Santa Barbara Tax Products Group

2024 National Tax Security Awareness Week

Ryan Melius — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:31:05 +0000

Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (sbtpg) is kicking off the 9th annual National Tax Security Awareness week with other Security Summit members. The Security Summit is a joint effort between the IRS, states, the tax industry and tax professionals that works to protect taxpayers and the tax system against identity theft.

“People need to be extra careful during the holidays and during tax season,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Taxpayers should use extra caution this holiday season to protect their valuable personal and financial information, whether shopping online or clicking on links in email and other messages. A little extra caution can protect taxpayers’ confidential information and reduce the risk of identity theft in the upcoming filing season.”

Safety tips to remember during the holidays and throughout the year

During the busiest time of the year for online shopping, the Security Summit reminds taxpayers of some important steps to protect themselves and their information from data thieves:

Only shop online with secure websites with URLs that begin with “https:” and look for a padlock icon in the browser window
Don't shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall or restaurant
Ensure security software is updated on computers and mobile devices
Watch and help protect the devices of family members who may not be technologically savvy, including young children and seniors
Make sure anti-virus software for computers has a feature to stop malware, and that there is a firewall enabled to prevent intrusions
Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts
Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible

Simple steps can protect taxpayers

In addition to those protective steps, taxpayers should be wary of a variety of email scams. Throughout the year, taxpayers should be aware of different types of email phishing scams that identity thieves and scam artists commonly use.

Phishing/Smishing – Phishing emails or SMS/texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file. Often phishing attempts are sent to multiple email addresses at a business or agency, increasing odds that someone will fall for the trick.
Spear phishing – This is a specific type of phishing scam that bypasses emailing large groups at an organization, instead identifying potential victims and delivering a more realistic email known as a “lure.” These types of scams can be trickier to identify since they don't occur in large numbers. They single out individuals, can be specialized and make the email seem more legitimate. Scammers can pose as a potential client for a tax professional, luring the practitioner into sharing sensitive information.
Clone phishing – This is a newer type of phishing scam that clones a real email message and resends it to the original recipient pretending to be the original sender. The new message will have either an attachment that contains malware or link that tries to steal information from a recipient.
Whaling – Whaling attacks are very similar to spear phishing, except these attacks are generally targeted to leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resource personnel and financial offices as well as leadership.

Three reminders to remain vigilant against fraud and identity theft

The IRS will never email, text or call to request an IP PIN
Taxpayers should keep their IP PIN safe and should not reveal their IP PIN to anyone but their trusted tax professional or tax software provider. They should only request an IP PIN to complete a tax return.
To avoid processing delays, taxpayers should enter their IP PIN on any return, whether filed electronically or by paper, including amended returns and returns for prior years

Taxpayers, businesses can protect themselves with extra security

With identity thieves looking for better sources of data to try filing false tax returns, business and taxpayer security is even more important. We encourage taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to remember to take some simple steps to protect important financial and tax information.

Set security software to update automatically
Back up important files
Require strong passwords and pair them with multi-factor authentication
Encrypt all devices

Visit the National Tax Security Awareness Week 2024 for additional information.

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Introducing Fast Forward by sbtpg

Ryan Melius — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:59:36 +0000

NEW! Give clients early access to their tax refund!¹

We are pleased to introduce a new tool designed to help you satisfy more clients. Fast Forward by sbtpg is a new resource that helps independent tax professionals serve clients that need early access to their federal tax refund - all at no cost to the tax professional.

How it works

Your clients can request Fast Forward when they select the Refund Transfer with direct deposit. When the IRS funds their federal refund, qualified clients can receive their refund direct deposit up to 5 days early.

Qualifying is simple

No credit? No problem! - good credit is not required
Helps banked clients - available to clients requesting direct deposit
Works with a network of banks - no need to open a new bank account to qualify
Widely available - available to clients with federal tax refunds up to $10,000

Another tool for growing tax professionals

Fast Forward is just another tool for tax professionals looking to gain a competitive edge over other tax practices. Cultivate client loyalty with benefits clients can't find elsewhere.

Fast & easy

Fast Forward is integrated into your tax software, so it's easy to help clients get their refund early.

