In TaxAct Professional Enterprise Edition, checking in/out a client return is a multi-user networking feature. In a multi-user or office network setup, a user may check files in or out of internal document storage or cloud repositories (such as TaxAct’s secure servers or a local server directory) to control concurrent access and editing rights. See […]
To view this report at any time from the Professional Reports page, click Dashboard in the Navigation menu. For help accessing the Professional Reports, see Accessing Professional Reports for detailed instructions. This report is broken into a couple different parts. E-Files Over Time Click Daily, Weekly, or Monthly to view the E-Files Over Time graph […]
You can access Professional Reports in two ways: From Practice Manager From within TaxAct Professional Editions Menu and Navigation Once you access Professional Reports, your home page is the E-File Details Report. See Professional Reports Guide for reports available in the Navigation menu. Related Links
For help accessing the Professional Reports, see Accessing Professional Reports for detailed instructions. Once you have accessed Professional Reports, you can view reports from the navigation menu, including: Dashboard Reports To view this report at any time, click Dashboard in the navigation menu. This report is broken into a couple different parts. See Dashboard Reports […]
Search for a Client Click the Search button at the top of the screen next to Add Client and enter text. Click Next. Add, Edit, or Delete a Client You can add, edit, and delete client records in the Client Manager, which displays all current client information and the status of each return. See Adding, […]
The Print Center offers multiple printing options in one convenient place. Multiple documents can be printed in one job. The Print Center also consolidates the printing of client returns, organizers, consent forms, labels, and blank forms. You can access the Print Center in any of the following ways: What is a Client Organizer? The Client […]
The Print Center offers multiple printing options in one convenient place. Multiple documents can be printed in one job. The Print Center also consolidates the printing of client returns, organizers, consent forms, labels, and blank forms. You can access the Print Center in any of the following ways: From the Print Center, click the Labels […]
The Print Center offers multiple printing options in one convenient place. Multiple documents can be printed in one job. The Print Center also consolidates the printing of client returns, organizers, consent forms, labels, and blank forms. You can access the Print Center in any of the following ways: From within the print center, you can […]
TaxAct offers several methods for you to keep your client returns safe and secure, including: You will be required to sign in each time you open the software and after 30 minutes of inactivity on your PC, or every 24 hours (whichever comes first). The IRS Security Summit’s requirements apply to all professional tax products […]
Preparers have the option to use the “Do Not File Client Copy” watermark on the printed client copy of a return. This is in addition to the “Do Not File” watermark. To print the client copy with this watermark: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, on the Client Manager screen, double-click the client’s return […]
To delete a return, follow the steps below. If you wish to add or remove a state from a return, see Add or Delete State Return for more information. Important Notes: Once a return is deleted, it cannot be restored. You cannot delete a return if: It has already been e-filed or printed. An extension has […]
Tax return preparers who prepare all, or substantially all, of a federal tax return for compensation are subject to certain requirements including registration in the IRS PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers webpage. The Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is mandatory for all paid preparers since January 1, 2011. Tax preparers must pay a fee […]
When you purchase prepaid or unlimited e-filing, that purchase is assigned to your account. When you sign into TaxAct with the username and password associated with that account, your Practice ID should automatically be added to your Preparer Information. To enter the verification information for your e-filing: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, click […]
A feature of the TaxAct Enterprise Edition is the ability to store, share, and collaborate with others on a network. It’s great for offices with multiple preparers who wish to share workloads, data, and responsibilities. The program can be used with your existing Local Area Network (local storage option) or an Internet connection (cloud-based storage) […]
Per IRS Publication 524 Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, page 4: Permanent and total disability. You have a permanent and total disability if you can’t engage in any substantial gainful activity because of your physical or mental condition. A qualified physician must certify that the condition has lasted or can be expected to […]
Permissions are a feature of multi-user networking available in TaxAct Enterprise Editions. The first preparer you add to your practice will be the Practice Administrator by default (this cannot be removed). Anyone with the Practice Administrator permission will be able to: Invite other preparers to join the practice Modify other preparer’s permissions, Deactivate (or reactivate) […]
You can add, edit, and delete client records in the Client Manager, which displays all current client information and the status of each return. You can also import previous year returns from the Client Manager. See Professional Editions – Importing Prior Year TaxAct Returns for more information. Add Client Click the Add a Client button. […]
A “Wash Sale” is trading activity in which shares of a security are sold at a loss and a substantially identical security is purchased within a 61-day window that extends from 30 days before the date of the sale to 30 days after the date of the sale. The portion of the loss associated with […]
If Practice information (Practice name, address, etc.) is not saving successfully when entering it in the Preparer Master Information section of the Professional program, you can try and go through the following steps.Click on Preparer > Master Information > Preparers > Click on the pencil icon beside the preparer’s name > In “Preparer Info” click […]
With TaxAct Professional Edition, you can offer bank services through Republic Bank; however, you must first establish an account with the bank. Deadlines for applying with Republic Bank can be found via TaxAct’s Republic Bank product page. If you miss the bank application deadline, you can still provide tax preparation services with TaxAct, but you’ll […]
To set up or edit your practice, preparer, or master information: Click Preparer, then click Master Information from the drop-down. Enter your practice information, then click Continue to Preparer Information. Edit, add, or remove preparers as needed, then click Continue to Master Info. Click Set Up Master Information Now to select preferences for returns, invoicing, […]
The Import Wizard allows you to import prior year master information that you saved locally or online. The first screen you will see upon logging into your TaxAct Professional software will give you the option to import prior year Master Information, if available. To import prior year’s information: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, […]
