Standard Letter Update to refect current IRS requirements - NECESSARY!! ASAP!

As we mentioned above, it is not outdated or misinformation because the IRS does still accept checks.  I am puzzled why you are concerned about something that is completely accurate.

I have seen no indication that processing checks is slowed.  Maybe you are looking at the circumstances for when the IRS will be ISSUING checks that will be slowed (six weeks)?  At any rate, even IF the processing of taking checks is slowed (which seems really doubtful), it doesn't really matter because the IRS still has the payment on time.

@Mare   You are missing the easy fix.  In the event that you want to tell your 700 clients to not write checks, it is incredibly easy to do that.

Top Bar: select "Tools">>>>>Letters>>>>>NOW HERE IS WHERE IT GETS REAL TRICKY,,,I MEAN EASY.>>>>>Manage Standard Letters>>>>>your first option (of many) is "Standard Client Letter"click that tricky little edit button.......and...and...and you have the Standard Client letter, just waiting for you to input your own choice of words,..in any paragraph, indicating that you don't want them to send a check or many checks,or many Czechs even.  And the beauty is you hit the save button, and that letter will now appear for each of your 700 clients. 

Most of us attack the dull, boring mundane standard letter ProSeries provides as soon as we download it. Bolding some parts,   underlining some parts, changing Fonts for effectiveness, and the bold of us make our own paragraphs with the insert and/or trigger codes.

PM me your email...I'll send you a sample of one of my  "Standard Client Letters"

No need to customize each letter.  You customize the standard letter which applies to all clients for that type of return (ie ,1040). (like ddvols4 posted as I was reading and writing!)

Thank you for paying attention to this matter.

I also cannot modify the template.  It appears that I have made the changes and have the modified letter selected as the one that should print but when I print the changes are not there.  Call me stupid, but I have followed al instructions and it is not working.  I do not have 700 clients, but I am a sole practitioner and this is still going to be a total time suck when I can least afford it.  Does anyone know if they have a tutorial video on how to customize these letters because I am clearly missing something in the instructions.  I suppose it can always be Word or Adobe to the rescue but this is the last thing I need 6 weeks before the deadline. I appreciate any tips, trick or assistance.  Thanks!

First of all, dont call yourself stupid.  One of the members of the community will do that for you.  That seems to be what many of them are good at...but I digress....

Anyway, we created a blurb that we cut and paste on to the letters where it states the client owes and they'll have a voucher, basically explaining the upcoming changes.  We also include directions on how to pay on line if the person is not ready for the full amount to come out of their checking account within days of transmitting the efile.  We also have brightly colored notices posted in the office. 

Many older clients are the ones who will struggle with this and the IRS will allow exceptions in certain circumstances but if no banking information goes with the efile and the tax payer makes no payment online, they will receive a CP53E notice and will request a response within 30 days for banking info or a valid reason why it cannot be provided.  

It will hold up payments and potentially refunds as well.  

Look up Executive Order 14247 on the IRS website.  Good luck!

Modernizing payments to and from America’s bank account | Internal Revenue Service

As you said, they are "upcoming" changes for payments.  A CP53E is only if they did not provide banking information for direct deposit.

As of now, payments can still be made by check so the IRS should not be issuing any letter for that.