UTax Software 1040 Tutorial

uTax Software 1040 Tutorial Tax Year 2018

Table of Contents Chapter 1 – About This Tutorial . 1 Introduction . 1 Office and Preparer Setup . 1 Chapter Scope and Sequence . 2 Suggested Handouts for Training. 3 Chapter 2 – Preparing a Basic 1040 Return . 4 Introduction . 4 Navigation Basics . 4 The uTax 1040 Software Main Screen Functions . 4 Navigational Tabs . 5 Menu Bar. 5 Toolbar . 5 Information Bar . 5 Work In Progress Summary. 5 The Work In Progress Summary. 6 1. Tax Returns . 6 2. Printing Queue . 7 3. Other Items . 7 4. Transmit Queue . 8 5. Exceptions/Rejects . 8 6. Quick Reports . 9 The Client Lookup Screen. 10 Search Criteria . 10 Client Grid . 10 Keystroke Shortcuts . 11 Right-Click Mouse Button Menus . 15 Return Interview Mode. 15 Start Return with Return Interview . 15 Return Interview Default Setup . 15 Return Interview Walk-Through . 16 Begin New Return Interview . 16

Attached Forms List . 16 Interview Pane . 17 Filing Status . 17 Personal Information . 18 Personal Information (continued). 20 Dependents and Others Cared For . 20 Dependent Information . 22 Income Interview . 24 Type of Income . 24 W-2 Wage and Tax Statement . 25 W-2G Gambling Income Statement . 27 Adjustments/Deductions Interview . 29 Credits Interview . 30 Health Care Coverage Interview . 30 Other Misc. Interview . 31 Due Diligence . 32 EIC Checklist . 33 Paid Preparers Due Diligence Checklist . 35 State Returns. 39 Filing Options . 39 The Practice Return. 40 Step 1: Begin the New Return . 40 Understanding the Tax Return Screen . 41 Attached Forms List . 41 Open Form Pane . 42 Active Window Options . 43 Line-by-line Help . 43 Choice Lists. 43 Worksheets . 44 Form Links . 44 Step 2: Enter Client Information . 45 Step 3: Enter Income Information . 47 The All Forms & Schedules Window . 48

All Forms & Schedules – Federal Tab . 48 Step 4: Enter Tax, Credit and Payment Information . 51 Step 5: Add a State Return . 59 Step 6: Add Bookmarks and/or Preparer Notes . 60 Removing Bookmarks . 62 Removing Preparer Notes . 64 Step 7: Text Messaging . 64 Step 8: Verify the Return. 65 Return Errors and Rejects Window . 66 Step 9: Print the Return . 67 The Print Menu . 67 Print Final Tax Return . 68 Print Bank Documents . 68 Current Form Only . 68 Return Components . 69 The Print Window . 69 Name . 69 Copies . 69 Print . 69 SignDoc. 70 RemoteSign . 71 Creating a PDF Copy of a Return . 71 PDF . 72 Email. 72 Print Preview . 73 Congratulations! . 73 Chapter 3 – The Asset Manager . 75 Introduction . 75 The Practice Return. 75 Schedule C and Business Income . 79 Schedule C . 79 Business Income. 82 Adding Assets . 84

Adding a Vehicle Asset . 84 Adding Non-Vehicle Assets (Everything Else) . 89 Prior Year Assets . 92 Deleting an Asset . 92 Advanced Depreciation . 93 Depreciation Override. 93 Congratulations! . 93 Chapter 4 – Electronic Filing . 94 Introduction . 94 What is Electronic Filing? . 94 The Electronic Filing Step-by-Step Process . 95 Practitioner PIN/Form 8879 . 95 Prepare a Return for Electronic Filing . 96 Congratulations! . 98 Chapter 5 – Refund-Based Bank Products . 100 Introduction . 100 What are Refund-Based Products? . 100 The Bank Product Step-by-Step Process . 101 Prepare a Return for a Refund-Based Bank Product . 102 Check Printing in the uTax 1040 Software . 104 Print a Test Check. 104 Activate a Check Range . 107 Print Checks in the uTax 1040 Software . 109 Congratulations! . 110 Refund-Based Bank Products - What Have You Learned? . 111 Chapter 6 – Transmitting to Central Site . 112 Introduction . 112 Queuing Returns for Transmission to Central Site . 112 Queue a Return for Transmission . 112 Queue an Independent State Return . 114 Queue a Return for Diagnostics . 115 Transmit Queued Returns to Central Site . 117 Transmit to Central Site without Sending Queued Returns . 120

Congratulations! . 122 Chapter 7 – Terminology . 123 Introduction . 123 Exercise . 123 End-of-the-Chapter Quiz . 127 Terminology – What Have You Learned? . 127 Appendix I – Answers to End-of-the-Chapter Review Quizzes . 128 Chapter 4: Electronic Filing - What Have You Learned? . 128 Chapter 5: Refund-Based Bank Products - What Have You Learned? . 129 Chapter 7: Terminology - What Have You Learned? . 130

Chapter 1 – About This Tutorial Introduction Welcome to The 2018 uTax 1040 Software Tutorial. The 2018 uTax 1040 Software Tutorial provides for you an understanding of the basic steps necessary to complete and electronically file a tax return. This tutorial covers the most frequently used features of the uTax 1040 Software which are categorized into seven chapters along with additional appendices. These chapters may be used as a tutorial by an individual at a computer or by an instructor for hands-on training in a classroom setting. It is not necessary to complete the chapters at once all conclusively; rather, you may pause and resume at a later point. This may be arranged since each chapter is designed distinctively from one another to adjust the training to meet your needs, or the needs of your tax operation. Content of Chapters 1. About This Tutorial 2. Preparing a Basic 1040 Return 3. The Asset Manager 4. Electronic Filing 5. Refund-Based Bank Products 6. Transmitting to Central Site 7. Terminology Appendix I - Answers to End-of-the-Chapter Review Quizzes Office and Preparer Setup This guide assumes that you have completed the office and preparer setup in the uTax 1040 Software and are using a fully updated version of the 2018 (TY2017) program. 1 2018 1040 Software Tutorial

