TABLE OF CONTENTS

Logging On ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Toolbar Buttons .............................................................................................................................. 1

Changing the Toolbar Buttons ...................................................................................................... 3

Opening a Return............................................................................................................................ 3

Opening an Existing Return .......................................................................................................... 5

Creating the Pro forma ................................................................................................................... 5

Securing Returns ............................................................................................................................ 7

Changing Your FX Password ........................................................................................................ 8

Inputting & Reviewing Data ........................................................................................................... 9

Deleting a Field, Form or State .................................................................................................... 10

Reviewing on Screen ................................................................................................................... 10

Tick Marks ..................................................................................................................................... 10

Autosave ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Viewing and Editing Letters ........................................................................................................ 11

Viewing Statements ...................................................................................................................... 11

Viewing Diagnostics ..................................................................................................................... 11

Printing .......................................................................................................................................... 11

Production Processing Options .................................................................................................. 12

Printing Blank Forms ................................................................................................................... 12

Printing a Specific Tax Organizer ............................................................................................... 13

Converting Corporate and S Corporate Returns ....................................................................... 14

Installing FX Products to Your Laptop ....................................................................................... 15

Checking In and Checking Out Returns ..................................................................................... 17

Backing-Up and Restoring Returns ............................................................................................ 26

Sharing Returns in the Field ........................................................................................................ 29

Installing FX on a pool PC for Non P&M Staff ........................................................................... 30

Prosystem FX Help Features ....................................................................................................... 30

Additional Help ............................................................................................................................. 31

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1040 TAX PREPARATION PROCEDURES This is a guide for staff to use when preparing 1040’s and business returns in the ProSystem FX tax preparation system. The common maintenance and usage skills have been outlined in an effort to make the use of this system easier and more efficient. LOGGING ON Every staff person has an FX ID and password on every network. These are automatically created for you when you join the firm. Therefore, you have access to each office's FX system. The naming convention for your FX ID is:

Your last name (up to 11 characters) + the 4 numeric digits of your MIS #

For example, if your last name is Coopersmithson and your staff number is MIS0123, your FX ID would be: coopersmith0123 If your last name is hyphenated, your FX ID is:

Your last name after the hyphen (up to 11 characters) + the 4 numeric digits of your MIS#

For example, if your last name is Smith-Jones and your staff number is MIS1234, your FX ID would be: jones1234 Your FX Password

Your network and citrix FX Tax Prep passwords are both moran123. Please change your network FX Tax Prep password when you log into FX for the first time. FX passwords are not case sensitive and do not require a numeric digit. (See instructions for “Changing Your FX Password”). To Log on to FX: Click on Start, All Programs, Network Apps, Prosystem FX 32, Prosystem FX tax

(network) to open FX

Select 20XX tax preparation and continue reading. (XX = 2 digit year) TOOLBAR BUTTONS The standard toolbar provided by the FX software does not contain the most frequently used buttons. It is suggested that you configure your toolbar to include the buttons shown below and use it during your first tax season. NOTE: This will need to be done each year after the current year software has been loaded.

Close Return closes the return and prompts you to save changes

Save Return saves changes without closing the return

Print allows you to print all or part of a return

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Cut removes selected text from a field and places it on the clipboard

Lookup Value displays a list of entry options available for a specific field.

Copy copies selected text to the clipboard.

Paste inserts cut or copied text into a field.

Forms List displays the list of forms in the current view.

Home State Forms directly accesses the home state menu for a return.

Govt. to Interview Link links to an interview form from a govt form and displays a list of applicable interview forms that could provide data for the selected field. An * by the form number means information has been entered on that sheet. If only one interview form applies, it automatically expands to that form.

Back to Govt. View causes the last govt. form from which the link to the interview form was selected to display.

Expand allows you to expand to detail from the Government View.

Go Back replaces the current expanded form with the previous form.

New Entity accesses a new entity of the active form. (i.e., Form C-1, SCH E).

New Sheet accesses a new sheet for the active form.

Next Sheet moves to the next sheet or next occurrence of a form allowing multiple occurrences.

