Glossary

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New (tax) year, new help!

Fixed Assets and UltraTax CS 2023 help is now on Help and Support. We're still moving articles, but you can find most content for the 2023 tax year there. Continue using the Help & How-To Center for tax years 2022 and older.

A-D entries

Accounting CS is our next-generation professional accounting application, which enables you to provide write-up, trial balance, and after-the-fact payroll services for your clients using a single, integrated database. Customizable data-entry screens enable you to efficiently process firm, staff, and client data, and the application features a dynamic interface that automatically adjusts itself based on the data you enter and the options you choose. Using the powerful Report Designer, you can customize any of the standard reports and statements provided with the application, or you can design and create new reports and statements to fit specific needs.

The separately licensed Accounting CS Payroll includes feature-rich capabilities for live payroll processing.

UltraTax CS uses aggregate assets to view summary information for the component asset(s) that comprise the aggregate. For example, if you trade an old desk to acquire a new desk, UltraTax CS sets up the new desk asset as an aggregate asset consisting of one component asset that calculates the continuing depreciation for the old desk. If, in the exchange, you also paid an amount to acquire the new desk, the aggregate asset then consists of two component assets - the first component asset is the portion relating to the old desk, and the second component is a new asset equivalent to the boot paid.

Information on an aggregate asset's Depreciation tab can only be edited at the component level. Depreciation information on all other tabs (Disposal, Transfer, Vehicle/Listed, Home Office, Other, and Note) is edited at the aggregate level.

Editing the components of an aggregate asset

To view information for the component assets that comprise the aggregate asset, choose Tasks > Display Calculation. Any changes you make to the component assets will be reflected in the summary aggregate asset.

Note: The section 280F recapture calculation is not available for aggregate assets.

  • Enter summary asset information directly in certain input screens. To enter summary asset information, choose File > Client Properties > Advanced Properties > Enter Asset Detail tab and clear the Enter asset detail information checkbox.
  • Enter detailed asset information in the asset module. Detailed asset data is entered in the asset module and is the application default.

To access the asset module

  1. Click the Asset tab in an activity-based input screen folder (for example, the 1040 Rental and Royalty folder).

    In the Asset tab is the Asset List window, the first of two screens that make up the asset module.

  2. Click the Add button to open the Asset Detail dialog, the second of the two screens that make up the asset module.
  3. Enter the asset data and click the Done button. UltraTax CS automatically calculates and transfers the asset data to the appropriate tax forms.

Click the Back Back button button in the top-right corner of input screens to return to the most recently visited input screen. Expand the drop-down list to the right of the button to view a list of the most recently visited input screens, and select the one you want to re-visit.

In UltraTax CS, a chevron is a mark on the corner of an input screen or form field.

  • The application uses blue chevrons as missing data indicators; they're displayed on blank input screen fields that contained data in the prior-year return. To remove the blue chevron, enter data in the field as appropriate, or right-click the field and acknowledge the missing data. You can also right-click the field and paste the prior-year value in that field. View example.
Missing data indicator
  • If you marked the Distinguish overruled input screen fields checkbox on the Setup > User Preferences > Data Entry tab, the application uses red chevrons to indicate overruled amounts on input screens. You can right-click the overruled field and either acknowledge the overrule (which removes the chevrons) or delete the overrule and revert to the original transferred amount. View example.
Overruled amount indicator

If you use multiple monitors, you can choose to dedicate a monitor on which your client can view their tax return in your office. To enable the client view feature, mark the Client view checkbox for the appropriate monitor on the Window > Display Settings dialog, then choose View > Client View while the client's return is open.

UltraTax CS uses component assets to link asset information, which is in turn summarized in an aggregate asset. To add, delete, and access the component assets, choose Edit > Components and click the description of the desired asset.

Notes

  • If you override a luxury auto, the automatic calculation for auto limits is turned off (as it was in the past).
  • Prior depreciation calculation is not available for luxury auto component assets.

The CSA family includes modules for payroll processing, general ledger, and financial reporting. Write-Up CS is a module within the CSA applications that can be used with UltraTax CS to add even more value and productivity to your tax preparation.

UltraTax CS can examine the general ledger balances in the Write-Up CS client write-up files, summarize those balances as needed, apply whole-dollar rounding, and then transfer relevant amounts to the corresponding input screens according to the tax codes you set up in Write-Up CS.

