CCH iFirm Taxprep Release Notes

December 16, 2022 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Import Statements of Self-Employed Individuals

Import tax data from the return of a taxpayer who is a self-employed individual into the return of his or her partner (a partner must not be the spouse, when the spouse’s return is being completed at the same time).

The data that can be imported is found in the following forms:

• T776, Statement of Real Estate Rentals

• T1163, Statement A - AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs Information and Statement of Farming Activities for Individuals

• T1273, Statement A - Harmonized AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs Information and Statement of Farming Activities for Individuals

• T2042, Statement of Farming Activities

• T2121, Statement of Fishing Activities

• T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities

To import data from the statement of a self-employed individual into the partner’s return, proceed as follows:

1. Click the RETRIEVE tab.

2. Select Import statements section.

3. Select from which return you want to import data.

4. Select from which statement you want to import data using the Form name column.

5. Select from which copy of the statement you want to import data using the Import from column.

6. Select to which copy of the selected statement you want to import data using the Import to column.

7. Click the Import button.

The Data imported section under the RETRIEVE tab will display the history of all statements’ imports.

 

Import Bankruptcy Data

Import pertinent tax data from a taxpayer’s pre-bankruptcy return into the post-bankruptcy return.

The imported data is inserted in the appropriate forms as well as in Form Bankruptcy Information of the current return.

In order to import data from the pre-bankruptcy return into the post-bankruptcy return, proceed as follows:

1. Click the RETRIEVE tab.

2. Select the Import bankruptcy section.

3. Select the return from which you want to import data.

4. Click the Import button.

Note that you cannot import bankruptcy data from the spouse or dependant's return. You must be in the main taxpayer's return to import the bankruptcy.

 

Ability to electronically transmit T1 MR-69

The electronic transmission of T1 MR-69 form is now available.

A 2-step checklist has been added to the form to help you prepare and electronically transmit an MR-69 form. By providing answers to all statements in the checklist, you are making sure that the mandate is compliant and meets the requirements of Revenu Québec. This will prevent you from being prompted by an error code at the time of transmission.

The first step helps you complete the form correctly before printing it, so that the printed copy meets the requirements of Revenu Québec and contains a 2D bar code when the copy is signed by the taxpayer or representative.

The second step covers the requirements that should be complied with to be able to electronically transmit the mandate and the attached document(s).

The electronic status will be displayed at the end of the checklist. When the status is Eligible, you can transmit the MR-69 form and attached documents.

Revenu Québec requires that a PDF document of all three pages of the signed Form MR-69 be transmitted along with the authorization request. It is possible to attach supporting documents as well. To attach the PDF document for EFILING purposes, click the Actions button, select EFILE attachments, and follow the instructions indicated in the EFILE attachments modal.

As any other EFILE transmissions, MR-69 EFILE details can be viewed from the TRACKING view:

 

Download the T2 Notice of Assessment from the CRA ‘‘T2 Auto-fill’’ service

It is now possible to download a corporation's notice of assessment. The notice of assessment can be downloaded from the RETRIEVE tab in the following section:

1. Import data using the T2 Auto-fill service. In this case, the notice of assessment can be downloaded along with the other data available for download. However, to view the downloaded notice of assessment, you must go to the Notice of Assessment section.

2. Notice of Assessment

Please note that following the transmission of a current year tax return, it may take a minimum of three days before the notice of assessment is available for download. In addition, it is possible to download the current year notice of assessment, as well as the previous six taxation years. Downloaded notices of assessment can be viewed from the Notice of Assessment section.

Click on the header of each notice of assessment to collapse or expand it.

The downloaded notice of assessment can be published or printed:

Finally, the Notice of Assessment column has been added to the return manager, allowing you to identify the returns for which the notice of assessment has been uploaded.

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December 2, 2022 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

CCH iFirm Documents now integrated with CCH iFirm Taxprep

CCH iFirm Documents and CCH iFirm Taxprep now offer integration, allowing users to access and store tax-related documents in CCH iFirm Documents directly from the CCH iFirm Taxprep interface.

• A new Tax folder will now be visible under each contact in CCH iFirm Documents.

• In the Tax folder, year folders will be created automatically.

• Any document stored in the proper year folder will now be visible and accessible from the corresponding tax returns.

From a tax return, the tax-related documents added in the CCH iFirm Documents module can be viewed from the breadcrumb by clicking on the paper clip icon:

When you click on any of these documents, it will be open in a separate browser tab. The additional tax or other supported documents can be added to the CCH iFirm Documents Tax folder directly from the tax return by clicking on Add files from the View/Edit files from the Document Management System (DMS) modal.

Moreover, when printing or publishing the tax return or a form, within the same dialog box, it is possible to send the same copy to the Document Management System.

One of the following security roles is required to view the tax-related documents stored in CCH iFirm Documents directly from the CCH iFirm Taxprep interface (paper clip icon):

• Documents - View

• Documents - View and Delete

• Documents - View and Download in bulk

• Documents - View and Edit

• Documents - View and Unlock

• Documents - View and Upload

• Documents - View, Edit, Copy and Move

The Documents - View and Upload security role is required to have the ability to:

• add files from the View/Edit files from the Document Management System (DMS) modal;

• copy data in the document management system while printing or publishing a tax return or a form.

 

The ‘‘Always’’ print option now available in print formats to print a form even if it is not applicable

Each custom print format offers three different choices, allowing you to decide when the form should be printed:

• Yes, if applicable – The form will be printed only if it is applicable in a tax return (the applicable forms of a tax return are listed in the PREPARE tab under the List of applicable forms view.)

• Always – The form will always be printed regardless the applicability of the form.

• No – The form will never be printed.

 

The T1 ‘‘Auto-fill my return’’ (AFR) reconciliations modal is now always displayed

The Reconciliation link that allows you to consult all reconciled slips in one single view is now always displayed, regardless of if reconciled slips are selected in the Auto-fill my return modal.

 

New roll forward option to retain the ‘‘Details” column content during the roll forward process

The option Keep the document details has been added to the Roll Forward Settings, allowing you to decide if the Details column content needs to be rolled forward to the subsequent taxation period. By default, Keep the document details is selected. It can be modified through Settings/Taxprep/Roll Forward Settings to be applied to all tax returns during the roll forward process or it can be modified from the Roll forward modal by clicking Roll forward setting.

 

Digital signature feature improvements

Since last year, the digital signature status for Forms T183 and TP/CO-1000 is available from the return manager. With a single click, it is possible to know the status of these digital signatures (Signed or Sent).

In addition, it is now possible to click on the digital signature status to access the appropriate CCH iFirm portal folder, allowing you to see the PDF that was sent for digital signature or that a customer signed:

In addition, in Forms T183 and TP/CO-1000, a visual indicator was added, allowing you to know, from an open tax return, the status of the digital signature of these two forms. By clicking on this digital signature status indicator, it will also allow you to access the appropriate CCH iFirm portal folder to see the PDF that the customer signed or that was sent for digital signature.

 

Review marks have different colours depending on the review mark severity

Review marks are identified with different colours, depending on the severity of the review mark:

• First review (ctrl +1) – Green

• Second review (ctrl +2) – Green

• Problem (ctrl + 3) – Red

• Question (ctrl + 4) – Orange

 

An existing comment can be edited or deleted

Any existing comment can be modified or deleted. There are two different ways to do it:

1. Hover the mouse pointer over an existing comment and click Edit or Delete.
   

2. Right-click to open a contextual menu and click Comment. You can then click Edit or Delete in the mouse hover window.
   
   

In addition, the comment text area is now larger, allowing you to see more text without scrolling inside the section.

 

The applicable letters for a tax return are now identified with a green check mark

In the REVIEW tab, all applicable letters for printing are now identified with a green check mark.

 

Ability to access a breakdown cell or a spreadsheet by hovering the mouse pointer over a tooltip when a tax return is locked

When a breakdown or a spreadsheet is added on a cell, it is now possible to access it from the mouse over tooltip even if a tax return is locked.

Note that by clicking Edit, when the tax return is locked, the breakdown cell or spreadsheet can only be viewed and cannot be modified.

