Description of Services

The Tax Credit Reporting Service (TCRS) is the premier reporting service for the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. TCRS is a product of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) Education Services Division. We are proud of our easy-to-use products and first class customer support and are excited to share our services with you. Please click the link to download the TCRS Product Manual.

• TCRS Product Manual

Data Transmission

• Microsoft Access Edit and Validation Tool provided to QA data format prior to submission to TCRS.
• Provide method of secure data transmission with FTP.
• Support Banner format.
• Robust system can handle files of varying sizes.
• Provide file receipt acknowledgment via email.
• Provide file processing completion message with file statistics via email.
• Commit error free data, only returning data that is in error with appropriate error messages.
• Return combined error report in such a manner that changes can be made to that file and resubmitted without returning to original extract.
• Ability to perform test data transmissions and preview data on test web site.

Data Validation

• Support School/Campus/Program hierarchy to provide flexibility for school organization structures. This is critical since information must be transmitted to the IRS by EIN. If a school has multiple campuses (i.e., Main and Continuing Education), TCRS supports each campus separately sending data and the TCRS system aggregates the data by EIN sending only one 1098-T per student per EIN. This will become extremely important when the waiver period is over and IRS reporting penalties are enforced.
• System batch file processing validates and identifies all errors per submitted record.
• Track doubtful addresses of students.
• Report on missing demographic or financial data (orphan reporting).
• Provide ability to view 1098-T on the web prior to releasing to students.

1098-T and Financial Supplement

• Provide a professional and detailed 1098-T form.
• Financial supplement is organized (with footnotes) in a manner to help taxpayer calculate amount for their IRS Form 8863. Also, indicate to students on form that drill-down detail of financial information is available on the web.
• Ability to support various financial types and aggregate data including prior year refunds.
• Brochure including information about the tax credits included in 1098-T mailing.
• Data electronically transmitted to the IRS.
• TCRS keeps 1098-T information for IRS required archive period.
• Prior year 1098-T information is available via the web.

TRA97.com (School Web Site)

• Secure user-friendly site.
• Support online history of mailed 1098-T Forms within tax year as well as across tax years.
• Granular security administration that allows users at the school, campus, and program level.
• Ability to view, add and modify submitted demographic and financial data.
• Ability to search by student name or SSN.
• Ability to view 1098-T forms online prior to releasing/mailing to student.
• Ability to choose whether to send demographic orphans or records with doubtful addresses.
• Ability to print 1098-T forms and supplemental from web site.

1098T.com (Student/Taxpayer Web Site)

• Secure user-friendly site.
• Allow students to assign/change a PIN.
• Allow students to view 1098-T Form and supplemental financial information with one sign-on, even if student attend multiple schools.
• Provide financial detail viewable through web links.
• Allow student to update address.
• Ability to print 1098-T form and supplemental from web site.
• Includes useful information about TRA97 tax credits.
• Includes on line, school-provided Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
• Ability for students to email questions/problems to call center personnel.

Student/Taxpayer Call Center (with Call Center Web Site)

• Secure issue tracking interface.
• Dedicated call center staff via toll-free number to field questions from student population.
• English and Spanish speaking Customer Service Representatives (CSRs).
• Online TRA97 knowledge base.
• Online school FAQs.
• Voice Response Unit.
• CSRs have the ability to relay issues back to School Relations Staff for research/resolution.

School Relations Staff

• Dedicated School Relations Analyst (SRA) staff to support schools.
• Toll-free number to reach the School Relations staff.
• SRA’s are dedicated to your school to support you throughout the tax credit reporting process.

TCRS offers optional service levels and services that provide a budget-sensitive solution for schools' TRA97 reporting needs. For more information about TCRS, please call 1-877-829-1098 to speak to a TCRS representative.