Message from Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG)

Message from Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG):

REFUND TRANSFER (RT) CHECKS
With the revised funding cycles the IRS has published this year, you can expect check print records to be sent to you more frequently throughout the week. Regardless of when we receive IRS notification of deposits on any given day of the week (more frequently on Tuesdays or Wednesdays this year) and in order to follow bank compliance procedures, we will be releasing check print records each day starting at 3:00 pm PST since we do not receive the actual funds from the IRS until the following day. Please be prepared to print your checks that evening or the following morning for the season.

ACH DISBURSEMENTS
All tax preparer fees and taxpayer disbursements designated to go by ACH direct deposit have an effective date of the next business day, so please keep that in mind when you are expecting a deposit for you or your client. Most banks will post the deposits the same day they receive them, but some post it the following business day.

IRS FUNDING DELAYS FOR RTs
Most accounts are paid as expected according to the IRS refund cycle. Each year however there are accounts that were expected but not paid either fully or partially each week. Please inform your affected clients to be patient with the IRS. As we normally get funding weekly, have them check back the following week as that usually will be the earliest we will see another deposit. (NOTE: For refunds processed through the IRS CADE (Modernized) system, you may see check print records come through sooner than the following week, however, our customer service reps will continue to tell clients to check back next week.)

For assistance with these clients, we have posted a notice call "IRS Refund Delays" under the ‘Downloadable Forms’ link when you log in to our website. This can help you explain to your customer what may have happened.

CHECK PRINTING RECONCILIATION
In order to print checks, you need to place a verification code from your check stock called “Check Layout Version” (it is 4 characters, and it is located on the bottom right of the check stub). This verifies you are printing on current year stock. After you finish printing your checks, try to make sure you connect again with your transmitter to send your check print records back to us as soon as you can do it. This helps reconcile our system to recognize what the check numbers are for check verification purposes. It is important to do this as quickly as possible after printing checks. Also, please remember to inform your clients who have primary and secondary taxpayer names on the check that if they both cannot cash the check at the same time, the primary taxpayer must be the one to cash their check when they go to a check cashing establishment.

COMPLIANCE UPDATE
You should have or will receive a separate email directly from TPG titled “Important Compliance Update for 2012”. Please read through that and the attachments when you receive it as it may impact you directly this tax season. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Team TPG

Banking Update: RushCard Now Available Through Advent Financial

CrossLink customers, through our relationship with Advent Financial, have the option of offering the Prepaid Visa® RushCard* to their clients. The RushCard enables tax preparers to offer their customers prepaid debit card options.

Benefits include:

• A robust compensation / rebate plan
• Marketing collateral, product, and store signage provided by RushCard
• No cost obligation for participating EROs
• Faster, Safer, and more Convenient for your customers

Click here to learn more about how you can offer the RushCard through Advent Financial in conjunction with CrossLink Professional Tax Software.

The Prepaid Visa RushCard is issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used wherever Visa debit cards are accepted.

*Obtaining Your Card: The USA PATRIOT Act is a Federal law that requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens a Card Account. What this means for you: When you open a Card Account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to reasonably identify you. We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents at any time.

Proud to Partner with Insight Tax Solutions!

CrossLink is proud to partner with Insight Tax Solutions for the 2012 Tax Season.

Insight is a leading provider of financial solutions for the millions of overlooked consumers who lack a traditional bank account. Insight provides consumers with a broad spectrum of products and services that address the reality of their financial lives.

Insight combines a deep understanding of the tax prep industry with significant opportunities for you to increase revenues, while providing your customers the most options available at tax time.

For more information about Insight Tax Solutions, visit CrossLinkTax.com.

If you would like to apply for ERO Bank Enrollment with Insight Tax Solutions, contact your CrossLink Sales Representative today at 800.345.4337. Current CrossLink customers can also enroll online by clicking here.

Proud to Partner with Advent Financial!

Based in Kansas City, MO, with an additional support center in Tampa Bay, FL, Advent Financial is focused on providing the Independent Tax Preparer with high quality products for their clients, along with the service and support to improve their business. Their settlement products offer your clients an opportunity to not have to pay out of pocket for your services; Advent deducts and pays all appropriate fees from the client’s refund and distributes the net proceeds to your clients on settlement day in one of three ways: checks, ACH deposit, or by a year-round Get It prepaid MasterCard® issued at the tax desk, the easiest and fastest way for your client to receive their money.

They are a team of passionate individuals, with over 100 years combined experience in the e-File industry, who are committed to your success and to saving families money.

For more information about Advent Financial, visit CrossLinkTax.com.

If you would like to apply for ERO Bank Enrollment with Advent Financial, contact your CrossLink Sales Representative today at 800.345.4337. Current CrossLink customers can also enroll online by clicking here.

Proud to Partner with SBTPG!

Building on a legacy of nearly 20 years of industry leadership and superior customer support, TPG, in cooperation with their banking partners, provides fairly priced quality financial products which deliver true value and satisfy consumers' needs.

TPG is a nationally known leader in the electronic filing industry. They provide quality financial products and services that will enhance your tax preparation and electronic filing business. Their portfolio of financial services and their commitment to superior customer support will meet your business needs now and in the future.

For more information about TPG, visit CrossLinkTax.com.

If you would like to apply for ERO Bank Enrollment with TPG, contact your CrossLink Sales Representative today at 800.345.4337. Current CrossLink customers can also enroll online by clicking here.

Enroll with Republic Bank & Trust Today!

With over 15 years of experience in the e-File industry, Republic Bank & Trust Company is one of the leading national providers of e-File bank products which include Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs), Electronic Refund Checks (ERCs) and Electronic Refund Deposits (ERDs).

Customers who choose a product from Republic Bank can pay their tax preparation fees out of their refund and apply for a loan to receive money in 24 hours or less.

For more information about Republic Bank, visit CrossLinkTax.com.

If you would like to apply for ERO Bank Enrollment with Republic Bank, contact your CrossLink Sales Representative today at 800.345.4337. Current CrossLink customers can also enroll online by clicking here.