1. TaxSlayer Changes Tax Year 2017
As of Nov Subject to change…

2. TaxSlayer Changes for TY2017
Computation Changes
Navigation Changes
Appearance Changes
Capacity and Customer Service Changes
Administration/Site Set Up/E-filing Changes: Training materials for any Administration/Site Set UP/E-filing changes will be developed by the National Technology Committee.
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3. Computation Changes
Added Section IX – Form 5329 –Failure to take RMD – Waiver of Penalty – and 2017
Reinstated Refund/Balance Due Monitor – 2016 and 2017
Fixed Medicaid Waiver Payment – and 2017
Form 5329 – RMD Penalty: See screen shots on next two slides. Fixed for both 2016 and 2017
Refund Monitor: Fixed for both 2016 and 2017
Medicaid Waiver Payment : If spouse received Medicaid waiver payment, TaxSlayer was reducing the TP's earned income. Fixed for both 2016 and 2017.
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4. Form 5329 Waiver
Once you check the “Check here to claim a waiver” box, the Waiver for additional tax and explanation for waiver boxes will appear.
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5. Form 5329 Waiver
Information will flow from 5329 input screen to Section IX of Form 5329 and create a supporting statement that will be sent electronically with the return.
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6. Computation Changes
Fixed Dependent Day Care benefits treated as wages – 2016 and 2017
Using form finder to enter Alimony received saves entries – 2016 and 2017
Printed Form 8843 has information in correct lines – 2016 and 2017
Dependent Day Care: TaxSlayer was adding to line 7 of Form 1040 Dependent Care benefits in excess of $5000 reported in W2 box 10. Fixed for both 2016 and 2017.
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7. Computation Changes
W-2 box 12 code H elective deferral – flows to Form 1040 line 36 – 2017
Premiums from SSA-1099 included on summary sheet in QR print set – 2017
Cross-site carryforward for Tax-Aide sites only – 2017
W-2, Code H in box 12: Code H is for elective deferrals to a section 501(c)(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan. Software will automatically make the necessary adjustment to income by placing the retirement contribution on line 36 of only.
Ins Premiums – SSA-1099: Will now be included on summary sheet in QR print set only.
Cross-Site Carry Forward 2018 Filing Season (Tax Year) 2017). Returning Tax-Aide sites that used TaxSlayer in filing season 2017 will have carryforward data based on the returns prepared. This feature will be available across ALL still active Tax-Aide sites. TaxSlayer will alert the preparer that a return was created last year for the primary taxpayer and that carry forward data is available. The data that will be carried forward is shown on the next two slides.
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8. Computation Changes Carryforward data includes:
Taxpayer’s/Spouse’s name, filing status, SSN/ITIN, dob and phone #
W-2, 1099-R EIN,
Schedule D (Capital loss carryforward)
Schedule C name, business code and description
Schedule K-1 payer information
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9. Computation Changes
Child care providers with dependents claimed
Banking information for direct deposit
Schedule B financial institution information Form 1099-INT/DIV
State and local refund worksheet
Counselor can choose which, if any, items to carryforward
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10. Carryforward Consent – 2018 Filing Season
All taxpayers must agree to or deny cross- site carryforward for 2019 filing season in 2018
Consent form will be in e-file section
2017 return cannot be e-filed unless consent form is completed
Consent applies across all VITA/TCE sites – no special Tax-Aide provisions for 2019 tax season
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11. TaxSlayer Carryforward: Normal – Extended – Global
Normal Carryforward
When: 2018 Filing Season* and future seasons
What: Carryforward from prior-year returns prepared at the SAME Tax-Aide site
How: Counselor automatically given option to use some or all of data.
Extended Carryforward
When: 2018 Filing Season ONLY
What: Carryforward from a Tax Year 2016 return prepared at ANY still active Tax-Aide site.
How: Counselor automatically given option to use some or all of data. The IRS is giving Tax-Aide a one-year exception allowing carryforward from ANY still active Tax-Aide site. During Filing Season 2018, Tax-Aide will implement consent questions for Global Carryforward.
