ATX 2015 RELEASE NOTES

For Tax Year 2015

 

Version 15.6

February 2016

Version 15.6 is scheduled to become the required minimum version approximately one week after the web release date.

Installation Instructions

The following installation types require the 15.6 update:

  • Stand-Alone
  • Workstation Only
  • Workstation/Server

Server Only installations do not require the 15.6 update if the server is version 15.3 or higher. Otherwise, a server update is also required.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

Enhancements

Experience the Power of ATX Advantage

Tax season is a busy time of year and we know that you need to be efficient in order to maximize your firm’s profitability. Because we want to help you be successful, the ATX team has extended a limited time, special trial offer to all ATX users of a feature that is only available in the ATX Advantage package.

Entering the amount of state taxes paid to accurately calculate the applicable credit can be a lengthy manual process—especially for your most complex returns. The “Credit for State Taxes Paid” feature automates that task and performs the necessary calculations. You save valuable time and reduce the possibility of an error when transferring information manually between forms.

It’s just one of the many powerful features in ATX Advantage and for the rest of the tax season you can try a scaled version at no extra cost! For any returns rolled over from the prior year, the “Credit for State Taxes Paid” feature is currently available. New returns will not be able to access this function unless you are already enjoying all of the other great features of ATX Advantage.

Access to the state credit feature will expire on April 18, 2016. If you would like to learn more about the other powerful features of ATX Advantage, contact your Account Manager and ask about special upgrade offers.

We appreciate your business and hope this preview of the advanced capabilities of ATX will help to make your season a success.

Regulatory Changes

Several states were updated to the latest conformity legislation for Bonus depreciation through the end of 2015. View the current defaults for bonus depreciation on the Asset Global Settings tab and State Calculations tab of Fixed Assets. It is also strongly advised that you verify whether your state conforms with Federal Section 179 limits.

Fixes

ATX "Recognizes" Other Data to be Rolled Over

If you have Other Data available to be rolled over (such as payers or companies), the corresponding check box will now be marked by default.

Duplicate Assets

Some customers reported duplication of assets after rolling over 2014 returns. We added a diagnostic to the Check Return feature to alert you in the event that assets were duplicated. You can also use the 4562 Detail report to ensure no duplicate assets are present in the returns.

Word Wrap formatting

Rendering performance has been improved on certain forms which utilize word wrap formatting on large-sized input fields, such as 990 Schedule H and Schedule O. Previous to this change, some customers reported slowness when navigating to sheets which use this format.

PRS 990 Business Returns

ATX now charges the correct amount when making return purchases through the application.

Version 15.5

February 2016

Version 15.5 is scheduled to become the required minimum version approximately one week after the web release date.

Installation Instructions

The following installation types require the 15.5 update:

  • Stand-Alone
  • Workstation Only
  • Workstation/Server

Server Only installations do not require the 15.5 update if the server is version 15.3 or higher. Otherwise, a server update is also required.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

Fixes

CCH iFirm Contact Syncing

The following issues have been corrected in Version 15.5:

  • Some users experienced an erroneous "Please check your credentials" prompt when attempting to sync CCH iFirm contact data for related contacts that did not contain SSNs or EINs.
  • When opening a Partnership return containing imported CCH iFirm information, the Name field would sometimes be blank until you tabbed off the field.

Duplicating Rolled Over Returns - Custom Letters

When you duplicate a rolled over return that contains a custom client letter, the custom client letter now appears in the duplicated return.

Exporting Preparers

When you use the Export Preparers feature, data from your Preparer Manager now appears correctly in the .csv file.

Insert Text Feature

Some customers experienced an unexpected error when an image was pasted using the Insert Text feature and ATX now prevents this. To paste images on supported forms, use the Insert Picture feature.

Version 15.4

February 2016

Version 15.4 is scheduled to become the required minimum version approximately one week after the web release date.

