Filing an Extension – Form 4868 – in TaxAct Professional Editions

Posted on by Matthew Davis
To complete Form 4868 (Automatic Extension of Time To File) within your TaxAct Professional Edition: Open the client return by double-clicking the client's name in Client Manager. Click Return in the top menu. Click Application for Extension. Choose Federal or State (choose which state if you have more than one; in some cases choose City). This will take you to the Q&A method of filing the extension, where you can follow the prompts to complete the form. If you prefer to use Forms View: Open the client return by double-clicking the client's name in Client Manager. ...
Read More

Avoid Challenges by Filing Early

Posted on by Matthew Davis
We know how busy you are, and the weekend will be hectic. As we prepare for Tax Day on Monday we encourage you to not wait until late in the day on April 15th to print or submit returns, as we want to help you avoid challenges you might run into. Complications can be submission issues, internet connectivity, system outages, or unexpected e-file rejections by the IRS. The TaxAct® Professional Support Center will operate on the following extended hours through tax filing deadline. Hours are Central Daylight Time. April 13, Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm April 14, Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm April ...
Read More

Credit and Debit Card Payment Submissions Through TaxAct Professional

Posted on by Matthew Davis
It has come to our attention that some of our Tax Professionals may be experiencing issues with Value Payment Systems (VPS) within TaxAct® 2018 Professional. Do not select the "Pay Now" option within TaxAct Professional, as these payments will not be processed completely even if you see a hold placed on credit or debit card. This hold may be in place for up to eight days. To pay a client's balance due using a credit or debit card: Select the "Pay Later" option within the software and go directly to payUSAtax to complete those payments. Alternatively, tax payments may be made th...
Read More

Closing Out the Season

Posted on by Matthew Davis
We know how busy you are, and the weekend will be hectic. As we prepare for Tax Day Monday, we encourage you to not wait until late in the day on April 15th to print or submit returns to avoid challenges you might run into. Complications can include submission issues, internet connectivity, system outages, and unexpected e-file rejections by the IRS. The TaxAct® Professional Support Center will operate on the following extended hours through tax filing deadline. Hours are Central Daylight Time. April 13, Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm April 14, Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm April 15, Monday: 8...
Read More

TaxAct 2018 Professional Editions Version 1.11 Update

Posted on by Matthew Davis
Version 1.11 is now available for TaxAct® 2018 Professional Federal Editions. This update includes: Form 1040 - A calculation issue was corrected on Form 8582, Part II, line 7 - the modified adjusted gross income was previously not including other income amount from Form 1040, Schedule 1, line 21. Form 1120S - Federal Form 8903 is now available for e-file and paper filing. TaxAct 2018 Professional can automatically check for updates by selecting Tools --> Options, and selecting "If already connected to the internet, automatically check for updates on program startup." You can als...
Read More

Extended Support Hours This Weekend

Posted on by Matthew Davis
The TaxAct® Professional Support Center will operate on the following extended hours through tax filing deadline. Hours are Central Daylight Time. April 13, Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm April 14, Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm April 15, Monday: 8 am – Midnight Beginning Tuesday, April 16, support hours will be: Monday-Friday: 8 am – 5 pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Need help but you're not sure who to contact? Account and software questions: 319.731.2682, Professional@TaxActService.com Tax-related questions: 319.731.2680, ProTaxHelp@TaxAct.com If you need to contact the Su...
Read More

Checking the Status of E-Filed Returns in TaxAct Professional

Posted on by Matthew Davis
As we close in on the final push before the April tax filing deadline, we want to pass along some quick tips on how to efficiently track your clients’ e-filed returns. We suggest utilizing the Fed EF Status column in Client Manager as a quick and easy way to check the status of your client’s e-filed returns. This is a more timely way to receive the status of your e-filed returns, since e-file status emails may be delayed during peak times leading up to the filing deadline. Quick Tip: If you don’t see a return status appear in the Fed EF Status column within 15 minutes of submitting a ret...
Read More

