Transmitting electronic returns and retrieving acknowledgments using CS Connect

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Web text: acks

You can use CS Connect to transmit electronic files for returns and extensions, as well as to retrieve electronic filing acknowledgments.

Every return transmitted is acknowledged by the receiving agency (such as the IRS) via the return of an acknowledgment (ACK) file to the transmitter. The acknowledgment file is a record of whether the transmitted returns have been accepted or rejected, along with any errors discovered by the receiving agency. The ACK contains a postmark date and an acknowledgment issued by agency date. The transmitter generally receives this file from the agency within two days of transmitting the returns.

When Thomson Reuters is the transmitter, these acknowledgments are made available through CS Connect 15 minutes after they are received from the agency.

If your firm uses multiple installations of UltraTax CS and/or multiple file locations, please see Electronic filing with multiple installations of UltraTax CS and/or multiple data locations for details on issues that can occur with these configurations.

Video overview

The following video outlines the process of transmitting an electronic file as described in the steps below.

Transmitting electronic returns

To transmit electronic returns (and 1040, 1120, 1065, 990, or 1041 electronic extensions), follow these steps.

For security purposes, electronically filing a return or extension from CS Connect requires you to verify your account via multi-factor authentication (MFA), which uses our TR Authenticator mobile app. To avoid interrupting the e-filing process, enable MFA for the account you use to sign in to UltraTax CS now.

Notes

  1. Click the CS Connect button on the UltraTax CS toolbar, or choose Utilities > CS Connect to open the CS Connect dialog.
  2. In the Options tab, click the Electronic Filing: ($) Transmit returns switch to set it to Yes.

    Notes

    • This switch is available only after you  create electronic files.
    • If you do not have MFA enabled for the account you use to sign in to UltraTax CS, you will be prompted to set up MFA on your account before you can transmit e-files.
  3. Click the Electronic Filing tab to view a list of electronic returns ready for transmission.

    Note: The Electronic Filing tab is available only after you set the Electronic Filing: ($) Transmit returns switch to Yes in the Options tab.

  4. In the Clients available to transmit pane, highlight the clients whose returns you want to transmit during the next CS Connect session, and click the Select button. The selected clients move to the Clients queued to transmit pane.

    Notes

    • If the electronic file is a FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) return, FBAR displays in the Product column.
    • To remove a client from the list of returns queued to transmit, highlight the client name, and then click the Remove button.
    • To delete an electronic file from UltraTax CS, highlight the client name in the Clients available to transmit pane, and then click the Delete button.
  5. After all returns you want to transmit are listed in the Clients queued to transmit pane, click the Options tab. The selected returns are now queued and ready for transmission to us using CS Connect.

    Notes

    • The number of electronic files queued is indicated to the right of the Transmit returns switch in the Options tab.
    • We highly recommend that you lock the Electronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgements switch so that acknowledgments are retrieved with each CS Connect session.
  6. Click the Connect button. You will be prompted to verify your login via the Thomson Reuters Authenticator app on the mobile device you paired with your account. After you confirm your credentials, UltraTax CS will transmit the returns that are listed in the Clients queued to transmit pane in the Electronic Filing tab.

    Note: Available acknowledgments are retrieved if you set the Electronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgements switch to Yes.

Note: If you discover a mistake or omission in a return after transmitting the return, you can attempt to recall the return.

Retrieving acknowledgments via CS Connect

UltraTax CS will automatically re-send e-file acknowledgements when there has been no activity for over 24 hours. To manually retrieve acknowledgments from Thomson Reuters using CS Connect, follow these steps.

Notes

  • If the electronic file is a FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) return, you will receive an acknowledgment from the BSA E-Filing System. The BSA E-Filing System processes FinCEN Form 114 electronic files and transmits acknowledgments to Thomson Reuters within one business day, per the FBAR Electronic Filing Technical Overview, pages 24 and 26. The acknowledgments are then available for download via CS Connect.
  • For 1040 and 1041 returns, acknowledgments are normally processed by the IRS within 24 to 48 hours from the time you send the return. If you use the UltraTax CS Electronic Filing utility and do not receive an acknowledgment within this timeframe, there may be a processing delay at the service center.
  • For 1120, 1065, 990, and 2290 returns, acknowledgments are normally processed by the IRS within 24 hours from the time you send the return. If you use the UltraTax CS Electronic Filing utility and do not receive an acknowledgment within this timeframe, there may be a processing delay at the service center.
  1. Click the CS Connect button on the UltraTax CS toolbar.
  2. In the Option tab, click the Electronic filing:  Retrieve acknowledgements switch to set it to Yes.
  3. Click the Connect button.

After you retrieve acknowledgments, you can view the updated status of the electronic file in the Electronic Filing Status dialog.

Retrieving acknowledgments via CS Connect background services

To automatically download acknowledgments via CS Connect background services, follow these steps.

  1. Choose Setup > System Configuration.
  2. Click the CS Connect tab.
  3. If needed, set the Enable CS Connect Background Services switch to Yes if not already marked.
  4. Set the Download electronic filing acknowledgments switch to Yes.
  5. Click OK to close the System Configuration dialog.

Retrieving watermarked Schedules 1 for 2290 via CS Connect 

To retrieve the watermarked Form 2290 Schedule 1 from Thomson Reuters using CS Connect, follow these steps.

Note: CS Connect will download only the watermarked Schedule 1 when the firm is either licensed for FileCabinet CS or GoFileRoom or a valid location is showing in Setup > 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax > Other Return Options > 2290 Schedule 1 PDF location. 

  1. Click the CS Connect button on the UltraTax CS toolbar.
  2. In the Option tab, click the Electronic filing: Retrieve acknowledgements switch to set it to Yes.
  3. Click the Connect button.

After you retrieve acknowledgments, you can view the updated status of the electronic file in the Electronic Filing Status dialog.

For details about using CS Connect, see CS Connect overview.

 

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