Step 1: The Introduction

Transcription

1 Step 1: The Introduction MANDATORY: Welcome to Jackson Hewitt. How are you. Receptionist/front office/tp/om staff welcomes the client and request a client data sheet be filled out (both new and returning clients). Enter them in the LOBBY QUEUE (even if you have only one Customer) MANDATORY: The preparer then escorts the customer back to his/her desk and offers the customer a seat. o Hi my name is. I ll be preparing your tax return today. We ll start by discussing your personal & dependent information. We ll then learn about your income and expenses. We ll make sure you get every credit and deduction you deserve. I ll let you know refund or balance due. We ll review your completed return and I ll present you with Products & Services. Once you select the products, we ll file the return with your permission, sign the paperwork and I ll present you with our ReferAFriend coupons so you can refer your friend and family and we ll send you money. Are you ready to get started? Step 2: Return Assessment Preparer should review all documents provided by the customer and assess the customer s needs. o 1. Simple Return: One/Two W2s, Standard Deduction o 2. Intermediate Return: Multiple W2s, Other Income forms (1099INT, 1099R, SSA 1099), Unemployment, Standard Deduction, No SelfEmployment o 3. Moderately Advanced Return: Multiple Income Statements, SelfEmployment, Simple Itemization (Mortgage Interest & Real Estate Tax) o 4. Advanced Return: Multiple Income Statements, Self Employment, Foreclosure, K1s, Itemized Deductions(Unreimbursed Employee Expenses, Medical Deductions, etc) If return is more complicated than the preparer is comfortable or educated to tackle, the preparer should politely and professionally inform the customer that due to their unique tax situation, we have a preparer that is specialized in this type of return. Start the return with basic information, put it on HOLD and make return management notes with when the customer is advised to come back so a more experienced preparer can complete the return. Step 3: Starting the Return Start Profiler & Click Tax Programs, Tax Return Preparation. Enter the Clients SSN(s), Last Name, and Phone Number from the CDS (Customer Data Sheet) and click Next If the customer Last Year s return is displayed (FDLYS), click this return and click continue Select New Individual Return Interview Entry and click Next. Enter your User ID and Password and click OK. Reenter the Primary Taxpayer s SSN to verify.

2 Step 4: The Personal Information Interview Open up all customers documents and prepare them for data entry. Keep all W2 s on top and all other income and expenses documents in ONE stack on your desk (as you enter them, flip them over on the other side. That way, you ll make sure that ALL documents are entered) Enter you Preparer ID (This is a three digit code, used to identify you. If you do not have this, contact your supervisor immediately.) Due diligence is required at all points during return preparation. You must read and agree to the following question: The next series of questions assesses the customers filing status and must be answered correctly. Any information entered from the CDS should be verified while being entered. Be sure to enter the customer s occupation, as profiler contains a function called deductions at work. This function allows profiler to alert you of possible deductions that may be claimed by the taxpayer. When this box appears, you should read the customer the statement. Not all question need to be asked in order to assess the correct answer. For example, Profiler asks Are you legally blind. In almost all cases, this can be determined without reading the customer the question. Certain other questions must be asked in certain situations, For example, Can you be claimed as a dependent on another return? In most cases this question is answered no, but in the case of a minor or student under the age of 24, this question MUST be asked. It can and will affect their filing status and qualifications for certain credits. Every customer should be asked if they have an address. Anytime a child/dependent is claimed that has any relationship other than son or daughter, the following dialog is displayed. It is very important that you make all reasonable inquiries into why the child lives with this taxpayer. This information needs to be entered into the notes section of Profiler

3 The Notes function of Profiler is a very important tool and must be utilized in every return. To access this function, click the Rejects/Notes Button. o Questions must be asked into whether and why the children lived with the taxpayer. These questions can begin with statements such as: To protect you as a taxpayer, it is necessary that I ask the following question: Or Due to IRS due diligence requirements, I am required to ask the following: o In addition, some questions that should be ask are: I see that you niece lived with you this past year, do you keep school records and other documents in case if IRS requires them? Or I see that you are claiming business mileage, the IRS does require you have adequate documentation to support your claim. If requested, would you be able to provide this documentation. Do you keep school records and such to show IRS in case you need it? Simply Document client s response using the Rejects/Notes Section Step 5: The Tax Interview: One of the First items of the tax interview is the sources of income check boxes. It is a series of two lists of both common and uncommon types of income. Please familiarize yourself with each list, so that when you need to select an item from the list, you know right where it is.