Previous Sheet moves to the previous sheet or previous occurrence of a form allowing multiple occurrences.

Next Form goes to the next form in the sequence on the forms list that contains data.

Previous Form goes to the previous form in the sequence on the forms list that contains data.

Calc Return calculates the entire tax return.

This Form's Statements displays the white paper supporting schedule for the current Government form.

Letters displays a list of the return's transmittal letters and filing instructions.

Diagnostics displays the diagnostics of a calculated return.

Lists attachs a list of numeric entries you want to add and place in one field.

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Insert/Delete Tick Marks inserts new tick marks indicating an item has been reviewed or deletes existing tick marks.

Tax Instruct. Help displays the online Tax Instruction Guide in the Interview Form view or a cross-reference help in the Govt view. CHANGING THE TOOLBAR BUTTONS To replace existing buttons on the toolbar: Select Options Customize Toolbar

You should delete three of the buttons shown in Current toolbar buttons by highlighting each button and clicking on Remove (or you can double click on each button to be removed). The buttons to delete are: New Return, Open Return and Override. Scroll the Available toolbar buttons list box to the new button you want to add to the toolbar, highlight the button and click on Add (or you can double click on each button to be added). You can move each button as needed in the current toolbar buttons list box by highlighting each button and then clicking on Move Up or Move Down. The buttons to be added are: Close Return, Cut, Copy, and Paste. Click Close when you finish with all changes. OPENING A RETURN Always be sure to close out of FX when away from your PC for an extended amount of time (i.e. lunch, meeting, appointment, etc). If an FX issue arises, all staff will need to exit immediately. Creating a New Return for a New Client on FX From the FX drop down menu, choose File New, enter a unique client ID.

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The client ID is from 1 to 8 alphanumeric characters and is usually the client billing number. Click OK. If the number is already in use, the top of the box will say “New Return for Existing Client.” You will need to add a letter or number to the end of the ID in order to keep your return separate from the existing client. Click Cancel on this box and the New Return box will appear again.

On the New Return screen, make all of the following set up choices using the drop down menus.

Select Client Type Select Tax Product Select correct Office Group (If this step is overlooked the correct processing information will

not be in the return.) Click OK It is essential that the correct Office Group is selected when creating a new return. Default returns have been created for six office groups (see chart below for specific groups). These returns will automatically input certain default items, such as our Firm’s name and address, and certain processing features into your return. Input time will be saved if the correct office group is selected. If a default return has been created for the tax product and tax year you select, the Use default return box is checked. Uncheck the box if you do not want default return data copied to the return. If you are preparing a non-client, use the 1-STAFF office group. 1-STAFF does not have Plante & Moran defaults. Office Groups are standard in all offices. The following chart lists all office groups for the Firm:

Group RETURNS INCLUDED

1-STAFF Your personal return or any other return you might prepare for non-clients

1040A-M * Client 1040’s whose last name begins within A-M

1040N-Z * Client 1040’s whose last name begins within N-Z

1120 * Corporations that are not S-corps

1120s * S-Corporation returns

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1065 * Partnership returns

1041 * Trust returns

709-990 Estate, Gift Tax and Non Profit Organization Returns

TRAININ Training returns, tests and practice returns

* Indicates a default return has been created for the office group OPENING AN EXISTING RETURN Open FX Tax Preparation for the appropriate year. Choose File (above the toolbar) Open from the drop down menu. Enter the FX ID number for that client. If the FX ID number is unknown, you can search by name. .

NOTE: If you get this message, it means that the Pro Forma return has not been created for your client

CREATING THE PRO FORMA A pro forma is a return that has common prior year data rolled forward to the current year. The pro forma return also has any carry over data. Click on Start, All Programs, Network Apps, Prosystem FX 32, Prosystem FX tax

(network) to open FX Select Production Processing and click OK Select Process Pro Forma Select Create Pro Forma then click OK.

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In the Create Pro Forma dialog box, you can enter the client ID or use the drop-down lists to select the filter criteria. FX will search for the returns that fit your criteria and display the resulting list.

