A - STARTING A RETURN

1. Q. How do I start a return?

A. To start a return:

1)  Go to the web site: http://www.taxsoftware.com/product.htm

2)    Click on ACCEPT;

3)    Click on NEW at the top of the page;

4)    Fill in the name and address web page;

5)    Select EXCISE and Tax year 2008 for trucks used before July 1^st 2009 and Tax year 2009 for trucks used after July 1^st 2009 and before July 1^st 2010;

6)    Click on NEXT;

7)    Select the type of form 2290 you want;

8)    Click on NEXT;

9)    Follow these steps until you entered all the information.

For more information please see: http://www.taxsoftware.com/stepbystep_2290.htm and http://www.taxsoftware.com/2290_product.htm

2. Q. When can I use the 2290 simplified Version?

A. You can use the simplified version when you have to file no more than two taxable vehicles, two suspended vehicles and take credit for one vehicle.

B - DATES TO FILE

REMEMBER: FORM 2290 CAN ONLY BE E-FILED ON OR AFTER THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN SERVICE, NEVER BEFORE. 

1. Q. I filed our Form 2290 2009 tax form already.  I have not received the email from the IRS stating whether the file was accepted or rejected.  I did print the electronic transmission page and the done page.  Do I need to wait longer or is there something else I need to do? 

A. The IRS has not started accepting tax year 2009 returns yet. They will start processing the returns on July 1, 2009. We will release your file to the IRS on that date and you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 by e-mail on the same day. Please make sure you have faxed your signed form 8453-EX to 301-320-1216 so your return can be processed with no delays.

2. Q. If I buy a new truck in 2009 does that mean I have to file a 2009 return?

A. Not necessarily. Tax year 2008 goes from July 1st 2008 to June 30th 2009.  Tax year 2009 goes from July 1st 2009 to June 30 2010.

3. Q. I already filed a 2009 return for a truck placed in service before July 1 2009 and it is saying that it is processing for a long time. What should I do?

A. You must use tax year 2008 for any vehicle placed in service between July 1 2008 and June 30 2009. What is the date placed in service? Tax year 2009 is for vehicles placed in service after July 1^st, 2009 until June 2010. The IRS will not process a return before the date the form is due.  So tax year 2009 forms are not due yet. Please select tax year 2008 and E-file again.

C - PRICE

1. Q. What is the price for 2290 software?

A. Our prices are:

Pricing Chart for Form 2290

When you pay for printing, all you get charged is the basic fee of $30. Then when you e-file you pay for the e-filing fee difference.

We also offer full service for $250. With full service you just email us your data, and we prepare and e-file your Form 2290 for you.

2. Q. Do you have any bulk discount or unlimited filing price for professional preparers?

A. If you have an EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number), you can buy a package with 100 returns for $750, which gives you the price of only $7.50 per return.  For information on how to obtain an EFIN please go to http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=109646,00.ht

Please see: http://www.taxsoftware.com/Businessreturnpackage.htm

D - SUSPENDED VEHICLES

1. Q. I need to suspend 3 vehicles that are less than 7,500, how do I do this?

A.   A. To suspend vehicles just start a new return and enter them on Schedule 1, Part II.

E - STAMPED SCHEDULE 1

1. Q. When I print my form 2290 from your web site I only see 5 VINs on Schedule 1. I have entered a lot more than that. How do I get a Schedule 1 with all the VINs I entered? Are all my VINs going to be transmitted to the IRS?

A. Your official Stamped Schedule 1 will come to you by e-mail as soon as your file is accepted by the IRS. That means you must e-file it first. The form that you are printing from our web site is just for your records. They are not proof of e-filing.

2. Q. I filed my form 2290 with you and I did not receive my stamped Schedule 1. When will I receive my stamped receipt?

A.   A. You will get your Form 2290 Stamped Schedule 1 with all VIN numbers listed after you E-file.

If you need to check the VIN numbers before you e-file please do so on the CSV spreadsheet or on the screen.