Global Carryforward
When: 2019 Filing Season and future seasons
What: Carryforward from ANY still active VITA/TCE site (including Tax-Aide sites) if taxpayer consented in prior year.
How: Counselors will need to ask for consent** each filing season starting in Filing Season Denying permission will not impact e-filing that year or normal carryforward at the SAME site in following year.
* Filing season, aka tax season = the ~February – April period when most tax returns are prepared, e.g., filing season 2018 is ~Feb 1 – Apr 17, ** Tax year = the calendar year for the tax return, e.g., tax year 2017 (TY17) is the tax return for 2017 that is due by April 17, 2018
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12. May be dropped from list.
Carryforward data:
May be dropped from list.
Name, Filing Status, SSN/ITIN, DOB, phone #
Dependents Name, DOB, SSN/ITIN, relationship
W-2 (employer EIN database)
Form 1099-R (payer EIN database)
Schedule D (Capital Loss carryforward)
Schedule C (name, business code, and description)
Schedule E rental information and Schedule K-1s
Child care providers with dependents claimed
Banking information for Direct Deposit
Schedule B financial institutions information for Form INT/DIV
State and local refund worksheet
Return Notes
Counselor can choose which, if any, items to carryforward
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13. Computation Changes
Continue button saves information entered on state entry pages – 2017
Field validations added to state entry pages – 2017
Edit state return with 1040NR – 2017
Continue button: Selecting the continue button on the state screens will post data on each page. This will give the preparer the confidence that the data entered is saved.
Field validations: Field level validation will occur on each page of the state return. The corrections to the validation errors will mimic the federal program making the state entry more streamlined
1040NR: Previously, if a return contained a form 1040NR, the preparer was unable to edit the state return. There are situations where the site needs to make additions or subtractions to the state return.
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14. Computation Changes
Age of taxpayer and dependent(s) added to Client Form Listing Summary – 2017
Direct Debit Information added to Client Form Listing Summary – 2017
Age: Age of taxpayer and dependents as of end of tax year will be added to the Client Form Summary Page of the QR print set
Direct Debit Information: Previously, the direct debit information was not included in the print package. For 2017, the RTN, account number, amount and date of debit will be included in the print set.
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15. Computation Changes
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16. Computation Changes
Assign ownership – TP/SP/JT – to all income items – 2017
Sale of Primary Residence within two years of date of death of spouse – full $500,000 exclusion allowed – 2017
Assign Ownership: Should help when preparing state returns. See TaxSlayer Sneak Peak blog entry dated 31 October for screen shots of ownership entry screens for Capital Gains and Schedule E.
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17. Computation Changes
Comments… Questions?
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18. Navigation Changes Due diligence questions have been eliminated.
Questions to determine EITC eligibility located in basic information section
Form 8888 – “Pull Refund” enters full amount of refund in first bank field – and 2017
Due Diligence: Eliminated due diligence questions.
EITC Eligibility Questions: See next slide.
Form 8888: If Form 8888 is offered by site, but taxpayer has elected not to split refund, for 2016 preparer was required to key the refund amount in if they were not wanting to split their refund or purchase savings bonds. With change, amount will be entered automatically once the preparer selects “pull refund”. If volunteer has completed the Form 8888 and the amount of refund changes due to a change in the return (eg additional dividend income increases taxable income and decreases refund), the program will give you a warning that the amount entered into the Form 8888 does not match the new refund amount. The Form must be revised in order to e-file the return. Fixed for both 2016 and 2017.
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19. Navigation Changes Due diligence questions eliminated
Can create pdf of 15 forms/schedules
After rendering one of new form views, next attempt to print complete return from 1040 View page just gives that previously selected single form. Printing from Summary page or from Client Search work properly.