Installation Instructions

The following installation types require the 15.4 update:

  • Stand-Alone
  • Workstation Only
  • Workstation/Server

Server Only installations do not require the 15.4 update if version 15.3 is installed. Otherwise, a server update is also required.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

Fixes

Client Letters In New Jersey Corporate & Akron Ohio Returns

Some customers preparing corporate New Jersey returns (NJ CBT-100 & NJ CBT-100S) experienced an unexpected error when working with Client Letters. Ohio Akron customers (OH Akron IR) may also have encountered this behavior. Version 15.4 resolves the issue.

Important: Only the Client Letters in returns containing these forms may be affected and there are no issues with the forms. There was no impact on calculations or previously e-filed returns.

Version 15.3

January 2016

Version 15.3 is scheduled to become the required minimum version approximately one week after the web release date.

Installation Instructions

All installation types require the 15.3 update.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

What's New

Send Invoices To CCH iFirm

ATX 15.3 allows you to send your client's billing invoice to CCH iFirm without interrupting your tax preparation workflow. When you send the invoice to CCH iFirm you can track the status of sent invoices using the Finalized Invoice tab within Practice Management. To track invoice payments use Accounts Receivable within CCH iFirm.

Enhancements

Interviews

Interviews are now available for 1040, 1065, 1120, and 1120S return types. To try out ATX Interviews, open one of these return types and select the Interview button on the toolbar. Learn more in the Interviews topic in Program Help.

CCH iFirm Syncing Now Includes Related Contacts

With this release, spouse, dependents, partners, shareholders, and beneficiaries have been added to contact syncing. Also, when creating new dependents, partners, shareholders and beneficiaries contacts through the sync process within ATX, the Dependent Relationship type and the Entity type relationships for the K1s will need to be filled out.

Version 15.2

January 2016

Version 15.2 is the required minimum version for e-file submission.

Installation Instructions

All installation types require the 15.2 update.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

What's New

E-file Status in Return Manager

We’ve expanded the existing E-file Information panel inside Return Manager to offer even more exciting features. You will now have an “at-a-glance view” of e-File status information for returns listed in Return Manager with the following improvements:

  • New E-File column: Displays visual indicators letting you know the federal return status.
  • Status indicators:
  • Accepted: Green circle with white check-mark indicates the return is accepted by the agency.
  • Waiting: Yellow circle with three white dots indicates an e-file or extension is created for this return or is awaiting acknowledgement from the agency.
  • Rejected: Red circle with white exclamation mark indicates the return was rejected by agency.
  • Ext Accepted: Green circle indicates the extension for the return was accepted by the agency.
  • Expanded E-file Status Descriptions: For the selected return, the E-File Information pane gives you a more detailed description of the e-file status.
  • Filter Capability: New in the Return Manager is the ability to filter by each of the E-File Status indicators. We've also included an option for "None" which lets you easily see which returns do not have e-files yet.

CCH iFirm

In this release, we've greatly expanded ATX integration with CCH iFirm. This functionality is only available to ATX customer who have subscribe to CCH iFirm. This integration allows you to enjoy increased visibility across workflow, resources and performance, ultimately freeing your practice up to spend more time adding value for your clients. New functionality includes:

New CCH iFirm menu: The menu gives you quick access to key CCH iFirm information:

  • My Dashboard – an overview of your business’ efficiency, annual review, resource allocation, work in progress, and more
  • My Jobs – view jobs in CCH iFirm
  • My Invoices – a list of invoices created in CCH iFirm
  • My Timesheet – tracks your personal time by job

Share Contact Information with CCH iFirm: A new integrated contact-sharing feature gives you the ability to import a limited set of demographic data from CCH iFirm directly into new ATX returns. Conversely, when you create a new return in ATX, when you close the return, you'll be asked if you want to create that new contact that iFirm.

View CCH iFirm Job Status in ATX: Job statuses track the progress on a job which helps your firm track the workflow of a linked return in ATX. The current status of each job appears in Return Manager in ATX. When you update the job status in CCH iFirm your team will know the current state of a job.

