1 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 Tax Year 2007 ERO TRAINING The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO) is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide

2 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 Tax Year 2007 ERO QUALIFICATIONS EROs must:  Be certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers  Be (or become) proficient with IRS- supplied tax preparation software.

3 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO RESPONSIBILITIES  Security of taxpayer data  Transmission of e-file returns  Record keeping  Communications

4 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

5 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

6 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

7 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS  Restore returns to transmitting computer, if necessary (TaxWise Desktop only)  Check for errors, completed 8879s, and required attachments  Re-create e-files, if necessary  Tools> Make e-files – for all 8879s in hand  (TW Desktop only)

8 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  Get Acknowledgements  Federal ACKs  State ACKs  TaxWise s  Print Acknowledgement Report  And/or “export” to Excel or.pdf  Check for rejects

9 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

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11 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 HANDLING REJECTS  Look for reject code  (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

12 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 HANDLING REJECTS CAUTION  A new 8879 needs to be signed, if any of the following apply:  The taxpayer name or SSN changes  The difference in total income or AGI is over $50  The difference in the refund or amount owed is over $14

13 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

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15 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 Returns sent:Returns Ack’d 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)

16 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 Modified Tax-Aide Site Sign-In Sheet Document Control Number

17 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 RECORD KEEPING  Completed 8879s with required W-2s, 1099Rs, etc….  DCRs (Document Control Reports)  ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports)  TaxWise reports, as requested by DC

18 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

19 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

20 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

21 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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.

22 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

23 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 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

24 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO TRAINING QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?