To e-file:

1)     From the same computer where you entered your data click on ACCEPT:

http://www.taxsoftware.com/product.htm

2)     Click on ACCEPT. You will be on the start web page.

3)     You must print and sign, and fax or e-mail Form 8453-EX.

4)     Click on the file, and then press the EFILE button. The return is not e-filed until you press the "EFILE" button.

5)     Then you must press the CONFIRM button. If the CONFIRM button does not show up your popup blocker may prevent it from popping up. It pops up in a new window. You can try to disable your popup blocker. Or you can manually launch the web page from Internet Explorer with the Browse button to find the file c:\btax\senddata.html If there is a balance due press the "Click to Pay".

6)     You will receive an email within one business days indicating your forms have been ACCEPTED.

7)     If you do not receive this email, your forms have NOT been E-Filed. The E-Mail will contain and acknowledgement file #. You will need this number for proof of your E-File if you need to later contact the IRS.

8)      If there is any problems with your return or the IRS requires additional information you will receive an email indicating the file was REJECTED.

9)     Then you need to return to the web site and fix any errors. You can see your IRS errors on the REVIEW screen by pressing the ERRORS button

3. Q. I went to the DMV and they did not accept the receipt that your web site gave me because they said it does not say that the taxes were paid.

4. Q. The DMV said that they cannot accept that piece of paper, it is not sufficient proof of filing and anyone could have printed that.

5. Q. The copy you sent back to me was stamped received.  I am concerned why did we not get a copy stamped paid and/or accepted.

A. According to the IRS rules the receipt that you get by e-mail is sufficient proof of payment.  If you have any problems, please give us the name and phone number of the person at the DMV who gave you the trouble and we will inform the IRS.  They will have it taken care of.

6. Q. When I print my for from the web site and from the e-mail it comes out blank, even if the numbers are showing on the Adobe file that I see on the screen. How do I correct this?

A. When you are using ACROBAT, make sure the ANNOTATIONS or COMMENTS box is checked on the print dialog screen. Also, make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat. Earlier versions of Acrobat may not print correctly.  If you have a color printer, please make sure you have blue ink, or select it to print black only. On version 8.0 you must select “Document and Markups” in the box for “Comments and Forms.”  For more information please see: http://www.taxsoftware.com/adobeprinterdialog.html  

F - ENTERING VINS ON SCHEDULE 1

1. Q. How do I enter multiple VINs on Schedule 1?

A. On the screen below you can enter multiple VINs.  Start by entering one.  See the word “New#2” below the name you just entered in the Name 1 box and is showing inside the list box at the top of the page;

Click on the “New#2” work and fill out the second return’s information below.

Follow these steps until you entered all the returns

2. Q. Could you tell me how to file part II of Schedule 1 on form 2290?  I had e-filed last year and didn’t even think about the exempt trucks, now I need to file that in order to get my license plates.

A. To enter suspended vehicles, please just go to Schedule 1, Part II and enter the first VIN on the line highlighted in yellow.

To enter the second vehicle click on New #2, and enter the VIN on the yellow highlighted line.

Proceed this way until you have entered all the VINs. Click on next to get to the end of the return. If you are filing only suspended vehicles at this time (with a zero tax balance), please select EFTPS as form of tax payment.

3. Q.  I got an error saying that I must have a valid VIN. Can you explain?

A. Your Form 2290 was rejected because you did not enter any VIN numbers. Please fix and E-file again.

Please go back to the web site and EDIT your tax return and Click on NEXT and fill in each web page.

To Edit:

1)            From the same computer where you entered your data:

http://www.taxsoftware.com/product.htm

2)            Click on ACCEPT;

3)            Click on the file inside the gray box, and then click on the "Edit" icon at the top.

4)            If you have errors to correct, the errors will show.

