Proficiency

Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are appreciated

Application of your Tax Law knowledge to the preparation of example returns

These problems are designed to test your proficiency in preparing a complete return - including the New Jersey return.

Link to TaxSlayer Practice Lab Be sure to Change Tax Year to 2019
Consider using a Chromebook instead of your usual PC

Introduction
Action	Resources
Review Lesson before working on these problems	General guidance for Proficiency Slides Upd (Please read this FIRST!)
Lipton
Action	Resources
Review documents and make Interview plan	Pre-Interview files (Click here to see Pre-Interview folder) Documents Upd (all documents provided by client - includes SS, DL, Tax Forms, etc.) Form 14446 Upd (signed by client - not needed to prepare return) Prior Year Return Upd (provided by client - note: has bookmarks for easy navigation) Sch A Worksheet Upd (Itemized Deductions Worksheet) Sch C Worksheet Upd (Self-Employment Worksheet) Tax-Aide Booklet Upd (filled out and signed by client - includes Intake Sheet)
"Listen" to Interview	Interview Prep: (Click here to see Pre-Interview folder) Printable Intake Sheet Blank NJ Checklist: Download to fill in on your computer Print to fill in on paper Actual Interview: Interview Upd (as you "listen" to the Interview, you should use above to keep track of your notes)
Review Interview Outputs	Files added during the Interview (for checking your work): (Click here to see Preparer folder) Intake with Comments Upd (Intake Sheet with comments embedded) Interview Notes Upd (Intake Sheet comments as a separate document) NJ Checklist Partial Upd (Partial version - as marked up during interview only) NJ Municipality Lookup Tool Upd (output from lookup performed during Interview) QCQR TP All Upd (Output of QCQR tool from TP's point of view for Larry / Linda / Louis)
Prepare Return	Preparation resources (to help you prepare the return): (Click here to see Preparer folder) Step by Step Guide Upd (Step-by-step return preparation with Refund Monitor numbers) Learning Guide Upd (Learning points for each step)
Review your return with Mentor	Preparation Outputs (for checking your work): (Click here to see To Client folder) Printed Return Upd (after all data entry) ScratchPads Upd (used to document some calculations) NJ Checklist Final Upd (Final version - as marked up during both interview and return preparation)
Bigelow
Action	Resources
Review documents and make Interview plan	Pre-Interview files (Click here to see Pre-Interview folder) Documents Upd (all documents provided by client - includes SS, DL, Tax Forms, etc.) Form 14446 Upd (signed by client - not needed to prepare return) Prior Year Return Upd (provided by client - note: has bookmarks for easy navigation) Sch A Worksheet Upd (Information on Itemized Deductions) Tax-Aide Booklet Upd (filled out and signed by client - includes Intake Sheet)
"Listen" to Interview	Interview Prep: (Click here to see Pre-Interview folder) Printable Bigelow Intake Sheet Blank NJ Checklist: Download to fill in on your computer Print to fill in on paper Actual Interview: Interview Upd (as you "listen" to the Interview, you should use above to keep track of your notes)
Review Interview Outputs	Files added during the Interview (for checking your work): (Click here to see Preparer folder) Annuity Output Upd (Output from Bogart Annuity Tool) Intake with Comments Upd (Intake Sheet with comments embedded) Interview Notes Upd (Intake Sheet comments as a separate document) ITA Output Upd (Output of ITA Dependency tool for Paula) NJ Checklist Partial Upd (Partial version - as marked up during interview only)
Prepare Return	Preparation resources (to help you prepare the return): (Click here to see Preparer folder) Step by Step Guide Upd (Step-by-step return preparation with Refund Monitor numbers) Learning Guide Upd (Learning points for each step)
Review your return with Mentor	Preparation Outputs (for checking your work): (Click here to see To Client folder) Printed Return Upd (after all data entry) NJ Checklist Final Upd (Final version - as marked up during both interview and return preparation)

Change Log:

01-26-2021
- Lipton Learning Guide v0.94
01-19-2021
- Bigelow Learning Guide v0.91
- Lipton Printed Return v0.92
01-17-2021
- Bigelow Step by Step Guide v0.94
- Bigelow Documents v0.92
- Bigelow Intake with Comments v0.92
- Bigelow Interview Notes v0.92
- Bigelow Interview Script v0.92
- Bigelow Sch A Worksheet v0.92
- Bigelow Step by Step Guide v0.92
01-14-2021
- Lipton Documents v0.93
- Bigelow initial Student page release
01-10-2021
- Introduction to Proficiency v0.95
- Lipton Intake with Comments v0.95a
- Lipton Interview Notes v0.95a
01-07-2021
- Lipton initial Student page release