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Tips and Tricks for
Transmitters
- Transmit Federal Returns first, then
State returns after Federal Returns are accepted.
Generally it is possible to transmit
the Federal and state returns at the same time. However, if
the State return is accepted, and the Federal return is rejected and
requires rework, then the State return may need to be amended.
To avoid this, some transmitters recommend transmitting the Federal return first,
and then the State return only after the Federal return has been
accepted.
- Learn Transmitting by doing
Tax Transmitter training is provided
in class by the IRS. However, since there is a time delay from the
time the return is transmitted to the time it is acknowledged, it is
not possible in the classroom to go through the whole
transmitting cycle. Some volunteers learn by watching a
more experienced transmitter sending the returns, and processing the
acknowledgements. At one site, on the job training is provided
on a one on one basis where a beginner
transmitter and experienced transmitter both look at the screen of
the transmitting computer at the same time while talking on the
phone.
- Guard your EFIN!
An EFIN is required for transmitting
e-filed returns, and generally is assigned to a person as the
designated transmitter for the site. Contractual and licensing
agreements require each individual site to have its own EFIN.
Obtaining a personal EFIN for transmitting non-VITA returns requires
a background check and fingerprinting. The EFIN associated
with a site is considered confidential information, and not shown in
public reports.
- Decide how to handle 9325.
When the return is accepted, the
default TaxWise behavior is to print out a copy of form 9325
which is the official notification.
At the top of form 8453, TaxWise indicates in
red "Be sure to give every client a copy of
Form 9325" when you are preparing the
return. The fact that the form is generated means the
return or extension has been accepted. However,
Form 9325 form describes in excruciating detail the
process required for acceptance. At some sites, the forms are
sent to the Taxpayers, and the Taxpayers come back with it because
they are not sure why they got it, or they don't understand the
debt code indicator. At other sites, they are ignored, or sent at
the end of the tax season. It is the opinion of the webmaster
that for the past 3 years, the form does a good job of informing,
and a poor job of communicating. At a recent IRS e-file seminar, the
webmaster learned that there was no requirement that the form be
given to the taxpayer. When this statement was made by a
professional preparer, the IRS representatives did not advise
otherwise, so it does appear that dealing with this form creates a
lot of unnecessary wasted paper and work.
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