See Fieldviews.

In the Asset tab's asset module, you can define and use up to 99 custom methods for calculating depreciation when standard IRS formulas aren't appropriate. Some businesses, for example, must calculate depreciation based on industry-specific formulas.

Custom methods are available for all clients and, if applicable, on all computers running UltraTax CS on a network. Custom methods may be selected from the Depreciation tab's Method field in the asset module.

Defining a custom method for calculating depreciation

See Statements.

An entity database contains all UltraTax CS client data to which Data Mining is allowed access. To access an entity database in the Data Mining window, select the appropriate client database from the Client Database drop-down list. All UltraTax CS entity types (for example, 1040 Individual) for which you have a federal license appear.

Data Mining defaults to the database you worked in last. Always make sure you have selected the correct database before beginning Data Mining procedures.

Note for network users of Data Mining: Only one user at a time may use a particular database in Data Mining (per data location). If you have a network license and another user is using the selected database, Data Mining will default to the next available database. To see who is using the database, click the selected database in the drop-down list and Data Mining displays the user's network identification.

UltraTax CS regards any of the following configurations as multiple data locations:

  • When you have several data locations on a network installation of UltraTax CS.
  • When you have several stand-alone installations in which each user has his/her own data location on their local drive.
  • When you back up client records to transfer to another computer, as in a home office.

To determine which data location you are currently using, or to choose a different data location, choose Setup > User Preferences and click the File Locations tab in the User Preferences dialog.

The data sharing feature in UltraTax enables you to share non-financial client data (such as names, addresses, and other contact information) across all federal UltraTax CS modules as well as CS Accounting applications (Accounting CS and CSA) and Practice CS. It also allows you to share K-1 financial data between the federal 1040, 1120, 1065, and 1041 modules. Both non-financial and K-1 data will be shared between clients with matching TINs. Data sharing will also provide W-2, 1099-R, 1099-MISC, and 1099-INT data from CS Accounting applications, and will share non-financial data with Practice CS. Client notes are also shared between UltraTax CS, FileCabinet CS, Fixed Assets CS, and Practice CS. Choose Utilities > Data Sharing > Updates to view pending updates to a client's data. Choose Utilities > Data Sharing > Imported Fields Listing to view all data has been imported for a client whose return is open.

Tips

Dependent treatments calculate AMT, ACE, or E&P based on data entered for another treatment.

To set up dependent treatments, choose Setup > Treatments and click the Options button.

You have two options for entering asset data.

Detailed asset data entry: When you enter detailed asset information in the built-in asset module, UltraTax CS automatically calculates and transfers the data to the appropriate tax forms. To open the asset module's Asset List window (the first of two main screens), click the Asset tab in any activity-based folder. Detailed asset data entry is the application default.

Summary asset data entry: To enter summary asset information for the open client, choose File > Client Properties > Advanced Properties > Enter Asset Detail tab and clear the Enter asset detail information checkbox to deselect the application default. Then enter the appropriate information in Screens 4562, Sale, 8824, 4684, 4684B, 8829, CO, Auto, 2106, and 2106-2.

The term "window" describes a view that is minimizable and resizable.

The term "dialog" describes a view that is not minimizable and that must be dismissed before you can exit or access any other command or window in UltraTax CS.

(Maximum per client = 250)

A division identifies a business activity for a client with multiple business activities within one depreciable group. For example, Division One and Division Two can designate two businesses reported on Page 1 of Form 1120.

To define one or more divisions, see Setting up associations and follow the procedure for setting up an association that maintains a list.

Notes

  • The divisions you define apply to all business activities for the open client.
  • To assign an asset to a division, open the Asset Detail dialog, click the Other tab, and select the desired division from the Division field.
  • You are not required to create and use divisions to aggregate your assets.

A computer in your firm that manages user access to the network, including logging on and authentication, and access to the active directory and shared resources.

E-G entries

The Data Mining Export Report command in the Tools menu saves a custom report from the most recent search to a file for use in another application, such as a word processing, spreadsheet, or database application.

An external storage device is a diskette, CD, DVD, Iomega Zip disk, USB Flash drive, or external hard drive.

