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 – to ensure return wasn’t changed after printing

Transmit returns and get Acknowledgments (ACKs)

Update Filing Status reports

See PUB 3189


TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS

Restore returns to transmitting computer, if necessary (TaxWise Desktop only)

Check for errors, completed 8879’s, and required attachments

Re-create e-files, if necessary Tools> Make e-files – for all 8879’s in hand

(TW Desktop only)


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Get Acknowledgements Federal ACKs – can print automatically State ACKs – can print automatically TaxWise e-mails – must print

separately

Print Acknowledgement Reportand/or “export” to Excel or .pdf – Exported files must be put on an encrypted drive.

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: Log into support/Return Query, enter each

SSN; “update database”, will create ack. Contact CCH and investigate Ensure problem is corrected

Follow-up for State Returns status later


RETURN QUERY .


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 – print paper only forms, return W2s and 1099s

Provide feedback to counselor and quality reviewer


HANDLING REJECTSCAUTION

A new 8879 needs to be signed, if:

The taxpayer name or SSN changes or

The difference in total income or AGI is over $50 or

The refund or amount owed is changed by over $14


RECORD KEEPING A site sign-in sheet with client name and

record of services provided is required for developing input to the Activity Reports

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 if used Make use of sorting options in TWO

There may be many methods for tracking, however, the modified Site Sign-in sheet is recommended


RECORD KEEPING Completed 8879s with required W-2s,

1099Rs, etc….

DCRs (Document Control Reports)

ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports)

TaxWise reports, as requested by DC

Sign-in sheets – used for activity reports and to show that every return was transmitted and acknowledged or issued in paper


RECORD KEEPING Send 8879s to IRS SPEC

periodically, or all at end of season – check with your 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 removable media

for: IRS SPEC AARP SC (data retention)

Delete returns Clear Taxpayer Data – AARP Delete any exported reports – 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 with a listing of shipping information to IRS SPEC

Prepare and store all AARP Equipment for the off-season

See specific recommendations in TMG


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


ERO TRAINING

QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?

ERO TRAINING

Documents

Transcript of ERO TRAINING