Using TaxWise Desktop EFINs to Train with TaxWise Online

During the Summer/Fall period the Client ID associated with a Desktop TaxWise Software EFIN may be used to access the TaxWise Online Training Site to allow people to experience and train with TaxWise Online. This document is intended to be a guide to that process.

The Basic Process

  1. Open Internet Explorer and go to the URL twonline.taxwise.com/training
  2. On the TaxWise Online login screen use the Client ID associated with the desktop software site
  3. The initial User should be Admin (capitalization is not necessary)
  4. This Admin User is the same Admin User that has previously been used to login to the Customer Support website to, for example, download updates, or get reports for the desktop software for this EFIN
  5. The password should be whatever has been used previously to login to the customer support site (See further in this document for troubleshooting associated with the Admin User)
  6. You will be asked to accept the CCH TWO license agreement
  7. Note if User IDs in this Client ID already exist they will not be allowed to use TWO (even in training mode) until the license agreement has been accepted by the Admin User
  8. Once logged on you will be at the TWO start page
  9. The Admin User cannot create tax returns, therefore the next step is to create a regular User
  10. Click the “Manage Users” icon
  11. Click “Create New User”
  12. Fill out the form.
  13. All the fields will need to be filled out
  14. Note: Users cannot be deleted from TWO, only disabled, so any users that you create here will forever be in this EFIN/Client ID and will carry forward to the real TWO if you decide to use it even in future years, so give some thought to selecting User names
  15. Leave the role as “Return Preparer” if that is all that is desired
  16. Add the Super User role if it is desired to try the ERO transmitting/ACK process in training mode
  17. Logout from the Admin User (the logout icon is at the top right)
  18. Login in as the User that was just created. The first time login the password is the same as the User ID (make sure exact capitalization for the defined User Name is followed for this password)
  19. You will be asked to create a new password with a secret question.(Note that this is a real User ID that stays around if you decide to change to TWO so the system will require that you follow the requirements for real passwords on the real TWO system ; e.g., the new password must not already be in use by another User).
  20. You will now see the start page with the “New Return” icon at the top left of the screen and if the User has been defined as a SuperUser the “Transmit E-files” icon will also be present
  21. Start a new return. The last 4 digits of the Social Security number must be the last 4 digits of the EFIN for the site.

Admin User Troubleshooting

The most likely problem with the above scenario is gaining initial access with the “Admin” User since in many cases the Admin User and password may never have been used for an EFIN or may be unknown to anyone currently involved with the site.

  1. The EFIN, Client ID, registration code and, depending on the situation, the “responsible official” defined in the IRS STARS database must be known. These should be available from your TCS or IRS SPEC.
  2. If the password is unknown or entered incorrectly 3 times, you will be given an opportunity to reset it. To do this, the answer to the secret question must be known, in which case the password can be reset.
  3. IMPORTANT NOTE - when the password for the Admin User is reset. The first time that you logon as the Admin User the password will be the registration code for the desktop software (no hyphens) NOT the password for regular Users.
  4. If the secret question and answer are not known, you will need to call CCH to get the password reset. You must be the person in the CCH records to whom the software is registered. They will verify this via an e-mail exchange. Request the “Administrator Password Reset Request Certification” document to speed your interchange with CCH.
  5. Becoming the Admin User when the person who previously filled this function has moved on, or is unknown, is more complex. First, the local SPEC needs to be contacted by the responsible Tax-Aide official (usually the TCS) with a request that they update CCH’s records. Then, when you contact CCH and are properly identified, you will be able to log in and create a new password.

AARP Tax-AidePage 1 of 2

National Technology CommitteeSeptember 2010