When a relationship exists between client returns, such as the members of an 1120 Consolidated return or a joint 1040 return that has been split, the Family button is displayed next to the Home Page button on the toolbar. To view all returns associated with the open client's return, click the arrow next to the Family button. Click the Family button in the drop-down list to access the Open Client dialog, which lists the associated returns.

Some input screen fields have a drop-down menu that lists valid entries for the field. This is called a fieldview and is indicated by an arrow Fieldview button to the right of the field.

Custom fieldviews are similar to regular fieldviews except that you determine the list of entries that appears in them. Custom fieldviews are indicated by the arrow button and a vertical, green stripe. If the Automatically save and suggest data on custom fieldview fields option is marked in Setup > User Preferences > Data Entry, simply enter the item into the field and UltraTax CS will save it once you move to another input screen or form. If this option is not marked, simply enter the item into the field and press CTRL + S to add the item to the custom fieldview.

There are two kinds of fieldviews: linked and non-linked.

  • Non-linked fieldviews are used to automatically enter common information into a single field, speeding up data entry and ensuring consistency across returns. View an example.
  • Linked fieldviews enable you to automatically enter information into several related fields (such as City, State, and Zip code) simultaneously. Data for the linked custom fieldview is entered in the Custom Fieldview dialog of the linked custom field; when selected during data entry, all associated fields will fill with the appropriate information automatically. View an example.

FileCabinet CS is a CS Professional Suite application that provides automatic storage and retrieval mechanisms for documents produced by other CS Professional Suite applications. FileCabinet CS also provides the ability to scan documents for storage, store existing image files, send documents to email recipients, and store documents in alternate file locations.

You can send PDFs of most client-related documents, such as returns, extensions, and organizer pages to FileCabinet CS for storage.

More Information

For more information on using FileCabinet CS, start the FileCabinet CS application and choose Help & How-To Center from the Help menu.

Fixed Assets CS is a CS Professional Suite application designed to facilitate the tracking of assets, acquisitions, and depreciation. Among the application's primary features are the following.

  • Easy integration with UltraTax CS allows users to enter detailed asset information into Fixed Assets CS and have that data automatically transfer to the UltraTax CS input screens.
  • Sophisticated report capabilities that are not available in the UltraTax CS asset module (though these reports can be printed via UltraTax CS if you are licensed for both applications).

File Drawer is a simplified electronic storage feature that is automatically installed with UltraTax CS (as long as FileCabinet CS and GoFileRoom licenses are not installed). File Drawer enables you to store images of tax returns, extensions, and input screens directly through UltraTax CS. To access these documents, click the Drawer button in the folders block. To enable the File Drawer option in the Print Returns dialog, mark the Allow the use of File Drawer checkbox on the Security Configuration dialog if your firm uses standard security options. If your firm uses advanced security options, choose Allow for the File Drawer privilege to enable a group or user to access File Drawer.

Note: File Drawer is available only if you have not installed and licensed FileCabinet CS or GoFileRoom.

The folders that appear in the folders block are based on the open client's entity type. Input screens are grouped into folders based on the type of tax data you enter in them. For example, all input screens pertaining to farm information are contained in the Farm folder. You can customize the folders block display to change the appearance and location of the folders block by choosing Window > Display Settings, marking the Input screens (with toolbar) checkbox and select Share display area, Narrow, or Wide from the Folder block drop-down list. You can also configure the folders block settings for prior-year view.

  • To see the full name of any folder, rest the mouse pointer over the folder for a moment.
  • Horizontal lines on a folder indicate the presence of data.
  • Multiple-unit input screens are displayed in the folders block as "branches" off the main folder.
  • If you are licensed for FileCabinet CS, you can click the Drawer button to view FileCabinet CS documents from within UltraTax CS.
  • If you are not licensed for FileCabinet CS, you can click the Drawer button to view tax returns printed to the File Drawer from within UltraTax CS.

Folders block buttons

UltraTax CS input screens include specific "Force" fields that can be used to override calculated amounts. They are indicated by the word "(Force)" next to the field. The amount entered in a field marked with this notation will be used in the calculation and will override the calculated amount. If this field is left blank, the calculated amount will be used.

Form navigation buttons appear at the top of certain federal forms while in Form view. These buttons indicate the other forms to which information from the current form will transfer; you can click the corresponding buttons to access all related forms.

