For those of you who do VITA/TCE work, you might be interested to know that IRS SPEC has announced it's awarded the new software contract to TaxSlayer, which will start with the 2017 filing season.
So we still have to endure TaxWise for this year and then we'll see.
For those of you who use/used TaxSlayer in your professional capacities, what do you think about it?
Is there someplace online where I can see that announcement?
Bob Sandler
What are the issues with TaxSlayer?
No confirmation from TCE folks yet. Taxwise was a great program for all abilities. Keep us informed.
bw
AARP confirmed this is happening.Stay tuned.
bw
Duh! What are the issues with TaxWise?
You might want to check out gao.gov/products/b-411101#mt=summary or just google "TCE/Vita Taxslayer". It appears to me that Taxslayer was in competition for the contract with Taxwise and lost out because it had no significant advantages.
That decision on a protest by TaxSlayer is from 6 months ago. Apparently there has been more activity since then. The AARP Tax-Aide national office and our SPEC liaison have confirmed to our state Tax-Aide coordinator that VITA and TCE will be changing to TaxSlayer starting with the 2017 filing season (2016 returns).
Bob Sandler
Now that I think of it: I recall Taxwise Online loosing data several times. You would type in a document and then move on to the rest of the return and find that what you had typed on the document had disappeared. Once I caught in time and once a reviewer caught it. That's a serious problem.
========================================= MODERATOR'S COMMENT: Please fix the program you use to read usenet. It is not accurately reflecting who said what.
I just completed VITA/TCE self study and received my AARP tax Certification license yesterday. AARP uses Taxslayerpro software.
Taxslayerpro offers tools like the Bogart Calculator to assist with IRA, Annuity/Pension and Social Security benefits.
In calculating what income is taxable when in retire- ment, the Bogart calculator is an alternative to using the Simplified Worksheet method offered through Taxslayerpro itself.
Other strengths in Taxslayerpro were the Guide Me menus that lead the taxpayer/TP or tax preparer through all the tax Forms & Schedules with a series of questions.
These user-friendly menus help determine if the TP is qualified for deductions, refunds or tax credits as in the case of Child and Dependent Care, or Lifetime Learning and American Opportunity Credits for students of any age.
Text/call if you need free help this tax season! Andrea 203-571-2355. I am ready to help!
========================================= MODERATOR'S COMMENT: I let this through because the AARP Foundation and IRS does sponsor a very large and well trained cadre of tax preparers throughout the country and never charges for this service. It is getting late to train for this coming tax season, but perhaps some areas of the country are still open for new volunteers. To find an AARP Taxaide site near your ZIP Code see
The Bogart calculators have no connection with TaxSlayer Pro, and TaxSlayer Pro does not "offer" them or reference them. The calculators were developed by Jeff Bogart, who is an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer in Colorado. The Bogart calculators are hosted on the Colorado Tax-Aide web site.
To volunteer for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, sign up at the following link.
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