Use either the NOTE or the PAD screen to produce pop-up reminders or to put preparer notes on the NOTESpages in View/Print mode. You can use either or both screens, and you can Page Down for multiple screens.

Summary

To produce a pop-up reminder when a return is opened to data entry, use the PAD screen or the Miscellaneous Notes field on the NOTE screen.

The pop-up must be enabled by selecting the option Show notes/reminders to preparer when opening a return on the Setup > Options > Data Entry tab.

A NOTE screen pop-up (Miscellaneous Notes field) can be individually disabled with the Don’t show option.

To produce a note on the NOTES pages in View/Print mode, use the first four note fields on the NOTE screen.

To prevent e-filing for a problem or open issue, select the Hold EF option on the NOTE screen.

To produce a note that updates to next year, use the PAD screen or the Miscellaneous Notes field on the NOTE screen.

Screen	Pop-up reminder?	Appears in View on NOTES page?	Can prevent e-filing?	Updates to next year?	Goes into Organizer?
PAD	If enabled in Setup > Options	No	No	Yes	No
NOTE	Only the Miscellaneous Notes field on NOTE screen. If enabled in Setup > Options and Don't show is unselected on NOTE screen.	Yes, except Miscellaneous Notes field entries.	Yes, if EF Hold option is selected.	Only Miscellaneous Notes field entries.	Only Miscellaneous Notes field entries where Print on Organizer is selected.

Details

A PAD screen entry always updates to next year and always produces a "Preparer Notepad" reminder pop-up when the return is opened to data entry:

If you use the NOTE screen:

• The first four notes entered on the NOTE screen appear in View/Print mode on the NOTESpages.

• Hold EF produces EF Message 5421 ("review the NOTE screen for outstanding issues") to prevent e-filing until the option is cleared.

  • Selecting this option does not stop an extension (Form 4868) from being e-filed, in expectation that more information is needed from the client.

• Don't show keeps a Miscellaneous Notes entry from appearing as a pop-up.

• Print on Organizer puts a Miscellaneous Notes entry in a "Miscellaneous Notes" section on MISC Page 3 of the client's organizer for next season.

• The NOTESpage shows the first four notes on the NOTE screen.