Extra Income

Process 10+ Fast Forwards and you can earn $5 for every funded Fast Forward²

No cost to you

Your client pays $25 for Fast Forward, so you don't have to add to your bottom line.

Free marketing resources

Access free marketing resources that help you present Fast Forward to clients, giving you an edge over competitors.

Get time back

We'll notify your client as soon as their refund is ready, freeing up more of your time for tax preparation.

Build trust with clients

Help clients get money early at tax time and give them another reason to visit to your office

Ready to offer Fast Forward?

Enroll with Santa Barbara Tax Products Group with a participating transmitter and get access to this tool at no cost to you.

Check with your transmitter for availability.

Learn more

Legal disclaimers

¹Fast Forward by sbtpg is provided by Green Dot Bank. Terms and fees apply. To be eligible for Fast Forward, the taxpayer must have a Refund Transfer for a federal tax refund that is no more than $10,000 and have selected direct deposit. Availability may vary based on the taxpayer's bank participating in Real-Time Payments, IRS pre-notification of pending refund deposit, and availability of funds. $25.00 fee is not charged if the taxpayer is ineligible. If a new Green Dot card is selected in the tax office, the taxpayer will receive the federal refund up to five days early without being charged the $25.00 fee. Check with transmitter for availability.

2 Process 10+ funded Fast Forwards and receive a $5 incentive for each funded Fast Forward deposited to taxpayers' bank accounts by 5/31/25. Incentives paid by 7/15/25.

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2024 Conference Schedule

Ryan Melius — Tue, 14 May 2024 12:22:43 +0000

Visit us at a tax conference this summer

We are excited to have a full summer conference schedule with events all over the U.S. to connect with us.

We will be exhibiting at the following tax conferences this summer. Attend and you'll have a chance to ask questions, get answers and find out what's new from our team of subject matter experts that are attending events nationwide.

Stop by our booth for a chance to win

This summer we're giving away thousands of $ in instant win gift cards, and we always have a ton of free swag.*

City	Event	Dates
Miami		June 5-7
Las Vegas		June 25-27
Miami		July 5-7
Chicago		July 9-11
Las Vegas		July 19-20
Orlando		July 22-24
Orlando		July 30-31
Orlando		July 31
Baltimore		August 13-14
Dallas		August 20-21
San Diego		September 10-11
San Diego		September 11
Las Vegas		September 18-19
Las Vegas		September 18-20
Louisville		September 30 - October 1
Washington DC		October 19-20
Houston		November 13-15

* Available while supplies last. Promotional details available at our booth.

The post 2024 Conference Schedule appeared first on Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

The 2023 National Tax Security Awareness Week

Ryan Melius — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 13:48:00 +0000

2023 IRS National Tax Security Awareness

This is now the 8th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week. We join the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry in urging increased security measures to protect against tax-related identity theft and scams. Here are a few ways you or your clients can combat identity theft.

Encourage your clients to create an IRS Online Account

This tool provides your clients with a simple and secure way to go online and get their latest payment history, balance and more. They can even approve and electronically sign Power of Attorney and Tax Information Authorization requests, which can make your job easier.

An IRS Online Account usually takes only 5 to 10 minutes to set up. It uses a two-factor authentication process that protects personal information. Once your client creates an account, scammers can't create a fraudulent one for the same person.

Avoid fraud and tax-related identity theft with an IP PIN

The IRS and the Security Summit partners encourage taxpayers to join the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program.

An IRS IP PIN is a special six-digit number that helps prevent criminals from filling fraudulent federal income tax returns or stealing refunds using a taxpayer's personal information. IP PINs are unique because they are known only to the taxpayer and the IRS.

Taxpayers can get an IP PIN if you they a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and can successfully verify their identity.

The easiest and fastest way to get an IP PIN is with Get my IP PIN, which is available from mid-January through mid-November.

IRS Tax Pro Account: Another line of defense against data theft

Another way to help protect sensitive information from identity thieves is with secure online tools such as Tax Pro Account.

Tax Pro Account is a secure, mobile-friendly, digital self-service that enables you to act on a taxpayer's behalf, view their information and manage their authorizations more efficiently.

