This year the IRS has expanded due diligence questions concerning the Child Tax Credit to make sure that taxpayers and their children qualify for the credit. Here is a short guide to help tax professionals navigate this important credit.
Amount: The Child Tax Credit may help reduce federal income tax by $1,000 for each qualifying child claimed.
Additional Child Tax Credit: If the client qualifies for Child Tax Credit but gets less than the full amount, they could receive a refund, even if they owe no tax, through the Additional Child Tax Credit. This year, tax returns claiming Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit that have refunds will be held by the IRS until February 15th.
Qualifications: There are many tests that the child must pass to qualify for the credit, including:
The child must be under age 17 at the end of the year.
The child must be the dependent and relative of the client.
The child cannot file a joint return for the year, unless they are filing only to get a refund.
There are several other qualifications as well. For more information on special rules and limitations for the Child Tax Credit, please visit www.irs.gov.
To find the expanded due diligence questions in the Taxware Systems software, fill out the basic information on a client and click “Line Input” on the left hand side. Once there, you will see the Form 1040. On the far left above the automatic calculations is a large button with Due Diligence and a red X. Click on the button and the questions that need to be answered will be in red. Once those questions are answered, a green check mark will appear if the client qualifies for the credit.
Schedule 8812: If the client qualifies to claim the Child Tax Credit, make sure to check whether they need to fill out Form 8812. The same also goes for the Additional Child Tax Credit; the client will need to fill out Form 8812.
Here at Taxware Systems, we want tax professionals to stay informed about the tax industry at large, including important information from the IRS that will help the tax season run smoothly.
The IRS recently announced that the official start date for 2017 filing season, and the day they will begin processing returns is Monday, January 23rd.
Note: There is no advantage to filing paper returns early in January because the IRS will start processing all returns at the same time.
The IRS also wanted to remind taxpayers that due to the PATH Act, a new law dictates that the IRS is required to hold refunds claiming Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15th. Please be patient; it will take several days for these particular refunds to be released and processed through various financial institutions.
We hope that this information is helpful as you prepare for another successful tax season.
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During the holiday season, people often donate money, personal belongings or property to charity. Here are some tips that you can share with your clients to help them file their tax return.
Qualified Charities: The client can deduct gifts for a qualified charity. This includes churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies, even if they do not appear on the Select Check tool provided by the IRS. Note: Warn them to be careful of phishers posing as qualifying charities. Do not open emails from a “charity” that is not familiar, and do not click on any links in the emails. The Select Check tool should be able to help you confirm actual charities.
Keep Records of All Cash Gifts: Gifts of money include those made in cash, checks, electronic funds transfer, credit card or payroll deductions. Make sure they ask for written statements or bank records from the charity. The statement must show the name of the charity, date and the contribution amount. If there are payroll deductions, have them retain a paystub or W-2 form from their employer.
Additional Records: The client needs to get an acknowledgement from the charity for each deductible donation, cash or property, of $250 or more.
Year-End Gifts: Deduct contributions in the year that they are made. If the client charges a gift to a credit card before the end of the year, it will count for 2016. The same is true of a check mailed in 2016.
Special Rules: If they give a car, boat or airplane to charity, special rules apply. Be sure they fill out Form 8283 Noncash Charitable Contributions, to report these gifts.
For more information about charitable donations, please visit
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The W-2 Input page has been modernized. We have put special focus on the flow and tab order of the W-2 page.
The W-2 follows the IRS W-2 form. We have added the wizard mode button so that you can turn the wizard flow on or off any time, whether you are in edit mode or enter a new W-2 transaction.
Live View
This is the next evolution to our forms preview and constant calculations. Designed primarily for you dual or large monitor users, hitting the F12 key will open the live view window. This can be dragged to a second monitor or space on a large monitor.
For supported forms, this will then display the active form or schedule. As dollar amounts are changed and calculated the PDF will be instantly updated, giving you even more tax return information at your fingertips.
Expanded E-File Tracking
We have enhanced our outstanding e-file tracking system even more. The new system will now handle an unlimited number of state records, integrate seamlessly with the client data grid and includes an A2A server database tab.