 

Improvements to the colour of the forms

The sides of the forms and the REVIEW tab were changed from white to:

• blue for the main taxpayer;

• green for the spouse;

• purple for the dependant.

Main taxpayer’s tax return:

Spouse’s tax return:

Dependant’s tax return:

 

Return manager columns have a minimal width and a horizontal scroll bar

When several columns are displayed in the return manager, the horizontal scroll bar allows you to see all these displayed columns with the minimal width. This will allow you to see the content of all columns even if a large number of columns is displayed in the list of tax returns.

 

The status of the imported files is available from the ‘‘Import Report’’ under the user notification centre

For each Taxprep and Cantax* imported file, the import status is now detailed in a report available in the user notification centre. The status can be one of the following:

• Success; or

• Error – By consulting a tooltip over the Error status, the message will indicate why the file wasn’t imported.

* Only Cantax T2 and Cantax FormMaster files can be imported in CCH iFirm Tax. Cantax T1 files can be only rolled forward in CCH iFirm tax.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

Batch Printing and Publishing of tax returns.

The printing and publishing of tax returns in batch from the return manager is limited to a maximum of 100 returns per batch.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Print order of forms can now be customized per print format

The print order of forms can now be customized per product, per year and per custom print format. You can decide in which order the forms will be printed based on the print format. Here are the steps to change the print order of forms:

1. For a given custom print format, change the form list in the print order view:
   
   

2. Click Edit Print Order.
   
   
   

3. Select a form or all the forms for which you want to change the print order, and then select the new position in the print order (Above, Below, Start of the list or End of the list).

Note: Any linked child forms will always follow the parent form when the forms are reordered (e.g., Forms T2125 CCA, T2125ADD and T2125AUTO will follow the T2125 parent form).

If you want to change the print order of many forms at the same time, instead of selecting the forms one by one, please proceed as follows:

1. Select the desired forms from the list view and then click Edit Print Order. The selected forms will appear in the Edit Print Order modal.

2. The selected forms can be reordered with a drag-and-drop by using the three horizontal lines beside the form name ( ).

3. Select the new position of the forms (Step 2 in the previous print screen).

In each custom print format, it is possible to display the forms in two different views:

• View default order – It displays the forms in the order appearing in the form selection dialog box.

• View print order – It displays the forms in the order appearing when printing.

If the print order has been customized, it is always possible to reset it to the default print order by clicking on Edit Print Order/Reset to the default order.

The following security role is required to have the rights to edit the print order: Tax-Settings-Print formats-Add, Edit.

 

Automate the change of the tax return statuses based on performed actions

The change of the tax return status can be automated based on four different tax return actions:

• Roll forward

• Successful EFILE

• Print

• Open a tax return for the first time

To automate the change of a tax return status, go to Settings/Taxprep/Return Statuses and from there, do as follows:

1. Specify for which action the tax return statuses should be changed. If the selection is None, there will be no automation for that action.

2. Specify the tax return status that should be applied when the action is performed. All active tax return statuses are available for selection, including the custom tax return statuses that you have created.

Four new return predefined statuses were made available:

• Rolled forward

• Open

• EFILE Successful

• Printed

 

Return manager content can be exported in CSV format

Return manager content can be exported in CSV format. This export can be done per product (T1, T2, T3 and Forms) and per taxation period of the return manager (e.g., T1 2021, T1 2020, T2 2020 and later…).

To export the return manager content, click the Actions button and then click Export Return Manager.

For the T1 product, the Include SIN in your export check box allows you to decide if the SIN column should be exported in CSV format:

The time of Date Modified column is presented in the UTC-5:00 time zone in exported CSV file.

Once the export is completed, it can be downloaded from the Notifications centre.

Note: The return manager per product and per year (e.g., T1 2021) cannot be exported more than once per day. For example, if the T1 2021 return manager was already exported in the current day, you will need to wait until the next day to export it another time.

The following message will appear if you try to export the same return manager a second time in a row:

Note: Personalized columns defined in the custom filters are not included in the exported CSV file of the list of tax returns.

The following security role is required to have the rights to export return manager: Tax-Returns-Export return manager

 

Tax environments can now be matched only with Group 1

Tax environments allow you to associate tax returns with different templates. This association will facilitate the selection of the appropriate templates (i.e., electronic service identification, preparer profiles and print formats) per environment. The environment feature is related to the CCH iFirm filtering and group feature.

Now, you can decide if you want to match the tax environments to both groups created in Settings/Firm Settings/Firm Filtering & Group Settings or match it only with Group 1. The new option Keep only Group 1 mandatory while creating environments. Group 2 will be disregarded was added in Settings/Taxprep/Environments.

When Keep only Group 1 mandatory while creating environments. Group 2 will be disregarded is selected, the tax environments will match the contacts/returns based only on Group 1.

 

Web API - audit trail for data entered/modified endpoint

Audit trail endpoint is now available allowing you to retrieve all user data entered/modified in cells of a tax return (see the list of endpoints in our Help system).

 

A New security role to manage rolling forward and import of Taxprep password protected files

Password-protected Taxprep files cannot be imported or rolled forward without the Tax - Import and Roll forward password-protected Taxprep files security role.

The user who doesn’t have the Tax - Import and Roll forward password-protected Taxprep files security role but has the required rights to import Taxprep files or to roll forward files from another software program will see the following message in the Import or Roll forward modal:

Password-protected Taxprep files will not be rolled forward without the Tax - Import and Roll forward password-protected Taxprep files security role.

In addition, a notification report will also specify that the tax return wasn’t imported or rolled forward because Taxprep file is password-protected:

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June 13, 2022 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

More than 2,700 CCH AnswerConnect topics now integrated with CCH iFirm Tax

More than 2,700 CCH iFirm Taxprep form fields are now linked to the related topics in CCH AnswerConnect! These links provide you with direct access to supporting contextual information from a given cell, including access to expert commentary and links to related material.

You can quickly identify these links to CCH AnswerConnect by looking for the blue triangle icon located in the left corner of the form field. A preview of the content will appear when you hover over the link:

If you want to see the entire document in CCH AnswerConnect, you can use one of the following methods:

• Click on Learn more from the preview;
• Use the Shift + F1 shortcut from the field;
• Use the contextual menu (right-click) from the field;
• Use the left pane link.

Please note that to use this feature, you will need to have a subscription to CCH AnswerConnect.

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May 30, 2022 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Electronic transmission of supporting documents accompanying the T106, T1134 and T1135 forms in CCH iFirm Taxprep T2

In addition to supporting documents for T2 and CO-17 tax returns, it is now possible to electronically transmit supporting documents for Forms T106, T1134, and T1135 in CCH iFirm Taxprep T2.

EFILE support documents can be attached either from an open tax return or from the Returns Manager view:

From an open tax return

Click the Actions button and select EFILE Attachments view. Then, proceed as follows:

1. Select the transmission for which you want to attach support documents.
2. Drop or select a file you want to add (you can upload up to 200 files at once).
3. Complete the mandatory fields.
4. Click the Upload and save button (note that this button is disabled if all mandatory fields are not completed).

From the Returns Manager view

1. Select the return for which you want to attach support documents.
2. Click the EFILE button and select EFILE returns.
3. Click on the number under the paper clip to open the EFILE attachments view.
4. Follow steps 1 to 4 described in the From an open tax return section above.

Note: It is not possible to set slip/supplement types for T1134 and T106 EFILE attachments. It has to be done from an open tax return. Only the ‘‘Summary’’ type can be selected from the return manager view.

Once the support documents are added, the number of attached files eligible for EFILE will be shown in the Tracking and EFILE returns views:

Tracking view:

EFILE returns view:

Once the support documents are transmitted, the transmission history can be viewed from the following sections:

1. Transmission history

2. EFILE attachments view

 

Info column in the Returns Manager now split into two columns

The Details and Tax year columns are now replacing the Info column in the Returns Manager for all Taxprep module products (T1, T2, T3, and Forms):

Any additional label added to a tax return (Rename) will be displayed under the Details column, while the taxation period information will be displayed under the Tax year column.