Each preparer entered in your program must have a separate individual PTIN. The default preparer’s entry should be the practice owner. The practice owner must invite other preparers. If the preparer you are trying to invite is set as the Practice Owner, then they can’t be invited. You need to be set as the Practice […]
To access your E-File Billing Summary in the TaxAct Professional Edition program: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, click Preparer in the upper menu bar, then click Professional Reports. Click E-File Billing Summary, and your total paid fees will be displayed as well as a detailed list of e-filing fees by client. To access […]
TaxAct assigns each practice a unique alphanumeric identification code called a “Practice ID” when the software is purchased. If you have multiple preparers in your practice, each preparer will have the same Practice ID. This ID links your software with your TaxAct account and allows all preparers in your practice to share resources. The Practice […]
The Withholding Summary report lists all sources for Federal, State, and Local Withholding by form (W-2, 1099-MISC etc.). At the bottom of the report, there is an All Other Withholdings field that applies to only federal withholding. Sources for withholding that are reported in the All Other Withholding field are: Form 8959 Line 24, Total Additional […]
TaxAct Professional Editions require a unique Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) for each preparer to be entered and verified in Master Information. This is due to strict IRS requirements to prevent tax fraud, as stated on the IRS Frequently Asked Questions: Do I Need a PTIN? webpage, under General Guidance #4: “Can multiple individuals or […]
If you receive this notification while using your TaxAct Enterprise Edition program: “Warning: Master Information is currently opened by: [computer\username]. It is not recommended that multiple users access Master Information at the same time. Do you wish to proceed?” You have not received an error notification. The program is warning you that more than one […]
If you want to add back all of the clients that you deleted or removed from Client Manager, you can rebuild Client Manager. Rebuilding will only add back clients that you deleted or removed from Client Manager, it will not add back clients whose files you deleted in that process. If you’re not sure how […]
Online backup is a manual process unless you use the Professional Enterprise Edition online option. You must perform the operation in your program each time you choose to back up your client returns online: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, click File in the upper menu bar, hover your mouse over Backup, then click Client Return(s). Click […]
All paid tax return preparers must obtain or renew their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) annually. The PTIN renewal period begins in mid-October and all PTINs expire on Dec. 31. If you must pass the Registered Tax Return Preparer test, do not delay in making your appointment. Learn more about PTIN renewal and CE requirements […]
Per IRS Publication 17 Your Federal Income Tax For Individuals, page 28: Age Test To meet this test, a child must be: Under age 19 at the end of the year and younger than you (or your spouse, if filing jointly); A student under age 24 at the end of the year and younger than […]
You must be covered under a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) in order to establish and take a deduction for contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Per IRS Publication 969 Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans, page 4: High deductible health plan (HDHP). An HDHP has: A higher annual deductible than typical […]
There are three main categories of income: active income, passive income, and portfolio income. “Passive income” does not include earnings from wages or active business participation, nor does it include income from dividends, interest or capital gains. For tax purposes, it is important to note that losses in passive income generally cannot offset active or […]
Bank products are services that tax preparers can offer to their clients. Cash Advances are loan products for taxpayers that are secured by their tax refund. With an Easy Advance from Republic Bank or a Fast Cash Advance from Santa Barbara TPG, you can provide a loan to your customers before e-file starts. The TaxAct […]
When you check for (and run) updates for your TaxAct Professional program, any client returns affected will automatically be updated. When the update is complete, you’ll be prompted to view the Update Summary Report to review which client returns changed due to the update. The steps below allow you to view that report at a […]
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) is the method of depreciation used to expense the cost of most property placed in service after 1986. Under MACRS, the cost of qualified property is expensed over predetermined periods. For more information, go to IRS Instructions for Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property) and […]
Per IRS Publication 946 How to Depreciate Property, page 3: Overview of Depreciation – Introduction Depreciation is an annual income tax deduction that allows you to recover the cost or other basis of certain property over the time you use the property. It is an allowance for the wear and tear, deterioration, or obsolescence of […]
If you are a preparer e-filing returns for the first time, see the following links for helpful information: An Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) is required to e-file returns. If you don’t already have an EFIN, apply today using the IRS’s e-Services – Online Tools for Tax Professionals. Learn more on the IRS Become an […]
All financial information and Social Security Numbers are blacked out on a redacted return. For insurance purposes, this is often done so they can confirm that your spouse and/or child(ren) are listed on your return as they expect them to be.
The TaxAct® program allows the entry of six children on Form 8839 Qualified Adoption Expenses. If you need to enter more than six adopted children, you will need to override some fields in TaxAct and paper file your return. You may only override fields in the TaxAct Desktop (download) program. For Part II of your manually […]
Per IRS Publication 936, page 8: Refinancing. Generally, points you pay to refinance a mortgage aren’t deductible in full in the year you pay them. This is true even if the new mortgage is secured by your main home. However, if you use part of the refinanced mortgage proceeds to substantially improve your main home […]
With TaxAct Professional Edition, you can offer bank services through Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG); however, you must first establish an account with the bank. Deadlines for applying with Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) can be found via TaxAct’s Bank Product page. If you miss the bank application deadline, you can still provide tax […]
Understanding commonly used terms and their acronyms can make it easier to prepare and file your tax return. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): Refers to the number issued by the IRS or Social Security Administration to identify taxpayers. For individual filers, TIN is usually the taxpayer’s Social Security Number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). […]