Alert Added to Require Form 8867 with Head-of-Household Returns

Posted on by Matthew Davis
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 added due diligence requirements for the head of household filing status. Beginning with 2018 returns, as part of those due diligence requirements paid tax preparers are required to complete and submit Form 8867 with any return claiming head of household filing status. If any of your client’s returns had head of household filing status selected but did NOT contain the earned income credit, child tax credit, and/or American opportunity credit, you may have filed the returns without Form 8867. The IRS has explained that no further action is required, as they ...
Read More

TaxAct 2018 Professional Editions Version 1.10 Update

Posted on by Matthew Davis
Version 1.10 is now available for all TaxAct 2018 Professional Federal Editions. This update includes: Users will now see a pop-up alert when there are new posts in the Notification Center. The alert will not disrupt what you are currently working on. If no action is taken the alert will disappear after 10 seconds; you can also close the alert by clicking X in the upper right-hand corner of the pop-up. Pop-up alerts can be disabled by selecting Preparer --> Preferences --> Miscellaneous tab --> Uncheck "Show notification alert pop-up" box --> Click "Save and Exit". Married ...
Read More

TaxAct 2018 Professional Editions Version 1.09 Update

Posted on by Matthew Davis
Version 1.09 is now available for all TaxAct 2018 Professional Federal Editions. This update includes: K-1 import now available. Minor fixes and enhancements. TaxAct 2018 Professional can automatically check for updates by selecting Tools --> Options, and selecting "If already connected to the internet, automatically check for updates on program startup." You can also check for software updates at any time by selecting Online --> Check for Updates.
Read More

Additional TaxAct Professional 2018 State Editions Available as of 02/28/2019

Posted on by Matthew Davis
The following TaxAct Professional 2018 States have been released since our last state notification on 02/20/2019: 1041 VA All State forms have now been released. If you’ve already purchased your 2018 State Edition(s), you will be able to install all available states by going to the Online –> Install State menu option. From there, you can use the Auto Install Method by checking the box next to the available state(s) and clicking the Auto Install button. If you need to purchase State Editions, you can do this by clicking the Order State button from the same Install State m...
Read More

TaxAct 2018 Professional Editions Version 1.08 Update

Posted on by Matthew Davis
Version 1.08 is now available for all TaxAct 2018 Professional Federal Editions. This update includes: QBID complex calculations are now available. Local storage users only - Federal e-file status column in Client Manager will now refresh more often. Minor fixes. TaxAct 2018 Professional can automatically check for updates by selecting Tools --> Options, and selecting "If already connected to the internet, automatically check for updates on program startup." You can also check for software updates at any time by selecting Online --> Check for Updates.
Read More

IRS Grants Extension of 03/01 Deadline for Farmers and Fishermen to Make Estimated Tax Payment

Posted on by Matthew Davis
The IRS is granting an extension of the March 1st deadline for farmers and fishermen to make their estimated tax payment before being subject to estimated tax penalties – as long as they file and pay the full amount of tax reported on their 2018 return by April 15, 2019 (or by April 17, 2019, for those taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts). The IRS is providing this relief because, due to certain rule changes, many farmers and fishermen may have difficulty accurately determining their tax liability by the March 1 deadline that usually applies to them. For tax year 2018, an individua...
Read More

Additional TaxAct Professional 2018 State Editions Available as of 02/20/2019

Posted on by Matthew Davis
The following TaxAct Professional 2018 States have been released since our last state notification on 02/13/2019: 1065 AL CT GA 1120 AL CT 1120S AL CT 1041 AL AZ GA IN MA MI OH TX At this point, the only form left for release is Virginia Form 1041. For more information, see the State Program Release Dates page for the entire list of available states and anticipated release dates. If you’ve already purchased your 2018 State Edition(s), you will be able to install all available states by going to the Online ...
Read More