Highlight the appropriate return and click ADD. Your return will appear under Returns

selected for Pro Forma. Click OK.

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Leave defaults and click Create.

When the process has finished, you will receive a dialog box that says, “Successfully

processed 1 of 1 returns.” Click OK. Once the pro forma is created, you can go back to Tax Preparation and open the return. When you open this return the first time after it has been pro formaed, you will get the following screen:

Click OK and an Update Individual Tax Return box will appear. Click the Apply Updates

button and the return will open. NOTE: When you open a return for the first time after it is pro formaed you must save your changes to the return before closing out of it.

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SECURING RETURNS If you prepare personal returns, you may wish to secure them to your FX login. To do this:

Open the return in FX

Select Manage from the menu bar

Click on Secure Return. The following dialog box will appear.

Select the Security Level and Security Method as shown.

By default, FX will automatically secure the return to the FX I.D. you used when you logged in. To grant access to additional staff, select the staff member(s) from the User List.

Note: Do not password protect a return. If you forget the password, there is no way for us to rescue your return. CHANGING YOUR FX PASSWORD Click on Start, Network Apps, Prosystem FX 32, Prosystem FX tax (network) to open FX Choose any option from the main menu and click OK.

Type in your FX ID and your password, then click on New Password

The following box will appear. Type in your new password and verify it. Click OK.

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INPUTTING & VIEWING DATA

Data can be entered from many different input screens. Until you are very familiar with this system, you will want the view that gives you a picture of all the possible screens and output. This can be done by setting your viewing defaults. Once you have opened a return, you can set up the view by: Selecting View from the pull down Menu. The picture above shows the options that need to be selected to get a Forms list that shows Interview, Government, and State forms all in one set of screens. The State tab can be used to access the state forms; the Government tab can be used to access the Government Forms. The Laser Form View has two features that some may find useful. When in Laser Form View, the prior year amounts are shown on the input sheets. The translation grid, and cross-referencing from Government form k-1's to the K- input sheets, can be viewed on screen when in Laser Form View. (Needs at least a 17-inch monitor to see correctly)

All input should be done from the Federal interview list shown above to ensures proper calculations are done by the software. Do not use the override feature unless directed to by the in-charge. When the cursor rests on a form, a description of the form is shown in the box just under the folder tabs. Generally, the coding of the input forms is very simple. Numbered forms are general taxpayer information and processing options. A Forms are for Schedule A entries. B forms are for interest and dividend information, which would be reported on Schedule B. C forms are for entries relating to Schedule C. If you were viewing this on screen, you would see that all input sheets that have data in them are highlighted in blue. This allows you to see quickly where information is located when editing. There are many input sheets for each type of income and each input sheet has blocks for many different entries. This program is designed to accommodate for the many different situations that can occur in a tax return. When entering information one should keep in mind that this means that, most blocks should be left blank. .

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DELETING A FIELD, FORM OR STATE Caution: Deleting information that has been proforma’d from the prior year should not be done without written or verbal instruction from the in-charge. From the drop down menu choose Edit Delete and: Delete Field - This will remove data from a block. Delete Record - This removes all the input relating to a description. If your cursor is resting on form B-1 description Manufacturers Bank, all of the entries relating to Manufacturers Bank will be deleted. Delete Sheet - This will delete the input sheet you are on. Delete Entity - Deletes the active entity, such as a Schedule C or K-1 and all associated forms. Delete State - This will delete a particular selected state or local return. It should be noted that to eliminate a return all input requesting that particular local return should also be deleted or the return will just come back when recalculated. There are no toolbar buttons for deletions, but try right clicking your mouse when you are within an input sheet, many button options can be accessed by right-clicking, including the deletion options. REVIEWING ON SCREEN It is strongly encouraged that both the preparer and the reviewer/checker review the return on screen. If the preparer, especially during the initial tax season, wishes to look at an actual hard copy of all or part of a return, a copy may be printed. However, that copy should not be included in the review package unless it is needed to explain a position taken or an open item or question on the return. Caveat: a few reviewers may ask for a printed copy of the return. TICK MARKS

A tool to aid the on screen review process is the use of tick marks. To enable this tool, select View Tick Marks. Make sure there is a check next to the Tick Mark selection.

