The following installation types require the 16.6 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.6 update.
As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.
In preparation for the 2017 Client Organizer release this fall, we have committed to updating functionality with the Client Organizer in this release.
ATX now automatically removes the name of a deceased spouse or filer from the Organizer Letter and Organizer Engagement Letter.
In previous years, when batch printing organizers, the Organizer Letter and/or the Organizer Engagement Letter would only print if the preference was selected on the Selected Forms Preferences tab. ATX now prints these letters if they are included in the return and/or when the preference is selected.
Some customers reported that the Complete check mark in Return Manager was being removed when they used the Print Organizers for Marked Returns feature. ATX has now corrected this issue.
With this release, if you do not take the special depreciation allowance for new qualified property placed in service after 2015, the property is not subject to an AMT adjustment for depreciation per Section 143(b) of the PATH Act. We encourage you to review the AMT column for 2016 assets entered prior to this release.
The following installation types require the 16.5 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.5 update.
As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.
In ATX 16.5 we are introducing two exciting features that provide visibility and quick access to integrated content from IntelliConnect. Both of these features enhance ATX’s Tax Line Research feature and require your CCH IntelliConnect Tax Research login credentials to be set up.
Small blue triangles have been added to all entry fields that are currently integrated with IntelliConnect’s Tax Prep Partner Line-By-Line Research feature. To access, simply right-click a field and choose Tax Line Research to view related CCH IntelliConnect content in your web browser.
Another exciting change is the addition of a quick, time-saving preview or “tooltip” that displays a portion of the same CCH IntelliConnect content you would see in your web browser. Tooltips are available on many tax lines across popular Federal signature forms and display automatically when you hover over a field or click in the field. To view the full content, simply click the Open Tax Research Content button on the tooltip.
Both of these features are enabled by default via the Display IntelliConnect Tooltips preference.
When you click the Password box on the login screen, ATX now indicates that your Caps Lock key is enabled. This messaging was added to help prevent your account from becoming locked.
We updated the Knowledge Base with a new look and feel. This provides better search and filter options for answers to your questions. All relevant articles from the prior Knowledge Base have been imported into the new system. You can access the new Knowledge Base from the following locations:
For more information on how to search the Knowledge Base check out the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpRAaY2rVmE.
The 1065 Practice Aids menu link now displays the corresponding 1065 Practice Aids from CCH IntelliConnect.
The following installation types require the 16.4 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.4 update.
As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.
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.
With this release you can now import your accounting data from CAS Client Write-Up to ATX. This release also includes PaperlessPLUS import for supported form types such as Forms W-2 and 1099.
This release updates the product to ensure accuracy of rolled over 2015 returns that utilized the Optimization of Education Credits feature found in the ATX Advantage package.
Any such returns rolled over prior to updating to 16.4 should be deleted and rolled again.
The following installation types require the 16.3 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.3 update.
As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.
ATX now displays informational diagnostics for returns being paper filed or e-filed. In previous years, informational diagnostics only displayed for paper filed returns. This diagnostics filter provides additional information that may be necessary to file an accurate return and does not stop the filing process.
You can now get started with your Tax Research subscription right away without having to enter your CCH IntelliConnect activation code in ATX.
CCH Live Seminars has been renamed to CCH Live Webinars, to accurately reflect the training delivery platform.
The following installation types require the 16.2 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.2 update.
As a best practice, it is recommended that you close the application on all workstations and update each one separately.
This release extends the requirements set forth by the IRS Security Summit, which imposes stricter requirements for handling sensitive taxpayer data. With this release, ATX will now use the following standards to reduce the potential for unauthorized use of ATX and prevent submission of fraudulent tax returns:
The following installation types require the 16.1 update:
Server Only installations do not require the 16.1 update if version 16.0 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.
The Pay-Per-Return System (PRS) has been enhanced with new features designed to improve efficiency. Version 16.1 is required to enable access to enhanced PRS. The following section provides more details about these enhancements:
To provide you with the ability to reconcile your PRS purchases, we have added TIN and Description fields to the PRS purchase screens. Beginning with 16.1, when you create a PRS return, use these optional fields to describe the reason for the purchase (such as “123-45-6789” or “Jane Smith 1040 Return”). Use of the TIN and Description fields on the Redemption History screen helps match purchases to returns.