In addition, you can decide to display or not the Details and Tax year columns per product from a gear button:

 

Context-sensitive help (F1) provides quick access to a relevant online tax help topic

Online help covers over 950 tax topics. Context-sensitive help (F1) in CCH iFirm Taxprep allows you to quickly access a relevant tax help topic. To open a help topic for a specific tax subject from a tax form, please use one of the following methods:

• Use the F1 key;
• Use the contextual menu (right-click) from the field;
• Use the left pane link.

One of these actions will bring you directly to a relevant online tax help topic.

 

Improvement of the CCH iFirm Taxprep settings interface

Several changes were made to the user interface of the CCH iFirm Taxprep settings to improve usability and efficiency.

1. Templates were grouped into the two following sections in order to facilitate the visibility:

1. Firm Configuration
2. Firm Templates

2. Breadcrumb was added to each tax template to facilitate navigation between the pages. Simply click on a blue link of the breadcrumb to access a previous page:

3. Details section can be hidden in order to optimize the visibility of the letter editor. To collapse or expand the Details section, click on. With this improvement, it is now possible to hide the following sections:

1. Details section
2. Letter header section

Expanded sections:

Collapsed sections:

 

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Ability to electronically transmit RC4649 return in CCH iFirm Taxprep T2

You can now EFILE a RC4649 return using either the EFILE credentials or a Web Access Code (WAC).

 

New tax security roles

The following security roles have been added or modified to manage user rights:

 

Roll forward

Tax – Returns – Roll Forward security role was split into two different security roles:

• Tax – Returns – Roll Forward from iFirm Tax
  With this security role, users can roll forward CCH iFirm Taxprep returns from one taxation period to another.
• Tax – Returns – Roll forward from other software
  
  With this security role, users can roll forward returns prepared using another tax software program. Note: During a roll forward from other software, new contacts are created automatically when no match with an existing contact is found in CCH iFirm.

Note: The user to whom the Tax – Returns – Roll forward security role was assigned will have by default these two security roles assigned.

 

Tax – EFILE – Transmit, Transmission history security role was split into four different security roles (one per tax product):

• Tax – T1 - Returns – EFILE, Access transmission history
  
  With these security roles, users can EFILE and consult the transmission history specific for T1 tax product.
• Tax – T2 - Returns – EFILE, Access transmission history
  
  With these security roles, users can EFILE and consult the transmission history specific for T2 tax product.
• Tax – T3 - Returns – EFILE, Access transmission history
  
  With these security roles, users can EFILE and consult the transmission history specific for T3 tax product.
• Tax – TF - Returns – EFILE, Access transmission history
  
  With these security roles, users can EFILE and consult the transmission history specific for Forms tax product.

Note: The user to whom the Tax – EFILE – Transmit, Transmission history security role was assigned will have by default these four security roles assigned.

 

Audit trail:

Audit trail now has two different security roles:

• Tax – Returns – Audit trail – Access
  
  With this security role, users can access the audit trail.
• Tax – Returns – Audit trail – Rollback
  
  With this security role, users can perform a rollback on certain actions. Users must have the Tax – Returns – Audit trail – Access role assigned in order for the rollback to work.

Note: The user to whom the Tax – Audit trail – Access security role was assigned will have by default these two security roles assigned.

 

Custom filters under the Review tab

The Custom filters feature under the Review tab now has a new tax security role:

• Tax – Returns – Review – Custom Filters – Add, Edit
  
  With this security role, users can add and edit the custom filters from Review tab.

Note: This security role will be assigned to all users.

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January 31, 2022 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Electronic transmission of the T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return using EFILE

Starting in February 2022, the CRA will make available the electronic transmission of T3, T3M and T3S returns using EFILE. These three returns can now be transmitted electronically in CCH iFirm Tax.

As a result, you will require an EFILE number as well as a password to electronically transmit a T3 return. Please note that you can no longer use the CRA’s Filing by Internet file transfer (XML) service to transmit T3, T3M and T3S returns.

All other transmission types must be made using the Filing by Internet file transfer (XML) service.

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December 6, 2021 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Digital Signature Feature – Columns added to the Return Manager allowing an easy way to monitor digital signature status

The Digital signature feature is fully integrated between CCH iFirm Portal and CCH iFirm Tax. You can publish documents and forms that require your customer’s digital signature in a single click.

To streamline your signature process, a built-in tag was integrated to the forms to indicate where the digital signature must be affixed and the fields in the Electronic signature section of Form T183 are automatically completed when the signature is entered on the portal (these fields are mandatory in order to EFILE tax returns if the digital signature was used).

In addition, two columns have been added to the T1 and T2 Return Manager to allow you to easily keep track of the digital signature status of T183 and TP-1000 forms for personal income tax returns (T1) and T183 and CO-1000 forms for corporate income tax returns (T2).

These new columns contain three different statuses:

• Signed – the customer signed the form;
• Sent – the form was sent, but the customer did not sign it yet;
• None – the form was not sent to be digitally signed.

From these two columns, you can easily use filters to find and review the digital signature status. You can also filter on the Signed status, which will facilitate the electronic batch transmission (EFILE) of returns. For example, by displaying returns for which the T183 or/and TP-1000 forms are signed and eligible for EFILE. Once this filter is applied, you can select the returns that you want to electronically transmit in a single step.

Note: This functionality will be available in the CCH iFirm Taxprep T1 product which is scheduled to be released on December 17. Please consult the products calendar for the release dates.

 

T183 – Digital signature time stamp automatically updated

If you are using the electronic signature feature in CCH iFirm Portal, the fields in the Electronic signature section of Form T183 will now be automatically completed when the signature is entered on the portal in the T1 and T2 products. These fields are mandatory in order to EFILE tax returns if the digital signature was used.

T1 product (available since the 2020 tax season):

T2 product:

 

All custom letters are now supported for digital signature

Previously, only the Engagement letter was supported for digital signature. Now, all custom letters can be digitally signed. Customer letters do not have default e-tags integrated. To add an e-tag, you can copy digital signature tags from the Engagement letter and, where applicable, make the required adjustments. Here is the Digital Signature section in Engagement letter:

Where:

\s1\ corresponds to the e-tag; and

\d1\ corresponds to the date of signature.

 

Note: This functionality is available in the CCH iFirm Taxprep T2 product and it will be available in the first release of the year for T1, T3 and Form products. Please consult the products calendar for the release dates.

 

The T2 Auto-fill service for corporations is now available. This service allows you to download available data when using the CRA’s electronic services.

From the RETREIVE tab, select Import data using the T2 Auto-fill service from the left pane and download the available data from the CRA site.

You can download all available data or select a subset of the available information. In addition, you can select the taxation year for which you want to download data. The T2 Auto-fill service gives you access to data in the returns up to seven most recent assessed years.

However, note that you can import the downloaded data to the return only if the taxation year covered by the return starts immediately after the taxation year related to the downloaded data or if the data and the return refer to the same taxation year. For the prior taxation years, you can still download data for review purposes.

You can then import the information into the tax return by clicking the Import button.

 

Auto-fill my return (AFR) enhancements

Downloaded data is always kept in the RETREIVE tab

The latest downloaded data is now kept in the RETREIVE tab even if it was imported into the tax return.

The Auto-fill my return view can now be further customized

You can now display only the view with downloaded data without showing the details and vice versa.

View without the details:

The view focusing on the details section allows you to easily switch from one downloaded slip and/or form to another by clicking different page numbers or the right and left arrows:

New reconciliation feature to allow you to view a reconciled data summary

When you reconcile data for slips such as the T3 and T5008 slips, a new feature now allows you to review the reconciled data summary:

In addition, in T3 and T5008 slips, a section has been added in forms that will show the same summary once the reconciled data has been imported into the return:

Ability to filter on downloaded forms and slips to optimize displayed information

 

A new filter now allows you to easily filter the returns based on tax year-end date

A filter has been added specifically for the Info column in the T2, T3 and Forms products. This will allow you to easily filter tax documents based on the tax year-end date.

 

Taxprep custom letters (*.clt) can be now imported into CCH iFirm Tax

The custom letters (.clt format) that you created in Taxprep On-premise can be imported into CCH iFirm Tax. To import the custom letters, go to Settings/Taxprep/Import Taxprep templates and proceed as follows:

1. In the page that displays, click the product for which you want to import the customer letter.
2. Select the taxation year to which the letter will be imported.
3. Select the custom Taxprep letter that you want to import.
4. Click the Import button.