Bank Products and E-filing

Renamed “Card” Filter: In Bank Manager, we renamed the "Diamond Card” product type filter to simply “Card.”

Print Checks feature - Internet Explorer Override: Because our Print Checks feature requires the Internet Explorer (IE) browser, ATX will automatically bypass your default browser and launch Print Checks in IE. If you don’t have IE or have removed it from your system, you’ll get a message to install it to use Print Checks.

Enhancements

Save Warning on Extensions has been disabled by default: You will no longer be prompted to confirm changes if those e-files are only Extensions. The application will continue to warn you if you are saving changes that might affect other types of e-files.

Removed Declaration Control Number (DCN) fields from Preparer Manager: The DCN was adopted by some states as an e-file identifier when Modernized E-file (MeF) first began. Since DCN is no longer used, we have removed the DCN Counter and DCN Max columns from the E-file tab in Preparer Manager.

Editing Custom Columns feature on Assets reports: We've made it easier for you to edit custom columns on Fixed Asset reports. If you use the Reports feature in Fixed Assets, give this improved feature a try!

E-filing PDF attachments – file size warning: ATX now detects and displays the file size for attached PDFs. We've also added a suggested file size limit to ensure a speedy e-file transmission.

New State Requirements Combat Identify Fraud

In an effort to combat stolen identity tax fraud and to ensure that tax refunds go to the correct individuals, some states have instituted a new requirement for drivers’ license or state-issued identification card numbers to be entered on the Filers Info tab of the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ returns. These IDs, which apply to taxpayers and spouses, will flow from the federal forms into the state e-files that request the data. For nearly all states who request this information, returns will not be rejected for missing information; however, including it in e-filed returns may speed processing.

As of mid-December, only Alabama has indicated they will be requiring this ID for e-file processing. Filers in Alabama without a state-issued ID or driver’s license will be required to paper file.

Version 15.1

January 2016

Version 15.1 is an internal update only and no action is required by customers.

Installation Instructions

The following installation types require the 15.1 update:

  • Stand-Alone
  • Workstation Only
  • Workstation/Server

Server Only installations do not require the 15.1 update if on version 15.0.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.

Enhancements

Search Online

This update expands the capability of Search Online by introducing a dedicated search bar that can be enabled/disabled by clicking the Search Online button from the Open Return toolbar. When using the search bar, criteria entered will be passed to your default internet browser where a Google search will be performed. Using the search bar is more powerful when combined with the CCH® IntelliConnect® Browser plug-in.

If you do not know your CCH IntelliConnect log in information go to https://www.cchsfs.com/research-register-email/ to retrieve the information.

Expanded Notification

ATX now alerts you when you have not set up your Tax Research login credentials in Preferences. The alert notification turns the Tax Research button on the Open Return toolbar red, indicating credentials are not entered. The Tax Research button turns green when credentials are entered in Preferences.

Practice Aids

The Practice Aids 1040 toolbar button now displays as the Practice Aids button. The button was revised to work more seamlessly with the open return, by now opening corresponding Practice Aids for the open federal signature form.

New Resources Available

The Tax Research menu expanded to include the following links:

  • Election and Compliance: Access hundreds of sample elections and compliance statements, background information, due dates, and citations to relevant authority information.
  • Penalties & Interest Calculator: Calculate penalties and/or interest due for both federal and all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
  • Depreciation Calculator: Create a depreciation schedule, calculate any recovery year’s depreciation amount, or simply determine the depreciation rate for any recovery year.

New York Tax Preparer Registration Identification Number (NYTPRIN)

If you file or prepare New York State tax returns and are exempt from the NYTPRIN, ATX now allows entry of the appropriate exemption code in the Preparer/ERO Manager. Set the exemption code by selecting the code using the drop down list from the NYTPRIN Excl column on the Preparers tab in the Preparer/ERO Manager.

Fixes

Sale of Principle Residence: The Sale of Principle Residence feature was revised for Sale Abandonment and Installment Sale disposition types to match recent updates to publication 523.