5)            Click “NEXT”

6)            You can edit your return as many times as you want, until you are sure it is correct.  Make sure you print and check it before you e-file.  There is no limit of time for you to have access to you return, but make sure you follow the IRS deadlines.

G - ADDITIONAL FILINGS/ADDING TRUCKS PLACED IN SERVICE

1. Q. How do I add a new truck that I just bought after July 1^st?

A. To enter a truck that was bought after July 1, 2009, you must start a new return.

On Part I, question 1, you will enter the date you started using the truck as shown in the example.

Then on the following page you will list the truck and the computation of the tax will be based on the date you entered on the page above.

If you have any more trucks that were bought or placed in use on the same month, you can enter them all in this return. 

Each starting month calls for a separate return.

2. Q. How do I amend my 2008 2290 return.  We had a vehicle that went over the 5000 miles in April so I need to pay the tax on that vehicle only.

A.This is not an amended return. Just start a new return and enter that one vehicle on Schedule 1.

Select a tax payment method.

Then e-file your return.

3. Q. How do I pay for an additional return after the first one was already accepted?

A. If your return was previously ACCEPTED and you are doing an additional filing, you must start a new return and enter the information like before entering only the additional trucks.

When you are done, please highlight the new file and click on the EFILE button. Then on the CONFIRM SEND button as shown below.

After that, you will see a screen that says CLICK HERE TO PAY. Please click on there to make the payment for this e-filing.

4. Q. I have e-filed three returns at the same time. I made payment on the first one but was never required/asked to make payment on the others. What should I do?

A. Please wait for each of the filings to get accepted before you e-file the next one. Otherwise the latest file will override the previous one.

H - TAX PAYMENT/ PAYMENT METHOD

1. Q. I filed my return with you but the IRS has not taken the money out of my account yet. How can I check if the filing went through?

A. You can call the IRS at 1-866-255-0654 press 1 then press 2 then press 4  and give them your submission ID to confirm that you Filed and paid the Form 2290.

You can also call your bank and see if they rejected the payment.

2. Q. What is the information that the bank need in order to authorize EFTPS transactions?

A. Below is the information a taxpayer needs to provide your Financial Institution in order to allow EFTPS debit payments:

3. Q. I am I Canada. Will my bank account go through on the e-filing?

4. Q. My return was rejected because the account number does not match the database. How can I fix this? I am in Canada.

A. Your return was rejected because your routing number is not matching the IRS database.  Most Canadian banks have an alternate routing number that matches the American standards. Please contact your financial institution and request their American routing number. The IRS has also made available a phone number for International filers of form 2290: 512-416-7750 that could assist you with this issue. You must change the routing number in your return and e-file again.

You have also the option of paying by check.  Just check that option on the Form 8453-EX screen and mail the check to the IRS as soon as your return is accepted. 

5. Q. How do I select the method of payment for my taxes due? Which are my choices?

A. You can select among ACH, EFTPS or check.

To pay your taxes through a bank account, you must check "Check here to pay electronically with this tax return," and line 4b.

Click on NEXT and enter your bank account on the screen shown below.

Then click on NEXT.

6. Q. Can I pay my taxes by check? What is the procedure?

A.  If you would like to mail a check to the IRS to pay for your taxable vehicles, please make sure to mail your check along with your payment voucher (http://www.taxsoftware.com/2290paymentvoucher.pdf) before you e-file your form 2290 return.  To avoid late penalties the IRS must receive the paper check BEFORE you E-file your Form 2290. Both your payment voucher and your form 8453-EX will print as part of your return when you use the PRINT ALL command from the Start Page. When you are paying taxes by check the signed form 8453-EX is mandatory, a PIN will not be enough for the IRS. Besides form 8453-EX, you also must write a letter to the IRS (please see example below). Then you must scan the letter and your signed form 8453-EX, in PDF format, and e-mail to help@taxsoftware.com. Please do not fax the letter or form 8453-EX to us.  To make sure your letter gets sent to the IRS, we need to process both letter and form 8453-EX manually.