4 If the customer has no itemized deductions, then this question should be answered no. Answering no to this question qualifies the customer for the accelerated interview which will skip the questions pertaining to itemized deductions. This will help ensure the customer s return is prepared as quickly as possible. If the Customer has a paystub or W2 from ADP, we may be able to download the W2 to save time when preparing the return. Please check the correct box in the dialog box below. You must also answer yes to the following question if you wish to download the customer s W2 s Once all W2 information is entered you must verify that it is the final W2 information.

5 Be sure to exercise Due Diligence when preparing every tax return. Again profiler will remind you to exercise adequate due diligence when preparing the tax return. You must manually check the Yes or No box to certify that you have asked the necessary questions in preparing the return. If you do not check yes, the customer will not be allowed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. You must select the box that applies when it come to dependents and schedule C returns. Failure to do so will remove the EIC credit from the return.

6 X Enter your Due Diligence notes on these lines for the IRS record Enter your notes in Profiler now!!! Review the Return Verification with the customer.

7 Review the information with the customer Be sure to ask the customer : Gold Guarantee should be offered in every return. This is an inexpensive program that protects our customers and is extremely reasonably priced. There are many ways to present this program to the customer. You can tell the customer that: o This program provides protection to you in the case that the IRS interprets your return differently. It reimburses you up to $5000 to cover any additional tax liability you may owe. It is valid for 3 years, and works out to be just over 3 dollars a month. I m sure you d agree with me that for 4 cents a day, it s a valuable investment. o Add the GG to the return and when you explain your total tax preparation is which includes $44 of GG which covers you for additional $5000 of tax liability in case you get audited for 3 years. Comes out to be only 4 cents/day but you ll sleep better knowing JH will cover any additional liabilities for you on this return for next 3 years If they say no to the Gold Guarantee, the option for the GG Light will be available. o The GG light provides the same worryfree coverage with a lesser amount, up to $1500 for only $25.

8 Be sure to charge the customer for any handwritten city returns you may have to prepare. Any coupons the customer may have, should be entered, and the coupon attached to the H copy of the receipt that prints. The Hcopy should then be filed in the Yellow folder in you office s filing cabinet. When it comes to the products and service options dialog box, you MUST explain each and every option to the customer so that they can make an informed decision. You should follow this script and reference the option mat on the desk as you read. We have many different products for you to obtain you refund in a time frame that is right for you. o First, we have IRS Direct which typically takes less than 21 days. If the customer would like more information: When you choose the IRS Direct option, your return is sent directly to the IRS, either electronically or by mail, and the IRS issues you your refund directly. With IRS Direct, you can choose to receive either a paper check or Direct Deposit. Refunds may take up to 21 days to be processed & any tax preparation fees must be paid up front. o Second, we have the Assisted Refund which usually takes less than 21 days. If the customer would like more information: If you choose the Assisted Refund, or AR, your return will be filed with the IRS, either electronically or by mail, and upon release of funds from the IRS, any fees are deducted and the remainder of your refund is issue to you via a check or direct deposit. Assisted Refunds are typically received in less than 21 days. oit IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT MAKE THE DECISION FOR THE CUSTOMER HERE. GIVE THEM ALL THE CHOICE AND LET THEM DECIDE. EXPLAIN THE PRODUCTS AND WAIT FOR THEIR RESPONSE.

9 Be sure to enter the customers Identification information correctly and ensure that it is valid and not expired. Profiler requires you electronically sing the return by using your ERO PIN number. This Pin number is the last five digits of your SSN and should never be shared with anyone.

10 If for some reason you believe this return require review by your supervisor, and then you may check the Supervisor Review Indicator. Be sure to include adequate notes in the return as to why you would like this return reviewed, so the supervisor can review and if necessary correct the return in a timely fashion. Be sure to click Save Return and Click Exit. Print the paperwork, and obtain all signatures form customer on paperwork. Once complete, check the checkbox and click Save. Do NOT CLICK THIS SAVE UNTIL ALL OF THE PAPERWORK IS COMPLETLEY SIGNED. Use YELLOW (and only YELLOW) HIGHLIGHTER to highlight (just a check is fine, you don t have to color it) areas where customers need to Sign. It is VERY IMPORTANT that customers sign in the correct areas due to IRS and Bank requirements.