For PRS customers, your initial purchases will be applied to your initial PRS deposit. Once the deposit is depleted, you will be prompted to enter a default payment method for future return purchases. When placing additional orders, the last four digits of your payment method (credit card or bank account) appear. You can change your default payment method at any time or add additional cards or accounts through the MyATX Support Site. The total for each day's charges will be applied to the default payment method every night and available for review the following day.
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
Windows® 10 is fully supported for ATX 2016. Before upgrading computers that currently have an earlier Windows version installed, please refer to the
.NET Framework software is required by many desktop software applications and ATX needs a current version (4.6.1) in order to install and operate. If you don't already have .NET software, it will be installed automatically as part of the ATX installation. After a .NET installation, a message may prompt you to restart your system in order to complete configuration of ATX 2016. After the restart, ATX installation will pick up where it left off and will complete automatically.
For information on installation, see the Education Library.
Late this July, the IRS Security Summit imposed stricter requirements for handling sensitive taxpayer data. As members of the Summit, we are upgrading our products to meet the recommendations and best practices set forth by the Summit in IRS Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data.
ATX now requires all users to establish a user account and password. Passwords must follow these guidelines:
This release also includes login restrictions. After 5 failed login attempts, users will be locked out of the system. Administrators will be able to unlock these users. Admin users who are locked out will be required to enter the product activation code to unlock the Admin account.
Future ATX releases leading up to the start of tax season will contain additional security changes, including:
Please check the My ATX Blog for more information on the future release of these features.
Yearly Luxury Auto limits:
The PATH Act (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes) extends the following provisions for assets placed in service in 2016:
Book Depreciation is now available! Customers with our Advantage package and Enhanced Asset Management add-on will now be able to compare book depreciation values to MACRS values for their assets. Book depreciation reports are also included in this new functionality.
You can now set your client letter font and font size from Preferences. By default, the client letter font and font size are set to Arial, size 10. If you prefer a different font and/or font size, you can now choose them on the Client Communication Preferences tab. Note: Changes to font or font size only affect client letters from this point forward. Note: Existing client letters are unaffected by the change.
When enabled, this preference capitalizes field text entered in an open return. If you select this feature while in an open return, you must close and reopen the return for the change to take effect. This preference is enabled on the Open Return Preferences tab. Note: Client Letters and returns created prior to this selection are not affected.
We enhanced Rollover Manager for Preparers to include settings on the Preparer Manager Preference tab. When information is rolled over, the Enter Current Year Default Preparer on Rolled-Over Return and/or Enter Current Year Default ERO on Rolled-Over Returns defaults to the preparer or ERO set in ATX 2015.
Save time during set up and use the Import Preferences link. This link is located on the Preferences dialog box. Set your ATX preferences for one user, then import those preferences to other users.
New for 2016 is the Approved column on the Select Forms dialog box. The new Approved column displays a green check mark for forms that are approved for filing.
To help with keeping your ATX program up-to-date for server installations, we enhanced the Program toolbar icon. When your ATX server version is out-of-date, the Program toolbar icon turns red and the tooltip now tells you that the server is out-of-date.
Speed up data entry with the ZIP Code lookup feature. When you type the ZIP Code in address fields on signature forms, such as Form 1040, ATX automatically fills in the city and state for you.
Enabled by default, ATX now creates bookmarks when printing returns using our built-in PDF engine. Bookmarks are a time-saving feature and help you quickly access pages within the return PDF file.
This year, we've enhanced integration between ATX and CCH iFirm. These enhancements are designed to give you instant access to CCH iFirm information in ATX, as well as track ATX work and transmit it to CCH iFirm for billing purposes. Customers with a CCH iFirm subscription will enjoy the following:
We improved the ability to reconcile your purchases by adding TIN and Description fields to the Pay-Per-Return System. When redeeming a return, use the Description box to enter additional information about your purchases (for example, Jane Smith 1040 Return). Your record of the transaction displays this information on the Redemption History tab for tracking purposes.
The new Restore All Returns feature, allows you to retrieve all returns within the selected location.
We enhanced the When to Print feature for Print Packets to help you save time during setup. You can now select Always, Never or Default settings from the parent form. After making a selection, subsequent forms default to the parent form selection.