You can use Tax Pro Account to send power of attorney and tax information authorization requests directly to a taxpayer's individual IRS Online Account. Once the taxpayer approves the request, it's processed in real time.

For details about e-Services, Tax Pro Account, EINs, filing, forms, third party authorizations and other safe and secure online tools to serve your clients, see the Tax Professionals page on IRS.gov.

The post The 2023 National Tax Security Awareness Week appeared first on Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

2023 Conference Schedule

Ryan Melius — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:51:14 +0000

2023 conference and trade show schedule

We'd love to see you this summer at these tax conferences

Return of the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum

The Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (sbtpg) team is excited to have a full summer conference schedule with the return of the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums.

We will be exhibiting at the following conferences this summer. Attend and you'll have a chance to ask questions, get answers and find out what's new from our team of subject matter experts that are attending events nationwide. You may even win a prize, and you'll always walk away with some free sbtpg swag.

List of winners displayed here

Where to register

Visit the conference websites below for more information and to register. We are currently scheduled to exhibit at the events listed below.

Latino Tax Fest

IRS Tax Forum

NATP

City	Event	Dates
Las Vegas		July 10-13
New Orleans		July 11-12
Atlanta		July 25-26
Washington DC		August 8-9
San Diego		August 22-23
Orlando		August 29-30
Baltimore		September 18-19
Las Vegas		October 3-4
Orlando		October 18-19

$500 winners

Congratulations to the winners of our $500 promotion held at each of our summer tradeshows!

Lucy’s Tax Service
Unlimited Taxes & More
Mi Oficina Income Tax
Rapid Refund Tax Service
Minelib Enterprises
Ernst Eugene Tax Services

* Available while supplies last. Promotional details available at our booth.

The post 2023 Conference Schedule appeared first on Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

Does your business need a boost?

Ryan Melius — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 13:21:46 +0000

Learn from a Marketing Pro expert

Live Webinar

January 18

9am PT | Noon ET

Have questions about the Marketing Pro digital marketing and business management platform? Our upcoming webinar will be packed full of tips and insights on how to maximize your tax season with Marketing Pro.¹

See how easy it is to upgrade your marketing with Marketing Pro MAX²
Connect CPACharge with Marketing Pro to accept online payments
Build an online presence and see how it complements your site
Use the email and SMS platform to convert leads into paying customers quicker
Fill up your calendar using the built-in scheduling system
Automate your calendar in ways that go beyond a standard Outlook calendar

Watch a recording of the webinar

1 Separate fees apply for the Marketing Pro service. Santa Barbara Tax Products Group and Green Dot Corporation cannot and do not guarantee your ability to obtain specific results in connection with our products and services.
2 To qualify for Marketing Pro Advance Express you must be enrolled with Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, and have 1 or more taxpayers that applied for the Refund Transfer and received IRS and/or State funding in the previous tax season.

The post Does your business need a boost? appeared first on Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

The 2022 National Tax Security Awareness Week

Ryan Melius — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 20:25:56 +0000

2022 IRS Tax Security Awareness Week

We join the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry in helping to draw attention to tax security. Make sure you and your clients are actively working to protect financial and tax information.

“Taxpayers and tax professionals need to remain vigilant for increasingly sophisticated scams that look to steal sensitive financial information,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “The Security Summit effort focuses on highlighting simple steps that small businesses and people in all walks of life can take to protect their information, helping them avoid problems at tax time.”

Here's a quick list of recommendations to help protect individuals, businesses and tax professionals from identity theft.

Protect personal and financial information online

The IRS and the Security Summit partners remind people to take these basic steps when shopping online:

Use security software for computers and mobile phones – and keep it updated
Make sure anti-virus software for computers has a feature to stop malware, and that there is a firewall enabled that can prevent intrusions
Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts
Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible
Shop only secure websites; look for the "https" in web addresses and the padlock icon; avoid shopping on unsecured and public Wi-Fi in places like coffee shops, malls or restaurants

Review your security protocols

As identity thieves continue targeting tax professionals, the IRS and the Summit partners urge practitioners to review the “Taxes-Security-Together” Checklist, including:

Deploy basic security measures
Use multi-factor authentication to protect tax software accounts
Create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if working remotely
Create a written data security plan as required by federal law
Know about phishing and phone scams