SAMPLE LETTER

Internal Revenue Service

P.O. Box 804525 

Cincinnati, OH 45280-4525

Ref.: EIN (number)

Dear Sir or madam:

This letter is to inform that we will be paying our excise tax due by check (check number) in the amount of $(amount).

I - PAYMENT DATE ERRORS

1. Q. I received the following rejection message.

Reject the "RequestedPaymentDate" in the IRS Payment Record must not be later than the date the return was received and must not be prior to five days before the date the return was received by the IRS. AT /efile:Return/efile:ReturnData/efile:IRSPayment2/efile:RequestedPaymentDate

How do I fix the errors?

A. Your tax return was rejected because the payment was made too far in the future. Please fix the payment date and E-file again. 

J - OPTIONS FOR TAKING CREDIT ON THE CREDIT AMOUNT STATEMENT

1. Q. After I paid taxes for a vehicle, I realized I didn't need to pay it because it's only getting used one month during the tax period and would be classified as suspended for use under 5,000 miles. I filed the form 2290 through your site and it was accepted by the IRS. Now I need to pay taxes on a different vehicle.  How do I correct that?

A. You can take a credit for the vehicle that was used less than 5,000 miles.  To enter credits for vehicles you paid taxes on and used for less than 5,000 miles, please use part I line 5.  Click on the Schedule button next to Credit Amounts Statement.

This screen will pop up.  If you have just a few entries, you can just enter your data on the screen. On a) enter “used for less than 5’000 miles”, on b) enter the VIN, on c) enter the date you removed the vehicle from service, and on d) enter the amount of credit you think you are entitled to.

Click on BACK and then on NEXT.  On Schedule 1 enter the new VINs that you are payment taxes on.

Then click on NEXT until you get to the payment of tax information.  Enter a form of payment for the balance due. Please make sure you have a zero or positive balance. The IRS will not accept a return with a negative balance. In that case, you can save your remaining credit for later.

2. Q. How to I claim credits for vehicles that were sold last year or put out of service?

A. To enter credits for vehicles you sold last year, or put out of service on your 2290, or used for less than 5,000 miles, please use part I line 5.  Click on the Schedule button next to Credit Amounts Statement.  

This screen will pop up.  If you have just a few entries, you can just enter your data on the screen.

Or you can click on the EXPORT button and create a spreadhseet if you have a very large numer of vehicled to request credits for.

Then enter a) explanation on column 500, b) Vin on column 510, c) Date sold on column 510 and amount of credit on d) column 520.

Once you have entered the data and saved your spreadsheet, just import again.

If you enter the data directly on the screen, just click on BACK and continue with your return.

You will be charged for our filing fee again.

3. Q. I filed my 2290 return but made a typo on one or many of the VIN number(s). How do I correct this problem?

A. You can correct your VINs by entering the incorrect ones on Part I line 5.

Please make sure to start a new return first.

Then, on Part I line 5, click on the Schedule button next to Credit Amounts Statement.

This screen will pop up.  Enter a) explanation as WRONG VIN,

b) Enter actual wrong VIN #,

c) Date you used to file before, when first placed in use.

On d) enter the amount of tax paid.

Click on BACK and then on NEXT.  On Schedule 1 enter the correct VINs.

Then click on NEXT until you get to the payment of tax information.  All the amounts will even out.

Select EFTPS if the balance due is zero and e-file again. 

You will be charged for our filing fee again.

4. Q. I filed my 2290 return but entered the incorrect weight, so I paid less taxes than I should have. How do I correct this problem?

A. You can correct your return by using the Credit Amounts Statement on Part I line 5.

Please make sure to start a new return first.

This screen will pop up.  Enter a) explanation as WRONG WEIGHT,

b) Enter actual VIN #,

c) Date you used to file before, when first placed in use.

