ProTaxNet Online Filing Cooperative

What if I encounter technical problems while using ProTaxNet OLF?

Besides more technically-oriented FAQs on the Online Filing site to help you with any technical problems you may be experiencing, there's also an online Chat feature in the tax program itself (charges may apply). You may also try calling us on our toll-free line at 1-800-TAX REFUND for some technical support questions, though our staff's technical expertise is limited. That's one of the caveats of "do-it-yourself" online filing -- hopefully the online experience will be user-friendly enough for you that you won't require technical support. If you are experiencing technical difficulties and cannot get your technical problem satisfactorily resolved, you may wish to use our Professional Tax Services, which are by fax.

How do I get answers to my tax questions while using ProTaxNet Online?

There are Help description icons associated with just about every entry field on the online tax forms themselves, which offer limited assistance with tax form questions. There's also an "Ask A Tax Professional" feature in the tax program which enables you to e-mail us for help with a basic tax question. A basic tax question is defined as one for which the answer can be found in the 1040 tax booklets. You'll generally get an answer to your e-mail question within 24 hours, though it may take longer during peak season. Do not expect answers to more than one tax question. Our experience has been that if you have multiple tax-related questions, you are not a good candidate for preparing your own taxes online. Should you have multiple tax questions, or pose a tax question requiring research or expertise beyond the basics, our Support Staff will recommend you use our Professional Tax Services, or have your completed online return professionally reviewed via our OLF Review Request. In an effort to address IRS concerns over the frequency of taxpayer errors online, we will also be offering registered users limited free telephone support via our toll-free line to answer a basic tax question.

How accurate is ProTaxNet Online?

CCH Inc., the 20+ year tax software industry veteran that provides the round-the-clock internet functionality for the ProTaxNet Online Filing site, guarantees the accuracy of the calculations performed by the site. Calculations are defined as the numerical addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication of numbers, and related program features that select numbers from tax tables. It does not include any instance where a taxpayer makes a decision to substitute a number for the one automatically computed by the program, known as an "override". CCH Inc. will pay any IRS penalties and/or interest initially assessed to the taxpayer for a tax underpayment resulting from an error in the program's calculation, up to $10,000. No other warranty is expressed or implied. See the Terms of Service for more details when you enter the online filing site.

How safe is my tax information online?

When transmitting information between you and the Online Filing server, as well as when communicating with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for electronic filing, data security is handled through a protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL is an established and mature Internet security standard with two dominant features: Data Encryption and Web Server Authentication. Data Encryption is the process of transforming legible information into a complex arrangement of illegible information. Encryption strength is measured by the length of the key used to encrypt the data; the longer the key, the more effective the encryption. Using the SSL protocol, data transmission between you and the Online Filing web server is performed at the highest domestic level of encryption strength, currently 256-bit. With Web Server Authentication, a SSL certificate is issued to ensure authentic and accurate identification of a secured web server. This translates into a digital ID, kind of like an electronic fingerprint, which is included in the key used to encrypt the data. Only the Online Filing web server, in this case, is able to decrypt the data that you transmit because it is the intended (and digitally certified) secured web server for your data transmission. The ProTaxNet Online Filing Site, managed by CCH Inc.,, resides under a VeriSign certified Secure Socket Layer (SSL) url and all subsequent web pages are verified through the secure connection of this SSL. Verification may be done by visiting the VeriSign web site or by clicking the VeriSign Security logo on the OLF login screen.

What's your Online Filing Privacy Policy?

Please review our Online Filing Privacy Policy when you go to the ProTaxNet Online Filing website.

Does ProTaxNet OLF carry my tax information over from year to year?

Yes, if you used ProTaxNet to prepare your 2010 return you will be prompted to carry forward that information upon starting your 2011 return. Simply log in where it says "Returning Users" using last year's User ID and Password.

How soon can I expect my refund if I file electronically?

Check out the schedule below. As you see, IRS is depositing refunds every Wednesday this year, but your tax return must be accepted by IRS at least 7 days before the deposit date.

Is my refund guaranteed to be on time?

Our experience has been that about 95% of all refunds are deposited on the date expected. We've seen 5% or so held back by IRS for what they call a "compliance review" and deposited one week later. Other reasons for delay of refund are as follows:

1) Taxpayer owes delinquent Federal or State taxes, either individual or business 2) Taxpayer owes delinquent child support 3) Taxpayer has certain other delinquent debt with Federal or State agencies, such as student loans, military, etc. 4) Primary taxpayer's name and/or SSN has changed since filing last year's return or taxpayer did not file a return last year (possible one week delay) 5) Taxpayer has claimed a blatantly unallowable deduction 6) Social Security Name/Number for taxpayer, spouse, or dependent does not match information provided by the Social Security Administration 7) Return has been selected by IRS for Earned Income Credit review

Do I Really Need Audit Protection?

We're not going to try to sell you something that, in our 20+ years of preparing income tax returns professionally, we believe you don't need. First, of the 2% of all individual tax returns that get audited, the vast majority are high income, contain questionable business/investment income/losses, or claim exaggerated or unallowable deductions or credits. If you fear getting audited because your return is complex, you should not be doing your own taxes online -- pay a professional to do your taxes. If your tax return is not complex, and if you can substantiate your claim for exemptions, credits, and deductions, then what do you have to fear if, by some slim chance, you get a letter from IRS? A well-documented explanation of your claim will often convince IRS to waive or adjust their position. If, on the other hand, you cannot substantiate your claims, then no amount of "Audit Protection" will pay your overdue taxes for you.