Our requirement as committed ProConnect users - in programmer/Product Manager speak....
Request: Please provide a Client level field for notes and client data that does not fit in existing client field definitions.
Purpose: to remove the need for external applications to record client information that is fundamental to tax preparation for multiple years, or multiple returns per year for the family (i.e. child, grand-parent, business inter-relationships)
Data Requirements: Field should allow for long text data entry with formatting for:
Carriage returns
Headlines
indentation/bullets
underlining and BOLD - something like this field entry sub-routine. 😍
Make field available in page header alongside Assignee and Status fields as well as the client menu with Tax Returns, Tax Plans, Documents etc
Business Use case: is to allow on-going reference to important information that allow quick memory refreshers that prompt accurate implementation of important Tax circumstances that are on-going at the client level - and MUST be accounted for in each or select future tax years. Promotes efficiency and one source of truth record of critical client facts and circumstances WITHIN the tax prep software.
Solution is NOT a rollover of information from year to year (aka carry forwards) - but rather client level information that is learned in year 1 that will impact year 3 and may go unnoticed when preparing year 2 return. Items should be movable within the field to facilitate reordering of importance year to year.
Simple Example: When onboarding in 2024, note twins turn 16 in 2026 - account for lower CTC of 3,000 and remind clients to adjust w-4 during 2025 return prep, confirm it is done when doing summer tax planning and watch out for the impact/need for further adjustment with 2026 prep. Yes, the birthdates are in dependent screens, this factoid is easy to miss when doing 2025 return as the dependent screen often does not need updating/attention after onboarding. But a 3k swing in credits will create cash flow pain and likely penalties thus is a significant value-add to be caught proactively.
Urgency: If technically possible, implement before opening of 2026 tax season to replace old Notes field that has been connected at the tax return level and is no longer viewable at the client level. Loss of critical information in this already f&$%%-ed up tax season will drive users to alternative software offerings.
Please feel free to cut and paste and send up the management chain.