On d) enter the amount of tax paid.

Click on BACK and then on NEXT.  On Schedule 1 enter the correct VINs with the correct weights.

Then click on NEXT until you get to the payment of tax information.  Enter a form of payment for the balance due.

You will be charged for our filing fee again.

K - FORM 8453-EX

1. Q. What does this message mean?

Reject If the signature option "Binary Attachment 8453 Signature Document" is selected (the element "SignatureOption" in the Return Header has a value of "Binary Attachment 8453 Signature Document"), then a binary attachment with Description "8453 Signature Document" must be present. AT /efile:Return/efile:ReturnHeader/efile:SignatureOption

A.Your tax return was rejected because you did not fax a signed Form 8453 to 301-320-1216. Form 8453 is your signature page and it is required in order to process your tax return. 

When you are using ACROBAT, make sure the ANNOTATIONS or COMMENTS box is checked on the print dialog screen. Also, make sure you are using Acrobat 5.05 or later. Earlier versions of Acrobat may not print correctly.  If you have a color printer, please make sure you have blue ink, or select it to print black only. On version 7.0 you must select “Document and Markups” in the box for “Comments and Forms.”For more information please see: http://www.taxsoftware.com/adobeprinterdialog.html

After you fax your form please e-file your return again.

2. Q. If I have a PIN number do I have to fax a copy of form 8453-EX?

A. We always like to have a copy of form 8453-EX in case the IRS asks for it.

L - AMENDED RETURNS

1. Q. For what reason (s) can I amend a return?

A. You can only amend a return for the following reasons:

(a) additional tax from an increase in taxable gross vehicle weight;

(b) suspended vehicles exceeding the mileage use limit; or

(c) you want to change your payment option from EFTPS to ACH or correct and ACH payment that bounced;

Do not amend a return for any other reason.

2. Q. How do I amend a return?

A. Please follow the instructions below. 

When you get to this page on your return, please select AMENDED RETURN.

Then click on NEXT and enter your previous transmission ID and the month of acceptance and in the example below.

The acceptance ID will be on the e-mail that was sent to you at the same time you received your stamped copy of schedule 1. 

Click on NEXT and switch the order of the two first VINs in your schedule 1. If you don’t switch the order of the VINs the return will be rejected.

Make any other changes in the payment method you may have.

If you have made a payment of your taxes in your previous file using ACH, please change it to EFTPS to avoid double payment.

Fax your form 8453-EX again to 301-320-1216.

Then e-file again.  There will be an extra charge.

M - ERROR MESSAGES

1. Q. I received this error message. What does it mean?

A.   A. Your return is rejected because you have an invalid date on the statement below.

Please enter the date as MM/MM/YYYY.

Please correct your error and e-file again.

2. Q. What does the error message below mean?

A.   A. It means that if you checked box 8b on Part II of form 2290,

you must also complete Part II of Schedule 1 with the VINs that you are suspending from taxes.

3. Q. What does this error message mean?

Reject Form 2290, Taxpayer TIN and tax period, Schedule 1 (Form 2290), Part I, the first "VIN" and its "Category" must not be the same as that of a previously accepted Form 2290 return.

A. This means that one or more VINs in your return were in another previously filed return for the same tax period. 

4. Q. What does this error message mean?

Reject Form 2290, Taxpayer TIN and tax period, Schedule 1 (Form 2290), Part I, the first "VIN" and its "Category" must not be duplicate in the same return.

A.This means that one or more VINs in your return are repeated somewhere in the return. They could either be duplicated on Schedule 1 Part I, or be in both Schedule 1 Parts I and II.  Please use the check box at the bottom of the Tax Computation page to figure out what is (are) the duplicate(s) VIN(s).

If you have the same VIN in both Parts I and II of Schedule 1, you must remove it from one of them. You cannot file a VIN that is taxable and suspended at the same time.