Get an Identity Protection PIN

Taxpayers who can verify their identities online may opt-in to the IRS IP PIN program – a tool taxpayers can use to protect themselves – and their tax refund. Here’s what taxpayers need to know:

The Identity Protection PIN or IP PIN is a six-digit code known only to the individual and the IRS. It provides another layer of protection for taxpayers’ Social Security numbers on tax returns.
Use the Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN to immediately get an IP PIN
Never share the IP PIN with anyone but a trusted tax provider

Businesses should watch out for tax-related scams and implement safeguards

Most cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Some details from this segment include:

Learn about best security practices for small businesses
IRS continues protective masking of sensitive information on business transcripts
A Business Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039-B, is available for businesses to report theft to the IRS
Beware of various scams, especially the W-2 scam that attempts to steal employee income information
Check out the “Business” section on IRS’s Identity Theft Central at IRS.gov/identify theft

The post The 2022 National Tax Security Awareness Week appeared first on Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

Big changes to our tax refund advance loan

Ryan Melius — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:06:00 +0000

Introducing our enhanced tax refund advance loan

$7,000 tax refund advance loan available through Mar. 17

The refund advance that helps you attract and retain clients

As tax professionals prepare for the upcoming tax season, Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (sbtpg) is announcing two big enhancements to our 2023 Fast Cash Advance program.

Larger advance amount to support larger refunds

Last tax season our clients enjoyed the highest advance approval rates and highest refund advance amounts in sbtpg history. With so many large federal tax refunds, we have increased the refund advance from $6,000 to $7,000 to put more money in your clients' hands before their refund is ready.¹

Extended deadline

Fast Cash Advance has been available January 2 through February 28, but in 2023 we are extending availability through March 17, giving our tax professional partners more time to service clients with a tax time refund advance.² Opt-in now and select the Pre-ACK advance so you can start offering Fast Cash Advance as early as January 2nd.

Up to $7,000

$1,000 more available in 2023

Offer clients a larger refund advance at tax time.

Available thru Mar. 17

Extended for 2+ weeks in 2023

Give clients more time to request an advance.

Marketing materials shipping in November

Tax professionals enrolled in our Standard Refund Transfer program receive free digital and print marketing materials. Enroll early to make sure you receive materials while supplies last.

Tax professionals that processed at least 40 Refund Transfers last tax season also receive window posters.³

Feel free to promote Fast Cash Advance

There's no ERO fee* when clients receive an IRS acknowledged advance on a GO2bank Visa^® Debit Card.^4,5

* After $39.95 incentive.

Enroll now and opt-in

Enroll now in our Standard Refund Transfer program and opt-in to Fast Cash Advance and offer the industry's leading taxpayer refund advance program.

Enroll now

¹ Fast Cash Advance is an optional tax-refund related loan provided by First Century Bank, N.A., member FDIC (it is not the actual tax refund) and is available at participating locations. The amount of the loan and applicable interest will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer from the refund. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply and will be disclosed at the time of application. Tax returns may be filed electronically without applying for this loan. Loans are offered in amounts from $500-$7,000 and are offered both pre-IRS acknowledgment of the tax return and post-IRS acknowledgment of the tax return. All loans have an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 35.99%. For example, for a loan of $2,000 with a repayment period of 30 days, the total amount payable in a single payment is $2,059.16 including principal and interest. Not all consumers will qualify for a loan or for the maximum loan amount. Offer and terms subject to change at any time without prior notice.

² Pre-ACK Fast Cash Advance available Jan. 2. In-season Fast Cash Advance available first day of filing.

³Available to tax professionals enrolled in our Standard Refund Transfer program that processed 40+ Refund Transfers in the previous tax season. Materials available while supplies last.

⁴ Based on cost for post-acknowledgment refund advance. Incentive paid as long as IRS tax refund is deposited to the GO2bank Visa® Debit Card. IRS tax refund deposit must be received by 5/31/23. $39.95 incentive paid by 6/30/23 for taxpayers with Fast Cash Advance and IRS-funded Refund Transfer deposited to a GO2bank Visa® Debit Card. If enrolled through a service bureau, please check with bureau associate for details on incentive payment. Must be enrolled in the standard Refund Transfer program to qualify for standard pricing; all discount programs offered through SBTPG are subject to other pricing.