The imported letter will be displayed with all existing CCH iFirm Taxprep letters (Settings/Taxprep/Client Letters).

 

New or modified shortcuts

New keyboard shortcuts:

• Close a document / Back to Return Manager: Shift+Alt+C
• Add return: Alt+N
• Activate Review Mode: Ctrl+0
• Display the Diagnostics view in the left menu: Alt+D
• Display the Return properties dialog box: Shift+F11
• Search in slips: Shift+F4

Modified keyboard shortcuts:

• First review: changed from Ctrl+7 to Ctrl+1
• Second review: changed from Ctrl+8 to Ctrl+2
• Insert a mark to flag a problem: changed from Ctrl+9 to Ctrl+3
• Insert a mark to flag a question: changed from Ctrl+0 to Ctrl+4

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Tax Environments – Group returns per environment and apply the appropriate templates

Tax environments allow you to associate returns with different groups. This association will facilitate the selection of the appropriate templates (i.e., electronic service identification, preparer profiles and print formats) per environment. The environment functionality is related to the CCH iFirm filtering and group feature. For more details on creating different groups, please consult the CCH iFirm video Firm Filtering & Group Settings.

To create the environments, navigate to Settings/Taxprep/Environments.

Then you can create a number of environments that would match the groups applied to your contacts.

For example:

• In Settings/Firm Settings/Firm Filtering & Group Settings, there are two different groups: Office and Division. Under each of these groups, different offices and divisions are listed.

• In the contacts, the groups created in the previous step can be assigned.

• In the Environments section, the environments created will cover all group combinations defined in Contacts.

Once the environments are created, all tax returns will be automatically grouped in one of the existing environments. If the perfect match is not found between the Environment and the Contact (related to groups), the tax returns will be grouped in the Default/Défaut environment.

A column has been added to the Return Manager to enable you to filter per environment:

Note: This column can be added by clicking the gear button in the top right corner of the Return Manager and selecting the Environment option.

In each environment, you can select the templates (i.e., electronic service identification, preparer profiles and print formats) that will be applied to each return associated with an environment.

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July 23, 2021 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Return Manager Enhancements

Quick filters

In addition to all filters already available in the Return Manager, Quick filters are now available to make the search for returns even more efficient. The Quick filters section contains two filters:

• Assigned to me
• Eligible for EFILE

New roll forward process and addition of the Rolled forward column

To roll forward existing CCH iFirm tax returns to the next taxation year, you must now select the desired returns in the Return Manager and click Roll forward selected documents:

In addition, the Rolled forward column has been added to the Return Manager to indicate whether the return has been rolled forward to the next year (e.g., from 2020 to 2021).

This new column also allows you to filter on returns and display only those that have not been rolled forward to the next taxation year:

 

Additional EFILING forms (T3 product)

The following additional forms are now supported for the EFILE process for trusts:

• T3M
• T3GR
• T3RI
• T3P
• T3D
• T3S
• T1061
• T2000

 

Edge based on Chromium – New supported browser

CCH iFirm Taxprep can be opened with the Chrome and Edge browsers.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Web API enhancement

Additional endpoints are available to automate your process (see the list of endpoints in our Help system).

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March 15, 2021 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

T183 – Digital signature timestamp automatically updated

If you are using the electronic signature feature in CCH iFirm Portal, the fields in the Electronic signature section of Form T183 will now be automatically completed when the signature is entered on the portal. These fields must be completed to EFILE tax returns if the digital signature was used.

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February 22, 2021 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Access Cells Metadata from Tool Tips

Where metadata has been added to a cell, such as review marks, comments, cell breakdowns or spreadsheets, this information can now be accessed or modified more easily.

Hovering the pointer over the applicable tool tip will provide access to the relevant commands.

 

Retaining Return Labels

When a label is added to a return, it will now be retained when the return is rolled forward.

 

Rolling forward predefined letters

In addition to being able to roll forward any new letters you created last year, you can now also roll forward a predefined letter that was customized last year.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

Hiding Diagnostics for all Returns

Many diagnostics provide warnings or reminders in addition to identifying errors. For example, diagnostics providing details of specific filing requirements. These diagnostics can be hidden if desired, e.g., to expedite subsequent reviews.

Where the same diagnostic appears in multiple returns, and it is not something that individual preparers need to be aware of, you may prefer to hide it for all returns.

When you click a diagnostic, the Hide diagnostic option appears below the diagnostic. This option will now have a drop-down list where you can choose between Hide for this return only and Hide for all returns.

Note that you must have the appropriate security role to use this feature. The following security roles have been added to manage users’ rights for the Hide diagnostics for all returns feature:

• Tax – Returns – Diagnostics – Hide diagnostics for all returns

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Displaying a list of comments from the REVIEW tab

On the REVIEW tab, you are now able to view the list of comments in the return, as well as their content.

This functionality is particularly useful when using the comments as part of a paperless review.

CCH iFirm Taxprep will display the content of the comment, the current-year value of the cell to which the comment applies, and whether the comment will be rolled forward.

Add a response to a comment by clicking the Add button.

The current-year value of the cell to which the comment applies can be changed directly in this list. If you are using comments as review notes, this may allow you to make a correction without having to access the tax form. In addition, you can choose whether or not the comment will be rolled forward. CCH iFirm will indicate the name of the user who added each comment/response along with an indication of when the comment/response was made.

Use the Search field at the top of the list to find a specific comment or comments. You can search for any text that appears in the list of comments: e.g., form name, part of a cell description, text within the comment or the name of the person who added or responded to the comments.

Comments can be deleted by selecting the check box beside the appropriate comment and then clicking the Delete icon at the top of the list.

 

New tax security roles

The following security roles have been added to manage users’ rights:

• Tax – Return – Edit all cells of the contact

• With this security role, users can modify all fields on the Identification form that are synchronized with the corresponding contact.

• Tax – Return – Edit specific cells of the contact

• With this security role, users can modify specific fields on the Identification form that are synchronized with the corresponding contact. Please click here to know which contact-synchronized fields can be modified in the Identification form.

Note: For more information on which fields are synchronized in the Identification form between the Taxprep module and the Contact module, click the following link: https://support.cchifirm.ca/en/content/cch_ifirm/tax/tax_-_sync_contact.htm.

Those security roles are assigned by default to existing users, but not to new users. Authorized users can assign or remove tax security roles from the Security tab of a given user.

For the entire list of available security roles, consult the Learn about Tax security roles help topic.

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January 22, 2021 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Web API – Automate your firm’s processes with the Web API integration

A Web API is available to help you automate your firm’s processes. For more information, consult the Web API help topic. (This is a separate module. Please contact your solution consultant.)

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December 18, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Creating and transmitting a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement (CCH iFirm Taxprep T1)

To transmit eligible PAD agreements, access the EFILE returns view. You can choose to transmit the PAD agreement together with the T1 return or choose to transmit it separately.

Like any other type of transmission, you can batch-transmit PAD agreements using the Return Manager.

Use Form T185 to authorize the electronic transmission of a PAD agreement.

It is important to understand that the T1 return and the PAD agreement are subject to separate background transmissions. Therefore, there is an “T1 EFILE” status and a “PAD” status.

To be able to electronically transmit a PAD agreement, first ensure that the answer to the question Do you want to create and transmit an electronic pre-authorized debit agreement? is set to Yes on Form T185, otherwise, the value of the PAD status will be “Not applicable.”

Once you have indicated that you want to create a PAD, make sure that the corrections required by the diagnostics T185 have been made in the Filing tab so that the value of the PAD status becomes “Eligible.” Otherwise, you will not be able to transmit the PAD agreement.

Like a T1 transmission, confirm that your client is authorizing you to transmit a PAD agreement. To do so, answer Yes to the first statement at the top of the T185 form.

You can set your Preparer Profile (go to Settings >Taxprep>Preparer Profiles, click a profile, then the EFILE tab) so that the answer to this question always defaults to Yes.

Two options are available to help you maximize your productivity and limit the risk of errors.

