The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO) is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide ERO TRAINING The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO) is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide Tax Year 2007

ERO QUALIFICATIONS EROs must: Be certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers Be (or become) proficient with IRS- supplied tax preparation software. Tax Year 2007

ERO RESPONSIBILITIES Security of taxpayer data Transmission of e-file returns Record keeping Communications

SECURITY OF TAXPAYER DATA Tax-Aide Policy and IRS Pub 3189 Require all volunteers: To be vigilant To physically protect Printed data Electronic data Equipment

SECURITY OF TAXPAYER DATA This means: Computers must be physically secured OS and TW must be password protected Taxpayer documents must be secured When using TaxWise Desktop… Taxpayer data must be encrypted Returns must be deleted from non- transmitting Computers regularly and from all computers at the end of the tax season

TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS Print and review Declaration Control Report (DCR)– verify that Refund/Due matches Form 8879 Transmit returns and get Acknowledgments (ACKs) Update Filing Status reports See PUB 3189

TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS Restore returns to transmitting computer, if necessary (TaxWise Desktop only) Check for errors, completed 8879’s, and required attachments Re-create e-files, if necessary Tools> Make e-files – for all 8879’s in hand (TW Desktop only)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Get Acknowledgements Print Acknowledgement Report Federal ACKs State ACKs TaxWise e-mails Print Acknowledgement Report And/or “export” to Excel or .pdf Check for rejects

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Match to DCR or other tracking document and verify that Refund/Due matches DCR Update Return Stage status (if used) If no acknowledgement from CCH after three (3) days: Contact CCH and investigate Ensure problem is corrected Follow-up for State Returns status later

HANDLING REJECTS Look for reject code Correct error (TaxWise usually shows error in return – with RED box) Correct error If possible, retransmit If not possible, convert to paper Provide feedback to counselor and quality reviewer

HANDLING REJECTS CAUTION A new 8879 needs to be signed, if: The taxpayer name or SSN changes The difference in total income or AGI is over $50 The refund or amount owed is over $14

RECORD KEEPING Ensure all completed returns are transmitted and all transmitted returns are accepted or converted to paper Match site sign-in sheet to DCR Record return status on log Make use of sorting options in TWO There are many methods for tracking

Check to see why 1001, 1006 and 1010 haven’t been transmitted. Returns sent: Returns Ack’d 1000 1007 1000 1002 1008 1002 1003 1009 1004 1004 1011 1005 Check to see why 1001, 1006 and 1010 haven’t been transmitted. Check to see why 1003 hasn’t been Ack’d (7 thru 11 transmitted later)

Modified TaxAide Site Sign-In Sheet Document Control Number Modified TaxAide Site Sign-In Sheet

RECORD KEEPING Completed 8879s with required W-2s, 1099Rs, etc…. DCRs (Document Control Reports) ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports) TaxWise reports, as requested by DC

RECORD KEEPING Send 8879s to IRS SPEC periodically, or all at end of season – check with your TCS or SPEC representative Send 8453s, if required, immediately after returns are acknowledged

END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Both Desktop and TWO Ensure that all prepared returns have been transmitted and accepted - or converted to paper and taxpayer provided a copy to mail to the IRS Create any reports requested by your local SPEC office for year-end submittal

END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Desktop Version of TaxWise Backup all returns Create files on removal media for: IRS SPEC AARP (data retention) Delete returns Clear Taxpayer Data – AARP Wipe Disk - IRS Laptops

END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT TWO Version of TaxWise Change status of most users to Inactive. OR To allow access to the training website, change their role to Return Preparer and move the returns from their ‘account’ to Admin or another user that you want to have access to the returns to review and/or create amended returns during the off-season.

END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Both Desktop and TWO IRS Depot Computers Run Wipe Disk - If not previously run Return the computers to the Depot Prepare and store all AARP Equipment for the off-season See specific recommendations in TMG

COMMUNICATIONS VERY IMPORTANT! ERO should be sure to communicate frequently with: Counselors Quality Reviewers Other EROs for advice and to share District and Local Coordinators Technology Coordinators and/or TCS

ERO TRAINING QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?