Form navigation button

See Tabs.

From the Help menu, choose Additional Resources > Frequently Asked Questions to obtain answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about specific UltraTax CS products. When you select this command, UltraTax CS displays general FAQs that pertain to all products.

To read the FAQs that pertain to a particular federal application, click the Accessing FAQs for federal applications link, then click the link for the appropriate entity.

Many state and property tax applications (but not all of them) include FAQs. To access FAQs for those state and property tax products that include them, do the following:

  1. From within any input screen for that state or property tax application, press F1.
  2. In the overview topic that opens, click the Processing [Entity] [State] returns and frequently asked questions link at the top of the topic.
  3. In the Processing [Entity] [State] returns and frequently asked questions topic, click the links for the FAQs to view their answers.

GoFileRoom is a secure, web-based document management application that allows you to store, view, edit, and manage documents online. If you are licensed for GoFileRoom, you can send images of tax returns, extensions, and input screens from UltraTax CS to GoFileRoom. To configure the integration between GoFileRoom and UltraTax CS, choose Setup > Office Configuration click the GoFileRoom tab, and then click the GoFileRoom Options button.

(Maximum per client = 65,000)

A group is an arbitrary collection of assets, normally defined to correspond to the client's general ledger asset accounts.

Purpose: Use groups to sort the assets in the asset module's Asset List window. For example, you could assign all trade fixtures to Group 1 and office furniture to Group 2.

Notes

  • The groups you define apply to all business activities for the open client.
  • To assign an asset to a group, choose the desired group from the Group field at the top of the Asset Detail dialog or in the Associations group box in the Other tab.
  • You are not required to create and use groups to aggregate your assets.

I-O entries

When you click a folder in the folders block on the left side of the UltraTax CS main window, all of the input screens contained in that folder appear as tabs below the toolbar at the top of the screen. Each input screen is divided into sections, which appear as buttons below the tabs.

Example: The graphic below shows the input screen sections that make up Screen 1040: Filing Status, Taxpayer Info, Spouse Info, Residence Info, and Dependents. Simply click the button for the section to which you want the cursor to move.

Input screen sections

See Tabs.

(Maximum per client = 65,000)

A location identifies the physical site of an asset.

Purpose: Use locations to sort the assets in the asset module's Asset List window.

Notes

  • The locations you define apply to all business activities for the open client.
  • To assign an asset to a location, choose the desired location from the Location field at the top of the Asset Detail dialog or in the Associations group box on the Other tab.
  • You are not required to create and use locations to aggregate your assets.

A mass disposition is the sale or trade of multiple assets in a single transaction. In the UltraTax CS asset module (accessed via the Asset tab), select Mass Disposition from the Tasks menu to open the Mass Disposition dialog in which you can enter the necessary information.

A mass transfer is a means of recording the transfer of two or more assets to a different activity or to one of four associations within the same activity in a single transaction. Eligible associations include: cost center, department, division, and location. In the UltraTax CS asset module (accessed via the Asset tab), select Mass Transfers from the Tasks menu to open the Mass Transfer dialog in which you can enter the necessary information.

You can limit the users who can perform any of the following tasks by setting a master password in the Setup > Security > Add Master Password dialog.

  • Enabling advanced user/group security.
  • Assigning client passwords and denying other applications access to a client's data.
  • Entering firm, CS Connect, and data location information in Setup > System Configuration.
  • Entering preparers / reviewers / staff, client status, data sharing, electronic filing, (if applicable) setting office-wide print options, FileCabinet CS options (if licensed), and default user preferences in Setup > Office Configuration. 
  • Setting user-specific options in Setup > User Preferences.
  • Setting federal and state options (including interest rates, settings for new clients, and print collations) in Setup > [Entity].
  • Adding overrides to form fields.
  • Using Help > Repair to rebuild the client database and clear network locks.
  • Requiring the use of firm-wide print options rather than user-defined print options.
  • Accessing the File > Send to Email Recipient and Send to File commands.
  • Displaying the Office tab on the Home Page.
  • Accessing the File > Rename, File > Delete, and File > Backup commands.
  • Accessing certain areas of the Home Page.
  • Accessing client communication options.
  • Requiring the use of a password to display SSNs in compliance with IRS regulations.
  • Accessing client reports via Utilities > Client Listing Reports.
  • Masking TINs on reports.
  • Printing to File Drawer.
  • Have UltraTax CS use the client ID as the PDF filename on tax returns and other documents.

