The two websites work together, with links between each other.
http://www.vita-irs.org is this
website, and available to the general public.
Most information is added by the webmaster; visitors can enter
information by signing the guest book, but do not require an email address
or registration.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vita-irs is a separate website and
mailing list provided by Yahoo!Groups. It purpose is communication among VITA volunteers. Yahoo!Groups
requires an email address for electronic communication, and a Yahoo! Id
for web access. Only members have the ability to send email to other
members of the group, and add additional updated information by uploading
files.
An EFIN (Electronic FiIing Identification Number) is a number provided
by the IRS to identify the site from which Electronic Tax Returns are
filed. The same EFIN can be used for several computers in a site or
sometimes even in multiple sites.
However, an EFIN should use only ONE transmitting computer for sending the Tax Returns to the IRS
through UTS. Though there is no technical restriction to transmitting from multiple
computers for the same EFIN, the practical logistics of managing it may cause
difficulties. UTS/IRS uses the EFIN number to send messages when a
transmitting computer connects. If two computers A & B
transmit with the same EFIN number, the acknowledgements and messages for
the E-files transmitted from computer A may go to computer B when computer
B connects. If the same person transmits from Computer A and
Computer B, this may not be a problem. However, if different people
transmit from the two computers, the transmitter from computer A may
wonder why the Acknowledgements were never received, while the transmitter
on computer B may get acknowledgements and rejections for E-files it never
transmitted.
On the other hand, one computer can be used to transmit E-Files for multiple EFINs.
An E-file for a tax return will have an EFIN and a
DCN (Document Control Number). The EFIN and DCN number
identifies the Tax Return and consequently the taxpayer uniquely for the
current year. The EFIN identifies the site
where the return was prepared. However, if the preparer EFIN is
different from the transmitting EFIN, the E-File will be rejected.
To avoid headaches, and as a practical matter, it is better to use the
same EFIN for the preparation and transmitting computers; otherwise, the
EFIN for the E-File needs to be changed on the Transmitting computer.
The DCN is assigned when the E-File is created. To make sure that DCNs are not
duplicated for a particular EFIN, there are at least two solutions:
- Create E-Files only on the transmitting computer. This
means that the preparer will do all the check, and get the return ready
to file, then transfer the return to the transmitting computer.
The main issue here is that the 8453 generated does not have the
EFIN-DCN number on it when the copy is given to the Taxpayer.
- Assign different DCN starting numbers to each preparing computer.
This means that the preparer can complete the checks and create the
E-File, and transfer the E-file to the transmitting computer. When
the E-file is created, the 8453 already has the EFIN-DCN included.
The starting DCNs for each computer should be assigned by the
transmitter for the EFIN. A good policy is to assign starting DCNs
that are 100 numbers apart.
Note that E-files do not need to have sequential DCN numbers; they only
need to be unique.
Taxwise is a commerical product for preparing and filing U.S. Income
Tax returns. For the 2002 tax year (taxes filed during the early
part of 2003), it is the software system used by VITA.
An E-File site is a site where one or more volunteers with computers
loaded with the TaxWise Software can preparing returns on the computer
rather than prepare it on IRS paper forms. The computer could be, but
does not need to be, connected to the internet.
At an E-File site, the TaxPayer has the option of filing an electronic
return or a paper return. If the TaxPayer chooses to file a paper
return, the return can be printed up and given to the TaxPayer for filing.
If the Taxpayer chooses to have the return filed electronically, then a
paper copy is printed out for the Taxpayer, in addition to the paper work
to file electronically.
At the end of the day, all the returns to be E-Filed are transferred to
a transmitting computer from which it is sent to the IRS. The
transfer can be done using diskettes.
Thank you for offering the use of your computer! It must be a PC
with operating system Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or later.
At this time, the Taxwise software must be loaded into your computer and
the registration information assigned by the IRS VITA Contact or
representative. Due to the licensing agreements and the logistical
considerations, you must bring your computer to the IRS Building and get
the software installed in the computer. Please email to
training@vita-irs.org to
arrange for a suitable time. We are investigating other means for
installing the software that will meet the licensing requirements.
Please remember that E-filing means the ability to create E-files ready
for transmission to the IRS. Even though you have the software on
your computer, you are not authorized to transmit returns electronically
unless your computer is the transmitting computer for the EFIN, and you
are the authorized transmitter.
VITA has a limited number of Windows 98 SE laptop computers with
the Taxwise Software installed. The computers are checked
out on a site basis, and in rare cases on an individual or shared basis. Since demand for these
computers is greater than the number available, they will be allocated by
the IRS VITA Contact on the basis of the potential for the largest number
of returns that can be completed on them. Past experience showed
that lack of familiarity with the computer can cause computers to lock up.
During the busy tax
season, it is hard to find someone with time to reinstall the
software. What happens then is that the computer is removed from
service. Computers mayl be assigned to people familiar with laptop
PCs, who are knowledgeable about Windows 98 SE, and TaxWise. This
means you must have taken the TaxWise E-File 3 hour training or have had
prior experience with TaxWise.
The VITA E-File enabled designation is given to sites on the basis of
previous history with filing returns. This means that
someone there has a computer on which to do the return. By donating the use
of your own computer loaded with the software, you can convert your
favorite site into an E-File enabled site. Once the return is
prepared on the computer, it can be transferred to a transmitting computer
by diskette. Some taxpayers prefer to file paper returns, so
any returns filled using the software can be printed up and given to the
taxpayer.
Certainly! Not all Tax Preparers are familiar with or trained in
TaxWise. Many experienced VITA volunteers are very productive and
comfortable filling paper returns, and many TaxPayers are not yet
comfortable filing electronically.
Remember that paper returns are entered into the computer by the IRS,
and that in the data entry process there could be mistakes. Returns
transmitted electronically are checked by the IRS computers for
consistency, and any errors can be quickly resolved. Refunds are
also received faster for electronic filing.
On the other hand, any errors found on the E-File gets bounced back to
the transmitting EFIN computer; the transmitter then has to contact the
Taxpayer to resolve the issue and send the corrected E-File, or have the
Taxpayer send a corrected paper return.
Because of privacy reasons. This website is open to all visitors
and search engines and spiders that gather email addresses for the purposes
of Unsolicited Commercial Email (also known as spam). We certainly
don't want our volunteers' email addresses to be spammed! In addition,
we do not want strangers calling up the volunteers. Email and phone numbers are available to site coordinators
on a
password protected site.
Remember that there is usually a long line of people and not enough
volunteers to help the taxpayers. There are some volunteers who
welcome the opportunity to do tough and complex returns.