N - NAME CONTROL

1. Q. What does this error mean?

Reject Filer's EIN and Name Control in the Return Header must match data in the e-File database, unless "Name Change" or "Name or address change" checkbox is checked, if applicable. AT /efile:Return/efile:ReturnHeader/efile:Filer/efile:EINYour return was rejected because of a NAME CONTROL error. The IRS uses the NAME CONTROL to verify the taxpayer’s id in their database.

A.NAME CONTROL consists of up to four alpha and/or numeric characters determined from the information on the first name line, used to validate the EIN or the SSN. 

Please go to http://www.taxsoftware.com/sa/namecontrol.htm

To see a more detailed explanation of NAME CONTROL.

O - UPDATING FILE FOR NEXT TAX SEASON

1. Q. I have been using your program all year and I am wondering for the upcoming year (2009) will I be entering all the information again or is there a way to open what I have and change the date to the July 09 / June 10 date?

A. Yes, you can roll over the information. All you have to do is select that file that is in your computer and click on the EDIT button to modify the return.

If you would like to keep both copies, please click no the COPY button first and then on the EDIT button.

After that, please just make sure you change the tax year on the Name and Address page to 2009

And update the date on question 1 for tax year 2009 because it may not change automatically.

Also make sure to update all the dates on the signature page and payment page.

P - ADJUSTING PAYMENT AMOUNTS/OVERRIDING

1. Q. I received the rejection error below. What does it mean?

A.You cannot have a negative balance on a form 2290. If you have more credits to take than taxes to pay at this time, you can save the credits for a later filing. Please remove the credits now to have the most a zero balance and e-file again.

2. Q. What does this error mean?

Reject And Stop The XML data has failed schema validation. XSV code: {com.tibco.xml.validation}SIMPLE_E_MUST_BE_GREATER_THAN_OR_EQUAL. XSV message: data "-0.31" must be greater than or equal to "0.00". AT /efile:Return[1]/efile:ReturnData[1]/efile:IRS2290[1]/efile:BalanceDue[1]

A.You cannot file a return with a negative tax amount due. If you are requesting a larger amount of credit than the amount of taxes you owe, you can remove some of the credit from the Credit Statement and save it for later use.  If the amount of credit is less than one dollar more than the amount of taxes due, please follow the instructions below. 

On the Name and address page, please check the box to allow overrides and click on NEXT.  

Then double click on the credits field and override to match the amount of taxes. Please only do that if you have a difference of less than one dollar.

E-file the return again after that.

Q - REFUND POLICY

1. Q. I didn’t get a stamped copy so I went to the IRS and e-filed there. Can I get a refund now?

A. We have e-filed your return and it was rejected by the IRS for missing form 8453-EX. We charge our processing fee either you get accepted or not. We contacted you to remind you to fax your form 8453-EX to us. Once you fax your form you receive your stamped schedule 1 within 10 minutes. The IRS will not process your return without your signature page.

We cannot refund a return after it has been e-filed, but you can get a credit to use on your next 2290 e-filing.

Unfortunately, we did not obtain a response from you to finalize your process. Your return can still get accepted as long as you follow the instructions on the e-mails that were sent to you and fax your form 8453-EX to 301-320-1216.

R - TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

1. Q. The browser just closed on me with and error what do I do?

A. Please go to your CONTROL PANEL and select to remove all your old versions of Java. If you have Vista, select PROGRAMS AND FEATURES to remove any software.

Then make sure you have the latest java installed from here:

http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

Then under Tools/Internet Options advanced, make sure all Microsoft java is unchecked:

Also, make sure you have added our web site to trusted sites list:

http://www.taxsoftware.com/security_configuration.htm

Then go back and see if you can see the start web page now:

http://www.taxsoftware.com/start.html

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________________

      Unlimited  free customer support is available via e-mail.  Please e-mail to help@taxsoftware.com  if you have any questions about our products or income tax forms.    __________________________