To create a master password, choose Setup > Security, and enter a password. If you set a master password in the prior-year version of UltraTax CS, it automatically proformas into the current-year application.

To change the master password, choose Setup > Security, enter the existing password, and click the Modify button.

UltraTax CS regards any of the following configurations as multiple data locations:

  • When you have several data locations on a network installation of UltraTax CS
  • When you have several stand-alone installations in which each user has his/her own data location on their local drive
  • When you back up client records to transfer to another computer, as in a home office

To determine which data location you are currently using, or to choose a different data location, choose Setup > User Preferences and click the File Locations tab in the User Preferences dialog.

A client can have two or more of some input screens, such as a 1040 client's Screen C. Such input screens are called "multiple-unit input screens" and are identified by a unit number, so that you may easily distinguish among multiple units. You enter this number in the input screen's Unit field.

When a client has two or more units of an input screen, the units are displayed in two ways:

  • In the folders block as branches off the main folder.
  • In a pull-down menu on the input screen tab.

Multi-unit input screen

Multi-unit input screen tab

Client note button Attach a client note to the client if you want to make a note to yourself or to another reviewer about the client or the client's return. The client note is proforma'd from the prior-year version of UltraTax CS and will print with the Review Notes report if you select that report to print in the Return Collation dialog. If a client's TIN is entered in each application, client notes are also shared between UltraTax CS, FileCabinet CS, Fixed Assets CS, and Practice CS. All client notes are available for viewing in other applications once the client is opened in any of those applications.

Field note button You can attach a field note to any input screen or form field, as well as most statement dialogs. The note will be attached to the field in which the cursor is located when you enter the note, and a musical note will appear next to the field indicating the presence of a field note. You can display the musical note in four colors, and you can attach as many field notes as necessary.

An operator is a mathematical symbol (such as "=") that defines a set of numbers or text strings. Data Mining uses operators when you search client data for specific numbers, dates, and text. The operator helps limit the search to a specific range of acceptable values, as shown below.

Data Mining operators and their use in search criteria

  • Between: Search for values greater than or equal to "x" and less than or equal to "y."
  • Equal: Search for values equal to "x."
  • Greater than: Search for values greater than "x."
  • Greater than or equal: Search for values greater than or equal to "x."
  • Less than: Search for values less than "x."
  • Less than or equal: Search for values less than or equal to "x."
  • Not equal: Search for values not equal to "x.
  • Contains: Search for "xyz" anywhere in a field.
  • Any keyed data: Search for a field that is not blank.
  • Blank data: Search for a field that is blank.
  • Forced zero data: Search for a field with a user-entered forced zero amount.
  • In the Month of: Search for a specific month in fields that contain dates.

The overrule feature enables you to alter input screen data that was transferred from another source (such as proforma'd prior-year data or shared information updated via data sharing) and protect that alteration from further automatic updates. When you overrule a transferred amount, the text changes from blue to black. Also, if you marked the Distinguish overruled input screen fields checkbox on the Setup > User Preferences > Data Entry tab, the application displays red chevrons on overruled input screen fields.

Overruled amount indicator

Marking the Distinguish overruled input screen fields checkbox also causes UltraTax CS to include all overruled data in the Input Screen Overrules section of the Federal Diagnostics list. To navigate to an overruled field from the Federal Diagnostics list, click the field name in the list. You can right-click an overruled field on an input screen to view the previously calculated value, the source of the original value, and to acknowledge or delete the overruled amount and revert to the original transferred data.

Notes

  • Whether or not you acknowledge the overruled value, UltraTax CS will use the value you entered in the field to calculate the return.
  • After marking the Distinguish overruled input screen fields checkbox, you can open screens that contain fields that have been overruled by clicking the Navigate to Input Screen Overrules button Input Screen Overrules button on the UltraTax CS toolbar.

P-S entries

When you perform a search of the application database, clients "pass" or "fail" the search depending on whether their data contains the search criteria and search criteria relationships you specified for that search. When the search criteria and search criteria relationships you have specified are true for a client, that client will pass the search.

