Guide to Using TaxWise
to Complete Basic VITA
Certification
By Stephanie Beckett
1/23/11
Step 1: Create Testing Account



Go to
http://linklearn.webtechteam.com/login.aspx?
ReturnUrl=%2fdefault.aspx
Click “Create an Account”
Fill out all required fields

For “Group” select “1 – VITA Volunteer”
Step 2: Login to Testing
Account and Start Test


With newly created account, login to
http://linklearn.webtechteam.com/login.aspx?
ReturnUrl=%2fdefault.aspx
Select the “Basic” tab and then click “Basic
Test”
Step 3: Complete Parts of Test Not
Requiring Completion of Tax
Return

These portions of the test can be
accomplished primarily through reference to
IRS Publication 17, available at
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/index.html
Step 4: Use TaxWise to Complete
Parts of Test Requiring Tax Return
Preparation


To complete a return, login to the TaxWise
practice site:
https://twonline.taxwise.com/training/User/Lo
gin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2ftraining%2fAjax%2fV
iewReturn.aspx%3fid%3d5926f69d-ebc3414e-ad97-08fa64e7eeb8
If you don’t have a username yet, email
taxhelp@mail.law.harvard.edu, saying you
want a TaxWise account and providing your
first and last name
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Your username is your first initial and last
name. The first time you login, your
password is the same as your username in
lowercase letters.


So, Stephanie Beckett’s username would be
sbeckett, and initial password would be sbeckett
The Client ID is 796235
Step 4: Using TaxWise…


Tip: If the site doesn’t look right after you’ve
logged in, trying to zoom in or out in the
browser window (I don’t know why it gets
messed up in the first place, but pressing Ctrl
and using the mouse’s scroll button works for
me…)
Once you’ve logged in, select “New Return”
from the top menu
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Now you need to make up a social security
number, which feels sketchy but it’s ok
because it’s just a practice site.




Use whatever first 5 numbers you want…
But, the last 4 numbers must be 0449
And you need to type the number in twice
So, a valid number would be 111-11-0449
Step 4: Using TaxWise…


Tip: If, after making up an SSN, you end up
with a textbox saying the number’s in use, go
back and pick a different number (that one
was made up by someone else)
Tip: If, after making up an SSN, you end up
with a textbox saying that you can restore a
return that had used that same number, click
“Create New Return” instead of restoring the
return
Step 4: Using TaxWise…


Tip: After typing in the SSN, click “Go to
Interview; the TaxWise interview tool is really
helpful
For purposes of the practice/test, you also
need to make up social security numbers for
dependents, spouses, etc., the same way as
you did for the taxpayer (i.e., any number but
must end in 0449)

Also fill out all birthdays, because some automatic
breaks for children or seniors can be found that
way
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Tip: But, for the purposes of the test, you
don’t need to fill out address info or phone
number info or any employer info (employer
IDs, etc)


Just filling out the bare minimum financial info’s
probably the way to go, if possible, to save time
(Except for SSNs, birthdays, and names, which
you should fill out if only to help you out)
Step 4: Using TaxWise…


Tip: Generally, the interview’s quite thorough
in helping you determine everything EXCEPT
the filing status and some of the dependant
information
Filing Status Interview Question Help


The status is usually easy to figure out
BUT, Head of Household status can be tricky. So,
if someone can’t file as Married Filing Jointly,
ALWAYS be sure to check Pub. 17 or another IRS
reference to see if he/she can file as Head of
Household – they’ll save lots of money that way
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Dependent Information Interview Question Help



If you think someone qualifies as a dependent, check
whether that’s the case by Pub. 17
If there are dependents, on the “Dependents”
interview tab, say, “Yes,” there are dependents
Then you can add dependent info on the interview.
To do so, press “Edit” and enter a first and last name
and birth date.
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Dependent Information Interview Question Help,
Cont’d



The rest is pretty straightforward, but always check the
box “Check if this child qualifies for EIC” (this will
produce forms on the TaxWise software to let you check
for that)
Remember to save the changes you make when you
add a dependent!!!
Tip: Be sure to use the drop-down menu to say the
relationship to the taxpayer; this menu’s easy to miss,
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Types of Income Interview Question Help



Check all the boxes on types of income that the
scenario’s person has… And, put in the info
requested for W2s, unemployment compensation,
or interest/dividends at the bottom of the form
Now, go through the rest of the questions…
Don’t choose to make a state return…
Finally, click “Finish” on the interview (you
can always go back to the interview by
pressing the top menu button “Switch to
Interview”)
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Now, on your left sidebar, you should see a
bunch of forms. The ones that are red
require your additional attention. Click on
these forms and scroll through to see red
underlines showing you where you need to
put in additional info


Like I said, for the purposes of the test, you don’t
have to fill out addresses and other personal info,
and, again for the purposes of the test, you don’t
have to fill out any of the “Main Information” at the
top.
But, otherwise, any red line or red dot needs to be
taken care of
Step 4: Using TaxWise…

Also, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check
every W2 to make sure all of the financial
info’s exactly the same as the W2 the
taxpayer brings with him/her


This makes a particular difference if the taxpayer
is paying into a retirement account or something,
in which case his/her income for income tax
purposes is different from his/her income for
social security and Medicare tax purposes
Also check any unemployment comp and
interest/dividend documentation, again to
make sure all the financial info’s accurate
Step 4: Using TaxWise…



That’s about all
Really, the easiest way to learn to use
TaxWise is to practice using it, which doing
the certification test should force you to do
And, when in doubt about the actual tax law,
be sure to check Pub. 17 or some similar
IRS-produced document
Questions?

If you have questions (other than asking for
answers to the tests), please contact
taxhelp@mail.law.harvard.edu