Importing Tax Data

Important: The following batch procedure will not be used by most Tax users. Contact Support if you need to perform this procedure.

You can import tax data from an external file to update existing returns in batches. You can also use this import to create new returns in batches.

Note:  Return data cannot be imported into returns that are locked, in use, or checked out.

To import tax data from an external file, do the following:

  1. Open Return Manager.
  2. Click Import in the Tax Data group on the Utilities tab.
  3. Click Browse.
  4. Navigate to and select the file to be imported.
  5. Click Open.

    6. Note: Tax data files have .DAT file name extensions.

  6. Select the Update existing client profile with tax data check box if you want client profile information in the .DAT file to overwrite existing client profile data in CCH Axcess. If you do not select this check box, the client data will be imported into the return, but will not overwrite the client profile data. To see a full list of the client profile data, see Sharing Common Data.

    7. Notes:

    • To use this option, you must enable the firm setting that allows client profiles to be updated from Tax returns. See Managing Your Firm Tax Options for information about this setting.
    • Client profile data will only be updated when you import return data for the most recent year return that is present for a given client. For example, if a client has both a 2012 return and a 2013 return, only client data imported for the 2013 return can be used to overwrite the client profile data.
    • The CCH Axcess client profile data will not be overwritten if validation fails or you cancel the import.
    • If a corresponding client profile does not exist in CCH Axcess for a return, the client data in the .DAT file will be used to create the client profile.
    • Your selection for this option is not retained for future imports.
  7. Click Validate. The system reviews the data in the file to ensure that it can be imported. When validation completes, the system displays one of the following messages:
    • Validation completed. All data in the source file can be imported. You can continue to the next step in the import.
    • Validation partially succeeded. Some data in the source file cannot be imported. You can continue with the import without fixing the errors. However, only the data that passed validation will be imported.
    • Validation failed. The data file cannot be imported in its current form.To view information about the problematic data, click Details. You must exit the wizard and fix the errors. Then, you can repeat the import process.
  8. Click Import.

    Important: You cannot cancel an import once it has begun.

  9. When the import completes, click Details to view information about the imported data.

    Note: The detail logs are not retained when you exit the wizard. If you need to keep a copy of a log for your reference, click Print to send the log to a printer. You can also click Copy to add the information to the Windows Clipboard, then paste the log information into another document.

  10. Click Finish.

Important: Before attempting to open a return that was updated or created by the tax data import, first check the import job status in Batch Manager. The import may still be in progress even though the import wizard indicates that the submission to Batch Manager is completed.