1. TaxSlayer Online (TSO)
TSO for TY17
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

2. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
TSO TY16 >>>TY17
As of June 2017 over 150 Enhancement Requests have been submitted to TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer Federal Defects: changes needed to prepare correct/accurate federal returns.
TaxSlayer Entry Enhancements: changes that will significantly improve volunteers’ ability to prepare correct/accurate returns.
TaxSlayer Site Management Enhancements: changes that will simply/improve managing returns [finding, e-filing, correcting rejects, etc.]
TaxSlayer Productivity Enhancements: changes that will simplify navigation and entering information
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

3. Enhancement Request Process
NTTC has responsibility for documenting suggested enhancements in the Defect, Entry and Productivity Enhancement categories.
NTC has responsibility for suggested enhancements in the Management category.
IRS Procurement Group owns the TaxSlayer Software
They are the primary interface to TaxSlayer
The suggested enhancements have been submitted by the IRS to TaxSlayer
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

4. Top 5 Management Enhancements
Add date to Client List Record – add ability to sort on date
Add ability to archive Records
Provide Option to Force Use of Only Form 1040
Apply current year fixes to prior years
Ability to see status of State Returns without opening each Federal return.
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

5. Sample of Additional Requests
Provide Record of Direct Debits and Deposits
Ability to View Any Form (Federal or State) within Return
Eliminate Due Diligence questions
Add Separate Menu Item with Direct Link to Submissions page
Increase Contrast and Provide Option to Increase Default Font Size on Entry Screens
Revise Return Type Descriptions
e.g. Mail Payment – E-file with No Direct Debit
For complete list of all Enhancement Requests see One Support Help Center > Tax Training > TaxSlayer
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

6. TaxSlayer Online (TSO)
TSO is the only program Tax Aide will use for TY17
No desktop programs, nor contingency programs
No TaxWise
TSO TY17 will be available during late November, 2017
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

7. TaxSlayer Online Setup
The Practice Lab is the ‘training’ program
Setup (configuration) of TSO personalizes TSO for each site
Setup begins with the IRS order identifying the site’s Administrator and the Multi-Site Administrator
Open Question: How does a change of Site Administrator work?
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

8. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Left half of software order
The Spec office will usually supply this form to the State Management team. after verifying that all EFINs are included and that the EFIN names and address are verified against ESERVE data. This is an iterative process.
At this time ensuring that these names and addresses match portal information is advisable.
Placing of the order with TaxSlayer is accomplished by the IRS (Spec Office).
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

9. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Right half of software order.
Notice this district has one Super Admin for the entire district.
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

10. Multi-Site Administrator (MSA)
MSA is the EFIN subscribed to when the software is ordered
With Tax-Aide the MSA functions that are implemented are the ability to create and send settings to subscribers – Security Templates, Security Questions, Taxpayer Profiles, Print sets, Return Tags
The TaxSlayer documentation describes a relational EFIN function that provides the ability of the MSA to control remote sites. This is not implemented in Tax-Aide.
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

11. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Question
Why did the NTC create a National Template for TaxWise but does not create a national set of setup elements for TaxSlayer using of the MSA function?
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

12. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Answer
With TaxWise a template could be modified and sent down one level in the Hierarchy.
With TaxSlayer an element can be modified only by the creator of an element
For example if the MSA site sends a print set to all its subscribing sites. The subscribing site can choose to use or not use the print set but they cannot modify it.
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

13. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Good News
Setup information from TY16 will be available in the TY17 environment that includes:
Preparers
Print Sets
Custom Questions
Security Templates
Profiles
Return Tags
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas

14. 2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas
Questions ???
2017 TCS SMT Training - Dallas