Per Return Pricing (PRP) is available for all UltraTax CS applications. With PRP, you pay a fee for each client whose return you process using that PRP-licensed application.

Example: Your California firm has two clients who need 1040 Oregon returns. You can purchase PRP licenses for those two clients rather than a full license for UltraTax/1040-OR.

How It Works:

  1. You supply Thomson Reuters with the taxpayer identification number (TIN) of each client for whom you want to use that application.
  2. Thomson Reuters supplies you with a PRP authorization code for each of those clients. (Note that you can enter data without having obtained the PRP authorization code.)
  3. With the client open, you select File > Client Properties and enter the authorization code in the PRP code field. You will now be able to print the return as usual.

    Note: PRP codes retrieved via CS Connect are automatically entered in the Client Properties dialog.

Printing Different Firm Information on PRP Returns:

The authorization code not only enables printing, it also enables you to print different firm information in the preparer block section of the PRP return.

  1. Select Setup > System Configuration and then click the Firm tab. (Your security configuration might require you to enter the master password before you can open the System Configuration dialog.)
  2. Click the PRP Preparer Block button, enter the appropriate information, and click Done.
  3. The PRP preparer block you entered can be attached to the client's return. To do so, open the client's return, choose File > Client Properties, and select the preparer block from the Preparer block field.

Planner CS is an easy-to-use, comprehensive, and flexible tax planning application available from Thomson Reuters. It provides simultaneous and extensive tax projections for a virtually unlimited combination of alternatives or years. The application's purpose is to project broad possibilities and to allow for changes in income and/or expenses that will significantly affect tax liability.

After completing returns for your UltraTax/1040 clients, you can easily export the clients' data into Planner CS. This integration between the two applications not only saves you time, it also ensures consistency between the client data in the two programs.

(Maximum per client = 65,000)

A property type identifies assets that are subject to a property tax - such as Automobiles, Furniture & Fixtures, Intangible Assets, and so forth. (Note that certain states, such as Ohio and Michigan, use asset types.)

Purpose: Use types to sort the assets in the asset module's Asset List window.

For more information, see Setting up asset associations.

Notes

  • The types you define apply to all business activities for the open client.
  • To assign an asset to a type, choose the desired property type from the Type field at the top of the Asset Detail dialog or in the Associations group box in the Other tab.
  • You are not required to create and use types to aggregate your assets.

UltraTax CS provides a quick way to see the status of key amounts at any time from any data-entry display. This feature is called the Return Summary.

To open the Return Summary: Use one of the following methods.

  • Click the drop-down button next to the Form Form button button on the toolbar, and choose Return Summary.
  • Choose View > Return Summary.
  • Press CTRL+Q.

The Return Summary displays summary information for key amounts on the return. Review the key amounts and confirm that the return meets your expectations.

To return to the input screen folders: Select View > Input Screen or press CTRL+I.

Data Mining searches the application database for clients whose data meets the search criteria you have defined. When the search criteria and search criteria relationships you have specified are true for a client's data, that client will pass the search. New search criteria can be added and user-created search criteria can be modified.

Note: Predefined search criteria, which are included with Data Mining, cannot be modified.

There are five types of search criteria.

Forms criteria - Forms associated with client returns. Data Mining can search for clients for whom a specific form or schedule was prepared, or for clients for whom a specific form or schedule was not prepared. You do not edit forms criteria, but select them when you build a search.

Calculated values criteria - Values such as amounts, numbers, or dates that are calculated by UltraTax CS. You can modify any user-created calculated value criterion, which are listed in the Add/Modify Search Criteria dialog, by specifying a number, a range of numbers, or month that Data Mining will use in a search.

Note: Forms criteria and calculated values criteria are logged only for clients whose returns have been calculated.

Input screen field criteria - Data entered in input screen and statement fields. For any input screen or statement field that you add to the Available criteria list in the Add/Modify Search Criteria dialog, you can define the acceptable data entries that Data Mining will use in a search.

Return type criteria – Includes all available return types for the entity.

Client status criteria – Includes all UltraTax CS status events and user-defined status events.

When you select criteria for a search, Data Mining creates a search formula that shows the relationships among the criteria. The search formula can include:

AND relationships - For example, search for criterion one AND criterion two. A client's data must meet both criteria for the client to pass the search.