To create a tick mark - right click with the mouse in the field where you want the tick mark placed and select insert/delete tick mark. If selected, a tick mark will show to the right of the information in that field. Colors: Preparers use red tick marks, detail reviewers use blue tick marks and top or senior reviewers use green tick marks. To eliminate a tick mark - right click again in that field and click on insert/delete tick mark. When a return is recalculated, the boxes containing tick marks are checked to see if the entries have changed. If calculated data has changed, the tick mark will appear in reverse video next to the appropriate field. To eliminate all tick marks - select Options/Clear Tick Marks.

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AUTOSAVE The AutoSave feature allows you to set a specified time increment for the system to automatically save your work.

1. Select Options/Preferences/AutoSave 2. Check the Auto Save every box and click the Minutes spin buttons to select a specified

time period. The minimum is 2 minutes. 3. Check the Alert when preparing the save box to be prompted before each AutoSave,

which gives you the option of not saving. 4. Click OK to activate AutoSave

NOTE: If working on a return for a long period of time, it is still a good idea to manually save a return every 30 to 60 minutes to ensure the information is being updated appropriately. Do not solely rely on Autosave.

VIEWING AND EDITING LETTERS To view transmittals (cover letter and filing instructions) before printing, click on the Letters icon.

From this screen, you can select a letter to view, print or edit. Highlight the one you wish and press OK. It should be noted that editing the letters in MS Word should not be done before the final version of the return. Check with your local office for cover letter and filing instruction preparation responsibilities. VIEWING STATEMENTS The statements from a particular form can be viewed on screen. Go to the government view of

that particular form and choose the Stmt button. VIEWING DIAGNOSTICS Diagnostics display warnings and errors within a return. By viewing the diagnostics on screen, you can be alerted to and correct errors before the return is printed. To view the diagnostics click

on the Diagnostics button. If there is a carat (>) next to the description of the problem, you can double click on the carat and FX will take you to the field within the return that is being referenced. Diagnostics are identified by a five-digit number. The first digit in the identification number is used to identify the severity of the error. A severity one (1) diagnostic is considered critical and those diagnostics should be corrected. Diagnostics beginning with a two or a three are less critical but should be read carefully to determine if the problem could affect the accuracy of the tax return.

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PRINTING Before printing, it is important to decide what actually needs to be printed. By choosing Selective Pages after clicking on the Print button, you will be given the option to print only the pages you need. If you only need one page with statements, printing through Selective Pages option will ensure that the statement numbers will be properly sequenced. We used the Select All button and then deselected the processing sheets. Using this display to print the return allows you to eliminate the unnecessary sheets.

You will want to select File/Load Fonts to download fonts to your printer or click the Load Fonts button on print dialogs prior to printing. If the fonts were not downloaded to the printer, the return would not print correctly. PRODUCTION PROCESSING OPTIONS Production Processing is not only used for creating the Pro Forma, it also creates the organizer we send to the client. It can be used to print blank forms or reprint a particular client’s organizer for use as a work paper. The process pro forma feature can also be used to convert an S-Corp to a C-Corp or vice versa. PRINTING BLANK FORMS Click on Start, Network Apps, Prosystem FX 32, Prosystem FX tax (network) to open FX: Select Production Processing and click OK. Select Print Returns, Forms and Labels Select Blank Forms and click OK The choices for printing are shown below. Make your choice of form type, and then click OK.

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The program will offer you a choice of tax year and display the forms available to print. After you make your selection click OK.

Choose the entity, highlight those forms from the list and click Add to place the forms in the

“Forms selected for print” box.

Selecting Add All will print all forms of that type. If you want to remove forms from the list, highlight them in the selected list box and click Remove. Once you have the selection of forms you want, click OK.

