Tax Professional Newsletter (01/26/2018)

Updates, new resources, and reminders for tax professionals

Welcome to the 2018 income tax filing season! We plan to send you timely and useful information throughout the season, including:

• new or updated applications (like the 1099-G verification procedure);
• new procedures (for example, the updates to our driver license requirement); and
• new resources (such as the individual recordkeeping pages developed by our Audit team).

Update to 1099-G lookup

We’ve updated our 1099-G application with a new verification procedure to enhance security for taxpayers.

You or your client will need one of their New York State income tax returns (Form IT-201, IT-201-X, IT-203 or IT-203-X) filed for one of the past five years. You must enter the total payments amount from the return you use for verification.

Note: If the total payments amount is zero, contact us for assistance.  If your client has authorized you with an E-ZRep Form TR-2000 or a POA-1, you may call the Tax Professional Hotline on your client's behalf at 518-457-5451

Driver license requirement for Tax Year 2017

We've updated your driver license information page. Changes for tax year 2017 include the following:

• If your client has a spouse, you must include the spouse’s information as well.
• For tax year 2017—for New York State issued licenses and ID’s only—enter only the first three characters of the document number.

New recordkeeping guidance for individuals

Our Audit team delivered a clear message to our tax professional audiences for the 2017 filing season:

"To avoid delays in processing returns, claim only the credits, income and deductions your clients can provide required documentation for."

If your clients get an inquiry letter from us (or the IRS) they must supply the acceptable proof. 

To help you and your clients determine whether they may claim certain credits, income, or itemized deductions, review our Individual recordkeeping page and detailed checklists for the required documentation.

Estimated Tax Payments

To avoid delays in processing your client’s return, the Tax Department encourages you to review your client's estimated tax payment balance with them before you file. If there are discrepancies, reconcile any errors using Form IT-2105.1, Reconciliation of Estimated Tax Account for Individuals.

You can view your client’s payment balance from your Tax Professional account if your client has provided you with a signed E-ZRep Form TR-2000, Tax Information Access and Transaction Authorization.

For more information visit: Estimated taxes.

Tax Professional Online Services Accounts

Our Online Services team is keeping you updated by email on the enhancements they're making to your Tax Professional account.

You've had some questions for us and we've addressed them for you on our Updates to your tax professional account page. Email the Outreach team if you have additional questions at Outreach Services.

Plan ahead: Online Services will conduct system maintenance from 6 a.m. on Friday, February 2, until 9 a.m. on Monday, February 5. You will be unable to log in or create an account during this period. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.