OR relationships - For example, search for criterion one OR criterion two. A client's data must meet either or both criteria for the client to pass the search.

You can also create complex AND/OR relationships. Data Mining interprets formulas by evaluating the information in parenthesis first, then by the operator between the parenthesis. For example, if you enter "(Form 1040 is in return OR 1099-M Documents is in return) AND (1099-C Documents is in return OR Schedule C is in return)," clients whose returns contain Form 1040 AND 1099-C documents will pass the search, while clients that have a Form 1099-C and a Schedule C will not.

Tips

  • Adding AND relationships narrows the search, decreasing the number of clients who can pass the search.
  • Adding OR relationships broadens the search, increasing the number of clients who can pass the search.

The Situs field within the Asset Detail dialog is used to enter the state in which the asset resides. The entry in the Situs field is used to determine which associations are needed for an UltraTax CS personal property tax (PPT) return. The needed association fields appear in blue.

The state postal code that is entered in the Setup > Activities dialog in Fixed Assets CS or in a multiple-unit activity's input screen in UltraTax CS is automatically assigned as the situs for all assets entered in that activity.

For assets that are not in a multiple-unit activity, you can assign a group of assets to a situs using the Edit > Reassign Assets command.

Source treatments are used by dependent treatments to calculate AMT, ACE, or E&P. For example, in the Treatment Options dialog, you can choose to make the values for the Other treatment (dependent) derive AMT values from the State treatment (source).

To view a list of treatments that are dependent on a particular source treatment, choose Setup > Treatments, highlight the source treatment, and then click the Options button. The dependent treatments are listed in the upper right corner of the Treatment Options dialog.

Many input screen fields have attached statement dialogs into which you enter the detailed information needed to prepare and print statements required by taxing authorities. Fields to which such dialogs are attached are indicated by a Statement dialog Statement dialog button button to the left of the field.

If desired, you can set up custom statements for any field that:

  • Is not an Activity unit number field for multiple-unit input screens.
  • Does not have a fieldview attached, as indicated by an arrow Fieldview button to the right of the field.
  • Does not already have an attached statement.

To open a regular or custom statement from an input screen, click the Statement dialog Statement dialog button button or press E.

To open a regular or custom statement from within a statement dialog, click the Open Statement Tab Opent Statement Tab button button and select the statement you want to open from drop-down list; the new statement opens on a separate tab within the statement dialog.

A status event (or status point) is a certain occurrence during the processing of an UltraTax CS client, such as "client proforma'd."

The two types of status events

  • System-defined status events are events that are recorded automatically by UltraTax CS, such as client proforma'd, printed return, backed up client, restored client, and so on. UltraTax CS will automatically record approximately 80 different events.
  • User-defined status events are events that you create (using the Setup > Office Configuration > Status tab) and use to record the progress of a return or schedule upcoming tasks using the Utilities > Client Status dialog. Some examples of possible user-defined status events are "client interviewed," "applied for extension," or "return completed." You can define up to 50 custom status events.

The status system is an UltraTax CS feature that enables you to track the progress of your clients during processing. The status system consists of status events (both user-defined events and events defined by UltraTax CS) that you schedule and log while processing a client's return.

The status system also contains the following:

  • A Tickler feature to schedule reminders of important status events.
  • A calendar to view events that have been scheduled.

T-Z entries

Screen 1040 tab

When you click a folder in the folders block on the left side of the screen, all of the input screens or forms contained in that folder appear as tabs below the toolbar at the top of the screen. Click a tab to switch from one input screen or form to another. Below each tab are buttons representing each of the sections that make up the input screen.

Note: A dot on a tab indicates the presence of data on that input screen or form.

UltraTax CS uses tax codes to summarize and transfer related account balances from Accounting CS, Write-Up CS, CaseWare Working Papers, Trial Balance CS, Workpapers CS, Fiducial Advantage, Accountant's Relief, Client Ledger System, Accounting for Practitioners, Dillner's FCAS, and Universal Business Computing Company to the appropriate UltraTax CS input screens. The tax code number tells UltraTax CS the tax form and line number to which each item should be transferred.