Is an issue with printing next item – reverts to selected form
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20. Navigation Changes
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21. Navigation Changes Former Federal ReturnTypes (Refund)
Revised Federal Return Types (Refund)
Electronic Mailed
Direct Deposit
Paper Return With Direct Deposit
Paper Return
E-File: Paper Check
E-file: Direct Deposit
Paper Return with Direct Deposit
Paper Return
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22. Navigation Changes Former Federal Return Types (Balance Due)
Revised Federal Return Types (Balance Due)
Mail Payment
Direct Debit
Paper Return with Direct Debit
Paper Return
E-file: Mail Payment
E-file: Direct Debit
Paper Return
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23. Navigation Changes
No 8888 – initial input of routing and bank account numbers masked – and 2017
Verification Codes included on W-2 entry screen – 2016 and 2017
Tax year indicator added to header menu inside return – 2016 and 2017
No 8888 Direct Deposit Information: Administrator for site has not checked the Form 8888 box when setting up site. For 2016, initial input of RNT and bank account number was not masked which could lead to the incorrect numbers entered twice. For 2016 and 2017 initial input will be masked. Also expanded routing number field so you do not have to scroll 2016 and 2017
Verification Code: For 2016 was not able to enter a verification code on a W-2. This has been corrected for 2017
Tax Year Indicator: 2017
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24. Navigation Changes Modified left navigation bar – 2016 and 2017
Preparer can check status of return from left navigation bar while in another return – 2016 and 2017
Able to enter free form Box 14 entries on a W-2 – 2017
Modified Left Navigation bar: For 2017 left navigation bar will have a more streamlined look. Added the ability to collapse the menu for more on screen real estate. Added the menu items found in the federal section to the left navigation bar. See next slide for example of this new feature.
Preparer can check status of return: Currently, if the preparer wants to check the status of another return they must log out of the return they are in. This new feature will prevent the preparer from having to close their existing return to answer a quick status question about another return.
W-2 Box 14 Entries: Preparer can now enter information in Box 14 of Form W-2. This is in addition to the drop down list already available. Available for 2017.
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25. Navigation Changes
Can expand various sections such as Federal Section.
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26. Navigation Changes
EIN field for substitute Forms W-2 and R now optional – 2016 and 2017
Prior year validation errors now visible – 2017
Able to select tax year from a drop down window – 2016 and 2017
Substitute Form W-2 and 1099R: Was a required field. Optional for both 2016 and 2017.
Prior Year Validation Errors: Previously prior year returns (e g 2015), remained in transmission status but nothing was shown in validation to explain why the return had not been accepted. In order to determine why the return had not been accepted it was necessary to either call or TaxSlayer support. For 2017, the new rejected client list will contain the validation error for all prior years.
Selection of Tax Year: Previously, preparer would select tax year from a menu line on the welcome page. Revised to allow preparer to select tax year from a drop down window in the upper right hand corner of the welcome page. See next 2 slides for screen shots and 2017.
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27. Navigation Changes
Prior method of selecting tax year.
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28. Navigation Changes
New method of selecting tax year: Select Tax Year. See next slide for screen shot of how tax year is now displayed and 2017
New method of signing out of TaxSlayer: To sign out of return from this screen, you must now select the universal symbol for signing out. This symbol also appears on all screens and 2017
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29. Navigation Changes
Tax Year Display: Once you select tax year it will display in upper left hand corner of Welcome Screen and 2017
New Sign out Symbol on e-file screens: See next slide for example of new sign out symbol on e-file screens and 2017
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30. Navigation Changes
Logging out of return from e-file screens: There are two methods you can use to log out of the return from any of the e-file screens. You can select the new universal symbol located at the top of the screen next to the Change Tax Year drop down box. Or you can select “Main Menu” at the top of the left navigation bar. If you select the universal symbol, you will land back at the log in screen and will have to log back into your site. If you select “Main Menu” you will land at the Welcome screen for your site and you will not have to log back in and 2017
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31. Navigation Changes
Logging Out of Preparation Screens: From all preparation screens, (those screens that contain the refund/balance due monitor), there are 3 methods of logging out of return, all of which will take you back to the welcome page: Save and exit return from the left navigation menu, save and exit return from the drop down box under taxpayer’s name, and, select the universal symbol in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
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32. Navigation Changes Menus that are year specific: Start New Return
Client Search
Review Returns
Reports
Transmissions
For 2017, the menus shown above will be “year” specific (based on the security template assigned to your username.
