Get up to speed on all of the new features in ProSeries 2013, so that you can hit the ground running during the season. This presentation outlines the new 2013 features, and how you can access them to get the most out of your software, so that you can deliver the best service for your clients.
2. Course Materials
Access to Course Materials and Handouts
Course Materials will be made available via
SlideShare:
bit.ly/proseries2013
A PDF download is also available at:
http://bit.ly/19EDHCn
3. Presenter: MB Raimondi, CPA.CITP
• Certified QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor
• Intuit Premier Reseller/Solution Provider
• Certified QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions
• Certified QuickBooks Point of Sale
• Certified QuickBooks Online
• 14 Years teaching QuickBooks nationally to
end users and accountants/consultants
• Charter Member, Intuit Trainer/Writer
Network (TWN)
Trumbull, CT
• CITP (Certified Information-Technology
Professional)
www.mbraimondicpa.com • MS, Taxation
• Sleeter Group Certified Consultant
• Member/Instructor, National Advisor Network
(NAN)
• Co-Leader of Greater Fairfield Cy Chapter of
NAN
4. Learning Objectives
• Understand the ProSeries offerings, selected
add-ons and system requirements
• Understand the procedures related to
purchasing, licensing and installing ProSeries
• Understand the changes due to Modernized EFiling
• Understand new features and functionality
changes in Tax Year 2013 ProSeries
• Understand how to use resources to get
questions answered and to learn more about
ProSeries
5. Agenda
• Introduction
• E-File Enhancements
• E-File – New Forms
• Program Improvements
• Basics of Getting Started
• Resources
• Review/Conclusion
6. Module 1: Introduction to ProSeries
• System Requirements
• My ProSeries
• Downloading
• CD and Archiving
13. CD Image/Archiving
Create your own CD of .exe file
Archive image will be available
to create
Prior year CD image of archives
will be available to create
18. Pdf Attachments for E-Filed State Returns
1.Select state return (from
HomeBase or in return itself)
2.Efile Menu – Attach pdf files
3.Add Attachment
4.Navigate to file and add
5.Identify type of attachment
using the picklist provided
6.In the EF Center, a paperclip
icon will be displayed next to
the state return row
19. Modernized E-File Recap
• IRS system using XML format
• Used for electronic filing of individual, corporate,
partnership, exempt organization & excise tax
return
• Advantages:
• Allows for pdf attachments
• Faster Acknowledgements
• Specific explanation of errors
• Possible quicker refunds (no “drains”)
33. New Chat button on Toolbar
Chat Statuses:
Online –
Clicking chat button
initiates pop up
window to start a
Chat session
Offline –
The chat button
will show offline
when chat is not
available
37. Knowledge Article Subscription
Why is this important?
•When you want that „follow-up‟ to a reported issue, now you can subscribe to an
article when it is updated.
The message reads:
You can subscribe to
this article and receive
an automatic
notification by email of
any updates or changes
to this issue. It‟s quick,
easy, and of course
free. Subscribe Now.
49. Resources
• Support doc for downloading:
https://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/
document.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX&id=GEN504
05
• Download help:
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/d
ocument.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX&id=INF24823
&src=syswidget
• Calendar-Year Services:
https://blog.accountants.intuit.com/prod-info-specialoffers/new-for-proseries-discover-the-benefits-ofcalendar-yearservices/?rmid=28219_001_PSPro&rrid=145546339
• Tax law change blog:
https://blog.accountants.intuit.com/?p=28393&s_cid
=E-NEWS_TAX
50. Resources
• System Requirements for 2013 ProSeries and
ProSeries Basic
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/document.jsp?p
roduct=PROSERIES_TAX&id=INF23972&src=widget
• ProSeries Top Solutions for the Week
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/document.jsp?p
roduct=PROSERIES_TAX&id=INF22988&src=widget
• New for Tax Year 2013 ProSeries: State Electronic
Filing Now Supports PDF Attachments
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/document.jsp?p
roduct=PROSERIES_TAX&id=GEN85889
•
E-file Atlas
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/efatlas/index.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX
51. Resources
• New for Tax Year 2013 ProSeries, Create and Email
Password Protected PDF Files to Your Clients
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/docum
ent.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX&id=INF24439
• ProSeries User Guides
http://accountants.intuit.com/tax/proseries/resources/userguide.jsp
• ProSeries Training
http://accountants.intuit.com/training/proseries.jsp
• Signing Up for Article Subscriptions
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/docum
ent.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX&id=INF24970
• Setup Options to Customize ProSeries
http://accountants.intuit.com/support/tax/proseries/docum
ent.jsp?product=PROSERIES_TAX&id=GEN51333
56. Review & Conclusion
We learned:
• ProSeries offerings, selected
add-ons and system requirements
• The procedures related to purchasing, licensing
and installing ProSeries
• The changes due to Modernized E-Filing
• The new features and functionality changes in
Tax Year 2013 ProSeries
• How to use resources to get questions answered
and to learn more about ProSeries
A little housekeeping before we get started, I want to mention that the link to these course materials iIntuitAcademy.com/Materials.