1. If the return contains banking information for direct deposit on Form Direct Deposit Request, you can transfer this information to the section of Form T185 relating to pre-authorized debit.
2. You can also indicate that the taxpayer wants to make a payment corresponding to the balance owing indicated on line 48500 of the T1 return.

To make either one of these choices, set the desired boxes to Yes:

The T1 return EFILE status does not have to be “Eligible” to transmit a PAD agreement.

 

Printing T2200 and TP64.3 slips to separate PDF files (CCH iFirm Taxprep Forms)

The T2200 and TP64.3 slips can now be printed with the Print Slips functionality. To do so, click PDF button, then Print slips to PDF. The Print slips to PDF dialog box opens. In the Form drop-down list of the Select a form section, select the T2200 or TP64.3 slip.

This addition allows you, in particular, to save the T2200 and TP64.3 slips in separate PDF files. To do so, click More options in the Print slips to PDF dialog box. The Print options dialog box opens. Clear the check box Merge PDF files into a single file. However, note that the electronic signature is not yet supported using the Print slips to PDF dialog box (the electronic signature is only supported using the Print current form to PDF or Print return to PDF dialog boxes).

You can, however, print the T2200 and TP64.3 slips from the Print slips to PDF dialog box in separate PDF files and add electronic signature tags from CCH iFirm Portal. To learn how you can add electronic signatures, watch the following video:

https://go2.wolterskluwer.ca/training-vid-en-ifirm-taxprep-digital-signatures

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December 4, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Rolling forward settings – Select the options that you would like to keep in the roll forward process

The roll forward settings feature allows you to select roll forward-related options per tax product. To access the feature, go to Settings/Taxprep/Roll forward settings. The selected options will apply to all CCH iFirm Taxprep returns that are rolled forward.

Those options can be modified during the roll forward process by clicking the Roll forward settings link in the Roll forward dialog box.

 

Rolling forward the metadata of a cell – Roll forward comments, attached breakdowns and spreadsheets

Roll forward comments, spreadsheets and cell breakdowns to the next tax year.

Select which comment should be rolled forward by clicking Yes or No for each comment, as shown below:

From Settings/Taxprep/Roll forwardsettings, select the option that you would like to apply to all tax returns:

• None – No comments will be rolled forward.
• Selected – Only comments with the Roll forward option set to Yes will be rolled forward.
• All – All comments will be rolled forward.

From Settings/Taxprep/Roll forward settings, choose whether the spreadsheets or attached breakdowns should be rolled forward:

When selecting the option Keep attached breakdowns and/or Keep attached spreadsheet in the Roll forward settings page, a cell indicator will appear on the cell once the document is rolled forward.

You can view and/or import the breakdown or the spreadsheet by using the option View/Import last year’s breakdown or View/Import last year’s spreadsheet from the contextual menu or the right-side menu bar.

By clicking this option, the spreadsheet/breakdown from the previous year will display. This will allow you to easily review last year’s data. If relevant, click the Import button to import the spreadsheet/breakdown value in the current tax return.

Rolled forward values display in blue – The text in the rolled forward fields is now identified in blue.

All rolled forward values are now identified in blue to easily differentiate the rolled forward value from an input value.

 

Close all forms – Close all forms in a single click with the Close all forms option in the right side menu bar.

Close all open forms in a single click by selecting Close all forms from the right-side menu bar or by using the Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut.

 

Tag colours – The different product tags (T1, T2, T3 and TF) now have specific colours for better visibility purposes.

Each tax product is identified with a different tag colour allowing for a clear visual differentiation between them.

 

clicSÉQUR CO-17 return transmission – clicSÉQUR credentials can now be used to electronically transmit CO-17 returns.

clicSÉQUR and NetFile Québec credentials can now be used to electronically transmit CO-17 returns. Select which credentials should be used from Settings/Taxprep/Electronic Services Identification:

 

Contact security support – Manage who can see what for each user in your firm based on your firm’s contacts.

You can now use the Contacts Security functionality to restrict user access to your contacts in CCH iFirm applications including CCH iFirm Tax, Jobs & Billing, Contacts, Portal & Documents. User access can be removed from contact records associated with specific Managers, Partners, Contact Groups, Firm Filtering & Group Settings (e.g. Office & Divisions) and by using the Override Access for Specific Client(s) option. To review and update contact security, you must have the Settings – Contacts security role.

The following Contact Security video will provide you with an overview of this new functionality:

https://go2.wolterskluwer.ca/training-vid-en-ifirm-taxprep-office-division

To enable Contact Security for your firm, go to Settings/Contacts/General Settings, select Enable Contact-Based Security Access and click Save. The default setting for each user is full access to all records. To review users’ access, go to Settings/Contacts/Contact Security. All current system users are listed in this screen. From that screen, you can select a user to review their access. For example, if a user should not have access to contact records associated with a specific office (e.g. Sherbrooke), from the Edit Contact Security screen for this user you can remove the Sherbrooke office from the associated office(s). Then, this user will no longer be able to access contact records associated with the Sherbrooke office when browsing or searching for records in CCH iFirm and in the Taxprep module of CCH iFirm. As a result, the user will not be able to see tax returns associated with those contacts. To learn more on how to create groups such as Office and Division in contact records, please watch the CCH iFirm video Firm Filtering & Group Settings.

 

EFILING Forms T1134 and T106 − Ability to electronically transmit data for Forms T1134 and T106 from the CCH iFirm Taxprep T2 Product

You can now EFILE Forms T1134 and T106 from the CCH iFirm Taxprep T2 product.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

REVIEW tab – A right-side menu bar is now available in the Filters view of the REVIEW tab to manage different actions.

The right-side menu allowing you to manage different actions can be displayed from the PREPARE and REVIEW tabs.

 

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Customizing return statuses – Create custom return statuses to reflect the unique workflow of your firm

Create your own custom return statuses for each tax product (T1, T2, T3 and Forms) to reflect the unique workflow of your firm. The custom returns statuses can be created from Settings/Taxprep/Return statuses. Click Add a custom return status for each tax product and add the name of the return status in English and in French. Reorder the list of return statuses by using the three-line icon in the first column of this section.

Predefined return statuses cannot be deleted. However, they can be set as inactive and the inactive return statuses will not display in the list once the return status is ready to be assigned to any tax document.

Once custom return statuses are created, you can assign any active return status to any tax document.

The following security roles have been added to manage users’ rights for the custom returns statuses feature:

• Tax-Settings-Custom return status – Add, edit
• Tax-Settings-Custom return status – Delete

For more information, please watch the CCH iFirm video:

https://go2.wolterskluwer.ca/training-vid-en-ifirm-taxprep-custom-statuses

 

Office segmentation – Decide who can use which Preparer Profiles and EFILE credentials per user in the firm

If you firm requires different preparer profiles or electronic services credentials, you can now assign Preparer Profiles or EFILE credentials to different groups and per user. You can also decide which user can use which Preparer Profiles or EFILE credentials. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Create groups such as Office and Division in the contact records. Please watch the CCH iFirm video Firm Filtering & Group Settings.
2. Assign the Preparer Profiles and EFILE credentials to the groups created in step 1.

3. Go to Settings/Users/Name of the user/Taxprep/Filtering of templates and select which group will be assigned to the user for electronic services identification and Preparer Profile. Based on this selection, the user will only be able to use the EFILE credentials and Preparer Profile that are assigned to the user’s selected groups from the Taxprep module.

4. Go to Settings/Users/Name of the user/Taxprep/Electronic Services Identification or Preparer Profile and select the default template per user.

The following security role have been added to manage user’s rights for EFILE credentials and Preparer Profiles filtering:

• Tax-Settings-User-Edit templates filtering options

For more information, please watch the CCH iFirm video:

https://go2.wolterskluwer.ca/training-vid-en-ifirm-taxprep-office-division

 

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July 17, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Audit trail – Track who did what and when in a tax return

The audit trail allows you to track all changes made in a tax return and who made them.

To access the audit trail, click the Actions button in the top right corner from the open tax return, then select Audit Trail from the drop-down menu.

The data shown in the table can be filtered by date, users and actions.

This feature also allows you to revert changes back to a previous version of the return.

