Client Lookup When Starting A New Return

[duzzy]

I have used programs that automatically checked for clients with matching name/SSN/DOB when starting a new return. the main screen had options like start a new return, resume return in progress, check submitted returns and at the bottom was a listing of returns. When you clicked on one of the options at the top, it brought up a small window to enter name, SSN, & DOB. When you hit submit, if there was already a return started that matched, it came up and you clicked on it and finished the return. If there were no matching returns started, but the info matched a file from previous years, you had the option to start the return with last years info or start a new file and if it didn't match anything, you selected filing status, clicked ok, then the return opened in a new screen. I don't know how many hours I have wasted completing an entire return just to find out that one had already been started. It is VERY frustrating.

[RMeers]

I 100% agree with this. Especially with all the nuances of the various HomeBase views and how slow they react, or don't react at all, to a search from the HomeBase view itself.

[Jamiesumsitup]

SPOT ON! I hate when I get to saving a return and it says we already have one. ATX  and Drake both start your return by forcing the ss# and name to save immediately so you are warned of possible duplication.

[TaxGuyBill]

It sounds like your workflow is very different than mine, so I'm trying to understand how that happens.  Could you please explain how a return was already prepared?  Did another preparer in your firm do it?  If so, why did that preparer indicate it was a work in progress?

[duzzy]

Sometimes it has already been started and not finished or completely done and sometimes it is just the extension that has been filed. It is an issue that most other tax prep software companies have addressed. I'm actually surprised that Intuit has not addressed the issue already.