1 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO TRAINING The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO) is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide

2 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO QUALIFICATIONS EROs must:  Be certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers  Be (or become) proficient with IRS- supplied tax preparation software.

3 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO RESPONSIBILITIES  Security of taxpayer data  Transmission of e-file returns  Record keeping  Communications

4 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 SECURITY OF TAXPAYER DATA Tax-Aide Policy and IRS Pub 3189 Require all volunteers:  To be vigilant  To physically protect  Printed data  Electronic data  Equipment

5 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 SECURITY OF TAXPAYER DATA This means:  Computers must be physically secured  OS and TW must be password protected  Taxpayer documents must be secured  When using TaxWise Desktop…  Taxpayer data must be encrypted  Returns must be deleted from non- transmitting Computers regularly and from all computers at the end of the tax season

6 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS  Print and review Declaration Control Report (DCR)– verify that Refund/Due matches Form 8879 – to ensure return wasn’t changed after printing  Transmit returns and get Acknowledgments (ACKs)  Update Filing Status reports See PUB 3189

7 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS  Restore returns to transmitting computer, if necessary (TaxWise Desktop only)  Check for errors, completed 8879’s, and required attachments  Re-create e-files, if necessary  Tools> Make e-files – for all 8879’s in hand (TW Desktop only)

8 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  Get Acknowledgements  Federal ACKs – can print automatically  State ACKs – can print automatically  TaxWise s – must print separately  Print Acknowledgement Report and/or “export” to Excel or.pdf – Exported files must be put on an encrypted drive.  Check for rejects

9 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  Match to DCR or other tracking document and verify that Refund/Due matches DCR  Update Return Stage status (if used)  If no acknowledgement from CCH after three (3) days:  Log into support/Return Query, enter each SSN; “ update database ”, will create ack.  Contact CCH and investigate  Ensure problem is corrected  Follow-up for State Returns status later

10 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 RETURN QUERY.

11 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010

12 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 HANDLING REJECTS  Look for reject code  (TaxWise usually shows error in return – with RED box)  Correct error  If possible, retransmit  If not possible, convert to paper – print paper only forms, return W2s and 1099s  Provide feedback to counselor and quality reviewer

13 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 HANDLING REJECTS CAUTION  A new 8879 needs to be signed, if:  The taxpayer name or SSN changes or  The difference in total income or AGI is over $50 or  The refund or amount owed is changed by over $14

14 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 RECORD KEEPING  A site sign-in sheet with client name and record of services provided is required for developing input to the Activity Reports  Ensure all completed returns are transmitted and all transmitted returns are accepted or converted to paper  Match site sign-in sheet to DCR  Record return status on log if used  Make use of sorting options in TWO There may be many methods for tracking, however, the modified Site Sign-in sheet is recommended

15 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010

16 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010

17 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 RECORD KEEPING  Completed 8879s with required W-2s, 1099Rs, etc….  DCRs (Document Control Reports)  ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports)  TaxWise reports, as requested by DC  Sign-in sheets – used for activity reports and to show that every return was transmitted and acknowledged or issued in paper

18 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 RECORD KEEPING  Send 8879s to IRS SPEC periodically, or all at end of season – check with your SPEC representative  Send 8453s, if required, immediately after returns are acknowledged

19 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Both Desktop and TWO  Ensure that all prepared returns have been transmitted and accepted - or converted to paper and taxpayer provided a copy to mail to the IRS  Create any reports requested by your local SPEC office for year- end submittal

20 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Desktop Version of TaxWise  Backup all returns  Create files on removable media for:  IRS SPEC  AARP SC (data retention)  Delete returns  Clear Taxpayer Data – AARP  Delete any exported reports – AARP  Wipe Disk – IRS Laptops

21 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT TWO Version of TaxWise  Change status of most users to Inactive. OR To allow access to the training website, change their role to Return Preparer and move the returns from their ‘account’ to Admin or another user that you want to have access to the returns to review and/or create amended returns during the off-season.

22 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Both Desktop and TWO  IRS Depot Computers  Run Wipe Disk - If not previously run  Return the computers to the Depot with a listing of shipping information to IRS SPEC  Prepare and store all AARP Equipment for the off-season See specific recommendations in TMG

23 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 COMMUNICATIONS VERY IMPORTANT! ERO should be sure to communicate frequently with:  Counselors  Quality Reviewers  Other EROs for advice and to share  District and Local Coordinators  Technology Coordinators and/or TCS

24 NTTC/NTC ERO Training 2010 ERO TRAINING QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?