How can Master adm user know Efile returns my company ‘s all users using in 3 different pc (download stand alone) ?

[Mybesttaxservice]

I am first year  to proseries professional 2019

We are small business

I download software stand alone on  3 PC s

I and other two tax prepares using  it 

Should we file and efile independent?

Can I (Master adm user know the list of  all efiled  returns ? 

[George4Tacks · Accepted solution]

I would encourage you to establish one computer as the master and that all e-file and final paper printing be done from that one computer. This will help to assure that the computer being used has the most complete software and the best practices for regular backups. Once e-file is complete, copies are then distributed to the other two "workstations". 

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Agreed.  On stand alone systems, things get hard to track when E-filing from all the different computers.

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you George4Tacks and Just Lisa Now
I love Proseries Professional but there are two problems so far
1. Released tax 2019 requires window 8.1 or more. Since window 7 is still so popular with lots of users. I am upgrade one of my taxprepare's PC now (window 7)
2. We are small business S Corp and I am master adm user with other 2 taxpreparers. They are independent contractors. I dont know how to know how many efiled returns they are working (I meant the list of efiled returns under my company)
Because we are start up business and it is so cost for Proseries online or networking connection
Proseries Professional is already almost $1600/yr
If they send their returns to me to efile at final , it is more work for me and I dont know after inviting them (add users), their PTIN (tax preparer's indentity )will appear under my PC? I am in progress for it
Thank for all advice

[George4Tacks]

Spend your money on Windows 10, not 8. I would spend money on new PC with 10, rather than trying to update and older one to 10.
You may find this post of interest https://accountants-community.intuit.com/questions/1871757-any-suggestions-for-a-replacement-for-pro....
It is your EFIN, so CONTROL IT "I dont know how to know how many efiled returns they are working" IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE STATEMENT. You should already have their PTIN and have verified their license/credential allowing them to legally prepare returns.

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you George4Tacks
Thank you for your advice
Per my TI, because window 10 is updated new version time by time, therefore the TI has  issue to replace new version of window 10 very often . My TI recommended to upgrade window 8.1 so far

Per "CONTROL IT", before I add any user to work as taxprepare in my company, of course I checked background, accredited and identity. On top of that I have worked for government tax agency 12 years already and have experienced about security more than others
Therefore I let them prepare tax returns and able efile independent if possible (I used cloud base tax software before and intend to change Proseries Professional this year because other tax software has issue of miscalculating)
The bottom line that how can I know the list of efiled returns on my side unless my other two tax prepares must transfer files to one work location(my PC) and efile in one place (one PC) since we are PC download standalone (not networking because costly)
I think IRS, Intuit  should have this information too
I am in progress to upgrade PC and thus I am not add users yet on this tax Proseries Professional yet
I questioned after adding users, on my PC appear their names, PTIN on my PC?

[itonewbie]

If your preference is cloud-based tax software, you should really take a peek at ProConnect Tax Online, which is a very capable software run on Lacerte engine but it's not without drawbacks and you'd have a steep learning curve because, unlike ProSeries, it's not form-driven.

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you itonebie
I am thinking about it. For now, small business, it is cost too much
I love Proseries Professional because it is similar with Turbo Tax (I used more than 12 years since I worked with government tax agencies' job).
I am unsure if Proconnect online tax is similar with Proseries Professional.
Last year I used mytaxprepoffice (cloud base $500/yr)
This year I changed to Proseries Professional and want to stick with one best software
Too much to learn because of changing software
Again, thank for your advice

[itonewbie]

It's understandable.  Best of luck with your business.

[Ernie]

My strong suggestion is only 1 PC e-files.  It can create problems otherwise.

[itonewbie]

I agree with @Ernie and @George4Tacks.

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you Ernie and George4Tacks

[Accountant-Man]

Why are your tax preparers independent contractors? Do you tell your clients that they are outside sourced preparers and that you are giving them the clients' private information?

Are they really independent, or do you just treat them that way?

[itonewbie]

These would be my concerns.