Accumulated depreciation reporting on Form 4562: Accumulated depreciation amounts from the Asset Entry tab are now transferred to the 4562 Detail report.

Prior year rolled asset: Sold assets from a prior year are not be visible if the “Delete Sold Assets” preference is selected on the Rollover Manager tab of the Preferences dialog box.

Multiple Asset Report now displays future depreciation information and hides assets that do not apply.

Version 15.0

November 2015

ATX version 15.0 is an internal update only and no action is required by customers.

Introduction

Thank you for choosing ATX as your tax preparation software! The entire team that designs, builds, tests and supports ATX has only one goal in mind: to provide you with a powerful solution that helps your business achieve improved workflow efficiency and tax compliance.

To ensure that your system is ready for the newest version of ATX, please review the System Requirements. You can also test your system against those requirements with our System Analysis tool.

Windows® 10 is fully supported for ATX 2015. Before upgrading computers that currently have an earlier Windows version installed, please refer to Knowledge Library Answer ID 15351 for important information.

The new Edge browser included with Windows 10 currently has limitations with respect to required functionality. Microsoft offers the option to use Internet Explorer 11 rather than the Edge browser and the ATX team recommends that customers choose that option until Edge is more fully developed.

What's New

Import Print Packets Settings

Save setup time -- create your print packets in one user and then have all other users import the print packet settings.

Discard Multiple Forms

Use the Discard Multiple Forms command feature when you want to remove more than one form from a return. This command menu item also deletes any data you have entered on that form.

Client Letter- New “Will Be Printed” Option

When you want to attach a Client Letter to a paper filed return, use the Letter Options tab and select the "will be printed" check box. The included letter text will indicate that the return will be paper filed.

ATX Launches Fully Maximized

ATX now launches fully maximized to take advantage of larger screens. It also remembers any application size settings you apply.

Enhanced Asset Management

To assist preparers who need greater asset management functionality, we incorporated several asset management features from our Fixed Asset Manager (FAM) product into ATX. Enhanced Asset Management is included with our new ATX Advantage package or can be purchased as an add-on to any other ATX package.

Enhanced Asset Management functionality gives users the ability to:

  • Duplicate assets
  • Split an asset into several separate assets based on the original asset’s basis
  • Create a multiple asset account (pool) where components of the group can be added or removed
  • Calculate the maximum Section 179 deduction for multiple assets
  • Create and assign custom groupings for assets (Asset Classifications)
  • Enhanced Reporting capabilities:
  • View, print and modify up to 13 robust standard Federal, AMT, and State reports
  • Create your own reports with the Custom Reports Wizard
  • View and print projected yearly depreciation for the entire life of assets with Asset History
  • Rollover custom reports and asset classifications into ATX 2015 (from FAM 2014)

30 Day Free Trial Of Enhanced Asset Management

To activate a free trial of Enhanced Asset Management, click the 30-Day Enhanced Asset Trial link on the Fixed Assets toolbar and follow the on-screen instructions.

Fixed Asset 2015 Regulatory Changes

Bonus Depreciation And Section 179

50% Bonus depreciation and Section 179 limits ($500,000) remain at 2014 levels based on the assumption that legislation will, once again, extend these tax advantages for assets placed in service in 2015. Updates will be issued as needed in future releases.

Vehicle Auto Limit Changes For Autos Placed In Service In 2015

The following changes are in effect:

  • Standard Mileage/Depreciation: For luxury autos placed in service in 2015, the standard mileage rate has been increased to 57.5 cents per mile and the standard mileage depreciation component to 24 cents per mile.
  • Luxury Autos (Category V, sub-category 5 and Category A, sub-category 19): For the first three tax years, depreciation limits are $3,160, $5,100, and $3,050, respectively, and $1,875 for each succeeding year.
  • Trucks/Vans (Category V, sub-category 7 and Category A, sub-category 21): For the first three tax years, depreciation limits are $3,460, $5,600, and $3,350, respectively, and $1,975 for each succeeding year.