Read through
NOTE: During installation PS checks for system requirements and will stop the installation if the computer does not meet minimum requirementsThere are two products – Basic & ProfessionalThis webinar is based on ProfessionalThe standalone system requirements apply to basic and professionalNote – supports Windows 8System requirements haven’t changed that much
Read through some of the bulletsInternet ConnectionHigh Speed – Dial up not supportedBrowserDon’t have the Browser here – but for network – IE 7.0 or later (10 is recommended for standalone)IE doesn’t have to be default browserProblems with IE 9.0 with printingMore info at ProSeries website – which we’ll talk about changes there
Purchase before you downloadInstead of having to download each product – it is one download executable – that can then be updated for specific products
You can download from here – I guess you need to if you’re new to ProSeriesBut…..
Easiest to do in productNext slide show KB article that talks about downloading
The link to this is on resource slide as well as another link for download help
If you have problem with .exe file – you can download the full image which will be updated periodically (Feb, Mar/Apr) and ArchiveLink eventually will become the archive imagePrior year TY10 – TY12, will be available to create.If you need to order a physical CD from Intuit the cost is $25 – note that this option is not available to download only customers who must receive all product via download in order to avoid Sales Tax charges
Overview of Modernized E-fileNot all state agencies will support and each agency (Federal or state) might have different maintenance periods when down – i.e. currently the IRS 1040 is closed for TY12 return e-file until late January when TY13 e-file goes live. Both TY12 and TY13 will open on that day.Not all states are supporting year round or multi-year e-file for the 1040 – the Intuit Electronic Filing Center provides messaging when you attempt to e-file agencies which are not currently open explaining if the agency is in a maintenance period or if filing for that year is closed for good. You should read these messages carefully.EF Atlas is still best resource for all EF information including dates for deadlines and year round EF – accessible under e-file resources on the right nav of the support page and under the Help menu in ProSeries Prior year electronic filing requires a current tax year license as ProSeries is moving to calendar year services that are available each year with a current tax year licenseThe date to be renewed by will be Jan 1 of each year in order for these calendar services such as e-file to continue un-interruptedIn TY12 for 1040 year round e-file the date was Nov 1 as we transitioned to this model but that was a 1 time date. The date is moving to Jan 1 as noted above.
How to find answers on common questions for e-file (or other topics):As you’re going through the tax season this year, you may have specific questions that can be answered through the “Ask ProSeries” knowledge base accessible through your ProSeries program or directly from the ProSeries website. If you search from within ProSeries, the browser will automatically launch from the ProSeries program and bring you to the knowledgebase.
Faster acknowledgements due to Modernized e-file and delayed status messaging so that you know when to expect a delay.All of the pending EF statuses are clickable hyperlinks that bring up the Electronic Filing Client Status History report. When the status shows as ‘Delayed at Intuit’, ‘Delayed at IRS’ or ‘Delayed at State’ this report will show you a description of the delay coming form the Intuit Electronic Filing Center. If returns show a status of ‘Delayed’ it means that Intuit has received the return Delayed at Intuit’ or sent it to the agency and there is a delay that is being worked on. You can be confident that your return has been successfully submitted and there is no need to contact support to inquire. To check for an updated status on a return you can click on the ‘Update EF Status’ link in the ‘Next Step’ column next to the return to see if there is a new status available for the return.
