UFile CVITP overview – Part 1: UFile software - Installation requirements and layout overview

Transcript

[Soft background music throughout the video]

Image on screen: Title of the video is in the top centre; at the bottom right-hand corner, the CVITP logo shows the outline of colourful people encircling text: People Helping People; an embedded video of American sign language interpretation appears throughout the video either in the top or bottom right-hand corner

Image on screen: Cayla avatar speaking in an office setting.

Cayla: Hello, my name is Cayla.

In this video series, you’ll learn about the UFile CVITP tax preparation software.

Image on screen: Title: Outline; the key topics appear to the left as the narration goes; to the right, the UFile logo shows a white, half maple leaf against a red background and black letters reading UFile

Cayla: First, we’ll see when the latest version of the UFile software is available and what is required to install it on your computer.

Then, we’ll take a look at the features and tabs in the tax software.

And finally we’ll go through the EFILE-Netfile set up.

Let’s start with the UFile CVITP availability.

Image on screen: Title: UFile CVITP; text appears on screen summarizing the key points as the narration goes; the following link: ufile.ca/products/cvitp appears on screen

Cayla: UFile CVITP is specifically for CVITP volunteers. It’s a customized version of the UFile tax preparation software.

A new version is released each year, usually in late January. Once available, the CRA sends an email to approved organizations. This email includes an activation key and instructions on how to install the software.

It’s important to have internet access for installation. If you don’t, contact your CRA coordinator. They can help you get the software.

The UFile version you use must be the same as the tax year you are preparing the tax return for. If you’re asked to prepare a tax return for a previous year, be sure to install that year’s version of UFile CVITP.

If the software version you need is not already installed on your computer, visit the UFile website at the link on your screen to download the right one.

Keep in mind that you need a separate activation key for the software for each year. You can get one from the contact person at your community organization or from your CRA coordinator.

If you need help installing the software, watch the video tutorial How to install the UFile CVITP software, available on the CVITP learning guide web page in the UFile overview section. There are also step-by-step instructions on the UFile tax software web page.

Image on screen: Title: UFile CVITP – System requirements; text appears on screen summarizing the key points as the narration goes

Cayla: To download UFile CVITP software, you will need:

• a Windows® 10 operating system
• 250 megabytes of available hard disk space and
• Internet access, which is needed for EFILE and getting software updates

Please note that Macintosh (Apple) operating systems are not compatible with the UFile CVITP software.

Now, let’s take a look at the general layout of the software.

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; in the top menu bar, the Start tab is highlighted; callouts surround each of the 5 tabs from the top menu bar as the narration goes

Cayla: Once you open UFile, you’ll see the welcome screen under the Start tab.

To move from one tab to another, click the tabs along the top menu bar. The tabs are Start, Interview, Review, Tax Return, and EFILE.

You will not be able to go to the Review, Tax Return, or EFILE tabs until all mandatory fields have been entered in the Interview section. Mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk.

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; callout surrounds the search field in the top menu bar; text reading ‘spousal amount’ appears in the field and a UFile help window opens up

Cayla: The search feature allows you to find information about a specific topic. For example, if you type spousal amount into the search box, a pop-up window opens and lists all topics that reference the spousal amount.

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; in the top menu bar, a callout surrounds the help button and the pointer clicks on it; a ‘What’s new in the program for 2021’ window opens up; next, at the bottom of the UFile screen, a callout surrounds the New Tutorial button and the pointer clicks on it; a Tutorial window opens up; next, in the top menu bar, a callout surrounds the settings button and the pointer activates the dropdown menu

Cayla: The help menu opens the main page of the onscreen help section. This page provides links to the most common topics, and an alphabetical index. You can also access the help menu by clicking on New Tutorial.

The settings menu allows you to Check for updates, Register the software, and complete the EFILE-NetFile setup.

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; in the top right-hand corner, the UFile CVITP logo is highlighted while the welcome screen is blurred; next, the pointer clicks on settings and EFILE-NetFile setup; the EFILE-NetFile setup window opens, a callout surrounds the section ‘In what capacity are you preparing tax returns?’ and the topic ‘Volunteer with the CVITP’ is highlighted; a callout surrounds the Save button

Cayla: Always make sure you are using the CVITP version of the software. The logo in the top right corner should say CVITP.