The new A2A server tab will show you a two week history of an individual tax return’s e-file A2A progress. Also, in these individual data records, acknowledgement files can be re-hung for download and processing. This can still be done through our website but can now also be done here without ever leaving the program.
I have just scratched the surface of the new program and its capabilities. Our posted video will give you a better overview of the new program, so we encourage you to check it out: http://www.taxwaresystems.com/productwintax.html.
We are excited about the new Wintax program. It opens the door to so many additional opportunities for future goals and tools.
Although we are very excited about the new program, we are also cautious. We will continue to support and enhance our legacy Wintax program.
The new program is in a pilot or test year and is limited in state support as well as native forms and schedules. The program natively supports CA, IL and UT and uses the legacy program to support all the other states and federal forms that are not native to the new system. However, most of the other federal forms and schedules are available by linking the new program to the legacy program in the Defaults and Settings page.
-Scott Dalton; Vice President of Taxware Systems
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We have had a busy summer! We have added a lot of fantastic capabilities to the Income Tax programs. We appreciate your ideas and partnership continuing to help Wintax be the best in the industry. We have posted a video that shows you the great enhancements that have been made to our new next generation Wintax-1040 program:
Taking advantage of some of the latest programming tools available, we have rewritten our Wintax-1040 Income Tax programs. We wanted to develop dynamic systems with a more user-friendly experience but keep our existing tax return flow so that there wouldn’t be a learning curve.
We believe we have hit the mark with this new Wintax program and are excited for its launch!
The new programs have the same overall features, functionality, and great flow as the old programs. Don’t worry, we didn’t take any features out, but made some great additions to them that we know you will appreciate. Some of the new key features that were added include:
Enhanced Windows 10 user interface, fully maximized screen and overall more user-friendly experience. Defaults and Settings have been moved to their own page. For most clients, Taxware’s standard defaults are adequate and typically do not require adjustments.
Native Print Printing is even faster.
User Interface Scaling This can be done on any page by CTRL mousewheel up or down. You can also go to the Defaults and Settings page and use the scaling slider. The scaler will remember whatever it was set to last when you exit the program.
Easier Networking Available networked drop down as well as networking filter. The network name is now part of the operating system’s client storage and gets ported into the client and e-file databases. This means you can easily switch to another network client’s settings, and that you can also filter clients based on your network ID. If you are not networking, simply uncheck the “Enable networking user filter” selection and the “User Filter” goes away. Tax returns’ network ID gets set during new client or prior year recall but can be reassigned in the print configuration menu.
“Bread Crumb” Navigation is awesome! Now you can know where you are in the tax return all the time. What makes this feature really fantastic is that clicking the blue titles can also be used to go straight to a specific page.
E-file Validation is now native to the new program. The internal and IRS schema validation for the federal takes place during the loading of the validator. We also have color coding of the XML, copy and paste functionality, and search XML utilities.
E-file tracker has a new Station ID filter. If networking computers or station ID EROs that intend to share the program, a station ID can be entered and the new e-file tracker will filter their tax returns.
There are too many fun things to talk about regarding the new program, but I’ll talk about a few of the highlights. Note: We are not discontinuing our fantastic current legacy 1040 program, so if you are more comfortable using the legacy program it is also being added to and enhanced.
Client Selection Grid
We are really excited about the new, enhanced recall client page. On this page, clients can filter the tax returns to show only tax returns for the selected filter by clicking the filter buttons. The search options located to the left will search the filtered data set. This should make finding and working with your clients a lot easier and faster.
Also from this page, the new client wizard can be accessed to start a return by selecting the new client button located in the tool bar.
For clients that have been recalled into the current year, expanded client information can be accessed by searching for the client and hitting the F2 key or clicking the F2 button.
This page provides a quick snapshot of the tax return. Client basic information, direct deposit information, amounts refunded or owed, amounts billed and owed, and a quick summary of the electronic filing status of the federal and state returns is available. For electronically filed returns, acknowledgement files can be printed right from this expanded information page.
1040 Line Input
This page is the main launch point of the federal tax return and the federal form 1040 is the main design flow for this page. Constant total calculations are shown in the left panel. Forms and schedules used are displayed in the middle panel and those forms or schedules can be accessed by double clicking those forms.