I’ll walk you through the PDF attachment, however I want to let you know that we are covering the basic functionality today. There is also a great KB to walk you through this process in the resource section as well as information at the E-file atlas. The E-file atlas will provide a list of state-specific information on which states will be supporting the PDF attachment functionality. As a note, we are still receiving communications from each state so the list is not fully finalized, but the knowledge base will keep you up to date. Use the article in the resource section to keep you informed on the rules for your state. Beginning in tax year 2013, ProSeries will now support the ability to attach PDF files to electronically filed state returns. This 2013 ProSeries feature enhancement will provides the functionality often requested by preparers filing state individual income tax returns containing credits for taxes paid to another state.Instead of mailing or faxing a copy of the other state return to support the credit claimed, you will now have the capability to attach a PDF copy of the other state return when filing electronically.Only works for states that allow itCan add multiple attachmentsSlide shows federal – but state will work the same way
From the IRS.gov website:“MeF is a web-based system that allows electronic filing of corporate, individual, partnership, exempt organization and excise tax returns through the Internet. MeF uses the widely accepted Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. This is an industry standard that is used when identifying, storing and transmitting data rather than the proprietary data transmission formats used by older e-file programs.Benefits:More Explicit Error Conditions - New error code explanations pinpoint the location of the error in the return and provide complete information in the Acknowledgement File.Faster acknowledgements - Transmissions are processed upon receipt and acknowledgements are returned in near real-time. No more waiting for once or twice daily system processing cycles.Integrated Payment Option - Owe Taxes? - You can e-file a balance due return and, at the same time, authorize an electronic funds withdrawal from your bank account. Payments are subject to limitations of the Federal Tax Deposit rules.
Submission ID appears on the top of the 8879 signature document but isn’t generated until the return is ‘Sent to Agency’ by the Intuit servers. The submission ID is then sent back down to the desktop. After transmitting to check for the updated status of ‘Sent to Agency’ use the ‘Update EF Status’ link in the Next Step column. Once the status is ‘Sent to Agency’ the submission ID will populateClicking on the submission ID (all blue links in the EF Center are clickable) will bring up the Electronic Filing Client Status History – note that each return filing will have a unique submission IDThis means the submission ID will be an after the fact write in on the Form 8879 if they are getting taxpayer signatures before they e-file the returnQuestions:What do I do with a signed copy that needs a submission ID?The submission ID will only come down after e-filed, if the IRS requires this on the client copy it would have to be manually added or printed on a 2nd copy
Federal 1041 will now be on the modernized e-file platform which means it will start being year round, multi-year and will support pdf attachments beginning with TY13In order to support Modernized e-file for the Federal 1041 many new forms and calculations are now being supported
We are expanding the offering for single member LLC returns. In CA, in the 1040 module, LLC forms must still be paper filed – this will be supported for EF next year as part of a CA EF mandate.For partnerships, the CA-568 is supported for electronic filingLeave off the FBAR NY City Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT) e-file not yet released. Watch for more details in your ProSeries alerts
Sch D input screen now has easy access to both Quick Entry and Detailed Entry. This is in both Professional and Basic EditionsDemo of the SCH D inputs
Not in Basic and will not be released in the Professional version until mid-January.Email PDF requires a windows email program such as window mail in WIN 8 or Outlook/Outlook Express in WIN XP/7. If using a gmail or aol address these must be setup inside the windows email program. This is the same as how the Client Checklist worksCan only email one return copy at a timePassword protected pdf will be saved to the hard drive in separate folder from the regular PROPDF folderPasswords will be automatically generated based on taxpayer information in the return and the email will provide hits/clues tell th taxpayer what data was used in the password. This is the same as how the Client Checklist works
These features are not in the latest release – will be delivered in mid-JanuaryCan now open a PDF after print to PDF which will open in the windows default viewer. The pdf can then be easily used side by side with ProSeries when reviewing returnsImproved print preview shows all pages of forms and checkboxes allow you to deselect forms or pages that you do not wish to print. This print preview functionality is also being added to the ‘Print Selected Forms’ as well as ‘Print Return’