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33. Navigation Changes Paper as a return status is available when:
Federal return type is changed to paper for a return previously rejected
Paper is selected as return type and return is marked as “Complete” – and 2017
Paper is now a valid status that can be used as a filter option. The status is calculated and changed when one of the two conditions shown above takes place.
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34. Navigation Changes
Security code removed from Login Page and Office Setup – 2017
Security Question and Answer removed from Preparer Setup Menu – 2017
The security code will be removed from the login page and office set up for Not necessary as the result of added security from MFA.
The security Question and Answer will be removed from the Preparer(s) Setup Menu because the user will be required to authenticate when they use the “Forgot Password” feature. 2017
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35. Navigation Changes
15 view “print” pages are available in the practice lab
Ability to view specific forms without having to render PDF for entire return
When preparer selects Continue after completing form, a print icon will be available for that form
Print Pages Available: The 15 pages are included in the 2017 practice lab. The Print pages will include Schedules A, B, C, D, R, W-7 and forms 1116, 2441, 5329, 5405, 8606, 8863, 8880, 8962, and See the next slide for examples.
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36. Navigation Changes Print form from Income Page
And from Deductions > Adjustments page and Deductions > Credits page and Miscellaneous Forms page
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37. Navigation Changes
Last checkpoint button added to Summary/Print page – 2016 and 2017
This feature will take the user back to the last form that was accessed before coming to the Summary/Print page.
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38. Navigation Changes
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39. Navigation Changes
Comments… Questions?
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40. Appearance Changes
Summary Pages – fresher –easier to read – 2016 and 2017
Universal symbol for edit and delete icons – 2016 and 2017
Color of Practice Lab – 2017
All 2017
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41. Appearance Changes Thicker font – 2017 Bold titles – 2017
More contrast between background and text – 2017
2017
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42. Appearance Changes Left align fields on forms – 2017
Return prep screens modified to match Welcome page and E-files screens – 2016 and 2017
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43. Appearance Changes
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44. Appearance Changes
Comments… Questions?
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45. Capacity Changes Increased print servers from 2 to 6
Increased calculation servers from 16 up to 64 depending on demand
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46. Customer Service Changes
Each contact to support staff assigned a case number – 2016 and 2017
Dedicated team to monitor and mentor staff – 2016 and 2017
Adopted new system for a more streamlined process – 2016 and 2017
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47. Capacity and Customer Service Changes
Comments… Questions?
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48. TaxSlayer Issues
Many reported on VITA/TCE Blog – encourage all to check site before raising questions
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49. TaxSlayer Issues
Gambling losses entered do not carry to Schedule A, line 28
Trying to create Schedule E for Royalties entered on Form 1099-MISC kicks user completely out of the program
Dependent information not carrying to page 2 of Form 2441
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50. TaxSlayer Date Issues
Some forms, references on data entry pages and rates and amounts not updated to 2017
In progress
Some IRS acceptance tests still using 2016 rates
E-File: Direct Debit is forcing immediate debiting since today's date is after 4/15/2017
Entering today or later 2017 date for stock transaction is not accepted
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51. Tests – Practice Lab 2017 Advanced Test
Capital loss carryover doesn’t work in Practice Lab 2017
Advanced Test – asks for mileage amount, but software shows Schedule C-EZ (can force Schedule C in site print set)
HSA Test – situation as presented is confusing as there are excess contributions
Fixed Nov 30
Advanced Q #20
Drake
HSA test question is worded: what amount is USED in the calculation, not what amount is DEDUCTIBLE. May want to caution vols to take that question literally ($2,000 is used to start, $1,900 becomes deductible). $1,900 is not an available answer.
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52. Stress Tests
Goal is to stretch boundaries of the online software operating system
Dates
Dec 6: 12:30pm – 2:00pm ET
Dec 20: 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET
Stress test procedures and scenarios to be posted on blog
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