The main forms and schedules item selections are found in conjunction with the line numbers of the 1040. We also added specific page access if that line is clicked with your mouse. We also included our Form Search capabilities that had previously only been available in our direct Forms and Schedules page.
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Do your clients have ITINs, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers? The IRS issues an ITIN to those who need to file a tax return or report to the IRS, but who are not eligible for a social security number, and some of those ITINs expire at the end of 2016. If your client needs to renew an ITIN, complete an application this fall to avoid delays.
The following list includes what forms they will need to renew the ITIN:
Form W-7: The Form W-7 is the application for the IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The client must have identification documents with the form, but they do not need a completed tax return.
Proof of Foreign Status and Identity: Many forms fulfill this requirement, including:
Passport (This can be a stand-alone document for dependents with a U.S. date of entry. Otherwise, other identification from this list is required.)
National ID Card
Visa
U.S. Driver’s License or Foreign Driver’s License
Birth Certificate (Required for dependents under 18)
Other documents are eligible to show proof of foreign status as well. For a full list, please visit www.irs.gov.
Note: Only original documents or certified copies are accepted.
Dependent Requirements: If a client needs to renew an ITIN, they can renew their family at the same time. For dependents from countries other than Mexico or Canada or U.S. military members overseas, a passport with a U.S. entry date will work for identification. Along with the passport, dependent applications require:
U.S. medical records for dependents under age 6 or U.S. school records for dependents under age 18.
U.S. school records for dependents age 18 or over or a rental statement, utility bill or bank statement with the applicant’s name and U.S. address.
To claim certain credits and ensure a timely refund, make sure they renew their ITIN before filing taxes. For more information, please visit www.irs.gov.
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The IRS has announced new processing procedures involving the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit during the first few weeks of 2017, and during the latter half of 2016, the agency hopes to prepare taxpayers and tax professionals for this major change.
As part of the PATH Act passed in December of 2015, the new law mandates that no tax credit or refund for an overpayment for a taxable year shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15th if the taxpayer claimed Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit on their return.
This change will go into effect January 1, 2017, and may affect some returns filed early in 2017. This means that:
The IRS will hold the refunds on EITC and ACTC-related returns until February 15th. The agency will also hold onto an entire refund that falls into this category, rather than issuing partial refunds.
Taxpayers should file as normal, and tax professionals should submit returns as normal. The IRS will still be accepting and processing returns once the filing season begins; that process will not change with the new law.
The IRS still expects to issue most refunds in less than 21 days, though the IRS will hold EITC and ACTC refunds until February 15th and then begin issuing them.
With these new steps in place, the hope is that the law can help prevent identity theft and fabricated withholdings revenue loss as well as ensure that taxpayers receive the refund they are owed.
The IRS will continue to share information with taxpayers at www.irs.gov as information becomes available through the fall of 2016.
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Tax identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return to get a refund. This is a major issue that the IRS is trying to address, but they cannot win this fight alone. There are steps that you both as a taxpayer and a business owner can take to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.
How to Reduce Your Risk
Use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections. Also, use strong passwords and routinely change them.
Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
Protect your personal data. Don’t routinely carry your Social Security card, and make sure that your tax documents are secure.
If you believe you are a victim of tax identity theft, look for these red flags:
More than one tax return has been filed using your SSN.
You owe additional tax, your refund is offset or collection actions have been taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
IRS records indicate that you received wages or other income from an employer that you did not work for.
Contact a major credit bureau, such as Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to place a fraud alert on your records.
Contact your financial institutions and close all accounts that were opened without your permission or tampered with by thieves.
If your SSN is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of Tax Identity Theft, the IRS recommends:
Respond immediately to any IRS notice, and make sure to follow the directions on the notice. Messages and notices from the IRS will come through postal mail, not through email or phone calls.
Fill out Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit.
Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must paper file the return rather than e-File.
IP PINs: If you are a confirmed ID theft victim, the IRS may issue an IP PIN. The IP PIN is a unique six-digit number that you will use to e-File your tax return. Each year you will receive an IRS letter with a new IP PIN.
