by users. Report restriction is completed on a per user basis. Revision 1: 10/26/09 Changed the menu name to Restrict Report Access Page 18 of 33

19 Schedule Ack Retrieval (Revision 1: Menu Name Change) What s New: Allows TaxWise to automatically connect to the Electronic Filing Center and pick up any available acknowledgements. You can set a time interval for how often TaxWise connects to get your acks. This can be set for each workstation on which TaxWise is installed. You can only have this option running on one workstation at a time. It can be set to run on any workstation, but only one. Benefit: Allows offices that purchased a package that contains the Central Reporting capability to schedule when they want to download and process their acknowledgements. This eliminates a manual process for them. Instructions for using Edit Auto Get Acks: The following instructions demonstrate how to use this feature. Login as the ADMIN user Open the Tools menu Select Schedule Ack Retrieval (Revision 1: Menu name change) Click Enable Auto Get Acks Select a workstation from the Workstation drop down list (applicable if you are networked) o Note: If you are running on stand-alone computers, you should only use this option on your designated transmitting computer Select the time interval by Hours and/or Minutes Page 19 of 33

20 o Note: The time increment must be at least thirty minutes and no more than twenty-four hours. Select the Save button Restrict Report Access (Revision 1: Name change to menu option) What s New: The Admin user has the ability to limit access to the reports in TaxWise for each user. Access can be limited for the following type of reports: All reports, TaxWise reports, mailing labels, non-returning client labels, non-returning client log, and query labels. Benefit: Allows the ability to restrict financial type reports from other tax preparers in the office. Instructions for using Edit Report Access: The following instructions demonstrate how to use this feature. Login as the ADMIN user Open the Tools menu Select Restrict Report Access (Revision 1: name change) o Note: Defaults to all reports available Page 20 of 33

21 Select the user from the User drop down list o Note: Reports must be restricted for each user Select the type of reports to restrict from the Type drop down list o Note: Defaults to all reports Select the reports that you do not want the user to have access to and add them to the Denied Reports list Select the Save button o Note: Selecting Save closes the dialog box Tip for restricting access to multiple users: If you are going to restrict report access for multiple users, select another user from the User list, once you have selected the restricted reports. The program prompts you to save the changes without closing the dialog box. Page 21 of 33

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23 Miscellaneous Open Existing Returns Change: Restored the ability to search by Taxpayer Last Name Benefit: An additional search option to make it easier to locate a tax return Instructions for Search by Taxpayer Last Name: The following instructions demonstrate how to use this feature. Login as a user with rights to edit returns Open the File Menu Select Open Existing Returns Click on Taxpayer Name o Note: Changes the Search by option to Taxpayer Name Enter the taxpayer s last name What s New Added the Return Count to the Open Existing Return dialog box Benefit: Allows the preparer a quick look at the number of returns in the user Page 23 of 33

24 Default Forms that load when Starting a New Return Change: 1040 Wkt5 (Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet) will no longer load when you start a new return. This credit is no longer applicable What s New: Schedule M (Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credit) will load when you start a new return. Benefit: This credit must be calculated for all taxpayers with earned income. Automatically loading it in the return prevents the preparer from inadvertently missing the calculation of the credit. Once the return contains earned income, the Schedule M becomes active in the TaxWise Tree. Page 24 of 33

25 The top portion of the Schedule calculates based on the information entered in the tax return. Page 25 of 33

26 The bottom portion of the return indicates the required entries after the Schedule becomes active The credit is calculated on 1040 page 2, Line 63; 1040A page 2, line 40; and 1040EZ, line 8 Page 26 of 33

27 Schedule L What s New: Added the new IRS Schedule L. The shortcut key in the Find A Form list is L Benefit: Allows taxpayers to increase their standard deduction by certain real estate taxes, new motor vehicle taxes, or a net disaster loss Instructions for using Schedule L: The following instructions demonstrate an example of how to load and use the Schedule Add a Schedule A to the return The Schedule L automatically loads with the following o Enter real estate taxes on the Schedule A o Link to the New Motor Vehicle Tax Worksheet from Schedule A line 7 o Link to Form 4684 from Schedule A Line 20 The schedule L will check off in the TaxWise Tree if it is used in the return. Page 27 of 33

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29 Price Sheet What s New: Added Schedule L What s New: Added Schedule M Change: Renamed 8453, PIN forms to E-file fee and moved it above the State Returns section in the right column Change: Removed 8861 because the form is no longer applicable Change: Removed 8901 because the form is no longer applicable What s New: Added 8914 What s New: Added 8930 What s New: Added 8936 Change: Removed Recovery Rebate because the worksheet is no longer applicable Change: Bank Application is for SBBT, Chase, and Republic What s New: Added a Non-preparers Fee section at the bottom of the Price Sheet. Benefit: All fees can now flow from the Price Sheet to the bank application for a bank product return. This will allow the fees to be locked and they flow back to the bank application if the return type is changed from bank product to e-file and then back to bank product. These Audit Shield fee is a calculated fee based on the Yes being selected for Audit Shield on the Main Information Sheet. This fee is no longer included in the Total Invoice. Page 29 of 33

30 Security Manager ReturnManager Group (Revision 1) What s New: Added a ReturnManager group as an option in Security Manager Benefit: The ReturnManager group has the same rights as the SuperUser group plus it allows the user to view and edit all returns. Instructions for assigning the ReturnManager Group: The following instructions demonstrate how to assign the ReturnManager Group to a user. Login as the ADMIN user Open the Tools Menu Select Utilities/Setup Options Open the Setup Menu Select Security Manager Select the Users tab Create or Modify a User Select ReturnManager in the Available groups section Select the Add button Page 30 of 33

31 o Note: New users still default to SuperUser. You will want to remove the SuperUser group by highlighting it and selecting the Remove button Select the OK Button Once you change to the username, the behavior is very similar to the ADMIN user. Instructions for viewing all returns with ReturnManager group: The following instructions demonstrate how view/edit all return with a user that is assigned the ReturnManager group. Login as the user assigned the ReturnManager role Select Open Existing Return from the homepage or Select Open Returns from the File Menu Select the Options Button Select Show all Return in the Filter by drop down list o Note: You can also filter this by a specific username by selecting User Name in the Filter by drop down list, and then selecting the user from the User drop down list. Select OK Page 31 of 33

32 You can now open the return. TaxWise Browser Tabs Revision 1 Change: We have changed the order of the browser tabs available on the login page and the homepage. The Support Tab has been renamed to Support Site/Knowledge Base and moved to the far right. Benefit: The tab is easier to locate and is more descriptive that it is a quick way to access the support site and the Knowledge Base. Refund Monitor Revision 1 What s New: Added the resident state refund/balance due to the Refund Monitor. The monitor will display the refund or balance due of the first resident state listed on the Main Information Sheet Benefit: Gives the preparer a quick look at the state refund/balance due when preparing the return. Page 32 of 33

33 Security Manager Strong Passwords Revision 1 Change: All usernames will be required to be a minimum of eight (8) characters in length. They must contain a combination of at least one alpha and one numeric character or a combination of at least one alpha and one special character. Benefit: Stronger protection of taxpayer data. Page 33 of 33