ERO TRAINING

1NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010

ERO TRAINING

The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO)

is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide


ERO QUALIFICATIONS

EROs must:

Be certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers

Be (or become) proficient with IRS- supplied tax preparation software.


ERO RESPONSIBILITIES

Security of taxpayer data

Transmission of e-file returns

Record keeping

Communications


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


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


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 reportsSee PUB

3189


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)


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Get Acknowledgements Federal ACKs State ACKs TaxWise e-mails

Print Acknowledgement Report And/or “export” to Excel or .pdf

Check for rejects


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


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


HANDLING REJECTSCAUTION

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


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


Dave Evans

I personally abhor this method when presented to new ERO's. It makes it look overly complicated in part because it is too, too busy. I suggest you use only Chart 15 to illustrate since it has an ERO log section in it. The important thing, as you know, is to account for each return that is has been prepared regardless of the method.Also delete Chart 14.


Returns sent: Returns Ack’d1000 1007 10001002 1008 10021003 1009 10041004 10111005

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)


Modified Tax-Aide Site Sign-In Sheet

Docum

ent Control

Num

ber

Dave Evans

This example still shows a Stimulus return column (8).


RECORD KEEPING Completed 8879s with required W-

2s, 1099Rs, etc…. DCRs (Document Control Reports) ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports) TaxWise reports, as requested by

DC


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


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



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



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.



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


COMMUNICATIONSVERY 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


ERO TRAINING

QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?

ERO TRAINING

Documents

Transcript of ERO TRAINING