0825 Publ 5361 (PDF)

Official source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5361.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-03. U.S. Government work (17 U.S.C. § 105).

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For filing season 2026, TaxSlayer remains the software provider for the VITA/TCE program. SPEC continues to focus on readiness and training to ensure all SPEC relationship managers (RMs), partners and volunteers have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver another successful filing season.

TaxSlayer FSA is available this year as a fusion, stand-alone and remote product.

The fusion product must be ordered at the same time as the traditional online software. If the first order was already processed, then a stand-alone product must be ordered. TaxSlayer will send an email containing a customized URL embedded with the site’s unique SIDN.

Site administrators cannot run reports for sites using TaxSlayer FSA products. The RM must pull Kiosk production reports for these sites. Reports are uploaded weekly to the TaxSlayer Shared Drive during the filing season and monthly after the filing season through October.

NOTE: To activate the URLs for all of the FSA products the sites must provide the Relationship Manager with a support email and/or support phone number prior to their URL link being activated. TaxSlayer sends all FSA sites an email requesting this information.

A fusion site will have the same physical location as the traditional site. The site will offer clients the opportunity to self-prepare their current federal and state tax returns. The site must have a certified volunteer available to assist the client with tax law questions.

A standalone site will have a physical location and posted hours for clients to come and use the self-prep software. The site must have a certified volunteer available to assist the client with tax law questions. It can be located at a traditional site and can operate the same hours.

Publication 5361 (Rev. 8-2025) Catalog Number 73046A Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

Fact Sheet: TaxSlayer Procedural Updates for SPEC Partners and Employees

A remote site will be able to email the site’s TaxSlayer custom URL to a known individual and/or place a link on a private-facing website, commonly known as an intranet site. The site must have a certified volunteer available to assist the client with tax law questions. The assistance can be via phone, chat, or email. Response must be provided in a timely manner.

• TaxSlayer FSA Remote sites cannot do any of the following with their custom

URL:

• Place on public-facing website

• Send out in mass email

• Post on any social media/blog platform

• Include in electronic or paper newsletter/newspaper article

The Scanned Document program is a standard part of TaxSlayer. This program allows a certified volunteer to scan and upload documents into TaxSlayer for storage. When the return is prepared, a certified volunteer will be able to prepare the return by accessing those scanned documents and inputting the data to complete the return.

• Site must provide scanners and software for scanning. TaxSlayer will not

support this part of the process.

• Once documents are uploaded to TaxSlayer, the documents will be deleted in

November of each year by TaxSlayer.

• All TaxSlayer assigned roles allow users to access scanned documents.

• Client keeps original documents.

  • Documents are securely stored with TaxSlayer.

  • Return can be prepared remotely.

The Customer Portal feature is a standard part of TaxSlayer.

• All active TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online sites have access to Customer Portal.

• Preparers can initiate the Customer Portal for a client after completing

Taxpayer Basic Information.

• Taxpayer will need access to the Internet and an email address or cell phone

to utilize Customer Portal.

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Fact Sheet: TaxSlayer Procedural Updates for SPEC Partners and Employees

• Will reduce client appointments and call backs in the event a document was

initially forgotten.

• Allows the Taxpayer to upload documents to TaxSlayer. This can include

images (jpeg, gif) and documents (PDF, word). Individual files cannot exceed 10MB with a 25MB max per tax return.

• Allows the client to electronically sign necessary documents without being

present at the site.

• Sites can make copies of tax returns available to clients through the Customer

Portal.

• The Customer Portal has been enabled in the Practice Lab to allow hands on

training so the volunteer can see what the taxpayer sees

• Reduce cost of paper and printer toner

• Work your rejects via secured messaging in the scenario where you need

additional documentation

When using the TaxSlayer Scanned Document Program or the Customer Portal, the same site and virtual requirements must be followed and approved by your SPEC territory manager. This includes completing Form 15272, VITA/TCE Security Plan, and Form 14446, Virtual VITA/TCE Taxpayer Consent. See Publication 5450 for more information.

reCAPTCHA, “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart,” is a newly mandated security tool to verify a user is human. After two unsuccessful logins, a user will be prompted to check a box that they are not a robot.