New this year ProSeries is using the PDF forms provided by the IRS and states for all 1040 forms. When printing, a PDF copy of the return is created and then it is sent either to the printer or to the PROPDF folder if print to file (pdf) is selected. If printing to the print the PDF is not saved and it deleted once the print job is completeBenefits of this technology change:Much faster forms approvals from agenciesand release of forms Much less development time spent ‘re-creating’ agency forms – time saved can now be dedicated to expanding content and content improvementsAll agencies will soon start requiring only their agency PDF be used versus form reproductions from software vendors – we will be ahead of the gameSome experience tradeoffs:On these PDF forms agencies are requiring a Courier font which is different from the data field font used in prior years of ProSeriesThe Courier font is a thinner font and because the forms are now much richer and darker the data field font appears lighter than in prior yearsAlways creating a PDF before printing adds 10-20 seconds to printing If you are experiencing longer delays than this we are finding that it is related to certain older printers/print drivers. You should call technical support for assistance troubleshoot or consider updating your printer to a newer laser printerFile sizes of PDF’s created from ProSeries are larger than in the past
Client Analyzer Query and Export feature are ProSeries Professional features onlyAll client data stored on the desktop is now encrypted including data files of the database files that hold the information from the HomeBasePreparers will no longer be able to access the HomeBase database files directly so will need to use the ‘Export HomeBase’ featureNote – the exported csv file is not encrypted so if personally identifiable taxpayer data is exported the file should be password protected when opened in ExcelThis will be a good feature to demo - this feature which works from all views including EF and Client analyzer queries
Can Chat from w/in programUnder the help menu and we will be adding a chat toolbar button in JanuaryThis toolbar button is already in Basic
New chat button coming for toolbar – already in Basic
in product video viewer or go to You Tube and search ‘Learn to Use ProSeries’
User guides at ProSeries.com – these are no longer installed on the harddrive and must be accessed from online resources
new page design
Others?
Want to know about critical information that coincides with your current workflow? Interested to know which support topics are trending now? We've created a new communication email alert to help keep you better informed. By signing up for this alert you will receive weekly email alerts notifying you every time we update the “Top 10 ProSeries solutions of the week”. To sign up to receive these FREE alerts go to the ProSeries Top Solutions for the Week knowledge article and click on the ‘Subscribe Now’ button.
For the latest updates, we recommend you follow us on our new Training forums. These forum will be updated weekly with helpful content to get you ready for season You will be notified via email when we post new content quick Video updates by Mike on tax law changes, and product updates throughout season.. You can get there by going to (read bit.lys).
Use the Live Community panel (on the right side of the ProSeries window) tohelp you interact with other tax professionals in the following three ways:Read questions that others have asked and review answers those questions have receivedAsk questions and receive answers to your questions Answer questions that others have asked
Basics of getting started for new users and quick refresh of the those task that you only probably do once a year
When you first set up PS – it will walk you through the Options Setup WizardYou can get back to the wizard by looking under the Help menu It will walk you through steps to make sure program is set up with how YOU want to use itDemoOpenYou want to make sure that you take the time to go through the options to get PS tailored to your practice and how you want to use itPlease note that there is help on every screen – Use itYou have the choice of Express Setup or Custom SetupExpress will have you answer the essential question to get the program runningCustom set up is much more comprehensiveChoose ExpressClick on NextThe first thing you need to set up is the Firm & Preparer informationTo Edit the Firm name & address – click on EditTo add other firm info and the preparers, just fill in the formIf you’re not sure why PS or what PS is asking, click on Help
Stop at ERO screenPoint out links…Congrats – you are finished.
Will be part of options setup wizard – or access from:Updates/Auto updates/view/modify scheduleForms change - both state & federal and you need to make sure you have the latest formsYou can update manually by going to the Update drop down menuRather than having to remember to look for updates yourself, it’s much easier to just let ProSeries check for youYou can do that by turning on the Task SchedulerGo to Update/Automatic Updates/Activate Automatic UpdatesClick on View/Modify Schedule to make sure the scheduler is running at a time where it won’t interfere with your work dayNote – the computer must be runningIf your computer is turned off at the designated time, Task Scheduler will notify you the next time you start your computerNote – you can use the Task Scheduler to automatically check for E-File Acknowledgements too.