If it doesn’t, try:

• completing the software activation using the activation code provided
• starting UFile
• clicking on settings (the gear icon above the logo) and selecting EFILE-NetFile setup
• in the field In what capacity are you preparing tax returns? select Volunteer with the CVITP
  • click Save, in the bottom pop-up window
  • and select Restart

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; pointer clicks on settings, then on EFILE-NetFile setup from the drop down menu while callouts surround each section; the EFILE-NetFile setup window opens; each section of the window is highlighted as the narration goes

Cayla: To electronically file or what we call “EFILE” tax returns, you must complete the EFILE-NetFile setup. The EFILE-NetFile setup is available during the installation process, or from the settings menu.

If you’re using the CVITP version of UFile, “Volunteer with the CVITP” is set as the default option under In what capacity are you preparing tax returns? and the Electronic filing method has EFILE selected.

Complete all mandatory fields in both sections of the EFILE registration information:

• in Part A, enter your EFILE number and password
• in Part B, enter information about your organization

Organizations are responsible for sharing their CVITP Organization Identification Number also known as their COIN with volunteers and ensuring it is entered into UFile CVITP.

Yes is automatically selected for the question, Do you have a COIN? [callout surrounds Yes]

• If your organization provided you with their COIN, enter the number. [callout surrounds the section]
• If you do not have a COIN, select No. [callout surrounds No] You will still be able to prepare and transmit tax returns.

When working on a shared computer that is used by other volunteers, always open the EFILE-NetFile setup at the beginning and end of your shift.

Do this to make sure your EFILE number and password are entered correctly.

At the end of your shift, remove your identification information from Part A of the EFILE-NetFile setup by clicking on Clear Part A, then Save. [callouts surround each button]

To delete the information about your organization, in Part B click Clear All. [callout surrounds the Clear All button]

Image on screen: UFile CVITP 2021, welcome screen; callout surrounds the Start button and the pointer clicks on it; next, the Family Head Identification screen appears

Cayla: Once you’re ready to start a tax return, click on start on a new tax file.

The software will automatically bring you to the Identification section in the Interview tab.

If you want to resize the software window, a zoom scaling option is available on the top-right of the screen. The default setting is 100%. [callout surrounds the button]

Image on screen: UFile CVITP, Family Head Identification screen; the pointer drags the left and bottom chevrons to expand the screen while callouts surround each of the chevrons; next, a callout surrounds a question mark and the pointer clicks on it opening up an information window

Cayla: The two chevrons allow you to adjust the sizing of the main window, the left side menu, and the Errors, Warnings, and Information section at the bottom of the screen.

Throughout the software, you’ll notice question marks next to fields of entry. These provide details or tips about what type of information is needed.

You can click on the question mark to open a help menu and get additional support.

Image on screen: Animation of Cayla avatar speaking in an office setting

Cayla: I hope this demonstration was helpful.

Visit our CVITP learning guide web pages if you have questions, require more information, or need help with common error codes and troubleshooting.

Image on screen: Title: Volunteer resources; left aligned, the CVITP website information appears in a grey box and above a computer icon with an animated checkmark; right aligned, the CVITP dedicated helpline information appears in a grey box and above a cell phone icon with animated sound waves; the website link and the phone number are highlighted in bold as the narration goes

Cayla: These pages also have information on various training topics, procedures, and resources, including helpful links, contacts, and forms.

Go to: Canada.ca/cvitp-learning-guide

You can also contact the dedicated help line for volunteers if you:

• have questions about an individual’s specific information
• need general help for your free tax clinic
• want to order forms and publications, or
• have questions related to UFile CVITP

The phone number is 1-866-398-3488

Note that this toll-free number is only for volunteers. Don’t share it with anyone outside the program.

Image on screen: Animation of Cayla avatar speaking in an office setting

Cayla: This concludes part 1 of the UFile video series.

Join me in the next video where I’ll walk you through the Interview section.

Thank you for supporting the CVITP program!

See you soon!

Text on screen: copyright: Created by HRB Multimedia in collaboration with ABSB Community Outreach and Support Division and Canadian Hearing Services. All rights reserved, 2023

copyright: His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Revenue

Image on screen: Canada Revenue Agency logo; Canada wordmark and animated Canada flag