Importing Accounting Data Using G/L Bridge

You can use G/L Bridge to import data from your accounting program into Tax returns. The following types of tax returns can import accounting data:

  • Partnership
  • Corporation
  • S Corporation
  • Exempt Organization
  • Individual returns

G/L Bridge provides Closedpredefined imports for several popular accounting systems. Tax also includes a generic processing option for use with accounting systems that do not interface with Tax.

The following accounting systems have predefined imports in G/L Bridge:

  • CCH Axcess™ Financial Prep
  • CCH® ProSystem fx® Engagement
  • CCH® ProSystem fx® Trial Balance/CBEAM
  • CaseWare®
  • Client Accounting Suite Premier
  • Creative Solutions Accounting

ClosedPreparing Your Import Data

In most cases, you must export the data from your accounting system to create an import file. You can find instructions for creating these export files in the user documentation for your accounting system.

If you use Financial Prep, you can either export the accounting data, or you can use the Tax Link feature to send accounting data to a return. Tax Link is a Financial Prep feature that creates a persistent link between a client's accounting data and a tax return. Once this link is established, updated accounting data can be sent from Financial Prep to Tax with a single click. In Tax, you will be automatically prompted to import the updated accounting data when you next open the linked return.

Note: You do not have to complete the Financial Prep import when prompted. However, the prompt will continue to display each time the return is opened until the data is imported.

Other than creating the tax return that you want to link to, you do not need to perform any set up in Tax to use this feature. In Financial Prep, the link to the return is set up on the client's Tax Summary page. See the Financial Prep Help for more information.

ClosedPerforming the Import

  1. Open the tax return that is to receive the accounting data.

    Note: If you receive a prompt to reimport from Financial Prep, continue with step 6.

  2. Click G/L Bridge in the Import group on the Import / Export tab.
  3. Select the accounting system you are importing from.
  4. Select to import from either an import file or a client.

    Note: Imports from a client are only available for imports from Engagement. Engagement must be accessible from your installation.

  5. Select the import file or client that you are importing from.
    • If you are importing from a file, click Browse to navigate to and select the import file.
    • If you are importing from a client, select the client from the list that displays in the Select accounting system client grid.
  6. Click Options.

    Important

    • Depending on the import options you select, data imported from an accounting system can override information on the existing tax return. For this reason, you should always review the import options carefully before completing an import.
    • The matching logic used to reprocess an import is different than the logic used for initial processing. If you are reprocessing an import, review the information in Reprocessing Returns through G/L Bridge before beginning.
  7. On the General tab, select options that specify how Tax should handle data imported from the accounting system.
    • ClosedGeneral Tab - Import options section
    • ClosedGeneral Tab - Schedule M-3 Import Options
    • ClosedGeneral Tab - Schedule M-3 Data Removal Options
  8. On the Existing Returns tab, select the options you want to apply for imports into existing returns. For more information about the effect each import option has on the return, click a link below.
    • ClosedExisting Returns Tab - Options for ProSystem fx accounting systems
    • These options only apply if CCH® ProSystem fx® Engagement, CCH Axcess™ Financial Prep, or CCH® ProSystem fx® Trial Balance/CBEAM is selected in the Select accounting system list on the G/L Bridge dialog. See G/L Bridge Accounting Systems Processing Profiles for information about the affected systems.

      These accounting systems use enhanced linkages to process imported data. This process transfers tax code identifier data as well as amounts and descriptions. Each detail data item in worksheet grids has a tax code identifier stored with it in the tax return.

      The internally stored tax code identifiers are only generated by G/L Bridge processing. Detail data items in worksheet grids that were entered manually or rolled over from prior year do not have tax code identifiers. This uncoded class of data is referred to as existing data.

      Note: Existing data applies only to data items processed by G/L Bridge. It does not include other groups of data in your return such as depreciation detail, installment sales, carryovers, state data, etc.

      Option Effect on Return
      Keep existing data (default) Manually entered or rolled over detail data items in worksheet grids that G/L Bridge imports to are kept.
      Remove existing data

      Manually entered or rolled over detail data items in worksheet grids that G/L Bridge imports to are removed, unless certain exceptions apply as explained below.

      Do not remove interest income detail data

      The Income/Deductions > Interest worksheet retains amounts in the state and Federal Tax Withheld columns. All amount columns will be blank.

      These valid data records can be present in the return but have no data in the amount fields processed by G/L Bridge. This option allows you to exclude these detail data items in worksheet grid ranges from import processing.

      Tip: The following table shows the possible combinations of the tax code identifier options and the Import beginning balance sheet data options on the General tab. As shown in the table, the matching logic that is used for processing differs depending on the options selected.

      Data option selected on the Existing returns tab Balance sheet option specified on General tab Record Type Description Beg. of Taxable Year Amount End of Taxable Year Amount Record Processing
      Keep existing data option selected Import beginning balance sheet data option selected Coded Match and replace Match and replace Match and replace Compare identifiers
      Uncoded Keep Keep Keep Keep records
      Import beginning balance sheet data option not selected Coded Match and replace Keep1 Match and replace Compare1
      Uncoded Keep Keep Keep Keep records
      Remove existing data option selected Import beginning balance sheet data option selected Coded Match and replace Match and replace Match and replace Compare identifiers
      Uncoded Delete Delete Delete Delete records
      Import beginning balance sheet data option not selected Coded Match and replace Keep1 Match and replace Compare1
      Uncoded Keep2 Keep2 Initialize to zero Keep2

      1 Only delete record if the tax code identifier is not matched on the tax interface file and the beginning of year amount is zero.

      2 Only delete record if the beginning of year amount is zero.

    • ClosedExisting Returns Tab - Options for other accounting systems
    • These options are applicable to systems that do not process tax code identifiers. See G/L Bridge Accounting Systems Processing Profiles for information about which systems are affected.

      In the Interest income detail data processing options section, choose whether to override existing interest income data or to blend imported data with existing data. This data is overridden only with your consent, since interest income data can be associated with many input fields and data items rolled over from the prior year.

  9. To save the import options you have selected as defaults for future G/L Bridge imports, click Save as Default, and then click Yes.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Click Import.

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

  12. 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.

  13. Click Finish.