Enter the number of copies you want to print. Click Print. You will remain on the screen so further selections may be made. PRINTING A SPECIFIC TAX ORGANIZER Printing a Tax Organizer is a two-step process: Step One The organizer is first created by selecting Create organizers. Open Production Processing Select Process Client Organizers Select Create Organizers and click OK The choices are similar to the Process Pro Forma screens allowing you to identify the client by ID number or to select a choice from a list created by filter criteria. After you have gone through the process of creating the organizer, it can now be printed

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Step Two Go back into the application and select print organizers. Open Production Processing Select Process Client Organizers Select Print Organizers and click OK This process can be done for a client repeatedly. This is a helpful feature to use if a client loses their organizer. CONVERTING CORPORATE AND S CORPORATE RETURNS Note: This conversion program applies to federal information only. State information will not convert. To convert a 2002 Corporation return to 2003 S Corporation Pro Forma, or a 2002 S Corporation return to 2003 Corporation Pro Forma: Open Production Processing Select Process Pro Forma You will create the Pro Forma as in the earlier instructions. After you click OK the options screen will appear as shown below. Select the conversion

option then click OK.

You will create a Pro Forma that will prepare an 1120S for the current 1120 client. INSTALLING FX PRODUCTS TO YOUR LAPTOP

Click on Start, All Programs, Network Apps, ProSystem FX 32, ProSystem FX Tax

(network) to open FX. Select whatever year you want to install in “Install FX Locally” and click OK

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Click OK to the following window

Select the components you want to install under the Fed/State Entities. Be sure to click on

the + (plus) sign next to the type (i.e. Individual) and then make your selections which will show up in the Selected to Install box on the right.

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When all components are selected, click OK Accept defaults and click OK

Select C: drive and click OK

Accept defaults and click OK

Select the appropriate Office Groups. This ensures that the correct processing options,

including Firm Identification and filing instructions, are included in the return. Click OK

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While the install is taking place, you will see a box similar to the one below

Click OK to the following window:

CHECKING IN AND CHECKING OUT RETURNS The Check-in / Check-out option is the preferred method of transferring returns between networks and downloading them to your laptop PC. However, if you want to email a return to someone, you must use Back-up / Restore. Checking Out Returns Points to Remember before Checking Out Returns In order to check returns out of your network, your laptop must be configured by your

office FX coordinator. Please consult your FX coordinator, or call the Technology Support Desk at 866-223-3123 or x3123 in Southfield.

When a return is checked out of a network, the copy left on that network is ‘read only’ and

can only be viewed, not changed. If you are checking out returns directly to the laptop, you must close any network FX

programs currently running before opening the Laptop Office Manager. When using the Check-out function in FX, you have two options. You can:

1. Check out a return from another office

2. Check a return out to your laptop PC from your own office

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Checking Out a Return from Another Office

Log into network FX Office Manager using one of the following FX I.D.s:

Checkinout1 Checkinout6 Checkinout2 Checkinout7 Checkinout3 Checkinout8 Checkinout4 Checkinout9 Checkinout5 Checkinout10

Note: If one of these I.D.s is in use, try the next one. These I.D.s are not case-sensitive and do not require a password. However, if you try to use your own FX I.D., you will get the following error message:

Click on the Check-in / Check-out Returns button. Make sure that Remote Check-In / Check-out is selected and click OK.

Highlight the office that you are checking the return out from and click OK.

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Select the Check-Out Returns option and click OK.

Select the tax year and client I.D. and click OK.

Highlight the return(s) that you want to check out and click on the Add button.

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When the return(s) you want to check out appear in the Selected box, click OK.

Once this process completes, the return(s) will be placed in your network FX database. You can now:

Go into the network version of FX Tax Prep using your own FX I.D. and access the return as you normally would.

Go into laptop FX Office Manager using your own FX I.D. and check the return off the network and onto your laptop PC.

Important: If you try to access FX Tax Prep using one of the CheckInOut I.D.s, you will receive a message similar to the one below:

Checking Out a Return to Your Laptop PC

Log into laptop FX Office Manager (located in start, programs) using your own FX I.D.

Click on the Check-in / Check-out Returns button.

Select Direct Check-in / Check-out and click OK.

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Select the Check-Out Returns option and click OK.

