Unknown Tax Filing Status and Tax Relationship Entry

When entering an application, processing an AC or adding a person to an existing IC in the Eligibility Specialists Portal, you may find that the tax filing status or tax relationship information for all or some of the household participants is unknown. Eligibility is based on this evidence and therefore FSD must obtain verification of this information prior to making a determination for benefits.

Below you find a process to work through this evidence to complete the application flow, process an FFM or add-a-person to an existing IC. These directions MUST be followed precisely as they are written to ensure proper entry of evidence into MEDES.

Related Evidence: Tax Filing Status, Tax Relationship

To Enter an Unknown Tax Filing Status and Tax Relationship

If completing this task as part of a returned IM-1U, or if the case is Under Renewal, you must first follow steps to To Create a Manual Renewal and To Complete Manual Renewal.

ENTER A NEW APPLICATION FORM

    1. From the New Application Form entry> Tax Filer Information screen> DO NOT check any household member
    2. Click Next
    3. Tax Dependent Information> click Drop-down menu > select No for all household members for both questions.
      1. Is anyone in this household expected to enter ____ as a dependent on their tax return?
      2. Is anyone outside this household expected to enter____ as a dependent on their tax return?
    4. Click Next
    5. Complete the application flow and Submit.
    6. Process Application Case per guide being sure to leave Tax Filing Status pending
      1. If processing and the client can’t be reached, remove the system generated Self-Attestation verification, and send a 31A.
      2. If registering only, skip to Step 7, including that tax status was left blank and needs to be explored.
    7. Enter a separate comment on the HoH Person page to read as follows:
      1. Subject – Tax Filing Status and Tax Relationship Unknown
      2. Body – There was no indication of Tax Filing Status or Tax Relationship listed on the application for (insert participant(s) name). Marked (insert participant(s) name) as Non-Tax Filer and Non-Dependent until – this evidence can be verified. If processing, indicate an IM-31A was sent to request this information from the participant. If registering only, tax status was left blank and needs to be explored.

ADD A PERSON USING GUIDED CHANGE

    1. From the Guided Change entry>Tax Information screen
    2. Select Non Filer from the drop down menu
    3. Complete the guided change entry
    4. Review Summary
    5. Click Finish
    6. Complete the Add-A-Person per guide being sure to leave Tax Filing Status pending
    7. Enter a separate comment on the HoH Person page to read as follows:
      1. Subject – Tax Filing Status and Tax Relationship Unknown
      2. Body – There was no indication of Tax Filing Status or Tax Relationship listed on the application. Marked participant(s) being added as Non-Tax Filer and Non-Dependent until it this evidence can be verified. Sending out an IM-31A to request this information from the participant.

FFM APPLICATION CASE PROCESSING

    1. From the Integrated Case page> Evidence sub-tab> Dashboard folder
    2. Hover cursor over the Tax hyperlink > click Add Evidence
    3. Complete all required fields see Related Evidence above:
    4. Received Date: Enter the original FFM application date
    5. Case Participant > click Drop-down menu > select participant whom you want to add the tax filing status.
    6. Tax Filing Status Details> click Drop-down menu > select Non Filer
    7. Start Date: Enter the original FFM application date. This must match the Received Date.
    8. Click Save Save Button
    9. Process FFM application per guide being sure to leave Tax Filing Status pending
    10. Enter a separate comment on the HoH Person page to read as follows:
      1. Subject – Tax Filing Status and Tax Relationship Unknown
      2. Body – There was no indication of Tax Filing Status or Tax Relationship listed on the application. Marked participant(s) being added as Non-Tax Filer and Non-Dependent until it this evidence can be verified. Sending out an IM-31A to request this information from the participant.