• If the return requires additional certification, both the preparer and reviewer must be so certified.
    • The taxpayer should be present to observe the quality review and answer any questions.
    • Quality review of the information entered in TaxSlayer is best done on screen rather than from printouts.
  • In TaxSlayer, the preparer should have checked “Mark tax return ready for review” on the Submission Page of the E-file section and exited the return. Checking that box places the return in a separate section on the main page called “Review Returns.” 
    • If you don’t see that section of the main page, then the security profile for your login doesn’t include the ability to approve returns – to act in the QR role. That’s unusual – it means your assigned security profile doesn’t include “Review Returns.”
  • The reviewer must examine the Intake Booklet and the taxpayer’s supporting documents, comparing them to the information on the return, to check for the accuracy and completeness of what was entered. That may be done using one or a combination of the following three approaches, depending on the nature of the return:
    • (1) Review all TaxSlayer pages where the preparer entered information. 
      • For Basic Information, this is up to four pages.
      • For the Federal Section, this can be done very quickly using the items that appear in the left navigation bar when it is fully expanded vertically. For example, clicking on “Retirement Income” takes you immediately to where 1099-Rs have been entered in TaxSlayer.
      • In the State section, the only way to get to the pages where information was entered, if any, is through the menu system (look for buttons labeled “Edit”).
    • (2) From the Calculation Summary page, compare information on various lines of Form 1040 to the documents provided by the taxpayer, checking individual TaxSlayer pages as needed.
      • This approach can’t cover information entered in the State section; one of the other two approaches must be used for State section data entries, if any. 
      • Early in the tax preparation season, the Calculation Summary can be wrong – some entries don’t post, and many entries are misaligned. In that case, generate a PDF of the return.
    • (3) Review the PDF of the “Quality Review” print set for the return (Pub 4012 page K-16), comparing it to documents provided by the taxpayer.
      • The PDF includes images of forms like the W-2 as well as copies of federal schedules.
      • A “Quality Review” print set is available on the final page of E-file section, Submission and also from the Client Search (Office Client List) page.
  • If any changes to the tax return are needed, discuss these with the preparer unless they’re very minor.
    • If you make minor changes, you still should let the preparer know, so that they are less likely to make the same mistake in the future.
  • The last part of the quality review is to go through the pages in the E-File Section, as discussed on page 121.
    • Pay particular attention to the information on the Warnings page if one appears.
      • Make sure that existing notes are still needed and accurate. Add notes or return tags as necessary (such as a tag for paper-filing).
    • In the Customer Questions section, if the local site has set up a custom question to record the quality reviewer, make sure this is answered correctly.
    • On the final section of the E-file section, the Submission Page section:
      • Verify that any return tags selected are correct.  It is not necessary to select a return tag for “Ready to Efile”, because that function is now covered by marking the return “Complete”.
        • If a second signature is needed for a MFJ return, make sure that a return tag has been selected which says “Awaiting signature” (or similar).
        • If the site uses return tags to indicate who has done the quality review, then check the appropriate tag – such as “PatS-reviewer”.
      • If the QR process, including all discussions with the taxpayer, is complete, and the return needs no changes, click “Approved” (in the “Transmit Return” area of this E-file page).
        • If the only thing needed to e-file the return is the signatures of a spouse who isn’t present, then the return should be approved.
      • Determine if the “Mark tax return as complete” box should be checked. 
        • It should be checked if this is a paper return, including a paper amended return.
        • It should be checked if the return is to be e-filed and all needed signatures can or will be obtained immediately after the return is printed. (With a MFJ return, if the taxpayer or spouse is not present, then do not check this box.) 
      • If the “Mark tax return as complete” box is incorrectly checked, it can be unchecked only by preparers who have that authority. If the box was checked in error, and you can’t uncheck it, notify your LC immediately. 
  • Final steps:
    • Print the return for the taxpayer (alternatively, this could be done by the preparer).
      • For detailed information about printing a return, see the Printing Returns section, page 127.
      • If the return is going to be paper filed, see also the Printing section, page 129.
    • Click “Save & Exit”
    • Enter reviewer initials on the preparer’s Activity Log, or on the Site Activity Log.

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