Select the tax year and client I.D. and click OK.

Highlight the return(s) that you want to check out and click on the Add button.

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When the return(s) you want to check out appear in the Selected box, click OK.

Once this process completes, the return(s) will be placed on your C drive. You can now go into the laptop version of FX Tax Prep and access the return as you normally would. Checking In Returns When using the Check-in function in FX, you have two options:

If you checked a return out to your laptop PC, you can check it back in to your network.

If your checked out a return from another office, you can check it back in to that office. Note: If you checked out a return from another office to your laptop PC, you must first check it back in to your own network before you can transfer it back to the appropriate office.

Checking In a Return from Your Laptop PC

Log into laptop FX Office Manager using your own FX I.D.

Click on the Check-in / Check-out Returns button.

Select Direct Check-in / Check-out and click OK.

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Select the Check-In Returns option and click OK.

Select the tax year and client I.D. and click OK.

Highlight the return(s) that you want to check in and click on the Add button.

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When the return(s) you want to check in appear in the Selected box, click OK.

Once this process completes, the return(s) will be placed in your office’s network FX database. Checking a Return in to Another Office

Log into network FX Office Manager using one of the following FX I.D.s:

Checkinout1 Checkinout6 Checkinout2 Checkinout7 Checkinout3 Checkinout8 Checkinout4 Checkinout9 Checkinout5 Checkinout10

Note: If one of these I.D.s is in use, try the next one. These I.D.s are not case-sensitive and do not require a password. However, if you try to use your own FX I.D., you will get the following error message:

Click on the Check-in / Check-out Returns button. Make sure that Remote Check-In / Check-out is selected and click OK.

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Highlight the office that you are checking the return back in to and click OK.

Select the Check-In Returns option and click OK.

Select the tax year and client I.D. and click OK.

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Highlight the return(s) that you want to check in and click on the Add button.

When the return(s) you want to check in appear in the Selected box, click OK.

Once this process completes, the return(s) will be placed back on the appropriate network.

BACKING-UP AND RESTORING RETURNS Back Up The Return Open the return on the network. Before taking a return out of the office, go into the network

version of FX Tax Preparation for the appropriate year, open the return and calc it. If there are any problems with the return, it is much easier to fix them in the office. In addition, if the pro forma was created but not opened in the current year, it must be opened on the network to create the current year return.

Create a folder for backup to your hard drive or the network . You have the option of backing

up a tax return to a disk, to your hard drive or to the network. If you back it up to your hard drive or to the network, you will need to create a folder to store the backup. If your are backing it up to your hard drive, create a folder in C:\Data. If you are backing it up to the network, create a folder in H:\z Monthly work area.

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Click on Start, All Programs, Network Apps, ProSystem FX 32, ProSystem FX Tax (network) to open FX.

When the FX menu appears, select Office Manager and click OK. Select Backup Client Data Select Specific Client and click OK

Enter either the Client ID or Client Name. Make sure to specify which one you are entering.

Note: If your client does not appear, go back to the prior screen, select All Clients and let FX bring up the entire client list. Highlight the return(s) you want to back up and click on Add. When you have selected the

return(s) you want to back up, click the Select Drive button to select the location where you want the files backed up to.

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This will begin the back up process. When it completes, you will be returned to the Office Manager main menu.

RESTORE THE RETURN

If you want to work on the return using Laptop FX, open the Laptop FX version of Office Manager and click on Restore Client Data. If you want to work on the return using the Network version of FX, open the network version of FX Office Manager and click on Restore Client Data. Select Tax Return Data Only and click Select Drive

Select the drive letter and path that the return was backed up to.

To back up the return to your hard drive: Select C:\Data\?? as the destination drive and directory. (??? = the folder you created.) Click OK. To back up the return to a disk: Place a disk in your PCs A drive, select A as the destination drive and click OK. To back up the return to the network: Select H:\zmonthly\??? as the destination drive and directory. (??? = the folder you created.) Click OK.

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Highlight the client(s) you want to restore and click Add. Then click OK.

If this dialog box appears, click Restore All. This will begin the restore process. When it

completes, you will be returned to the Office Manager main menu.