⁵GO2bank cards are issued by GO2bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. GO2bank also operates under the following registered trade names: Green Dot Bank, GoBank and Bonneville Bank. All of these registered trade names are used by, and refer to, a single FDIC-insured bank, Green Dot Bank. Deposits under any of these trade names are deposits with Green Dot Bank and are aggregated for deposit insurance coverage up to the allowable limits.

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Now offering tax debt resolution services

Ryan Melius — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 11:30:00 +0000

Tax debt resolution services now available

Expand your market to service more balance due clients

Offer more than just tax preparation services and expand your services to include tax debt resolution, a service now available through our partnership with Community Tax.¹ Offer tax debt resolution and IRS representation services to your clients and earn a share of the revenue.²

Keep more clients by expanding your services

There is no need to hire more staff or invest in additional training to provide tax debt resolution to your clients. Refer clients to a team of specialists for this service, so you can keep the client and a share of the revenue. Get more information about all of the services available.

Your partner, not your competitor

When you refer clients to Community Tax through Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, our agreement with Community Tax ensures the referral is limited to tax debt resolution services only. Tax preparation or other financial services are not offered to your clients.

In cases where tax debt resolution requires filing prior year tax returns you are paid $150 per return.² In every situation, Community Tax reminds clients to return to your office at tax time to file their return.

Expand the services you offer while continuing to serve as your client’s tax professional.

Additional income

Refer clients to Community Tax specialists and you can earn 10% of the fee paid for tax resolution services.

Track client progress - Submit your taxpayer referral and get updates to monitor progress
Revenue sharing opportunity - Earn 10% of the tax resolution fee paid to Community Tax²
Earn $150 per tax year - If tax debt resolution requires preparing and filing past due tax returns, you can earn $150 per tax year.²

More service for your clients and more income for you

More for your clients

Tax lien help
IRS, NY and CA garnishment relief
Custom tax solutions

More for you

Expand your service offering
Revenue sharing opportunity
No commitment

Work with best-in-class tax specialists

We partnered with Community Tax to increase your client satisfaction and your income. Community Tax will reduce your workload by working directly with your clients, while you maintain the support channels to use at your discretion.

Community Tax offers a money back “Service Guarantee”, which states, once the Investigation is complete if they cannot offer the taxpayer client any tax debt reduction services, Community Tax will refund their Investigation fee. With values of integrity, innovation, and excellence, Community Tax is a partner you can trust.

How the process works

Refer clients

Submit your client referrals to Community Tax specialists to offer expanded services while continuing to serve as their tax professional. Your client will be contacted within minutes with a free tax analysis.

Investigation

A data analysis will be conducted, and a plan of action to address the problem will be provided to your client.

Resolution

Data and financial documents will be gathered and submitted to the IRS and/or state revenue department on your client’s behalf. Earn a share of the fee paid to Community Tax for tax resolution services.²

Say “Yes” to more clients

Learn more about all of the services available through this new referral program.

Get Tax Debt Resolution info

¹ Tax debt resolution services provided by Community Tax, LLC which is not an affiliate of Santa Barbara Tax Products Group or Green Dot Corporation. Taxpayer pays a separate fee for this service.

² Referral fee paid monthly to qualified tax professionals by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. Referral fee is 10% of the service fee paid by the taxpayer to Community Tax for tax resolution services. TPG may be paid for your referral. Neither Santa Barbara Tax Products Group or Green Dot Corporation, nor any of their respective affiliates are responsible for the products or services provided by Community Tax, LLC. Fees, terms and conditions apply.

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Guided tour of our updated tax pro website

Ryan Melius — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:26:03 +0000

Take a tour of our new tax pro website

Highlights of our updated website for tax professionals

Do you need help navigating through our completely redesigned website for tax professionals? Take a quick tour through our updated website and see the enhancements and new easy-to-use features from Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (sbtpg).

See brand new features
Find redesigned features you have may have used in the past
Discover some of our most popular reports
See new report features that save you time

Plus, get a quick update on feature enhancements for 2023!

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