Setting up TaxSlayer Pro Online To set up TaxSlayer ProOnline as a Favorite in your web browser, use the following steps: 1. Open Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. 2. Type https://vita.taxslayerpro.com in the address line. Current and prior year software can be accessed upon logging in. 3. Click on the Favorites icon. 4. Click Add. 5. In Name, type the name you want the favorites to display. 6. Click OK. Logging on to Pro Online the first time The user name isn t case sensitive. To log on to TaxSlayer ProOnline, enter your Username, Password, and Security Code. NTTC 1/28/2017 N-1
Pro Online Homepage The Welcome Menu is the Main Menu of the program. It is the first screen the program takes you to every time you log into your office account. From the Main Menu, you will find nine (9) Menu Options that contain functions pertaining to the program. Each part of the program can be accessed by clicking on the gray Select button. Start New Tax Return Select to start a new return. Client Search Select to open an existing return. Review Returns This option allows the tax preparer to mark the return for further review. N-2
Pro Online Homepage (continued) Configuration Set up the configuration options for your office. Reports - Select to generate acknowledgements and other reports. Print Check(s) This option isn t used in the VITA/TCE Programs Prior Year Returns Select any of these options to view, edit, or create a return for the specific prior tax year The Helpful Information section to the left of the Welcome Menu contains links to common websites and forms. N-3
Starting a New Return n/a for Tax-Aide The Start a New Tax Return option enables you to begin the data input process for a client. When you select this option you will be prompted to have the client sign Form 7216 Consent to Use Tax Return Information form. Before continuing, you should have your client sign the form if required. Select OK. n/a for Tax-Aide Social Security Number Entry The next step in creating a new tax return is entering the taxpayer s Social Security number in the space provided. To ensure accuracy, you are required to enter the SSN twice. Select Continue. N-4 NTTC 12/28/2016
Starting a New Return (continued) If the SSN is already in use, ProWeb displays the following: If the SSN doesn t match, Pro Online displays the following: Pulling Prior Year Data If no prior year data is found for this SSN, you will see the message below. Select Continue. If the SSN is already in use, Pro Online displays the following: N-5
Starting a New Return (continued) xxxx Select what you would like to pull forward by checking the boxes to the left of the items listed on the Pull Data to Current Return screen. When satisfied, check the Yes field and then hit the continue button located at the bottom right of the screen. Your prior year information will then be pulled to the current year tax return. Caution - Be sure to verify that all EINs and addresses on Forms W-2 and 1099-R are still the same as the prior year when using carryforward. N-6
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online Select the Begin button to enter other state data applicable to the taxpayer. The federal and state information entered on the federal return will automatically pull into the state. When you have entered in all applicable state data items select Continue. To delete a state return, select State Return from the left side of your screen. Select the delete icon next to the state that you would like to delete. Summary/Print Page (1040 View) Select Summary/Print to see an interactive Form 1040. It shows what's already been entered and allows you to go directly to in input screen for a specific line just by clicking on the amount for that line--even if it's zero. To exit from the 1040 view, use the menu in the upper left-hand corner. Viewing individual schedules and forms after the return is open: At any input screen, click on "Preview Return" in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. This will generate a pdf of the federal tax return. Click on "Print your 2016 Tax Return" in the middle of the screen to open the pdf on your computer screen. Scroll through (or search) the pdf to find the schedule or form you want to view. To preview the state return, use the Preview Return button found on the Summary/Print screen. The Preview buttons on the detail return screens preview the federal return only. NTTC 12/28/2016
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Begin IRS e-file Process When the tax return is ready to be electronically filed, you will be taken through the IRS e-file process. The client s tax return will only be electronically filed after each step in the E-file process is complete based on the type of return you are processing. Federal Return Type Select an electronic return type from the drop down menu. For returns containing a federal refund: Electronic Mailed Check An e-filed return requesting the refund check be mailed to the taxpayer s street address that is included on the tax return. Direct Deposit The taxpayer s refund will be direct deposited by the IRS into their personal checking or savings account. N-8 NTTC 01/04/2017
