Reconnecting

I have finally gotten an answer on how I would e-file a few corporate returns that file as single companies at the state level.

As I suspected, I would have to use the same EFIN number as the Federal Consolidated Group these companies file as part of. It is amazing how speaking to former colleagues can help one figure out obscure questions like this.

I look forward to filing my first tax returns electronically, hopefully my company can file a good many this way, even some that we can file voluntarily.

My final blog entry on this topic is coming up, I plan on pulling together everything I have discussed and discussing this subject more fully.

Until next time, peace.

New Technological Tax Topic

I would rate myself, on a scale of 1-10 using excel, as maybe a 7.0 or 7.25. Now that I am comfortable using the vlookup function, perhaps even a 7.5 on a scale of 10.0.

I was given the responsibility to automate how certain state tax data is imported into OneSource, the tax processing software used by my company. I had a very good idea how the automatic importation was supposed to work, but I did not have the know-how on how to do it much more efficiently. Learning vlookup helped, but that was not enough.

After speaking to a colleague who gave me a few tips, it made the process of importing data into onesource much easier, which finished my task. The scary thing is all I wound up doing differently was using paste specials, transposing functions, and a new function where a data field is named to make this so much easier to manipulate data. It saved me probably four hours on my project.

It is truly scary what technology is capable of doing sometimes, and how simple functions can really save lots of time.

Spoke to New York Tax Rep Today

The person I spoke with confirmed that the returns that are filed with the state of New York should be e-filed due to state mandate, there does not seem to be any wiggle room there. Guess all I can do is get the returns ready to e-file by doing all is needed from an administrative standpoint.

I get the idea that e-filing is going to be a pain to do the first time, but it should be a snap once the aggravating things that need to be done to set up e-filing get done.

Onward I Go

I am getting closer and closer to e-filing my first tax return. I am right now in the process of contacting one state to see how firm their e-filing mandates really are.

I have found that the company I am working is, as of now, not e-filing several federal returns that may need to be e-filed in at least one state, regardless of whether or not the Federal return is e-filed. A bit of a pain in the you-know-what, but it is just something that has to be dealt with. What this will require me to do is not totally clear, but it will be resolved one way or another.

Until next time, good night. Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July.