TaxWise Online The soft sell

New Jersey TWO Experience Tax year 2009 was the first use of TWO in NJ 7 districts [Atlantic, Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris and Somerset] 20 sites [11%] 5,764 e-files [22%] All 12 Morris sites were TWO. Other TWO districts had 1 or 2 TWO sites.

What did we learn? TWO did not meet all expectations – Experienced EFCs may be disappointed New, different, and eliminated ERO tasks – Pre- and Post- Season activities – Managing and submitting returns – Wires, wires, and more wires… How to train, certify and improve proficiency using TWO How to work with sites and internet providers to obtain TWO support – Libraries generally have fast & reliable internet – Sites may be unaware of internet access – You can’t have too much lead time (Politics, work-orders, track down decision makers, etc.) – Free Internet access is much more prevalent than you might think

Comments from TWO users What was your role: preparer, ERO, TC or other? Did you use TWO for training, production or both? What did you like and dislike about TWO? What would you like to see changed in TWO? If you know, what will your district be doing with TWO next season?

The “Negatives” include Returns take longer to prepare with TWO Compared to TaxWise Desktop’s many aides to ease data entry and speed preparation, TWO is “feature poor” Server speed was sometimes slow Server reliability was less than desired A wired network is required Carry forward only from same EFIN

So, what’s to like? Security of taxpayer data – pre, during and post-season No encryption software No TaxWise software on computers or flash drives for training or production No need to backup, store or install retained data for carry forward TWO updates are installed automatically No end of day, periodic or end of season backup/restore Ability to remotely access returns and trouble-shoot issues Ability to access IRS and NJ websites from EFC computers (e.g. Homestead Rebate lookup, online forms, searching IRS pubs and instructions)

Don’t throw away your flash drives You may want them to install printer drivers

There are some pleasant surprises TWO [both training and production] is faster, more reliable and has more features than Link and Learn Most EFCs can switch between TWO and Desktop without problems Access to prior years TWO to prepare returns Prior years TWO returns with same EFIN available for review and to amend

Some ERO and TC favorites View return on more than 1 computer – Can help with questions on returns, rejects and templates – Computers can be at different locations Change a template [form defaults] and it immediately applies to all new returns [FLI] Control who has what access to the EFIN View only Active returns or Rejected returns Easily prepare on one computer and print or QR on another Easily move returns to or from users

Icing on the cake Substitute ERO – EASY! Site and partners may allow use of additional computers since we will not be installing software – Plus use of computer training labs for TWO If your district is all TWO, NO CLONE!

Training with TWO TWO training will shift to current year [Fed only] about 1 December Take IRS exam with current year TWO Proficiency training with current year TWO Train on current year NJ last 2 weeks of January Can conduct wirelessly Use 1 TWO EFIN for all training in the district Train with prior year TWO [Fed & NJ] through November

Managing Training with the TWO EFIN 1 EFIN can accommodate 100 volunteers in training Each volunteer has unique 2 digit number [YY] Exercise SSN: XXX-YY-ZZZZ – XXX: from exercise – ZZZZ: last 4 digits of client ID Students are Preparers – see only their returns Coaches are Superusers – See all returns – Filter on individual user [-YY-]

Potential TWO Sites

What are the Show Stoppers? Site cannot provide suitable internet access DC, TC or site ERO prefers to use Desktop DC, TC or site ERO decides to not use a wired network

TWO for 2010: Summary Every district appears to have at least 1 existing site suitable for TWO Training with TWO can be provided to the entire district with only 1 TWO EFIN There are disadvantages to TWO: don’t agree to use it until you are ready to commit If you would like to learn how to evaluate a site for TWO, return after the break