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Working with Tax Returns

Working with your tax returns in TaxTron is generally much the same as working with the forms in a traditional paper return, with the advantage of having the software do all the calculations which saves you time and effort. This reduces errors in your return and speeds up processing.

Basic Workflow

When preparing a new return the workflow is generally as follows:

1. Enter the appropriate information regarding the taxpayer and/or spouse or common-law partner in the Identification window.
2. Enter appropriate information in the forms which you received copies of. E.g. T4, T2202, T3, T5.

Note: If the returns are linked, it is advisable to do each step for both returns before advancing. For example, Step 2 for taxpayer, then Step 2 for spouse, then proceed to Step 3.

3. Enter appropriate information on any necessary default forms, such as the Income or Deduction Worksheets, Dependants Form, etc.
4. Enter information on any additional optional forms on which you are making a claim. E.g. Medical expenses, donations, child care expenses, etc.
5. Enter information on your Provincial forms.
6. Correct any error diagnostics in your return. Errors are signified by red icons.
7. Review, Print and/or File your return.

Rolling a Return Forward

To roll information forward from last year's return:

1. Click on the Roll Forward option in the Startup window, or go to the File menu and select Roll Forward.
2. The program will then prompt you to select the file from which you are rolling the information forward. Select the file and click on "Open".
3. After a few seconds, the program will present you with a new return for2014 with any carryforward amounts rolled forward from the 2013 return automatically.  

Rolling Returns Forward as a Batch

Tax Professionals that need to roll information forward from several files as once can save time by using the Batch Roll Forward option:

1. Go to the File menu, and select Batch Roll Forward.
2. In the window that appears, click on the respective buttons on the right of the "Source Directory" line.
3. Use the directory browser to select the desired folder where last year's returns are located.
4. Repeat with the Target Directory, selecting the folder into which you want the new returns to go.
5. After clicking OK, the program will take several seconds, during which it will roll forward all the returns from the Source Directory at once into the Target Directory.

Adding Forms to a Return

To add a form to the return:

1. Either scroll in the list of available forms, or type the name of the form you are searching for into the search box. (Hitting return/enter afterward is not necessary)
2. Double click on the specific form in the Form Manager to add it to the return and make it the active form.
   E.g. Double click on the form named "T4" in the Form Manager to add a T4 slip to the return and make it the active form.

Removing Forms from a Return

To remove a form from the return:

• Either scroll in the list of available forms, or type the name of the form you are searching for into the search box. (Hitting return/enter afterward is not necessary)
• Double click on the specific form in the Form Manager to add it to the return and make it the active form.

E.g. Double click on the form named "T4" in the Form Manager to add a T4 slip to the return and make it the active form.

• Click on the button labelled "Remove Form" in the toolbar to remove all instances of the form from the return.

Note: The "Remove Form" button will not appear on default forms.

Zooming in and Out of a Return

Currently there is no way to zoom in and out of a return. This feature is planned for a future release.

Saving a Return

To save the return, go to the File menu, and select "Save". If the file has not been previously saved, it will prompt you to enter the name of the file.

By default the program will save the .T13 file in:

"My Documents\TaxTron\TaxPilot\2013\T13"

If you wish to save the return under a different name. you can go to the File menu, and select "Save As". The program will prompt you to enter the new name of the file.

If you have more than one return open at the same time, you can save them all at once by going to the File menu, and selecting "Save All".

Printing a Return

To print a return go to the File menu and select "Print".

The Diagnostics window will appear. Any diagnostics marked as errors should be corrected before you file. In most cases, you can select the diagnostic in the window, and click on the green "jump" arrow under the "Explore" section, and it will take you to where the error is located. Once these are corrected, click the "OK" button.

The Print Format Selection window will appear. Check the box to the left of the desired print format, which depends on the reason you are printing the return. E.g. CRA submission, record keeping, etc.

If you wish to print to a PDF file instead of a paper hard-copy, check the box to the right of the same print format under the column labelled "PDF".

Click the "Print" button to print your return.

Electronically Filing a Return

Note: You must correct any error diagnostics before you are able to e-file your return.

In the personal version of TaxTron, go to the File menu and select "NETFILE" for a Federal Return, "MRQ" for a Quebec Provincial Return.

In the professional version of TaxTron, go to the Transmission menu and select "Efile - XML" for a Federal Return, "MRQ" for a Quebec Provincial Return.

The Diagnostics window will appear. Any diagnostics marked as errors should be corrected before you file. In most cases, you can select the diagnostic in the window, and click on the green "jump" arrow under the "Explore" section, and it will take you to where the error is located. Once these are corrected, click the "OK" button.

Then an Electronic Filing Validity Workchart appears. This indicates a set of exclusions which, if any apply, require the return be printed and mailed for submission. Check the OK button to continue. If the OK button isn't highlighted, the return still has errors which need to be fixed before continuing.

The .TAX or .MRQ file used for submission to CRA (or Revenue Quebec respectively) will be generated and saved.

Final Steps

In the personal version when sending to CRA, the software will display a window showing your SIN, date of birth, and the location of your tax return file. Click on the Connect to CRA button and follow the steps to complete the uploading of your return.

Note: If you do not receive a confirmation number when sending the return. It is likely it has not been transmitted correctly.

In the professional version of the software, the program will then ask if you wish to transmit now. If you select "yes" the software will transmit the return to CRA automatically.

If you have not transmitted the return already successfully to CRA, you can then go to the E-File area on CRA's website, and attach and file the return manually.