Remote Entry Processing

Facts

Create a sample client and gain REP permission to process. The sample client's state inventory must contain a state for which you are not licensed for in-house use. Use 999-99-9999 for the taxpayer's Social Security number to avoid billing.

Program Considerations

Using Remote Entry Processing (REP), you can process returns using any of Lacerte's federal and/or state tax programs on a pay-per-return basis. You use the same programs provided to users who license the software for unlimited, in-house use. The only difference is that you must first register each client file with Lacerte (through a short transmission via a modem or the Internet), and obtain an authorization code before you can process or print the tax return. You will be billed a processing fee for each return authorized through the REP system. (Refer to your current Lacerte license agreement for the applicable fee for each type of tax return.)

If you have licensed at least one tax program for unlimited in-house use, you are automatically enrolled in the REP service. You can use REP to process any out-of-state, multi-state, business, trust, estate, or gift tax return offered by Lacerte. The entire Lacerte tax library is available to you on the Lacerte CD-ROM.

All customers using REP exclusively for tax processing must annually enroll in the REP service by completing an REP Service Agreement.

To use REP, you must have a modem attached to your computer or access to the Internet. REP transmissions can be made to the Lacerte Communications Center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Note: The client data file is not transferred to Lacerte during the transmission. We only capture the client number, taxpayer's name, FID number, and state return identifier(s). This information is used for billing identification purposes only.

Some other features available from the Remote Entry Processing window are History and Pricing. Here you can get REP pricing information and view your transmission history.

CLIENTS WITHOUT A SSN/EIN

The REP system requires that you place at least 8 alpha-numeric characters in the SSN/EIN field before you obtain REP permission to process. We suggest that you wait until the taxpayer provides you with his/her FID number before you authorize the return. However, we realize that in some circumstances the number will not be available. In such cases, use one of the following:

• Enter APPLIED FOR in the SSN/EIN field. In this instance, you will be allowed to re-authorize the client with the corrected number at a later time (if necessary) without additional charge, provided that the Taxpayer's Name, State Return(s), and Client Number have not been altered.
• Enter NOT-APPLIC in the SSN/EIN field for taxpayers who are not required to have a FID number. However, note that the REP billing system will not allow you to change this designation to an actual number without incurring an additional processing fee.

How?

To gain REP permission to process:

1. Highlight the client(s) at the Clients tab.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Communications, then click R.E.P. Access.
3. Click Transmit Now in the Remote Entry Processing window.
4. The Communication Manager connects to Lacerte and transmits the necessary information.
5. Click OK when the Post Transmission Summary informs you that REP has been granted.
   
   
6. Click Yes to close the Communication Manager.

Tips & Shortcuts

You can gain REP access from either the Clients or Detail tab by clicking the Remote Entry Processing icon on the toolbar or by pressing [F5].

Troubleshooting

Problem: I gained REP permission to process, but now the program is telling me that I need REP access.

Solution: Re-authorize the client file. When you submit a client for REP processing, the taxpayer's name, taxpayer's SSN/EIN, state return(s), and client number are recorded and an authorization code is attached to that client file based on these criteria. You can revoke the REP authorization code by doing any one of the following:

• Changing the taxpayer information that is used to create the access code after obtaining REP authorization,
• Overwriting the data file with the same filename,
• Restoring an older version of the same client on top of the version containing the REP access code, or
• Deleting the client file from the system. Since the REP access code is automatically embedded within the client data file, if you delete the client, the REP access code is deleted as well.

The REP billing system is designed to automatically identify and suppress duplicate transactions. Therefore, if you re-authorize a client file, but the taxpayer's name, taxpayer's SSN/EIN, state return(s), and client number are identical to your initial REP transaction, you will not be re-billed for the return. Even if you make an isolated adjustment to the Taxpayer's Name or the client number, the REP billing system should also identify your transaction as a duplicate authorization. It will update your account to reflect the adjustment. However, in nearly all circumstances, an adjustment to the taxpayer's SSN/EIN or to the state return(s) that you want to process with the federal return will result in an additional charge to your account. In these cases, you will need to contact the REP Billing Department at Lacerte in order to request a manual adjustment to your account.

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