A security role is a listing of permissions for a user. Each user can only be assigned one security role. Assign the user a security role that allows them to complete their duties at the volunteer site. It is highly recommended that coordinators assign volunteers to the lowest level “ROLE” possible.

All TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online predefined Security Roles will include access to Customer Portal, Scanned Documents, and the ability to delete scanned documents.

In most cases, you can use the security roles that TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online predefines with your software. You can choose from the following six (6) predefined security roles for each user:

• ADMINISTRATOR (TS)

• SUPERUSER

• PREPARER CURRENT YEAR*

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Fact Sheet: TaxSlayer Procedural Updates for SPEC Partners and Employees

• PREPARER ALL YEARS*

• INTERVIEWER

• REVIEWER

NOTE: Tax returns will display and print with truncated Social Security/Individual Tax Identification Numbers for Taxpayer, Spouse, and Dependents.

When users/preparers are created, security roles must be selected. If one of the predefined roles is not enough, a site is able to create customized security roles. For a listing of what is included in the predefined security roles, click the link: https://vitablog.taxslayerpro.com/default-security-template- definitions/.

Returning sites/users will be able to use the same login/username from the prior year. All sites from filing season 2025 will receive an email letting them know when their filing season 2026 software is available. An activation link will not be sent for a site that is a returning site from last season.

TaxSlayer will deactivate a returning site if a software order for tax year 2025 is not received by 12/31/2025. Once the order is received, TaxSlayer will re-activate the site.

If a returning site has a different contact name on the software order, the new contact person will need to contact TaxSlayer customer support. TaxSlayer will generate an email with a link to provide administrative rights to the new site contact.

New sites will receive two emails with activation links. One email will contain the Site Activation Notification code, requiring the site to verify site-specific information when creating an Administrator account. Another email will contain a User Activation code that allows the contact person on the software order to create a user account for their “My Account” page.

TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online and Desktop software gives sites the ability to prepare federal, state, and local individual tax returns for the previous five tax years (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022, TY2021, and TY2020). Sites can electronically file federal and state individual tax returns for the previous two years (TY2024 and TY2023).

NOTE: If sites have desktop software (possibly from a contingency plan) for earlier years, then you can still prepare paper returns for those years; however, TaxSlayer will not actively provide support.

Desktop sites, Pro Online sites and IRS employees must access the user guide electronically. The electronic user guide is available to all users in three locations:

1. VITA/TCE Springboard

2. “Helpful Tools” while inside a return

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Fact Sheet: TaxSlayer Procedural Updates for SPEC Partners and Employees

3. Under “VITA/TCE guides & publications” located in the left navigation bar on the Pro Online homepage

Now added to the left navigation bar is a choice for VITA/TCE guides & publications including:

• Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Civil Rights

• Publication 4012, VITA/TCE Volunteer Resource Guide

• Publication 5683, VITA/TCE Handbook for Partners and Site Coordinators

• Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)

• Publication 5166, Quality Site Requirements

• TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online User Guide

• TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online 1040-NR User Guide

• TaxSlayer Pro ^® Online Amended Return User Guide

• TaxSlayer FSA Presentation

• TaxSlayer FSA Best Practice

• TaxSlayer FSA Troubleshooting Tips

• IRS Reject Resource Guide

Only sites that have connectivity issues (e.g., rural areas that have unreliable Wi-Fi and cell coverage) will be allowed to order TY 2025 and beyond Desktop product. SPEC area director approval is required for these orders.

This will not preclude the use of desktop software on a contingency basis.

Use of volunteer personal (BYOD) computers at sites using TaxSlayer Desktop is prohibited. Sites are strongly encouraged to retain partner-owned or IRS-loaned computers at the site during non-site hours.

NOTE: Exceptions for partner owned or IRS loaned computers will be made for volunteers who are traveling between sites or if security at the site is such that leaving computer equipment is not possible.

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