[mybesttaxservice1]

Hi, fellows
They are working for my company (S Corp) under my FEIN, and EFIN numbers and tax software and business insurance. The company is responsible for clients' returns of course and their name and PTIN appear on the returns
They prepare income tax and other services and gain experiences, They bring their own clients to my company. I review at the final
I dont have a business office fancy yet. We are working remote PCs and they can work at home and follow the company rules (confidential information and security matters)
I am not ready for payroll yet and pay them 1099M for now
Thank you Accountant Man and itonewbie 's concern

[Ernie]

@mybesttaxservice The question is do you inform you clients that a non employee is working on their information?  That, I believe, is a requirement.

[Accountant-Man]

Your answer is incomplete. They are either independent or employee, and depending on the IC vs. EE rules is how it works, not in order to save money. You must comply with one rule or the other. <<(S Corp) under my FEIN, and EFIN numbers and tax software >> is irrelevant, but the << business insurance>> is very problematic.

If IC, you cannot pay their insurance, and you must inform your clients that they do not work for you. You are giving out private information to third parties and that is dangerous.

<<They bring their own clients to my company. I review at the final.>> Maybe they are ICs. Do they pay you for the review of THEIR CLIENTS' RETURNS?

[mybesttaxservice1]

Hi, Accountant Man
I think my tax preparers should be EE, but for now, I am treating them and pay them as IC

Their names are on the returns and names as users on Quickbook online accountant. Therefore, they are under my business insurance (E&O) able to claim for per Hiscox insurance carrier. (They told me that but I might be wrong). My tax prepares buy bond in their own too.
I am not paying EE because we dont have a business office fancy for 3 of us yet. We work remote PC and PC
They control their work (IC)

You are not selling your clients' information. You are still responsible for the clients' identities info according tax law
Either your EE or IC are committed with your company's policy and tax law
Your clients know who are their tax preparers
I have worked for government tax agency a long time and very concerned about confidential information and security. I protect my clients' identities as protect mine.
I see lots of tax preparer communicate with clients via email. That is not acceptable.
We have to encrypt files and input password, or only fax. Fax is the best.  (my company's rules)

All clients (my IC's own clients and my clients)  are paying me and I share commission to them according our agreement

Because I am start up business , therefore , we dont have many customers yet and we handle step by step

[Accountant-Man]

<<I am not paying EE because we don't have a business office fancy for 3 of us yet. We work remote PC and PC.>> Not a legitimate answer.
<<They control their work (IC)>> This is a legitimate answer.
<<All clients (my IC's own clients and my clients)  are paying me>> Why do THEIR clients pay YOU and not THEM if they have their own businesses and clients?

When I started I had one IC, and she took work home. As soon as I brought them in house with my computers and my software they became EEs. It's all about control of them and what they do, where and when they do it.

It's also about income and loss. If they cannot lose money then they are EEs. What happens when a client doesn't pay? Who loses, them or you or both? Do you pay them to work or only if you get paid?

Is this more of a software sharing agreement than an employment agreement? Do you give them 1099s?

<<You are not selling your clients' information. You are still responsible for the clients' identities info according tax law >> If there is a problem, who could get sued by the client, you or the ICs? Who signs as preparer for the IRS to investigate?

[George4Tacks]

e-file information should be available on "My Account", but still you should process all of them on your machine. It is your EFIN, you need to control it. https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1861870-verifying-e-file-status-information-from-l...
That means YES you need to have all of those preparer credentials (PTIN, EA, etc) https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1857267-add-delete-or-modify-a-preparer

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you George4Tacks
I used Proseries Professional not Lacerte
I guessed you answered my questions.
After taxpreparer has prepared returns and transfer files to my PC and I will efile it
I also need to add their name , PTIN on my own PC too after adding them as users on dash board
I am thinking about Proconnect online tax in the future. Are they similar with Proseries Professional?
I overview some features and see so much different. Are they family Intutit, correct?
Again thank you George4Tacks

[Accountant-Man]

Proconnect is like Lacerte, not like ProSeries.

[itonewbie]

Yes, almost identical when it comes to data input.

[George4Tacks]

@mybesttaxservice Here is a comparison on the various features of the ProConnect offerings https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1859737-comparing-lacerte-and-proseries-and-procon... This does not show the functionality differences.

[itonewbie]

This may also help: https://accountants-community.intuit.com/questions/1868113-if-you-switched-from-lacerte-to-proconnec...

[mybesttaxservice1]

I thank you all your advice . Itonewbie and George4Tacks

[mybesttaxservice1]

Thank you AccountanMan