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Alert Me Before Authorizing a Return in Basic

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Alert Me Before Authorizing a Return in Basic

Dustyrex

Before automatically authorizing a return (upon printing, efiling, whatever), how about a pop-up box that gives us the chance to either not authorize or confirm the authorization?  I have had instances when I inadvertently tap the right-click on the mouse and it selects "Print Form".  Then it automatically authorizes the return.  (And automatically gives me a useless printout of the input screen without the courtesy of a dialog box -- we all know the "Cancel" button is useless...)  There are legit reasons that I might not want to automatically authorize all returns.   (Maybe that is a return that I set up to do some dummy calculations?  Maybe that client will decide they don't want me to prep their return?)
When I start getting close to the 50 return limit, the software gives me a warning pop up before authorization, so I know this is possible.  I just want the ability to set up that warning before every authorization.  Your customer service didn't have a solution for this when I called, so I am guessing there is not a setting I can tweak from the current options. But that would really be nice to have...because every return that is authorized costs me $$$, so I can't spare any!
Thank you!

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11 Comments
RayK-CPA
Level 2

I would like this also in ProSeries.  I have dummy accounts setup with various client status settings so that I can create view filters in Homebase.  I also have some accounts which I may NOT file when all is said and done for various reasons outside my control in various stages of completion.  There are also cases where prior year returns from prior year which will not be done this year.  If they are family members of clients they may slip through by mistake.  At the end of the day there are many cases in the heat of tax season it's only one click away, not multi step.

taxes96786
Level 9

I doubt PS will do this. You can call a file a dummy return but, PS doesn't look at it that way. Any return you want to print is a valid return regardless of whether you intend to efile it.

RayK-CPA
Level 2

But the point of the warning, is are you sure you want to authorize.  Not to get around printing.  I don't want to print it.  Hit the print button by mistake and it's authorized.  I will set up a file and realize later in short order it's not needed and will delete it, sometimes that take longer, why should a keystroke without benefit of review cost us real money.

Dustyrex
Returning Member

Exactly - the point is that I may not actually *want* to print the return. I’m not trying to print “dummy” returns for free. But the way the right-click functions are set up, ProSeries will automatically authorize and print a page of the return even if I accidentally click on print. I have bumped my mouse by accident and had this happen. And it costs me money once I have to go over my 50 return limit. 
Like I said in my initial post, there is a pop up warning when I start getting close to my maximum # of returns — “are you sure you want to authorize this return?” — I just want that same warning before I authorize any return. 

TaxGuyBill
Level 15

Interestingly, I think most software doesn't let you even start preparing a return without 'authorizing' it, so it is an advantage that ProSeries lets you do that.

I suppose you could use your own SSN for your test returns, so it doesn't authorize a fictitious number.

RayK-CPA
Level 2

Both prior software packages I have used both required a separate step to actually authorize a return if it was not unlimited.  You could do everything but not print anything. If you tried to print it would state that you need to have it authorized and not let you print.  Of course the wording was different but those were the steps. They were like ProSeries tied to the SSN or EIN.

I have better things to do than fool the software vendors by writing down the info and filling out a return by hand and they know it too.

Here is the bottom line.  A suggestion was made, I replied that I too want that suggestion and provided additional reasons for the request.

Who are you to respond as to what the software vendor will do or not due.  I am not making the request to you. (the royal you), I am making it to the vendor.

And if adding this feature brings your (royal your) computer to a crawl and it expires, it's long past the time you need to upgrade your equipment.

Let people make a suggestion to the vendor, and let the vendor decide if it make sense.

 

taxes96786
Level 9

You have to approve the authorization before it will print. If you hit print accidentally then just back out of the authorization box.

RayK-CPA
Level 2

In ProSeries Professional you do not approve the authorization, it is automatic if you print.  The cancel flashes so quickly on my computer there is no chance that you can tap it to cancel.

All that is requested is a simple yes or no to the question "Do you want to authorize this return" 

Every financial transaction on the internet I see, asks you to confirm the transaction before you commit.

taxes96786
Level 9

There is a section here that you can post your wants or suggestions on. Use it instead.

RayK-CPA
Level 2

This is the suggestion section

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