Discussion:Missed Efiles, damn software!
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Missed Efiles, damn software!
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 21 June 2008 |
| Hi all,
I just came to realize that 4 efiles in my system did not go through, either through operator error or software malfunction, I try and efile returns for people that owe right before the deadline and it always kicks my butt as I'll always get a call from someone asking about their refund, and alas the damn thing is sitting in the Drake software, I will be asking the Drake people if there is any way to set up the system to efile returns on a specific date, but other than keeping my big giant eraserboard with a list of people to efile at the last minute, is there anything else I can do? I can always go and efile returns as soon as I get them done but then my clients get nastygrams, and right now I have a client that has been assessed a $100 late filing penalty, totally my fault, what's the best shot at getting that penalty waived, if it doesn't I'm paying it but surely there's someone at the IRS that can waive it because of system trouble, right? No browbeating allowed on this post, thanks in advance! | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 21 June 2008 |
| Donnie: no one gets a bill from IRS or the State unless they do not pay by the deadline. I always file the return the same day I receive the signed 8879.
I have no idea how Drake handles things, but in that respect Proseries, with its efiling database which divides into 'pending' and 'accepted' give the proper picture at any moment. I am sure Drake must do the same. | |
| 21 June 2008 | |
| DT is right, i scan the pending for rejects on a regular basis and always find returns that try to hide. gotta keep on top of it. | |
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 21 June 2008 |
| Hey DT, my client was in the IRS office Friday and they were demanding a $100 failure to file fee, he didn't pay it but they wanted it, hopefully we can resolve monday or tuesday. | |
Donniecastleman (talk|edits) said: | 21 June 2008 |
| Also, from now on I'm not waiting to efile returns ever again, I had an experience where a client got a nasty letter when I efiled their return early and assumed I had to wait to avoid that, glad to know it was just a fluke. Thanks DT! | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 21 June 2008 |
| I don't want to deceive you, Donnie.....I have no idea when my clients pay the liability when I efile a balance due return but have heard of no one with a problem. Also many of my returns owing money wait to send the 8879 until the last week. | |
| 22 June 2008 | |
| Donnie - a system that I learned from my first accounting Guru way back when was simply physically moving the files. I have labeled locations (shelves) where I put client files, based on the status - Waiting Further Information, Waiting Return of eFile Authorization Form, Waiting Receipt of eFile Confirmation From IRS.
Only after the eFile confirmation is received from the IRS, do I put away the folder. I also keep an Excel list of projects including their status, plus my software has a list of clients which can be sorted by status, including whether eFile authorization has been returned, but there's nothing like actually being able to touch the file containing the unfinished work. I think the eraserboard method is fraught with possibility of human error, especially near April 15 when our mental focus is not 100%. I also understood the IRS wasn't sending bills for eFiled balance due returns until after April 15, and have never heard of this happening among my clients. But, here in MD, this year the state did send bills for balance due returns as soon as the returns were filed, causing an uproar, followed by an apology from the State. I believe the IRS does, however, send bills for balance due eFiled returns that are on extension, well before the final October 15 due date. You're right - there's definitely no browbeating allowed on this site - otherwise how would we learn from each other? | |
Scottycoyote (talk|edits) said: | 23 June 2008 |
| i 2nd what smokey said, we have a similar system where all the checked returns go into a box "to be sent". Once they are sent they sit in another box and get matched up with the acks. If a return gets missed we catch it pretty quick. | |
| June 23, 2008 | |
| And Donnie, important legal note. You are NOT permitted to efile until you receive their signature authorization. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 23 June 2008 |
| I rely on the "Pending" efile database, and sort this database by Client Status. I have my software set to ask if I need to update status before closing a file, and try to make sure I check 'Efile signatures needed' before closing a completed return. I keep an alphabetical accordion file where I put the signed 8879 forms after filing the return.....once the return is approved, my software automatically puts it in the "Accepted" database, so when I see a return that appears not to have been efiled, I first go to the accordion file, checking the letter of the last name and those surrounding it, and sometimes even checking by first name.
I follow up by checking emails to see if I have missed a pdf, or an email that says they are faxing the approval. Yet with all this, I did miss one this year....but found it before the deadline. Sometimes an 8879 can be faxed but be in a pile of papers on the fax, and is missed in sorting the incomings. | |
| 23 June 2008 | |
| I don't file the returns until the efile has been accepted either, and my software will sort by accepted, rejected, transmitted, etc. I check the acks daily, or sometimes more than daily. I've learned not to go on vacation the 16th either in case any rejects come in. I do CYA by doing extensions for everyone in left undone or sent the last week of the season, and if they owe, they get the 4868 with voucher to mail. If any efiles on extension go through before the 15th, well yippee. If not, i'm covered by the extension. I've learned my stress level goes WAY down by learning the magic words 'if your return comes in after March 31, I cannot guarantee it will not go on extension'. And then I start doing the 4868s. And don't let anyone browbeat me into promising anything (except extensions) the first two weeks of April. | |