Clicking the Revert button () will revert data back to the previous version of the return.

The Audit trail – Access security role was added to allow you manage which user can have access to the Audit Trail feature.

Note: For existing returns, the audit trail will only include the data and the actions performed starting on July 18, 2020, i.e., the date on which the Audit Trail functionality was made available.

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June 5, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Scenarios form – Planning tool that allows you to evaluate the current and future tax situation of your clients (T1 only)

The Scenarios form has been enhanced to increase your productivity when you plan the tax situations of your clients for this year or the next.

From the Scenarios form, you can now create different scenarios by either entering data in the current return’s forms or by directly entering data in the Scenarios form without impacting data in the return.

In addition, you can choose to use the current-year rates or the subsequent-year rates. As a result, you can now create different planner scenarios from the Scenarios form directly in the current return without using the Planner mode. The purpose of this enhancement is to provide you with more flexibility when preparing tax planning for your clients.

 

Customizing name conventions for printed or published PDF files

The Customize PDF File section has been added to the tax settings section (Settings/Taxprep). In this section you can customize the name of printed/published PDF files with multiple built-in parameters such as the form name, client code, date, etc. You can customize per tax product.

 

PDF password – Secure the printed PDF file with a password

The Customize PDF File section has been added to the tax settings section (Settings/Taxprep). In this section, you can add a password to any printed PDF file by using the contact identifier as the password, i.e. the SIN for T1, BN for T2 and Account number for T3 and Forms. Note that this new option is not available when publishing the PDF document to the secure CCH iFirm Portal.

 

Return Manager enhancements – View and edit the Notes, Unlock and Manage visibility options

As part of the Return Manager enhancements you can now, in a single click:

• open tax document notes;
• unlock a document; and
• assign/manage visibility for a given tax document.

 

Delete returns in bulk from the Return Manager

The program now allows you to delete the returns from the return manager in bulk. To do so, in the Return Manager, select the returns that you want to delete, click the Actions button and select the Delete option.

You can restore documents that were deleted by error from the Recycle Bin available by clicking the breadcrumb () icon.

Note: After 90 days, returns in the Recycle Bin will be permanently deleted.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

Custom diagnostics – Create your own diagnostics to meet your firm’s needs

Create your own custom diagnostics for each tax product (T1, T2, T3 and Forms). Once you have clicked Settings/Taxprep/Diagnostics, only four easy steps are required to create a custom diagnostic:

1. Diagnostics Details

1. Click the Add diagnostics button.
2. Select Blank custom diagnostic or an existing diagnostic in the Create from drop-down.
3. Enter the diagnostic name, severity type (Info, Warning or Error) and indicate if the diagnostic will be public (visible to all firm’s users) or private (visible only for you).

2. Diagnostic conditions

1. Define the diagnostic conditions using any cell from any form.

3. Diagnostic text

1. Write the diagnostic text in English and/or in French. This text will be displayed in the return when the diagnostic becomes applicable.

4. Diagnostic cell destination

1. Determine to which cell the diagnostic will be linked from the Diagnostic pane when the diagnostic becomes applicable.

The applicable custom diagnostics will be displayed in the Diagnostics pane of the tax document, under the Custom diagnostics filter.

 

T1 Planner tax document – Powerful planning tool that allows you to evaluate the tax situation of your clients for the coming year (T1 only)

The Planner mode allows you to plan scenarios for subsequent taxation years.

The program allows you to create a planner document by rolling forward the current-year tax return. To roll forward a tax return to a planner mode, click the Roll forward button from the Return Manager, then select the latest taxation year to Planner and select the tax return to be rolled forward.

If desired, you can also import data entered in the current-year tax return to the Planner document. To do so, select the Import data entered this year after roll forward check box in the Roll forward dialog box.

After the current-year tax return is rolled forward, a new Planner document will be created and will appear as Planner in the Info column.

Once the T1 planner document is open, the indicators in the breadcrumb and in the header of each form are added to identify that the active document is in Planner mode:

Note that the planner tax document cannot be electronically transmitted to the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec.

The T1 Planner Rates section has been added to the tax settings section (Settings/Taxprep). In this section you can find the T1 Planner Rates table which contains tax, credits and deductions rates as well as other important basic data for the coming taxation year that you can modify.

All created planner documents are linked to the T1 Planner Rates table.

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March 9, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Tax Data Download service – Download tax data from the Revenu Québec Web site (T1 only)

Speed up your tax preparation process by downloading federal and provincial tax data for your clients. In addition to the CRA’s Auto-fill my return (AFR) service, Québec tax data can now be downloaded using the Tax Data Download service. To download federal or provincial tax data, click the RETRIEVE tab.

 

Slips best match – Tax data downloaded from the CRA is now associated with data in existing copies (T1 only)

The program will now match the data in slips downloaded through the Auto-fill my return service with the data in the rolled forward copies of the associated forms. This feature is available for the T3, T4, T4A, T4A(P), T4RIF, T4RSP, T5 and T5007 slips.

In addition, the T5008 slips are now automatically matched by the program to group several downloaded T5008 slips into a single copy to reconcile the downloaded data with data provided by securities brokers.

 

The Overridden data filter was added to the PREPARE tab – List of cells with overridden data

The Overridden data filter can be selected from the View drop-down list of the PREPARE tab to view the list of cells with overridden data.

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February 17, 2020 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Digital Signature Feature – Publish a form to be digitally signed in a single click

The e-signature feature is now fully integrated between CCH iFirm Portal and CCH iFirm Tax. You can publish documents or forms that require your customer’s digital signature in a single click.

To streamline your signature process, a built-in tag was integrated to the forms to indicate where the digital signature must be affixed.

To send a document or form to be digitally signed, click Publish to Portal icon and select Publish current form to Portal or Publish Returns to portal.

To have documents digitally signed, proceed as follows:

1. Select the e-Signature check box.
2. Modify the envelope name, if required.
3. Select the signatory’s name.
4. Select the e-mail template that will be used to advise the customer that they are required to electronically sign the form.
5. Click the Publish button.

After publishing a document, the customer will receive an e-mail inviting them to log in to their portal and complete the digital signature process:

Once the document is signed, the preparer will receive an e-mail advising them that the document is digitally signed. The preparer will be able to access the signed document on the customer’s portal:

For more information, consult the Set Up the Digital Signature Feature help topic.

The following tax forms can currently be electronically signed:

T1 product:

• Form AUTHORIZATION, Authorization/Cancellation request – signature page (formerly T1013)
• Form NR Support, Support of Non-Resident Spouse and Children
• Form ECL, Engagement Letter

T2 product:

• Form AUTHORIZATION, Representative authorization request (formely RC59)
• Form CANCELLATION, Request to cancel authorization for a representative (formely RC59X)

T3 product:

• Form ECL, Engagement Letter

Forms product:

• Form ECL, Engagement Letter
• Form AUTOTAX, Personal Use of Employer’s Automobile

 

Auto-fill my return slips reconciliation (T1 product) – Group downloaded slips into a single slip

The reconciliation feature allows you to group downloaded slips into a single slip. For example, from the CRA Auto-fill my return service you can download many T3 and T5008 slips, which in turn, can be combined per financial institution using the slips reconciliation feature.

Once data is downloaded from the CRA Auto-fill my return service, from the RETRIEVE tab, select the existing copy (or create a new one) in the return where the downloaded data should be imported. This selection will be retained for subsequent downloads using the CRA Auto-fill my return service.

In the following example, three downloaded T3 slips will be imported into the T3-BMO copy:

Moreover, it is possible to create a new copy where the data will be imported. To do so, click the + icon and create the new copy:

This newly created slip will appear in the Import to column and can be selected to reconcile the downloaded slips into a new slip :

 

Custom monitor – Customize the monitor by adding cells from a return

You can now customize the monitor status bar, at the bottom of your screen, by adding any cell from a tax return.

To add a cell to the monitor, right-click the cell that you want to add and click Add cell to monitor, or use the panel to the right of the screen to access the same option:

Reorder cells in the monitor by right-clicking them and moving them left or right. You can also decide which predefined cells should always display in the monitor by clicking the gear icon.