You can now go into the Network or Laptop version of FX tax prep and access the return. SHARING RETURNS IN THE FIELD Step One: Retrieving Return/s from the Network

Before leaving the office, the staff member (return manager) should open each return in

Network FX to ensure they are able to edit each return.

In Laptop Office Manager, the “return manager” should then directly check out all returns for that job to their laptop.

Step Two: Moving Return/s from the Laptop to the Pockey Drive In the field, the “return manager” should create a folder for each return on the Pockey drive

(i.e. Return A folder, Return B folder, Return C folder, etc.)

In Laptop Office Manager, the “return manager” will choose Backup Client Data, select the appropriate return and then click on Add. (Repeat this process for each return). Once all returns have been added, click on Select Drive, choose the appropriate folder (created in the above step) then click OK.

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Step Three: How Staff Retrieve Return/s from the Pockey Drive In Laptop Office Manager, the staff member that needs access to this return (preparer)

chooses Restore Client Data. When Select Drive comes up, choose the appropriate folder from the Pockey drive, click on OK to restore.

In Laptop Tax Preparation, the “preparer” will open and edit the return as needed. At the end of each day, the “preparer” should save and close the return, open Laptop Office

Manager, choose Backup Client Data, select the appropriate return and then click on Add. (Repeat this process for each return). Once all returns have been added, click on Select Drive, choose the appropriate folder on the Pockey drive, click OK. This will place a copy of the most current return on the Pockey drive and the “preparer” will still have a copy of the return on their laptop.

Each “preparer” should repeat the above three steps each day until the return is completed. Step Four: Placing the Return/s Back on the Network When the job is done, the “return manager” will open Laptop Office Manager then choose

Backup Client Data. Select the appropriate return and then click on Add. (Repeat this process for each return). Once all returns have been added, click on Select Drive, choose the appropriate folder on the Pockey drive then click OK.

The “return manager” will then return to the office, open Laptop Office Manager and directly

check in all appropriate returns to the network.

INSTALLING FX ON A POOL PC FOR NON P&M STAFF This is now an option on the Pool PC Tech Request form. When completing this form, please check the box to have Laptop FX installed for non P&M staff.

PROSYSTEM FX HELP FEATURES

The pull down Help from the Toolbar holds several features that can be used when information is needed. The question mark on the Toolbar can also be used within any input sheet for information about the entries needed on a form. Some of the useful features in help are outlined below. Step-By-Step – This feature walks you through input for some complex tax situations such as “How to Get Credit for Foreign Taxes”. The initial menu is broken down by Return Type (Individual, Corporation, etc.) and then further broken down by topic. You can use the “ Always on Top” feature to keep the help window on your screen as you enter data in the return. Field Help – Tax input help specific to your current cursor position. Access by clicking the ? button or select under the Help pull down. Form Help – Tax instruction help for the input form you currently are editing. Access by pressing F2 or select from the Help pull down. Look-up Value-Provided for every field that needs a code. Click on Eye button or press F4 from the Edit pull down. FAQ’s – This provides quick answers to the most frequently asked questions for federal and state issues. Access these from the Federal Government Forms list or the operator Interview list

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(usually found near the end). There are also FAQ’s within each state forms listing. These will be broken down by topics such as “At Risk Limitation Questions” or “Transmittal/Filing Instruction Questions”. Double click to select a topic. Go to the Federal Interview Tab and select FAQs from the list. A screen similar to the one

below will appear.

Federal Cross-Reference – Available on-line from Government View only. Click on the ? button or select Cross-Reference from the Help pull down). The document is organized by output form and line number, and lists the input boxes that directly affect each line on the government form.

ADDITIONAL HELP

On the FX menu, there is an FX Help option.

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Selecting this option will bring up the dialog box shown below which contains numerous FX articles and help options.

Information on all of the Tax Team’s software applications can be found on the TaxWEB

under ‘Technology Guides’. If you have a problem that you cannot resolve by performing the above, please contact

Technology Services at 866-223-3123 or x3123 in Southfield.