Filing
Expert/signer assignment
Standard for return preparation, Pt 1
Standard for return preparation, Pt2
Potpourri
100

To meet e-file mandates and speed up filing and refunds, we strive for all clients to file using this method.

What is e-filing?

100

This is the reason returns for Married Filing Separately or divorced taxpayers must be re-assigned and prepared by different preparers. These preparers may not share information or communicate about the clients in any way.

What is, "To avoid conflicts of interest, or the appearance of a conflict (per Circular 230 and Intuit policy) if any conflict of interest is discovered between two clients assigned to the same preparer, one of the returns must be re-assigned"


100

For every meaningful change between prior year and current year the preparer should do this. clearly documented and explained in writing (Notes, chats, etc.).

What is, "clearly documented and explained in writing (Notes, chats, etc.)."

100

Tax payments and estimated tax payments must be documented in writing from the client, either through uploaded documents or via Chat.

This is what you should do if the client doesn't have written documentation of the tax payment or estimated tax payment. 

What is make a disclosure about the client's responsibility to support those payments should the IRS ask for it.

"We have prepared your return based on the 20XX tax payment amounts totaling [$XX.XX], which includes [list each payment amount with the date of payment, if known]. You are required to keep records to support the amounts on your tax return. In the absence of adequate records or sufficient evidence, the IRS may assess additional tax, interest, and penalties." 

100

If a client asks for Bank Comfort letters or other third party letter this is ALWAYS the answer.

What is no?

Based on AICPA, malpractice insurance carriers, and recommendations from industry experts, Intuit won't provide any letters or documentation of any kind to a client’s bank, lender, or other third parties.

200

Some returns may not be eligible for electronic filing and must be filed this way.

What is paper file?

200

These are the only people who can prepare a New York or Connecticut tax return.

What is Only EAs, CPAs, attorneys, or tax preparers registered in the respective states.  

200

It's our policy on the timing of filing federal and state taxes, even early in the season when state returns are not yet ready.

What is, "Prepare and file the federal and state taxes together"?

(Again, we don't let customers opt out of e-filing. We don’t e-file the federal return and print/mail the state unless the state is EF ineligible or the state return was rejected.)

200

You can rely on a client-provided translation of foreign language documents but you must do this.

What is make a disclosure that you've accepted their translation but the IRS may require a certified translation. 

"

  • We’ve prepared your tax return relying on the translation you’ve provided for [name of document]. In the event the return is audited, you may be required to furnish the IRS with a certified translation of any foreign language document used in the preparation of the return. In the absence of a certified translation, the IRS may assess additional tax, interest, and penalties.


200

Non-covered transactions and transactions with adjustments should be reported as detailed line items when possible.

When transactions are numerous (generally over this amount), enter in summary and also do this to the return

What is 25 and attach a PDF to the return?
300
  • TurboTax Live Full Service clients may paper-file if they're ineligible to e-file, but they cannot paper file in this situation.

What is to elect or choose to paper file?

300

These are the only people who can prepare an Oregon return.

What is "only CPAs, attorneys, (not EAs) Oregon licensed tax consultants or Oregon licensed tax preparers can prepare and/or sign Oregon tax returns" 

300

Transferred prior-year data can be relied on when needed for the current year and no confirmation is needed unless one of these three situations apply.

What is:

  • Amounts clearly don't match prior-year return
  • A prior-year amended return was filed
  • The customer received an IRS or state notice for prior-year adjustments
300

In order to fulfill the Maximum Refund Guarantee and satisfy requirements to claim allowable deductions for the computation of net earnings for self-employment tax, TTL preparers must take ALL of these two things.

What is, take the deductions and credits a client is eligible for?


300

Elections should be made when it's beneficial to the taxpayer, the taxpayer is eligible, and the client doesn't request otherwise. This is who should make the choice on taking any elections.

Who is the client, not the preparer?

  • Disclose the following to the client: Based on the information you’ve provided, we’ve made the following elections [name of election]. If you do not want to make [this election/these elections], please contact us before the tax return is filed so we can update the tax return accordingly.
400
  • Returns should be filed within this many days of receiving signed e-file authorization, based on date of this.

What is 3 days based on date of receipt, not date signed?

400

If a tax associate not registered as a Maryland tax preparer has already prepared or signed this many Maryland returns then the return must be reassigned to this type of preparer.

What is 5 and reassigned to a credentialed tax expert?

400

If a client will get only a small retirement savings credit but it will increase the price of their tax preparation by more than the credit, the preparer must still enter this information because of this. 

(Generally, TurboTax Live experts should enter all the information that a client has provided, whether it'll impact the tax return or not.)

 

What is, "to fulfill the Maximum Refund Guarantee, 100% Accurate Expert-Approved Guarantee, and satisfy requirements to claim allowable deductions and credits. "

400

In the rare case that a client has no business expenses, this must be documented.

What is, that the expert confirmed with the client that there are no deductible expenses and explain why it’s reasonable?

400

To prevent tax notices and IRS account confusion, a sale of personal residence will always be reported, even in this situation.

What is when no 1099S was issued?

500

File returns (and extensions, if applicable) by the this date, even when a deadline is postponed for disaster relief.

What is "the original due date"?

500

If a tax associate has not submitted their continuing education information to Iowa and the associate  r has already prepared or signed this many Iowa returns then the return must be reassigned to this type of preparer.

What is 9 returns and the return must be reassigned to a credentialed tax expert?

500

These are the two things you should do If you’re sure a document or information doesn’t need to be entered on the tax return (because it’s not a tax document, it’s a dependent’s tax form, etc.).

What are,

  • Mark the document as not needed
  • Add a note explaining why the document or information hasn't been entered
500

On the entry of stock sales on a return, only this type of transactions with no adjustments may be reported in summary, with no return attachment.

What is covered?

500

TTL won't proceed with a current-year return until the prior-year depreciation issues have been resolved using one of these two methods.

What is a Form 3115 or an amended return?

  • An application for change in accounting method (Form 3115): can be filed with the current year tax return to correct one or more prior years.
  • Amended return: can only be filed if the incorrect treatment was used in less than two consecutive years.
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