1 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 TaxWise Tips Hopefully helpful items

2 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 LINKING Some like linking... some don't If you're going to link, keep the Tree simple If you're going to use the Tree, make it a comprehensive Tree

3 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys Get used to using them. Saves time going back to the mouse SHIFT and you'll get a different action

4 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys F1 – Help (in any program) With SHIFT, you get IRS help F2 – Saves the return F3 - Get the RED out F3 again puts the RED back

5 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys F5 – Calculator This is an invaluable tool F7 – Return Status (a good starting point for quality review F8 – Override (use sparingly) With Shift, 'un-override'

6 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys F9 – Link to a form With Shift, remove form F10 – Close a form With Shift, copy a form

7 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 RIGHT click> Delete Gets rid of the whole row, not just some of it If you delete just entries, you might keep some info you really dont want

8 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Punctuation Hyphens in names are allowed Commas, periods, slashes, ampersands are NOT allowed, and may cause a rejected return

9 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Other Aids Open EXISTING RETURNS screen Can sort Client List alphabetically Left click on Client Name field Ascending or Descending sequence The same sorting works with any listing of returns, such as Backup

10 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Other Aids When Foreign Tax Credit appears on 1099-INT, enter it immediately (out of sequence) to either a Scratchpad or Form Otherwise, it may be lost or forgotten

11 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Public Safety Officer (PSO) When health insurance is deducted from pension checks, they are allowed $3,000 reduction in taxable income Do not change Box 2, but go to Line 4 under /Exclusion on 1099-R

12 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Tax-Exempt Interest When entering tax-exempt interest, DO NOT include that amount in Column 1 (Amount), but only under the NAEOB column, with E as the code

13 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Scrolling Scroll carefully if using a wheel mouse. You can bring up strange entries. Not generally recommended

14 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Dependency Help? If you need help determining who provides more support, try a TaxWise form. Add Form> Dependent Worksheet Available on paper, but easier in TW

15 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Control + Ctrl + Q brings up Query screen Query on SSN, Last Name, DCN, etc. Return Summary screen will show FILE NAME Ctrl + Y Enter SSN to locate & open return

16 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Control + Ctrl + Y When the list of returns is long, use this to open a return, instead of search thru a list Also an instant verification of SSN when opening a return for QR

17 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Ctrl + Ctrl + D Will run Diagnostics Ctrl + E Will locate the next error in a return – actually the next expected entry.

18 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Child/Dependent Care Must have checkmark on Main Info in order to populate Form 2441 Form 2441 will fill in City/State if you enter ZIP first, and hit Enter

19 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 EIC/CTC ALL children are assumed to qualify for EIC. TaxWise will ask questions later. DO NOT make that determination on your own. CTC is determined automatically, based on dependency & age. DO NOT override.

20 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 EIC/CTC (continued) Enter children youngest to oldest

21 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Your Tips? Sharing tips helps everyone Communication among TRSs is essential to sharing Do you have a new one to be added here?

22 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 HINTS/TIPS Questions? Comments? Tips?