Chapter Scope and Sequence Chapter Content Description Computer Required? 1 Chapter 1 introduces the tutorial and how it may be used. No 2 Chapter 2 walks one through preparing a federal and state tax return using the uTax 1040 Software. *Trainees who prepare tax returns are advised to complete this chapter. Yes 3 Chapter 3 illustrates how to use the Asset Manager and track depreciation issues within a tax return. *Trainees who enter assets and compute depreciation are advised to complete this chapter. Yes 4 Chapter 4 walks one through preparing a tax return for electronic filing. *Trainees who prepare tax returns for electronic filing are advised to complete this chapter. Yes 5 Chapter 5 walks one through requesting Refund Advance or Refund Anticipation Check (RAC) and printing bank product checks. *Trainees who prepare bank product tax returns or print bank product checks are advised to complete this chapter. Yes 6 Chapter 6 walks one through transmitting tax returns to Central Site. *Trainees who transmit tax returns to Central Site are advised to complete this chapter. Yes 7 Chapter 7 defines the terms used in this tutorial. *Trainees who are not familiar with electronic filing or bank products are advised to complete this chapter. No Appendix I Appendix I lists Answers to End-of-the-Chapter Review Quizzes No 2 2018 1040 Software Tutorial

Suggested Handouts for Training Handout Content Description Keyboard Guide A keyboard guide showing the keystroke shortcuts of the uTax 1040 Software. Download a copy from here. IRS Publication 1345 An IRS handbook that provides information on electronic filing requirements and restrictions. Download a free copy of this publication from the IRS web site here . Form 8879 A form that allows the taxpayers and preparers to sign a tax return using an electronic signature by entering a five-digit PIN as a signature. The ERO keeps the signed Form 8879 on file for three years from the date the IRS accepted the return. Download a free copy of this form from www.irs.gov/formspubs or print a blank Form 8879 from within the uTax 1040 Software. RAC Bank Procedure Handbook If offering bank products, we recommend you obtain a copy of your RAC bank’s procedure handbook. Contact your RAC bank for more information on obtaining the procedure handbook. 3 2018 1040 Software Tutorial

Chapter 2 – Preparing a Basic 1040 Return Introduction The uTax 1040 Software utilizes the forms-based method for the preparation of tax returns. In the forms- based method, returns are prepared by adding the required electronic forms and worksheets. However, based on information you have provided about your taxpayer, the uTax 1040 Software may also automatically append forms and worksheets to the return. In this chapter, you will learn to: Use the uTax 1040 Software to prepare a basic 1040 return with Earned Income Credit (EIC) as well as Child Tax Credit (CTC) for a Head of Household taxpayer with one dependent child. To prepare a more complex return using the uTax 1040 Software, see Chapter 3. Prepare a state tax return by using the information entered on the federal return to automatically complete the state return. Use Bookmarks and Preparer Notes to add comments or reminders to a return. Navigate in the uTax 1040 Software using screen buttons, keystroke shortcuts, menus and rightclick mouse menus. Verify a return and fix errors using Point-and-Shoot Error Correction. Navigation Basics The uTax 1040 Software Main Screen Functions The uTax 1040 Software opens to a Main screen, as shown below, consisting of the Navigational Tabs, Menu Bar, Toolbar, Information Bar and the Work In Progress Summary. 4 2018 1040 Software Tutorial

Navigational Tabs The Navigational Tabs are located at the top of the screen. These tabs allow you to move between 1040 Returns, Business Returns and the Web Site tab. For this tutorial, we will be focusing on the 1040 Returns tab. Menu Bar The Menu Bar is located across the top of the screen, just below the Navigational Tabs. The Menu Bar will change as you access different areas of the uTax 1040 Software. To access, either click on a menu item or press [Alt] and the first underlined letter of the menu item. Toolbar The Toolbar is located directly below the Menu Bar. It provides quick access to frequently used software features and changes as you access different areas of the uTax 1040 Software. To open a Toolbar function, click on the appropriate button or press [Alt] and the underlined letter on the button. Information Bar The Information Bar provides a view of information such as User ID, software version, taxpayer name, social security number and the return creation date. Work In Progress Summary The Work In Progress Summary provides you an at-a-glance, administrative summary of what has occurred in the uTax 1040 Software. The information on the Work In Progress Summary is continuously updated as data is saved, or when transmissions to Central Site take place. 5 2018 1040 Software Tutorial

The Work In Progress Summary The Work In Progress Summary (WIP), the uTax 1040 Software’s landing page, is the first screen when you log into the uTax 1040 Software. It provides the needed information at a glance to run your business better. The WIP is divided into six sections: 1. Tax Returns 2. Printing Queue 3. Other Items 4. Transmit Queue 5. Exceptions/Rejects 6. Quick Reports 1. Tax Returns The Tax Returns section contains data pertaining to tax returns created within the uTax 1040 Software. a. Select a Return Displays the number of tax returns your office has created Click to view Client Look-up b. Status Summary List Click to display a list of your tax returns sorted according to their status c. Management Dashboard Click to view the Management Dashboard reporting tool d. Training Returns Displays the number of training returns your office has created 6 2018 1040 Software Tutorial