1. 1 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 TaxWise Tips Hopefully helpful items

2. 2 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 LINKING  Some like linking... some don't  If you're going to link, keep the Tree simple  If you're going to use the Tree, make it a comprehensive Tree

3. 3 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys  Get used to using them.  Saves time going back to the mouse  SHIFT and you'll get a different action

4. 4 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys  F1 – Help (in any program)  With SHIFT, you get IRS help  F2 – Saves the return  F3 - “Get the RED out”  F3 again puts the RED back

5. 5 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys  F5 – Calculator  This is an invaluable tool  F7 – Return Status  F8 – Override (use sparingly)  With Shift, 'un-override'

6. 6 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 F Keys  F9 – Link to a form  With Shift, remove form  F10 – Close a form  With Shift, copy a form

7. 7 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 RIGHTclick> Delete  Gets rid of the whole row, not just “some of it”  If you delete just entries, you might keep some info you really don’t want

8. 8 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Punctuation  Hyphens in names are allowed  Commas, periods, slashes are NOT allowed, and may cause a rejected return

9. 9 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Other Aids  Open EXISTING RETURNS screen  Can sort Client List alphabetically  Left click on “Client Name” field  Ascending or Descending sequence The same sorting works with any listing of returns, such as Backup

10. 10 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Other Aids  When “Foreign Tax Credit” appears on 1099-INT, enter it immediately (out of sequence) to either a Scratchpad or Form 1116.  Otherwise, it may be lost or forgotten

11. 11 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Other Aids  TaxWise State Sales Tax Refund form… read very carefully.  Pay special note to age of taxpayer(s) on last year’s return  Did they even itemize last year?

12. 12 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Public Safety Officer (PSO)  When health insurance is deducted from pension checks, they are allowed $3,000 reduction in taxable income  Do not change Box 2, but go to Line 4 under /Exclusion on 1099- R

13. 13 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Tax-Exempt Interest  When entering tax-exempt interest, DO NOT include that amount in Column 1 (Amount), but only under the NAEOB column, with “E” as the code

14. 14 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Scrolling  Scroll carefully if using a wheel mouse. You can bring up strange entries.  Consider having TC disable the wheel.

15. 15 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Dependency Help?  If you need help determining who provides more support, try a TaxWise form.  Add Form> “Dependent Worksheet”  Available on paper, but easier in TW

16. 16 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Control +  Ctrl + Q brings up Query screen  Query on SSN, Last Name, DCN, etc.  Return Summary screen will show FILE NAME  Ctrl + Y  Enter SSN to locate & open return

17. 17 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Control +  Ctrl + Y  When the list if returns is long, use this to open a return, instead of search thru a list  Also an instant verification of SSN when opening a return for QR

18. 18 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Ctrl +  Ctrl + D  Will run Diagnostics  Ctrl + E  Will locate the next “error” in a return – actually the next expected entry.

19. 19 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 Child/Dependent Care  Must have checkmark on Main Info in order to populate Form 2441  Form 2441 will fill in City/State if you enter ZIP first, and hit Enter

20. 20 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 EIC/CTC  ALL children are assumed to qualify for EIC. TaxWise will ask questions later. DO NOT make that determination on your own.  CTC is determined automatically, based on dependency & age. DO NOT override.

21. 21 NTTC/TRS Training Dallas 2009 HINTS/TIPS  Questions?  Comments?  Tips?