With your help, the IRS stopped 1.4 million confirmed ID theft returns and protected $8.7 billion in 2015. In the past couple of years, more than 2,000 people have been convicted of filing fraudulent ID theft returns. As taxpayers and tax professionals, let us do our part to help combat identity theft.
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At Taxware Systems, we want you, the tax professional, to have all of the resources available that we can provide. We believe that you have certain rights and privileges you should be entitled to.
The Right to Be Informed: At Taxware Systems, we are honest with you. We don’t just want to sell– we want to build a relationship with you. We want to make sure you know what’s going on not only with us and our software, but also what’s happening with the tax industry in general. As the tax laws change and programs are updated, we want to help you through the unknown.
The Right to Quality Service: You deserve quality service, which means prompt, courteous and professional assistance. Here at Taxware, we have experienced support teams that take care of not just our software programs, but our people. We know that our clients are the reason we’re in business, and we thank you for that by having quality support ready to assist. Our sales representatives and tech support are here to help our clients finish their toughest returns and get their hardest questions answered.
The Right to Be Heard: Everyone deserves to be heard and treated with respect, and at Taxware Systems we do our best to take our clients suggestions and concerns and implement or fix them in a timely manner. Even during peak tax time, we are working hard to make the program better and finding ways to make the tax season easier and more successful for our clients.
The Right to Security: Taxware Systems has been in business since 1979, and even as we continue to grow, we have never bought or sold to another tax software company. We are based in southern California, and we do not rely on overseas support to help our clients. Client data is always confidential, and will never be shared or used for selling purposes.
The Right to Resources: From tech support to online tutorials, videos and emails, we at Taxware Systems want you to learn how to use our programs so that you are comfortable and ready for the tax season. We have many kinds of training available, and we are here for you. If you have questions or need help, just ask!
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The definition of insanity is an interesting one; some people might say insanity is staying up until all hours of the night doing something that you enjoy. Another group might say insanity is having the courage to do something others are too timid to try.
Admit it, most of us fit into one or both of these categories, but when it comes to tax preparation business, we need to think seriously about another, more troubling type of insanity– doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result–and how it affects your office as a tax professional.
One example of this insanity would be being willing to wait three hours for technical support over the phone. Many times as I have gone to trade shows and various events, tax professionals have told me that it is too hard to change because it is time consuming or they are already too familiar with their old program, but in the same breath the preparers say they suffer from slow tech support who have them hold for three hours or more or never get a call back. With Taxware Systems, you will never be waiting on the phone for hours. Even in peak tax times you will always get an answer and be greeted with courteous, fast and friendly service. Added Bonus: In the same three hours that tax professionals are on hold with tech support from other companies, preparers can learn the Taxware Systems user-friendly software.
Another example of tax insanity would be pricing. While vendors often sell their software at a heavily reduced price or even give out their software for free, the question arises, “How are they making money?” The answer: hidden fees that you could be paying. They make their money in many different ways, including bank product fees, e-File fees, bank technology and support fees, among others. Added Bonus: Taxware Systems is proud to be one of the few, if not the only, tax software company that does not charge bank transmission, bank technology, support or other hidden fees.
One last example would be struggling with software. I have heard from several tax preparers that they don’t want to switch because they don’t want to figure out a new program, and yet these same tax professionals struggle because the program that they have does not have everything they need or they do not like how certain forms or schedules work with their current software. Here’s a tip: There’s nothing wrong with taking time to learn something new, and even though change can be scary, Taxware Systems will be there to help you through the learning curve. The program and our support team can take you from the beginning of a tax return to e-filing and printing. With our fast, user-friendly software and helpful tech support, you can’t lose. Added Bonus: Thanks to our brilliant team of programmers, we are taking a great program and making it better! With a brand new client grid, live preview of forms and schedules and side by side Taxware Systems and IRS validation among other features being tested in 2016, the improved software is bound to get returns done faster and you on your way to things you want to do.
So, instead of tax insanity and business anxiety, why don’t you give us at Taxware Systems a try? With our fantastic client support, no extra fees and a great program, we can help you have a wonderful tax season and beyond.
To find out more, give us a call at 1-800-877-1065 or email us at sales@taxwaresystems.com and we would be happy to help you!
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