 

Forms Section Navigation (F10) – Quickly jump to a specific section in a form

This feature allows you to quickly access specific sections in a form by pressing F10 or use the panel to the right of the screen and select the Go to section option:

 

Actions button – Multiple actions grouped and accessible from a single location

To facilitate navigation and improve accessibility, actions that can be performed on returns have been grouped under the Actions button drop-down menu in the top-right corner of the screen.

From the return manager:

From the opened document:

Note that the Print to PDF, EFILE and Publish to Portal options are still accessible in the breadcrumb menu.

 

Forms Search (F4) – The last selection made in the Jurisdiction and Type columns is retained.

With this release, the last filter selected in the Jurisdiction and Type columns will be retained depending on tax documents, users and workstations:

In the above example, the user chose to filter the forms associated with the Ontario Jurisdiction.

The next time they open the same document and search for a form, they will only see Ontario forms.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Additional Tax Security Roles – Control who can do what in your firm

With this release, firm administrators can grant or limit access to features in the Taxprep application for individual users.

Here are some examples of the added tax security roles:

Security roles can be assigned from the User Manager page (Settings > Users). The administrator can assign or remove tax security roles from the Security tab of a given user.

For the entire list of available security roles consult the Learn about CCH iFirm Taxprep module security roles help topic.

 

Import/Export – Export or import tax data using Excel

With this release, you can use Excel to import or export tax data.

This is a complement to the CSV format, which is already supported.

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December 2, 2019 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Cell Breakdown feature

A new feature was introduced to create a cell breakdown on any numeric field. It provides you with a detailed calculation of the amount and allows you to create your own calculations.

To add a cell breakdown, when in a numeric cell, you can use the option Breakdown > Add/Edit from the contextual menu or from the right panel by clicking Add/Edit from the Breakdown section.

In addition, a predefined filter was added in the Review tab to identify any cell containing a breakdown:

 

Enhancements to the Print and Publish PDF options

Ability to customize PDF header options - from the tax settings or from the Print return to PDF dialog box, you can now customize options that will print in the header of the PDF printout.

The following header options can be customized:

• Include file name;
• Include date;
• Include time;
• Include another option: Print format name or custom text.

To customize the PDF header options, access Settings > Taxprep > Print settings. The options selected from the Print settings page will apply to all applicable tax returns.

In addition, to facilitate customization, the default selection in Print settings page can be overridden during the print/publish operation by clicking More options from the Print return to PDF dialog box.

Note: This modification will not be saved. For all other tax returns, the selection will continue to be applied.

Ability to create and apply custom watermarks – from the Print settings page (Settings > Taxprep > Print settings), you can create your own watermarks and apply them to any of your print formats.

Watermarks can be applied immediately when printing or publishing from the Print settings page:

Ability to print or publish a return using multiple print formats in a single action - more than one print format can be selected when printing or publishing a tax return.

Ability to modify the print order of print formats – When printing tax returns, the print order of the print formats can be selected by dragging and dropping the print format to the desired location:

In addition, the option Merge PDF files into a single file can now be set in the Print settings page (Settings > Taxprep > Print settings), so that it applies to all tax returns.

 

Ability to add a spouse or a dependant who has an existing return

Spouses or dependants who have an existing return can now be added to a main taxpayer’s return.

To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Open the return of the main taxpayer.
2. From the breadcrumb menu, click Add spouse or Add dependant.
   
   
3. From Existing contact tab, select the contact that you want to add, then select the corresponding return:
   

Note: The tax year of the existing return must be the same as that of the taxpayer return.

Once the return is added (coupled) to the main taxpayer’s return, the initial return of the spouse or dependant is kept in return manager. Depending on your firm’s workflow, you will be able to keep or delete the initial return.

 

Ability to close forms using the Esc shortcut key

The Escape shortcut key now allows you to close the opened form in the Preparer tab.

 

Ability to access previously opened form using the shortcut F6 key

You can now use the F6 shortcut key to open the last accessed form.

 

Return manager - EFILE Status automatic update

If you electronically transmit (EFILE) a tax return from the return manager, the EFILE status will be automatically updated in the return manager once the transmission is complete.

 

Separate Security Roles for Tax Products

With this release, firm administrators can grant or limit access to each tax products by selecting from the following new Security Roles:

Security roles can be accessed from the User Manager section via Settings > Users. From the Security tab of a given user, the administrator can grant or remove tax security roles.

 

The Quick entry feature is now available in the right panel

The Quick entry feature can be enabled or disabled from the right panel:

 

Tax Help

Tax Help is now available in the CCH iFirm Help Centre. To access and consult the CCH iFirm Taxprep Help Centre, click the Help > Help Centre link.

Once on the CCH iFirm Help Centre homepage, click the link for the product from which you want to consult the Help under the CCH iFirm Taxprep Help Centre section.

Note that for the current release, only the CCH iFirm Taxprep T2 Help Centre is available. The CCH iFirm Taxprep Help Centres for the T1, T3 and Forms applications will be available in the next releases.

If you want to search for tax information, perform the search from the Search bar available in the CCH iFirm Taxprep Help Centre.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

Corporation Linking – Link associated or related corporations for purposes of sharing data

This functionality allows you to link the current return with other associated or related corporations to:

• eliminate duplication of information and prevent data entry errors;
• create links between associated or related corporations for purposes of sharing data;
• automatically calculate the optimal allocation between associated or related corporations;
• export data from one completed linked tax return to all other linked returns in a single click.

1. From the Retrieve tab, click Import and link corporations and select the corporations from which you want to import tax data and create a link.
   
   In Schedule 9 Workchart, it is indicated whether the corporation is linked, while the status of the link is indicated in the header (Synchronized or Not synchronized).
   
   If the data is not synchronized, i.e. data was modified in any linked return, click Linked corporations in the header and reimport data by clicking Import the corporations’ tax data.
   
2. The optimal allocation between linked corporations can be found in many forms by entering different scenarios and clicking Calculate button.
   Example for Schedule 23:
   
3. When an associated or related return is completed, export data to all other linked returns by clicking on Linked corporation/Export links and data of the associated returns.
   

For more details, consult the Import and link corporations Help topic.

 

Preparer Profile – Create an unlimited number of preparer profiles for each tax product

Starting with this release, you can create an unlimited number of preparer profiles for each tax product. Therefore, if you have multiple partners or if you work from multiple offices, you can create a different preparer profile for each partner or office.

In addition, you can set one default preparer profile for CCH iFirm user per product. This can be done from the Preparer Profile tab in your user settings (Settings > Users > Add User > Tax > Preparer Profile).

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Workflow – Assign partners, preparers or reviewers to any tax return

This new feature helps you keep track of your tax season by allowing you to assign tax documents to the following roles: preparer, reviewer or partner and allows you to see the firm’s workload in real time.

To assign the return to any user in the firm, proceed as follows:

Creation of the new tax return – in the right panel, you can assign one CCH iFirm user per role as depicted in the following capture:

Assign the existing tax returns to a user from the return manager – from the return manager, one or more existing tax returns can be assigned to the user by clicking More actions > Edit return properties.

In addition, you can easily filter and sort tax returns from the Return Manager based on assigned users and return statuses. As a result, you can easily identify over assigned or under assigned employees and redistribute the workload.

Assign the open tax document to the user – click More actions > Edit return properties to modify a tax document or assign it to a user.

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September 16, 2019 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Deleted returns are now kept in a Recycle Bin for 90 days

A recycle bin was integrated into the application so that deleted returns can be retained in the recycle bin for a maximum of 90 days after deletion. The recycle bin will allow you to restore returns that were deleted by error or permanently delete other returns.

To access the recycle bin, click the More actions menu, located in the top-right corner of the screen.

 

Form search feature – Now more user friendly

As the form search feature is one of the most used, we enhanced its efficiency when searching for forms. Navigating between forms is also more user-friendly. Also, in addition to enhancing the search performance, we added filters to the Jurisdiction and Type columns to help you further refine your search results.

 

Quickly access your last form in a single click (or by pressing F6)

When working in a tax return, you can now easily access the last form that you displayed by clicking Last form under the Form menu on the right panel or by pressing F6. This will allow you to easily navigate to the last form displayed without having to search for it.