To examine the tax code number assignments on the federal form, view or print the federal application's reference material. To do so, open the UltraTax CS Home Page, click the Product Information link, click the appropriate federal tab, click the Federal link, and then click the Product guides link. To view the tax code PDF for the selected application, click the UltraTax/XXXX-US Tax Code Diagrams link (where XXXX is the appropriate federal entity type).

While you enter data on any federal or state input screen, you can use the Tax Subject Index (TSI) to determine where to enter specific tax data. To open the Tax Subject Index, click the Tax Subject Index Tax Subject Index button button on the toolbar, enter text in the Find input for field and press ENTER, or choose Help > Tax Subject Index.

Tickmark button You may find it helpful to enter tick marks, or check marks, next to various items as you review a client's return. You can display tick marks in four colors, create custom tick marks that display as a letter, number, or punctuation mark, add descriptions for each tick mark color, and customize how you use them. For example, you might use green tick marks to mark items that you have reviewed and feel are satisfactory, and red tick marks to mark items that require further attention. You can enter tick marks on input screens, forms, and most statement dialogs. To customize how you use tick marks, choose Setup > User Preferences, and click the Tickmarks tab. You can also customize tick marks for all new and existing UltraTax CS users by choosing the Setup > Office Configuration > Default User Preferences, clicking the Set Preferences button, and making the desired changes on the Tickmarks tab.

A tickler is a reminder set in UltraTax CS using the Setup > User Preferences > Tickler tab. When a status event meets the criteria for notification defined in the Tickler tab, UltraTax CS will open the Today's Ticklers tab when you start UltraTax CS to remind you of the status event scheduled for completion. You can also customize ticklers for all new and existing UltraTax CS users by choosing the Setup > Office Configuration > Default User Preferences, clicking the Set Preferences button, and making the desired changes on the Tickler tab.

User bulletins are issued for several reasons.

  • To accompany the initial release of the application if there are issues about which users should be informed.
  • To accompany application updates to inform users of the changes made to the application and any other relevant issues.
  • To inform users of special issues regarding the application. Such issues might include, for example, a change a state government made to a form and how users can work around the issue pending the release of updated applications.

To print user bulletins, select Help > Bulletins.

A value is any piece of information recorded in an UltraTax CS field. These values may be input screen field data entries or automatically calculated values. Search criteria definitions are based on these values. For example, in the calculated values search criteria "AGI > $100,000," the value is 100,000.

A variable in Data Mining is a placeholder that is replaced with client-specific information during printing. For example, the [client name] variable is replaced with the client's name when you print the letter. The types of variables that are available in Data Mining include amount, text, date, and input screen.

  • Input Screen view means you are viewing the client's input screens, which is where you enter client data. When you are in this view, the Input Screen Data Entry Input Screen Data Entry button button on the toolbar is depressed.
  • Form view means you are viewing how the data entered will appear on the client's tax forms. When you are in this view, the Form View Form View button button on the toolbar is depressed.

A portal is a secure, private location on the internet where your clients can access tax returns and other documents. The client accesses their portal via a link on your firm's website, and logs in using a unique username and password to ensure security. Web portals can be used to transmit and retrieve information between the firm and its clients, such as Web Client Organizers.

Write-Up CS is a Windows client write-up application from Thomson Reuters. It can be used with UltraTax CS to add even more value and productivity to your tax preparation. Write-Up CS is part of the Creative Solutions Accounting (CSA) family. The CSA family includes modules for payroll processing, general ledger, and financial reporting.

UltraTax CS can examine the general ledger balances in the Write-Up CS client write-up files, summarize those balances as needed, apply whole-dollar rounding, and then transfer relevant amounts to the corresponding input screens according to the tax codes you set up in Write-Up CS.

Each field in an input screen is assigned a unique zip number. The zip numbers provide a convenient way to reference the input screen fields. Zip numbers also enable data-entry personnel to enter data using Zip Mode.

To enable zip mode of data entry:

  1. Choose Setup > User Preferences > Data Entry tab.
  2. Mark the Enable zip mode data entry checkbox and click OK.

Zip Mode field

An edit box displaying the zip number of the field in which the cursor is located will appear next to the Tax Subject Index button in the toolbar when a client's return is open. Enter the number of the field you want to go to, press ENTER, enter the data in the field, and press ENTER again to return to the edit box.

Related topics

Getting help

Electronic filing glossary

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