Internal Links & FAQs
SUBMIT MY STATE RETURN
You won’t see all 50 states in the tax software until the end of the month. If you do returns and you don’t see the state, you can still file the federal return. To add the state later. You’re responsible for following up to make sure this is done after we do it (on your behalf): www.TaxPrep.me/state
SUBMIT MY RETURN MY CLIENT PAID FOR UPFRONT
Clients can pay upfront for their tax prep fee (to avoid bank fees AND if they don’t have a refund coming. Once your client pays, you need to complete a form to let us know and then we lift the restriction to submit without a bank product and submit the return on your behalf.: 1) Client submits payment at www.TaxPrep.me/payment You will then complete form telling us to e-file the return www.taxprep.me/paidreturn
SUSPEND MY RETURN SO I CAN MAKE
Up until the returns are pulled from our queue into the IRS portal, you can request it be suspended and update a W2 or any other worksheet (including adding a State return). This can NOT be done once the IRS retrieves returns from the queue, which is usually in the third week of each January.
www.TaxPrep.me/suspend
When Does Tax Season Begin?
Our software is one that the IRS uses for HUB testing, which means the IRS will pull SOME of our returns from the queue for what they call “HUB TESTING” on Tuesday, January 18th. This will technically be the last day to edit your returns OTHER THAN TO ADD A STATE (which can be done even after a federal is accepted by the IRS).
That means, if you have submitted returns that you need to edit (for example, add the State return, add Healthcare.gov info, add W2s that haven’t arrived yet, etc.), request the returns to BE SUSPENDED out of the queue and click the “Suspend Return.” Form. This form goes to our Compliance team and we will put the return back in the queue for you to edit and then resubmit.
- If the return is not submitted by the time the IRS begins their HUB TESTING on Tuesday, January 18th, we will submit the return back in the queue to meet our contractual agreement with Refund Advantage.
- If you still need to make changes after January 17th 9 pm EST when the IRS begins pulling returns from the queue for “IRS HUB TESTING,” then you can AMEND the return (within the tax software via electronic filing). FILING AN AMENDMENT WILL HOLD UP YOUR CLIENT’S REFUND UNTIL APRIL OR MAY (or later).
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Did You Submit a Return Early for Advance & Still Need to Update It?
What do you do if you need a return suspended from the queue because it was submitted to apply for the advance?
- FYI: Returns can no longer be suspended once the IRS begins acknowledging returns because they go directly to the IRS at that point (vs. going to the queue)
- The goal of suspending a return is for you to make the needed changes and then resubmit the return ASAP.
- If the return is not submitted by the time the IRS begins HUB TESTING Tuesday, January 18th, your return will automatically go back in the queue anyway on January 17th 9 pm. That way, AffordaTax can meet our contractual agreement with Refund Advantage on
- If you still need to make changes after January 17th 11:59 pm EST when the IRS begins pulling returns from the queue for “IRS HUB TESTING,” then you can AMEND the return (within the tax software via electronic filing). FILING AN AMENDMENT WILL HOLD UP YOUR CLIENT’S RETURNS UNTIL APRIL OR MAY (or later).
Reasons you would need to request a return be suspended:
- You submitted the return prior to a client getting you all of their W2s or their Healthcare.gov form
- You submitted the return but still need to add the State (it may not have dropped in the tax software yet). You can always
How Much Do I Add for Mkt'g Fees to Cash Advances & Does It Come Out of My Tax Prep Fee
The answer is:
Pre-Ack – Add the $100 Marketing Fee
- Starting now until the IRS begins acknowledging returns
- this amount is higher due to RA taking a bigger risk giving advances on returns that haven’t been acknowledged by the IRS
Post-Ack – Add the $65 Marketing Fee
- starting the day the IRS begins acknowledging returns (officially on Jan. 24th, but as a part of IRS Hub Testing on Jan. 18th).
- this amount is less due to RA taking less risk
Add this amount (in the Office Adjustment line). It will show in the paperwork as a part of the tax prep fee (so the client won’t know); however, RA Marketing Fee won’t go to you. Instead, AffordaTax pays it upfront, and when the return funds, it is paid back to AffordaTax.
Why Is My State NOT Showing Up In the Tax Software?
Each year, the banks begin pre-season loans January 2nd. The states are not required until mid to late January to have their state approved by Congress, which is about the time we can expect for the states to drop into our tax software.
What you need to do?
Do the return. Submit it (with just the federal return). Then complete the form above to request we submit your state, which can be done even after the federal return is accepted by the IRS.
Do You Need AffordaTax to Remove a Return from the Queue Before the IRS Pulls It Down?
Preparers: What to do if you need a return suspended from the queue because it was submitted so you could apply for the advance; however, not all tax docs have arrived OR you need to submit a state return.
- Returns can no longer be suspended once the IRS begins acknowledging returns because they go directly to the IRS at that point (vs. going to the queue)
- The goal is for you to make the needed changes and then resubmit the return ASAP.
If the return is not submitted by the time the IRS begins their HUB TESTING on Tuesday, January 18th, we will submit the return back in the queue to meet our contractual agreement with Refund Advantage on January 17th 9 pm. - If you still need to make changes after January 17th 11:59 pm EST when the IRS begins pulling returns from the queue for “IRS HUB TESTING,” then you can AMEND the return (within the tax software via electronic filing). FILING AN AMENDMENT WILL HOLD UP YOUR CLIENT’S RETURNS UNTIL APRIL OR MAY (or later).
Reasons you would need to request a return be suspended:
- you submitted the return prior to a client getting you all of their W2s or their Healthcare.gov form
- you submitted the return but still need to add the State (it may not have dropped in the tax software yet). You can always