How to configure a billing schedule in the program

How to configure a billing schedule in the program

SUMMARY

This article demonstrates how to configure a new billing schedule in the program. This article may be useful if you are new to using the program and would like the program to automatically calculate the total invoice amount that should be charged for tax returns.

MORE INFORMATION

Billing schedules are an optional function of the program that are used to produce a bill for any Federal or State tax form you prepare with the program. With billing schedules, you can specify billing amounts based on forms, worksheets, and line items. The program will automatically determine the total fees and can print an invoice with each tax return.

To configure a billing schedule, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Setup menu and then click Billing Setup. The Billing Setup screen will display.



  1. Under General Office Information type any company information you would like printed on each invoice.
  2. In the State Sales Tax Rate box, type the applicable state, county, or other local sales tax rate if tax preparation is subject to sales tax where you are located.
  3. In the Audit Protection Add-On Fee box, type the fee amount if using Audit Protection. This amount will automatically be entered on the Invoice and/or Bank Application when Audit Protection is a selected option. Important Note: You must have a contract and be enrolled with Audit Protection to add these fees.
  4. Check the Auto Add Audit Protection checkbox to automatically add this product to every return.
  5. Check the Bill for EF Forms Only checkbox if you want to charge only for the forms that are part of the final tax return. Any forms or worksheets used in preparation of the tax return, that do not become part of the final tax return, will not be billable.



  1. Electronic Filing Fee type a dollar amount in the field if applicable. This amount must match the Electronic Filing Fee configured on the Central Site. Just as with the Loan Document Fee, the bank deducts this fee from the taxpayer’s refund and deposits it into a fee deposit bank account of your choice once a check is issued to the taxpayer.The Electronic Filing Fee will display under Description of Service/Charge, line 4 – Electronic Filing Fee, of the tax return invoice.
  2. In the Self Prepared Flat Fee box, type the fee you want to charge for self prepared tax returns where you are only e-filing.
  3. If you want all tax returns using this billing scheme to receive a discount percentage, type the percentage in the Tax Preparation Discount box.
  4. In the Default Hourly Rate box, type the default hourly rate you charge for preparing returns if you charge by the hour. If you instead charge by the form, do not make an entry here and use the Form Billing tab instead.
  5. Check Collect Tax on Billings to add the State, County, or other Local sales tax to the collectable amount of the invoice.
  6. Click on the Form Billing tab to complete form billing
    1. The first item in the drop down list will be US-Federal.
    2. If you charge a fee for every form:
      1. Under Per Item, type the amount you charge for each form. Leave the other columns blank.
    3. If you charge a base price for up to so many of one type of form:
      1. Under Base Qty, type the number of forms included in the base price.
      2. Under Base Price, type the amount of the fee charged if one or more of those forms is included on the return.
      3. Under Per Item, type the amount you charge for each additional form over the base quantity.
    4. Return to the dropdown list and pick the first state for which you will be filing state returns, if applicable. Enter the amount you charge for each state form according to the directions above.



  1. Click on the Worksheet tab to complete worksheet billing.
  2. Continue entering fees in the same way as for forms.
  3. Click on the Line Items tab.
    1. Continue entering fees in the same way as for forms.
  4. Click the Discounts tab.
    1. Type a Discount Name and Discount Amount or Discount Percentage that can be applied to an invoice with this Billing Scheme. Selecting the Discount Name from the invoice will apply the discount to the invoice.
  5. Click the Custom Charges tab.
    1. Type a Charge Description and Amount that can be applied to an invoice with this Billing Scheme. Selecting the Charge Description from the invoice will apply the custom charge to the invoice.
  6. Click OK and type a name for the billing scheme.
  7. Click Setup->Office Setup to open the Application Settings window.
  8. Click the Defaults tab. Select the billing scheme from the Biling Scheme drop down.
  9. Click OK to save the Application Settings.