16451: EPS Direct Pay and TPG Prep Paid - Accounts Receivable Products

You can offer your customers the convenience of having your tax preparation fees withheld from their refund prior to being direct deposited into their bank account. These products are designed for the tax office that does not offer traditional tax refund bank products. To sign up, go to the Support website > Account > Bank Application and select either EPS - Direct Pay or TPG - Prep Paid.

Once approved, go to Drake Tax and navigate to Setup > Firms > Edit. Click to Confirm your EFIN. This will update your Firm setup to match the Support website approval. Press Save before exiting the firm screen.

To enable this product, open the taxpayer's return and complete the EPS or TPG screen. Valid ID information must be entered on the IDS screen as well. The return must be e-filed and accepted, and the refund processed by the IRS, before the preparer fees can be withheld and the remaining refund deposited to the taxpayer. Acknowledgements regarding the refund status are available under the EF menu. View acks by going to EF > Search EF Database. More information about bank codes is available in Related Links below. 

Program features are summarized below for each bank: 

EPS Direct Pay

• The fee is $12 per taxpayer, and is paid for by the tax preparer, similar to credit card processing.
• The program only offers direct deposit into the taxpayer’s bank account; there are no check or card disbursements.
• No advances are available with the program.
• No additional fees can be charged (i.e. add-on, document prep, technology, transmission, or franchise/network fees).

TPG Prep Paid (Formerly called Fee Collect)

• The fee is $15, and is collected from the tax preparation fees that will be shared with SBTPG.
• Disbursement is limited to direct deposit (ACH) or a Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card.
• No advances are available with the program.
• No additional fees can be charged (i.e. add-on, document prep, technology, transmission, or franchise/network fees).
• The SPA (Software Purchase Assistance) program is not available with Prep Paid.