The 1 Stop Taxes software has several new changes this year. Our goal is to help you transition smoothly with these changes. Below is a list of the current changes and what you need to do:

1) ITIN dependents from prior clients(ones you "pull forward" from last year) need residency verification, or the software will not calculate the Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. In order to do this, you will have to go to option 1 Personal Information then option 2 Dependents and Qualifying Children. From there, you must click on each dependent with an ITIN and select YES on number 15. For NEW clients, the software will ask you the question automatically, so there will be no additional steps. Please remember if you do not change the answer on EACH dependent with an ITIN, the software WILL not calculate the credits!

2) If preparing a return for a taxpayer eligible for EITC credit, the software will ask you for additional information on the Form 8867, EIC Checklist. Number 4, Residency of Qualifying Child(ren), must be answered. 1 Stop Taxes has a new EITC Checklist for your taxpayers eligible for the credit to sign(now available in the Downloads section of the Member Center), and with that form you can select "Did not rely on documents, but made notes in file", then go to Due Diligence Notes and enter "Signed sworn statement from taxpayer". This will protect you as a preparer from any IRS audits. Please remember to have your EITC eligible clients sign this form and mark it accordingly in the software.

3) If preparing a return for a taxpayer with self-employment/schedule C forms, the software will ask you for additional information.  Number 6, Schedule C Documents or Other Information must be answered. The Schedule C checklist(available in the Downloads section of the Member Center) allows you to select "Taxpayer summary of expenses", "Taxpayer summary of income" and "Records of expenses provided by Taxpayer". Please remember to have all self-employed/1099 taxpayers sign the Schedule C Checklist and mark it according in the software.

4) When entering information for the American Opportunity Credit, the software will now ask a series of questions to verify the person is eligible. In order to receive the credit, the student must have been a full-time student for at least half of 2012, and you must check the box verifying this in the software. If you do not select the box asking if the student was a full-time student for at least half the year, the software will not allow you to claim the American Opportunity Credit.

1 Stop Taxes will continue to update everyone as we determine the new IRS and software changes. Please feel free to chat with one of our trained support staff by selecting Live Chat on the right side of the Member Center, or call our support center at 706-602-0275. We look forward to a great tax season with you all!