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1.
Question: How does the user access the
Practice Lab?
Answer:
Once the
user is in Link & Learn Taxes and clicks on the Practice
Lab link, the next step is to use the universal password
xxxxxxxxx*
to access the Practice Lab. After logging into the
Practice Lab with the universal password first time
users will need to create a unique User ID.
Users will need a zip code and optionally an email
address to create this UserID. The system will instantly
create and display the unique User ID. If an
email address is provided the system will also send the
User ID to the email address.
If you have
recently obtained a new UserID for the Practice Lab to
view the webinars you do not need to obtain a new UserID.
The unique
UserID cannot be retrieved
if it is lost or misplaced. A new User ID must be
created. Any practice returns created under the original
User ID will be lost.
2.
Question: I know you have to register for a
password on Link & Learn Taxes to take the online test.
I have just learned you need a password for the new
Practice Lab on Link & Learn Taxes. Are these different
or can I use the same password?
Answer: The password for each system
is different. However the process to access each is
quick and easy.
For the
online test on Link & Learn Taxes
Users complete a self registration to create their own
login and password.
Users should safeguard their login and password for
future use. It is possible for the password to be reset
if it is lost or forgotten.
Practice Lab
on Link & Learn Taxes
For the
Practice Lab, VITA/TCE volunteers will have a
universal
password which will be provided by their
site coordinator or instructor. The universal
password is used to access the system.
The next
step is to create an individual
User ID. Just
enter a ZIP code and (optionally) an email address and
the system immediately generates a unique User
ID. This is a six digit number that must be
safeguarded. Users will need both the universal
password and their User ID to
return to the Practice Lab to complete practice returns
or start new returns. This User ID cannot
be retrieved if forgotten or lost. A new User ID will
have to be created.
(Note: If
you start a return and lose your User ID that data is
lost. The user would have to create a new User ID and
start the return again.)
3.
Question: Will the system save their work?
For example a return is started but not completed, will
the volunteer be able to go back a day or so later and
complete the practice return?
Answer:
Yes, the
Practice Lab will save the return but this is not
automatic. Users must frequently use the save button
at the top of the screen to save their work. The
returns you create from practice or test scenarios are
associated with your UserID so when you log back into
the Practice Lab you can access them again.
4.
Question: How do you input the sales/excise
taxes on a new vehicle on the return?
Answer: The new car sales/excise tax can be
used as an extra standard deduction or an itemized
deduction. From Schedule L line 10, link to the
Schedule A. From line 7 Schedule A, link to the new
worksheet for new car sales tax. Enter on line 1 of the
worksheet the amount of the sales/excise taxes and on
line 2 enter the purchase price of the vehicle. The
information is carried to the Schedule L.
5.
Question:
How do you
input real estate taxes?
Answer:
This is an
extra standard deduction or an itemized deduction. You
start from Schedule L and then link to Schedule A. On
Schedule A you enter the amount of the real estate
taxes. The amount is carried to the Schedule L.
6.
Question: Can you print a tax return that is
prepared in the Practice Lab?
Answer: The print function is not enabled
at this time. Users can minimize the Practice Lab screen
in order to view the tax return and the test at the same
time. You can also utilize Alt+tab to toggle between
the Practice Lab and Link & Learn Taxes but be aware of
timing out. See Q&A 8 below.
7.
Question: Will we be able to have both the
Link & Learn Taxes Test and the TaxWise Practice
Lab open at the same time to go back & forth between
screens?
Answer: Users can have both screens open
but the online test will time-out if there is a
period of inactivity. It is recommended that volunteers
use the scenario information in Form 6744 to complete
the returns in the Practice Lab first, then log into the
test on Link & Learn Taxes and answer the test
questions.
8.
Question: What about the course in
Link & Learn? Can a volunteer working in the Practice
Lab be able to go back to Link and Learn Taxes course
without going out of the Practice Lab environment?
Answer: Yes. The Practice Lab icon (link) will be
on the menu page for each course level in Link & Learn
Taxes. When you click the Practice Lab link, a window
appears advising you are leaving the IRS site. At that
point you will log on to the Practice Lab. The Link &
Learn Taxes menu is still open in another window. If you
log off the Practice Lab the Link & Learn Taxes menu for
the course will remain on your screen. If you do not log
off the Practice Lab you can toggle back and forth from
the Practice Lab and Link & Learn Taxes by clicking the
windows on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You
can also toggle back and forth by using Alt+tab.