Tax Research

Our new Tax Research menu gives instant access to some of the most powerful tools in CCH® IntelliConnect® so you can quickly find reliable answers to your tax questions.

  • CCH IntelliConnect Practice Aids boost your productivity while maintaining a high level of accuracy with interactive charts and tables, worksheets, checklists and more. CCH Tax Prep Partner Series is loaded with Microsoft® Word and Excel®-based practice aids to help you work more efficiently and reduce costs. Practice aids are available for 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, and 1120S returns.
  • The Search Online button opens your browser from inside ATX to quickly start your online tax research. You can use Google to search and display results from the internet and your CCH IntelliConnect library at the same time with the CCH IntelliConnect Browser plugin. No more alternating between research tools! This is a FREE browser plug-in which you can use with any active CCH IntelliConnect subscription.
  • The Client Letter Toolkit contains over 400 professional letters already prepared on a variety of tax topics. Why spend time writing your own?

CCH iFirm

This release contains our initial integration of CCH iFirm Practice Manager, a set of online tools designed to help you benefit from efficiency and visibility into your accounting practice like never before.

Export Contacts To CCH iFirm

To help populate your CCH iFirm Contacts database, this new feature accesses your prior year installation of ATX, extracts Filer contact information and seamlessly rolls that information forward, loading it to your CCH iFirm site. After adding your CCH iFirm account information to Preferences in ATX, simply open Rollover Manager and look for the CCH iFirm menu.

To learn more about managing your tax and accounting business with CCH iFirm, request a custom demonstration or attend one of our tri-weekly webinars.

Request A Custom Demonstration

See Webinar Schedule

Enhancements

How ATX Is Responding To IRS Approach To Pending Extenders Legislation

With Congress still considering legislation that impacts 2015 tax returns, the IRS has communicated its decision to leave forms in 2014 format and replace line descriptions with lapsed tax provisions of “Reserved.” Given the IRS approach, ATX will follow these guidelines to ensure additional flexibility in handling late legislative changes:

  • Preliminary form versions with Reserved fields will be released with a Draft watermark.
  • All calculations regarding expired provisions will be based off 2014 tax law in anticipation that some or all will be extended retroactively by Congress. Reserved fields will be completed, if applicable.
  • Current 2015 tax rates, limitations, and thresholds are being used within these calculations.

As always, we will continue our close monitoring of both Congressional and IRS activity so we can provide you with best response time possible when these regulatory decisions are finalized.

Comprehensive Calculations

Our commitment to excellence in automated forms continues with the following 2015 items:

  • Income Taxes Paid to Other States: No longer requires the nonresident state form to be present in the return. Individual states can be added manually to calculate the credit.
  • ACA additional support: Added additional IRS worksheets for the 8962, 8965 and self-employed health insurance deduction.
  • Due dates adjusted for Holidays: Federal and state return due dates, estimated payments and extension dates are now automatically adjusted for recognized holidays, such as Martin Luther King Day and Emancipation Day.
  • New Electronic Filing packages planned for 2015:
  • CO – 1041
  • CT – 1041
  • GA – 1041
  • IN – 1120S, 1065
  • LA – 1120
  • ME – 1120, 1120S, 1065
  • MI Detroit – 1040
  • NC – 1120 , 1120S, 1065
  • OH – 1041
  • OR – 1065
  • UT – 1041
  • VT – 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041

ATX Advantage customers also benefit from these exclusive calculation enhancements:

  • Income Taxes Paid to Other States: Saves time and eliminates errors by automating the flow of income and state 1040 credit calculation for income taxes paid to other states.
  • Education Expense Optimization: Quickly handles the thousands of calculations required to correctly optimize education expenses for the American Opportunity credit, Lifetime Learning credit or tuition and fees deduction in order to calculate the lowest tax liability. Included in the optimization are considerations for regular tax, AMT, capital gains and ACA tax calculations for up to 5 students in a single return.