 

Edit the predefined print format directly instead of creating copies

Starting with this new version of the application Tax, you can now edit any predefined print format. For example, if you want to add forms to or remove forms from the “Client copy” print format, simply:

1. access the print format that you want to edit;
2. click the Edit the predefined print format button in the bottom-left corner of the Print Format Details – Client copy window;
3. make the desired modifications to the list of forms that will be printed using this print format;
4. click the Save or the Save and close button.

This will allow you to modify any predefined print format without having to first copy it. This will reduce the chances of error when printing a return to PDF as the list of available print formats will only include the print formats you can use.

To discard your modifications, click the Reset to the default version button in the bottom-left corner of the Print Format Details – Client copy window. The print format will be reset to its original state.

 

Enhancements to help you discover new features

This latest version of the application can now provide you with tips on how to use new or existing features. This will allow us to introduce, directly in the application, new features or explain how to use a feature. For example:

Note that in the meantime, a guided tour was created for new users only. As a result, only users created after this new release will be able to access this tour.

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June 3, 2019 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Client letter customization – Now available in the latest version of the Corporate (T2) product

Starting with this new version of the application, you can customize client letters provided or simply create your own. With this new feature, you will be able to easily add your personal touch or the logo of your firm to any letters printed with the returns.

The Client Letters link is now enabled when you access the Settings > Taxprep page. Clicking this link will open the Client Letters Manager, which lists all available client letters.

This feature is currently only available for the T2 product for returns that have a taxation year start in 2017 and later. It will be available for the other products before the end of 2019.

To provide you with all the tools required to create or modify client letters, we added all the related documentation in our Help Centre.

Click here to see the training videos about this feature and many more.

 

Client letter preview – Now available in the Corporate (T2) product

Starting with T2 returns that have taxation year start in 2017 and later, you can preview the client letter from

any opened tax return. This can be done from the Client letter preview view in the Review tab.

 

Access federal/provincial (F8) equivalent forms

To access a federal or a provincial equivalent form, use the Fed/Prov button (or press the F8 key) that was added to the right panel of the application. This will automatically toggle to the equivalent form. As a result, it will save you time when preparing tax returns with provincial forms.

Note that this new feature is available for all products (T1, T2, T3 and Forms) and for all supported tax years.

 

Add notes to tax returns

Starting with this version of the application, you can add notes to your tax returns. This new feature allows you to keep notes added to tax returns even after they have been rolled forward.

In addition, each time a note is added, the application records who added the note and when it was added. This will help you track the many notes added to a document.

To add a note or to access existing notes, you can:

click the Notes option in the menu icon of the Return Manager; or

click the Notes option in the tax return menu, located on the breadcrumb bar when you are in an opened tax return.

Once a note is added to a tax return, the icon will be displayed next to the taxpayer’s name in the return manager to indicate that the tax return contains notes.

Please note that the attached notes are not EFILED.

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March 4, 2019 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Essentials, Advanced and Pro

Import slips – Now available in the Trusts (T3) product

There is a powerful feature in CCH iFirm Taxprep T3 that will allow you to import multiple slips of the same type (from a CSV file) using the Import Slips feature found under the Retrieve tab of the current return.

In addition, using this feature to import all slips for your beneficiaries will significantly speed up the process and prevent users from having to manually enter data in hundreds of slips when most of the time this data can be exported to a CSV file format from other software. Streamlining the process will prevent errors resulting from manual data entry from occurring.

Click here to see the training videos about this feature and many more.

 

Internet File Transfer Identifications – User Settings – Now available in the Trusts (T3) product

A section is now available under the Taxprep tab of the user profile to enter credentials and other mandatory information required to generate and submit the XML files for trusts returns, partnerships returns, or slips to the federal and Québec governments. Mandatory fields are identified with an asterisk (*).

In addition, you will find the Slip Number tab where you can enter the slip number ranges that Revenu Québec authorize you to prepare slips.

You can set your credentials by accessing the Taxprep tab in your user profile, or by clicking Settings/Taxprep, then EFILE Information.

Click here to see the training videos about this feature and many more.

 

Internet File Transfer – Now available in the Trusts (T3) product

With CCH iFirm Taxprep T3, it will be easy for you to submit generated XML files to the federal or Québec governments using the Internet File Transfer system. The application is providing you with all the tools you need to generate the XML files and streamlines the process to easily submit those files to government authorities.

Once the mandatory fields in your user settings fields are correctly completed and the EFILE status of the given slip or form is “Eligible,” you will be able to generate the XML file by using the EFILE button.

Note that you will always be able to retrieve or print the confirmation number from the Details button of any given form in the Tracking tab. Otherwise, it can be done by clicking the EFILE status of the form in the return manager. The Transmission history dialog box also allows you to visualize the XML file that you already sent through the Internet File Transfer process using the View data button.

Click here to see the training videos about this feature and many more.

 

Print slips to PDF – Now available in the Trusts (T3) product

A Print slips to PDF menu item is now available when clicking the PDF button in CCH iFirm Taxprep T3 to make it easier to generate PDF slips for a given data type (Original, Amended, Cancelled). This will allow you to create separate PDF files for the multiple slips copies your client needs to send to all beneficiaries. In addition, if you have the CCH iFirm Portal module, you will be able to send those slips automatically to your client’s portal.

Click here to see the training videos about this feature and many more.

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February 18, 2019 Release

CCH iFirm Taxprep Advanced and Pro Only

Combine filters under the Review tab or in the Export to CSV feature

Another addition to this version of the application is the Combine filters feature, which allows you to create complex filters that can be combined to include and exclude fields associated with the selected filters.

In other words, you could use the Combine filters feature to quickly identify cells matching the desired combination of filters. For example, if based on your firm’s internal process, you must add a comment to all cells with diagnostics that you do not want to clear, you can easily identify cells with diagnostics but no comments using the Combine filters feature. A list including all cells with diagnostics where you did not add comments will display in the grid under the Review tab.

Note that the Combine filters feature is available under the Review tab and as an export filter in the Export to CSV feature.

For more information about this feature, consult the Combine filters topic. You can also access the online Help by clicking Help in the top-right corner of the application.

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CCH iFirm Taxprep Pro Only

Add custom filters to the Review tab and the Export to CSV feature

Starting with this version of the application, you can add Custom Filters that will display under the Review tab and that will allow you to export data using the Export to CSV feature.

When adding a custom filter, the fields associated with this filter will be displayed under the Review tab to help you implement the review process of cells in the return.

Those custom filters are also available in the Export to CSV feature. Those filters can be used to build an export template of cells to complete from outside of the application, for example, when you are working with an SR&ED consultant who needs to complete part of the tax return.

When a custom filter is created, it becomes available to all staff using your Taxprep module for the tax product and the tax year associated with the tax return for which the filter was created.

Even if those filters are associated with a tax product and a tax year, you can always click the Convert tab in the Add a custom filter dialog box to convert a custom filter from another tax year of the current tax product.

For more information about this feature, consult the Create a custom filter topic. You can also access the online Help by clicking Help in the top-right corner of the application.

 

Export tax returns to CSV files

You can now export a CCH iFirm Taxprep return to a CSV file format, which will allow you to export tax data in a standardized format that can be edited in many software programs (e.g. Microsoft^® Excel^®). With the export filters, you can easily export all data entered in a tax return for the current year or simply export data when using the custom filters.

The export functionality can be used when working with external service providers or to exchange tax data with your client. Simply create the CSV file containing the fields to be completed and send it to the provider or your client. They will be able to edit the file in a software program like Microsoft Excel and then return the file to you for import in the tax return.

For more information about this feature, consult the Export data topic. You can also access the online Help by clicking Help in the top-right corner of the application.

 

Import data from CSV files

With this new version of the application, you can import data into tax returns from a CSV file. This will allow you to update data into a tax return without having to manually change the values in the fields.

To be imported, the CSV file must comply with a certain format. To obtain the appropriate format, use the Custom Filters feature and create a filter using the desired fields. You can then export the tax return to a CSV file. This exported file will be your CSV template.

For more information about this feature, consult the Import data from a CSV file topic. You can also access the online Help by clicking Help in the top-right corner of the application.

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