Require taxpayer Form 8879 signature date, when efiling tax return.

[OkieBobby]

It is alarmingly too easy to accidentally e-file a tax return in ProConnect.  The software should prevent tax returns from being efiled, until we have clearly acknowledged the taxpayer's efile authorization.

To make matters worse, in order to efile an extension - we are required to check both the efile a tax return and the efile extension in the Profile.  This is just setting us up for failure, by making it even easier to accidentally efile an actual tax return instead of an extension.  Efiling an extension, should not require me to give the go ahead to be able to efile the actual tax returns.

At the same time, while the software allows efiling of returns without acknowledging the taxpayers authorization; then we are required to dance dangerously close to this accident waiting to happen, while navigating to other functions like printing, initiating e-signing... since these functions are located in the file return menu, and when this menu is selected it defaults to efile return.  In this same menu, Efiling a tax return looks very similar to efiling an extension, particularly when the client is only filing federal.  Not a good combination for a tired tax preparer, trying to file extensions at the 11th hour. 

I like this software, but this is too big of a control weakness.  If this isn't corrected, I will have to switch software.  Please fix this.  A simple solution would be to require entering a date for the Form 8879, as expected by the IRS.

The software developers are obviously talented, they need to realize how dangerous a position they are putting us in, by making this one function too easy to do by accident, and the actual filing of the return should be the most important acknowledgement step for us.

[nononono]

Truthfully, if you accidentally e-file a tax return you are being careless. This has literally never happened to me or the people that I know that are using this software.

[IntuitGabi]

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[OkieBobby]

Today I was curious to see if any improvement had been made to this Form 8879 control weakness, so I intentionally tested the software a bit (which I'll describe below).  Short answer, no improvements have been made to this internal control weakness.

This morning I was submitting a tax return for e-file.  The software indicated two diagnostic warnings were still unaddressed.

One was a 'Critical Diagnostic' regarding a math ratio and had no input screen associated with it.  I was not allowed to submit the e-file without clicking the radio box to ignore it; which I did.  Then was warned that it likely would result in the IRS rejecting the tax return.

The other was a 'Suggestions' diagnostic warning there was no e-file authorization signature date entered.  My options were to either: 1) check a box acknowledging I read the diagnostic and chose to ignore it; or 2) check a box, instructing the software to use today's date for the signature; or 3) enter the actual signature dates (which is a Form 8879 requirement by the way).  I intentionally chose to do none of those steps to see if the software had any internal control safety feature whatsoever in this crucial step, which is required by the IRS.  I didn't even check the box to ignore.  I intentionally did nothing; in order to test the software.

Sure enough, the software allowed me to submit an individual's income tax return for e-file without making any type of acknowledgment whatsoever that they had authorized this to be done.  No signature on their part or mine.  No acknowledgement whatsoever on my part.  This is piss poor controls, and for the most critical step, prior to submitting a tax return for e-filing.

Was the return rejected by the IRS?  Nope.  It went through and was accepted.  Apparently the critical diagnostic was nonsensical.  However, if the Form 8879 signature diagnostic were bumped up to a critical diagnostic, then at least we would be required to acknowledge it.

In our virtual world, we need to keep things in perspective.  A paper filed return has lots of built in controls (printing, signing, mailing...) to prevent accidental submission.  In our virtual would, some steps should not be too convenient to the point of no internal control.  It's easy to unintentionally click a mouse, or even have a glitch associated with software or power glitch.  The software should require us to acknowledge the taxpayer's signature, prior to allowing submission for e-filing.

If we were riding a roller coaster, we'd expect the safety bar that holds us in, to be engaged and locked.  The current situation is like having a safety bar that looks like it works, but it doesn't latch; it's just for show.  The rollercoaster designers thought it would be more convenient for us not to have to deal with the hassle of unlatching when the ride was over.  That kind of lack of control for this one specific step, is asinine.

I understand and agree with the convenience of the radio box button to use todays date; by clicking that we are conveniently completing the step required by the IRS, but at the very least we need to be required to do this, or type in the date.

For the software to default to allowing e-fling to occur without any Form 8879 authorization acknowledgment at all; this is absolutely ridiculous.

[OkieBobby]

Interesting - as noted in previous comments, when e-filing a Form 1040, the software defaults to assuming taxpayer's have signed the Form 8879.  Also as noted in previous comments, this assumption is a huge internal control weakness, and not in compliance with IRS e-filing requirements.

Yet, I'm currently working on a Form 1120S, and the software provides a very appropriate Critical Diagnostic: "Warning - this return will be rejected by the IRS.  The taxpayer signature date on the Form 8879-S, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, is missing or invalid.  The signature date is mandatory."

This 1120S diagnostic is perfect, and it is what we need for the 1040s.  Could the programmer that set up the Form 1120S e-file signature diagnostic, please help the Form 1040 programmers???

[OkieBobby]

Finishing up a partnership return today, and pleased to report ProConnect has a Critical Diagnostic:  Warning - this return will be rejected by the IRS.  The taxpayer signature date on Form 8879-PE, IRS Signature Authorization, is missing or invalid.  The signature date is mandator.

So when preparing forms 1065 or 1120S, the programmers understand the importance of this step, and have provided an appropriate diagnostic.  Maybe the1065 or 1120S programmers could help out the 1040 programmers on this matter.  We need a similar critical diagnostic when preparing 1040s.