Why pro-series basic NOT create an error in "Federal Final Review" when missing Social Security inputs? when system check-marks SSA 1099 was part of prior years return?

[PatR681]

The Pro Series BASIC system does not alert in Final Fed Review that we have forgotten to included Social Security payments and Medicare Premiums (form 1099SSA in Social Security Worksheet), when it was part of the prior years return

(there is a check box auto filled if the Social Security Worksheet was filled out last year, this is to be a programmers alert to error but is a task to be completed???)
    This has caused us to issue incorrect refunds, and reduce  the following years estimated payments, only to discover the mistake and have a very upset client.

Pat

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

"This has caused us to issue incorrect refunds, and reduce  the following years estimated payments, only to discover the mistake and have a very upset client."

No, that is because the client did not give you that information and/or you did not ask for it.  It is not the program's responsibility to prompt you for everything.  The program won't 'prompt' you for other carry over things either, such as 1099-Rs or W-2s (unless the carryover W-2 has a carryover input in Box 12).  Again, it is your responsibility to know what needs to be entered, not the program's.

[abctax55]

Back to what a colleague from TA used to say:

"The software is no substitute for a competent tax professional."

Part of the process to an accurate return is reviewing the prior year....and it's highly unlikely that someone would have SS last year, but not this year.

DID you interview your clients?  DID they provide the SS statement?

[IRonMaN]

"This has caused us to issue incorrect refunds"
Refund "s", as in plural?  Oh boy, how in the world can you blame the software for that?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Professional doesn't prompt for it either, so its not like they left something out with Basic....the SS worksheet DOES appear in the list of Forms in Use when you had SS income in the prior year though....not sure if Basic does as well.

[TAXOH]

I don't know if Basic has the 2 year comparison but I look at that to see if I may have missed something. 

[IRonMaN]

I never print a return without reviewing the 2 year comparison :+1:

[TAXOH]

It's a quick way to spot missing items.

[ehill]

Yes basic has the two year comparison, it also brings over every w2, 1099, ss, etc forms from the previous unless you tell it not to in that previous year.

[TAXOH]

Same as professional then