Setup

After logging in, click on "Customize Quote Tool"

Customize Forms & Fees

Step #1 - Under "Customize Quote Tool" you will choose how you charge for a tax return. You have the choice of "hourly" or "per form". You will be able to switch this setting by clicking on the link that says either "Switch to Hourly" or "Switch to Flat Fee". If you charge by the hour, then you will need to input your hourly rate. Click "Update Hourly Rate" after entering your charge per hour. This will save your rate and be utilized in properly calculating the price of a return.

Step #2 - Once you choose how you charge for returns, you will then need to fill in either the number of minutes or the fee per form for all the forms listed under "Customize Form Fees". When complete don't forget to hit "Save Form Changes" at the bottom of the screen. If there are some forms that you do not charge for, you can leave the field blank.

Step #3 - Base Charge. You may leave this at zero if you want, but if you want to charge a base charge you can do that here. All form charges computed during a quote will be added to this base charge for the final price.

Step #4 - Quote Range. An entry here will allow the software to calculate a certain range or prices instead of a specific price. For instance, if you enter 10 here, and the exact price comes out to be $200, the software will give a range of $180 - $220 (plus and minus 10%). If left blank, the software will give an exact fee. We recommend to use the range of at least 10% as this would give you a nice cushion as well as provide the client with a good idea of cost.

Step #5 - Discount Preferences. You have the choice of letting the software automatically calculating discounts for the quote or not. If you do not want to calculate any discounts, then make sure both of these boxes are left unchecked.

Note: Note: If you make changes to the above settings after creating quotes, these past quotes will be automatically updated with your current settings and pricing as applicable.

Allow discounts as dollar amounts.

• If this box is checked you must fill in the flat dollar discount that you want automatically applied for every quote. This amount will be subtracted from the quote total.

Allow discounts as a percentage.

• If this box is checked you must fill in the percent discount that you want automatically applied for every quote. The percent discount will be multiplied by the total quote fee and will be subtracted from the quote automatically.

You can choose either of these selections OR you can choose them both. However, you will also need to make sure that the order of each discount is applied the way you want it to as this can make a difference on the end quote you tell the client. You can change the order in which the discounts are applied by clicking on "Change to the dollar/percentage discount being applied first."

Customize Questions.

This section allows you to change the wording of any of the questions as well as change the order in which they appear in the quote tool. You can also easily hide any questions you do not feel are relevant or needed for the way you prepare returns.

You will notice the two arrows next to each question. The red one is an arrow pointing down and if you click on this arrow, that question will be moved one spot lower. The green one if clicked on will move that question up one spot. Any changes are automatically saved.

You also can remove or hide most of the question you do not wish to use by clicking on the red "X". Now before you remove any questions let me run down briefly WHY each question is included and then you can decide to remove them or not.

Filing status - Used in determining taxable income and most credit eligibility. This one cannot be removed.

How many dependent children do you claim? - Used in determining taxable income as well as most of the credits. This one cannot be removed.

Number of kids under age 17. - Used in determining if the client may be eligible for the child tax credit and/or the additional child tax credit. This one cannot be removed.

Total W2 Income - This one cannot be removed

Retirement Income from Pensions, IRA's and 401-K Distribution - Used in determining taxable income which can affect tax credits.

Unemployment Income - Used in determining taxable income which can affect tax credits.

Social Security Income - Used in determining taxable income which can affect tax credits. The software will automatically calculate the taxable portion of social security if any and add to AGI.

Interest/Dividend Income over $1,500? - This question will only help figure out if a client is eligible for a 1040EZ or not. If you charge the same for an EZ as an A or regular 1040 then you can remove this question. Or if the majority of your clientele do not have this much interest/dividend income then you can be safe to remove this question. Otherwise you may want to keep it in.

Any self-employment income or 1099MISC's? - If answered "Yes" this will input the Schedule C, Schedule SE, and 1 Form 4562 charge into the quote.

Do you own a farm? - If answered "Yes" this will input the Schedule F, Schedule SE and 1 form 4562 charge into the quote.

Farm and/or SE Profit - Any amount input here will adjust the taxable income for the return and could affect what credits the client might be eligible for.

How many rental properties do you own? - The number of rental properties input will be multiplied by your charge for a Schedule E and figured into the quote. Also 1 form 4562 charge will also kick in. Only 1 4562 will charge no matter how many Rental Properties you input because a 4562 is not required during every year of a return that has rental units.

Did you sell any stocks/funds or other property last year? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Schedule D. We do not add in a charge for the 8949 but if you do charge additional for the 8949 along with a Schedule D, you may want to total both fee's together and input the total for the Schedule D charge.

Will you be deducting any student loan interest paid? - This question will only help figure out if a client is eligible for a 1040EZ or not. If you charge the same for an EZ as an A or regular 1040 then you can remove this question. Otherwise you may want to keep it in.

Do you have a health savings account (HSA)? - - This question will only help figure out if a client is eligible for a 1040EZ or 1040A. If you charge the same for an EZ as an A or regular 1040 then you can remove this question. Otherwise you may want to keep it in.

Did you itemize last year? (i.e. Mortgage Interest, Property taxes, Donations) - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Schedule A.

Will you be deducting any job expenses such as mileage, tools or travel expenses? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Form 2106.

Did you contribute to a retirement plan (401K/IRA)? - A "Yes" answer here will check to see if the client is eligible for the retirement saves tax credit and include that charge if so.

Did you or any dependents take any college classes last year? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Form 8863.

Did you pay for Daycare? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Form 2441.

Were you or any dependents uninsured at any time last year? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Form 8965 (Healthcare Insurance Penalty).

Were you or any of your dependents enrolled in the marketplace for health insurance last year at any time? - A "Yes" answer here will include the charge for the Form 8962 (Healthcare Premium Tax Credit).

How many state returns will you be filing? - An entry here will multiply the charge per state return by the number you input and include it into the total fee quoted. If you prepare returns in a state that does not have a state income tax then you may remove this question, otherwise you should keep it in.

How many city returns will you need to file? - An entry here will multiply the charge per city return by the number you input and include it into the total fee quoted.

MICHIGAN RESIDENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:

How much are your property taxes for the year? - An entry here will calculate if the client may be eligible for the Michigan Property Tax Credit and will charge for the form MI-CR accordingly.

How much did you pay in rent per month? - An entry here will calculate if the client may be eligible for the Michigan Rent Credit and will charge for the form MI-CR accordingly.

The Home Heating Credit is automatically calculated based on household size and income for those of you that are based in Michigan. For all others this will not calculate.

You may also change the wording for any question to better suit how you wish to ask the questions. Simply click on the question itself and you will be able to edit the exact wording. When finished editing click "Save Changes".

EMAIL OPTIONS

This is your email script that will be prefilled in with the client's quote data when the quote is given. Here, you can edit your email to say whatever you want.

REFERRAL OPTIONS

Here, you can customize the types of ways a client heard about you. This is optional and is not needed but we highly recommend it to keep track of how new clients are hearing about you. Is your advertising/marketing working or not. Which ads are working the best. Etc.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO PREPARE LIVE QUOTES!