Using MACROs will save you keystrokes when entering tax returns. If you used TaxSlayer Pro the previous tax season, when installing the program in the current season you are prompted to pull your MACROs forward during the initial configuration. Otherwise, to create or edit a MACRO entry, from the Main Menu of TaxSlayer Pro select:
- Configuration
- Advanced Configuration (Macros)
- MACRO (Most Common) Setup
Default State on W-2s and 1099-Rs - Enter the default state to be selected in the State section of Form W-2 and Form 1099-R entry screens. This can save entry time if the majority of the W-2s and 1099-Rs you enter are from the same state. You can always manually change the state indicated on the W-2 or 1099-R input if withholding is from a different state. Important: To avoid an e-file rejection, be sure to remove the state if there is no state withholding on a W-2.
Default Locality on W-2s and 1099-Rs - Enter the default locality to be included in the Locality field of Form W-2 and Form 1099-R entry screens. This can save entry time if the majority of the W-2s and 1099-Rs you enter include the same locality information. You can always manually change or remove the locality indicated on the W-2 or 1099-R input as needed.
Important: To avoid an e-file rejection, be sure to remove the locality if there is no locality withholding on a W-2.
Entering these items here will save keystrokes in the return as well as prevent typographical errors. These lists are also populated with info as you create returns.
- W-2 Employers/1099R Payers
- Interest/Dividend Payers
- K-1 Entities
- Charitable Organizations
- Child Care Providers
- Banks
If a list is empty and TaxSlayer Pro data from the prior year is on the same computer, you can pull forward last year's lists. While in the menu for the particular macro list, click the Other button, then choose the Pull command in the next menu.
Print MACRO's - Selecting this option will allow you to print out the list of macros for the above entries.
Phone Descriptions - You can assign unique names to the three phone numbers that appear in the Personal Information menu in a return, for example, Home, Office, and Cell. These names also show on the Client Form Listing Summary printed with the return. Additionally, if you're using Twilio for text messaging, labeling the field it looks to for the cell number is helpful so preparers know where to enter the cell number.
State Locality Menu - Some states have locality taxes and wages withheld on Form W-2s. TaxSlayer Pro by default skips over the locality fields since most states do not require locality information. Select the states that you want the program to not skip over the locality information section on the Form W-2 entry screen.
Depreciation Categories - Here you can create asset categories to be assigned to assets when using the Depreciation Module in Schedules C, E, and F. Assigning assets to categories helps organize the depreciation schedules.
Return Status Tags - Here you can create tags that can be used to help organize returns in the Client List. The tag can be assigned to the return in the Receipt Menu after exiting the return, and it displays in the Return Tags column in the Client List. Click here for more information about how you can use return status tags.
Referral Options - Here you can create referral tags to help track returns by referrer. The tag can be assigned to the return in the Receipt Menu after exiting the return, and a report listing returns by referral tag can be printed from the Reports Menu. Click here for more information about how you can use referrals.