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Paper Return - If the client wishes to mail their tax return, select this option. The return should be mailed to the IRS processing center assigned to the client s state of residence. See the Partner Resources tab for a list of states and their assigned processing centers. For returns containing a federal amount due: Electronic Balance Due If there is a balance due on the federal return, select this option to generate Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher. The return will be filed electronically, and voucher should be mailed with the accompanying payment to the address indicated on the top half of the form. Electronic Direct Debit If there is a balance due on the federal return, select this option to have the amount automatically debited out of a checking or savings account. You will be prompted to enter the name of the bank, the type of account (checking or savings), the bank routing transmit number and the bank account number. You will also be prompted to enter the amount of the payment, the requested payment date and the client s day-time phone number. Note: If the requested payment date is after April 15th, or the due date of the return, you must enter the current date. Paper Return If the client wishes to mail their tax return, select this option. The return, payment and payment voucher should be mailed to the IRS processing center assigned to the client s state of residence. See the Partner Resources tab for a list of states and their assigned processing centers. State Electronic Filing Menu: Choose how the taxpayer would like to receive their state refund or pay their state balance due. Once you have verified all the State e-file Information is correct, select the Next button to continue with the e-file process. At this point, you should be complete with the e-file process and ready to continue to the e-file Summary. Do this by selecting the Save button. Submission: The last step of the IRS e-file process is to submit the return from the e-file Summary screen. From this screen you will have the option to print the tax return and Form 8879 (federal and state). All previously entered e-file information will also be displayed on this page. N-9
Return Type Completing the E-file Section In TaxSlayer 2016 Select a return type for the federal return. Return Types with a Refund Electronic Mailed = E-filed with paper check Direct Deposit = E-filed with direct deposit Paper Return with Direct Deposit = as stated Paper Return = Paper return with paper check Return Types with an Amount Owed Mail Payment = E-file with No Direct Debit Direct Debit = E-filed with Direct Debit Paper Return with Direct Debit = as stated Paper Return = Paper return with no direct debit Select a return type for each state return. NTTC 1/11/2017
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Completing the E-file Section (continued) New page N11: 4491X 12/2016 N-11
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Review Status Use this status to mark the return for Quality Review e-filing a State Only Return Under most circumstances, both the federal and state returns are electronically filed together. There may be occasions when it is necessary to electronically file only the state portion of a tax return. To e-file a state-only return, place a checkmark in the Send State Only box on the Return Type section of the e-file process and select Next. Note: Federal Return Type must be selected even though you are filing State Only. N-12 Renumbered - was page N-10: 4491X 12/2016 NTTC 1/28/2017
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Tax Preparation and E-File Information Taxpayer Bank Account Information In this section, the Preparer inputs the bank routing and account number for direct deposit of refund or automatic withdrawal of balance due. Input the name of the bank as stated on the check. Input both the routing and account number twice on this screen Caution: Use original source document for input. NOTE: See Pointers for Direct Deposit of Refunds in this tab. N-13
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Questions The Questions filed is for sites use and are defined by the IRS, its partners and the site administrator. This field can also be used to capture information from the partner surveys and track data to measure programs reach. Use these fields for information that is helpful to your site. For example, these fields could be used to enter the preparer s name and/or new versus returning taxpayers. These fields are used by the military to report rank, grade, enlisted/retired, etc. After the end of the tax season a custom report can be created. N-14
Navigating TaxSlayer Pro Online (continued) Continue with the e-file process. Before you submit the return for electronic filing, review the e-file Summary screen. The Type of Return should read: State Only - Federal Return isn t being submitted to the IRS. The state return information should list the state(s) and the type of return for each state. Select Save and Transmit Return to IRS to transmit the state only return. Note: State only return Note: State rules may differ; contact your state Volunteer e-file Coordinator for instructions on the handling of any state signature documents for recordkeeping. N-15
Printing the Tax Return A copy of the return can be printed by selecting the Printer Icon located on the Client Tax Return row from the Office Client List. A copy of the tax return can also be printed from within the return. The print location from inside the return is located on the Submission page under the e-file section. After all required information has been entered on the E-file page, you will click on Save. The program will display the Submission page. From this page click on the drop down arrow, select the appropriate print set, and click on Print Return. Once the PDF is generated you can choose the pages you wish to print and the number of copies you wish to print. N-16