1. The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO) is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide
ERO TRAINING
The ELECTRONIC RETURN ORIGINATOR (ERO)
is the Transmitter in Tax-Aide
Tax Year 2007

2. ERO QUALIFICATIONS EROs must: Be certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers
Be (or become) proficient with IRS- supplied tax preparation software.
Tax Year 2007

3. ERO RESPONSIBILITIES Security of taxpayer data
Transmission of e-file returns
Record keeping
Communications

4. 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. 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. TRANSMISSION OF E-FILE RETURNS
Print and review Declaration Control Report (DCR)– verify that Refund/Due matches Form 8879
Transmit returns and get Acknowledgments (ACKs)
Update Filing Status reports
See PUB 3189

7. 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. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Get Acknowledgements Print Acknowledgement Report
Federal ACKs
State ACKs
TaxWise s
Print Acknowledgement Report
And/or “export” to Excel or .pdf
Check for rejects

9. 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:
Contact CCH and investigate
Ensure problem is corrected
Follow-up for State Returns status later

11. HANDLING REJECTS Look for reject code Correct error
(TaxWise usually shows error in return – with RED box)
Correct error
If possible, retransmit
If not possible, convert to paper
Provide feedback to counselor and quality reviewer

12. HANDLING REJECTS CAUTION
A new 8879 needs to be signed, if:
The taxpayer name or SSN changes
The difference in total income or AGI is over $50
The refund or amount owed is over $14

13. RECORD KEEPING
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
Make use of sorting options in TWO
There are many methods for tracking

15. Check to see why 1001, 1006 and 1010 haven’t been transmitted.
Returns sent: Returns Ack’d
1005
Check to see why 1001, 1006 and 1010 haven’t been transmitted.
Check to see why 1003 hasn’t been Ack’d
(7 thru 11 transmitted later)

16. Modified TaxAide Site Sign-In Sheet
Document Control Number
Modified TaxAide Site Sign-In Sheet

17. RECORD KEEPING Completed 8879s with required W-2s, 1099Rs, etc….
DCRs (Document Control Reports)
ACKs (Acknowledgement Reports)
TaxWise reports, as requested by DC

18. RECORD KEEPING
Send 8879s to IRS SPEC periodically, or all at end of season – check with your TCS or SPEC representative
Send 8453s, if required, immediately after returns are acknowledged

19. 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. END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Desktop Version of TaxWise
Backup all returns
Create files on removal media for:
IRS SPEC
AARP (data retention)
Delete returns
Clear Taxpayer Data – AARP
Wipe Disk - IRS Laptops

21. 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. END-OF-SEASON CLOSEOUT Both Desktop and TWO
IRS Depot Computers
Run Wipe Disk - If not previously run
Return the computers to the Depot
Prepare and store all AARP Equipment for the off-season
See specific recommendations in TMG

23. 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. ERO TRAINING
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?