9.
Question: Can a practice social security
number be used more then once? For example if I use
123-45-6789 and another user inputs that same number,
will there be a problem?
Answer: This situation will be avoided for
the practice and test scenarios if the volunteer uses
the User ID to complete the SSNs and EINs. The first
three numbers of the SSN and EINs are provided in the
scenarios in the Publication 4491-W Workbook and Form
6744, Test/Retest. Volunteers should replace the X’s in
the SSNs and the EINs with unique six digit User ID
generated from the Practice Lab. In this way, practice
returns created will be associated only with that
specific user.
10.
Question: What is the
procedure for the students or instructors getting into
the system? Do the instructors have to send a email
listing the students, or does each student have to email
or call?
Answer:
All relationship managers will have the universal
password and it will their responsibility to ensure the
password is shared timely with their partners.
Partners will then share the password with volunteers in
the VITA/TCE program.
11.
Question:
If a new
volunteer contacts the relationship manager for the
password how should that be handled?
Answer:
New
volunteers should be referred to a partner so the
partner can first set the person up as a volunteer.
12.
Question: Will the integration of Link &
Learn also include TaxWise desktop or only TaxWise
Online?
Answer:
The Practice
Lab is a tool developed by TaxWise that is a modified
version of TaxWise Online.
13.
Question: Can you book mark a section or
problem scenario to come back at a later time to finish?
Answer:
The
practice scenarios are those in the printed Publication
4491-W Workbook. The tax returns created for these
scenarios can be completed in more than one sitting.
However, students must SAVE their work. Tax
returns are associated with a unique UserID. When a
student logs back into the Practice Lab with their
UserID they will see a link “Show All returns.” A list
of tax returns created will be displayed. Students can
click the link to finish the tax return.
14.
Question: Will the Practice Lab be available
year-round, or only during certain months? If it is only
available during certain months, which months are they?
Answer: The Practice Lab will be available
year around until it is updated for the next tax year.
15.
Question: Why bother to have a password if it
will be universal? If it will be distributed to everyone
who attends a volunteer class, the password will be so
widely available that it will no longer be secure.
Answer:
The Practice Lab was developed as a training tool
specifically for VITA/TCE volunteers. While
having a password is a requirement for its use it is
universal to avoid barriers in accessing the system for
training. There is no personal data in the Practice Lab
and no tax returns can be electronically filed from the
system.
16.
Question: Once you prepare a return in the
Practice Lab will there be any mechanism other than
"diagnostics" to indicate if the return was completed
correctly?
Answer:
The
diagnostics functionality is not available in the
Practice Lab since it is designed for e-file. One tool
students can use is the interview to help with tax law
determinations in order to prepare an accurate return.
17.
Question:
In addition to the Pub 4491-W problems and exercises and
test problem scenarios, can volunteers/instructors
create other tax returns from their own sample problems
and scenarios using the Practice Lab?
Answer:
Yes, some partners give students homework. Students
will be able to use the Practice Lab at home to complete
the tax returns for these practice scenarios.
18.
Question:
What does the “break in time” between the training but
before the sites open refer to?
Answer:
Some partners have training in November or December.
Volunteers may not report to their sites until mid
January or February. Having the Practice Lab on Link &
Learn Taxes enables students to review and practice the
skills they will need at the volunteer sites to prepare
accurate returns.
19.
Question: What are the recommended/accepted
methods for distributing the universal password that
allows access to the Practice Lab?
Answer:
All relationship managers will have the universal
password and it will up to the relationship manager the
best method for the delivery of the Practice Lab
password to their partners.
20.
Question: Any there any restrictions on who
may use the Practice Lab?
Answer:
The Practice Lab was developed as a
training tool specifically for VITA/TCE
volunteers. It is restricted to authorized IRS licensees
only and requires a password.
21.
Question: Are there any demos available to
show how TaxWise Online functions (differs from desktop)
before volunteers begin using the Practice Lab?
Answer: There will be a tutorial on the
home page of the Practice Lab that provides guidance for
new users. In addition refer to the blue tab pages in
Pub 4012 as a resource.
* To
preserve the integrity of the Practice Lab and
restrictions on who may use it, the actual password has
been removed. |
