The Tax interface with Practice includes the ability to post time clock transaction detail for each tax return session to Practice Time Capture. Time clock transaction detail then becomes WIP transactions that can be used for billing records.
Options in the return configuration set enable the use of time clocks in Tax and determine the service code and description to be used for each return type. To use this interface option, Practice must be licensed and installed, and the option to enable time clocks must be selected in the return configuration set. For more information, see Configuring the Return Configuration Set Practice Clock Interface.
Additionally, you can set time clocks to start automatically or manually in User Options > Tax > Interface Options > Practice. However, return configurations sets with enabled time clocks start clocks automatically, overriding the manual setting. See Setting Your Practice Interface User Options for Tax .
Using Time Clock Controls
The following time clock controls display in the Tax status bar.
| Control | Description |
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| Clock <status> | Displays the current clock status, such as running, stopped, or paused. |
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Creates a new clock and starts the timer. |
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Pauses the time clock. Pausing the clock does not send time transaction detail to Practice. Note: If you selected Allow Clocks to Run Simultaneously in your Time Capture User Options, other clocks are allowed to run concurrently; otherwise, all clocks are paused when you restart a paused clock. |
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Resumes a paused time clock. |
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Stops the time clock. The Enter Transaction window displays, allowing you to enter transaction information and post the time clock transaction to Practice. |
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Deletes the time clock transaction. |
If you selected to automatically start the time clock for new or existing returns in User Options, the time clock starts automatically when you select New > Tax Return or Open > Tax Return in Return Manager, and the time clock stops when a return is closed.
If you selected to manually start the time clock in User Options, you must click the Start control in the Tax status bar. You can stop the time clock manually; otherwise, the time clock stops automatically when a return is closed.
Entering Transaction Detail
When you stop the time clock or close a return, the Enter Transaction window displays, allowing you to enter transaction information and post the time transaction to Practice. The available options on the Enter Transaction window are based on the Time Capture settings that are configured for your firm.
You can set default service code and description values for each return type in a return configuration set. The description value from the return configuration set populates the Internal note field on the Enter Transaction window. See Configuring the Return Configuration Set Practice Clock Interface for more information.
After entering transaction information, click any of the following:
- Save & Post. Saves the time clock transaction and posts the detail in Time Capture. Once the transaction has been posted, it can only be changed by staff with functional rights assigned to change posted WIP.
- Save & Close. Saves the time clock transaction without posting the detail in Time Capture. You can edit and post the transaction information in the Daily Entry window at a later time.
- Cancel. Does one of the following:
- Enter Transaction window displays after clicking Stop. Closes the Enter Transaction window without saving your changes and continues running the time clock.
- Enter Transaction window displays when closing return. Closes the Enter Transaction window without saving your changes, pauses the time clock, and closes the return. When you reopen the return, you are prompted to use the status bar time clock controls to resume, delete, or stop the paused time clock.