Adjustments in the Check Writer Module

Last Updated September 3, 2019

 

Checks printed in error or wire/ACH payments processed by mistake can be voided in the Adjustment screen if they have not been cleared through the Bank Reconciliation process. If you wish to re-use the check number, perhaps because the checks didn't print as expected, you may choose that option below. For refunds only you can also void the check number and cancel the check run at the same time.

You can also re-number checks in order to synchronize the numbering in TaxLedge with what was actually printed on the physical checks.  Below are instructions for re-numbering, voiding and unvoiding, and re-using checks and wire/ACH payments.

The following roles and user entitlements should be set in the Tax Collection System for users needing to make adjustments in Check Writer.

Check Writer Screen Roles

GLTAXLEDGE_FOUNDATION - Allows access to the Check Writer screens

Check Writer Screen Entitlements

ACTGL_CHWRITER - Allow users to see the Check writer screen

GLPROCESS_ADJ - Allows users to use the Process button on the Adjustment tab

GLADJUST_CHECKS  - Allows users to access the Adjustment tab 

GLESCHEAT - Allows users to see the Escheat option on the Adjustment tab

GLPRINT_COPY - Allows users to print copies of checks and EFT slips on the Adjustment tab

GLRENUMBER_CHECKS - Allows users to renumber checks using the Renumber field and the Update Check Numbers button on the Adjustment tab

GLREUSE_CHECKS - Allows users to use the Reuse checkboxes on the Adjustment tab   

GLVOID_CANCEL - Allows users to cancel checks using the Void/Cancel checkboxes on the Adjustment tab

GLVOID_REPRINT -  Allows users to void checks using the Void/Reprint checkboxes on the Adjustment tab.

Click here to see what parts of the screen these entitlements cover.

Void/Cancel or Escheated

Void/Reprint

Re-Use Check

Refund checks only

Refunds and remittances

Refunds and remittances (some tax offices do not offer this option)

Voids check number, cancels original Check Run request for that check

Voids check number, which is unusable from then on

Voids check number, and the number is still usable

After voiding, listed in check register with an ''VD" in Void column

After voiding, listed in check register with an ''VD" in Void column  

After voiding, listed in check register with an 'VD" in Void column  

Not available in Check Run screen after voiding.  Cannot reprint check unless it is unvoided first. Must re-run TC 536 first.

Is available for reprinting in Check Run screen, using a different check number. Cannot unvoid the original void once it has been reprinted.

Is available in Check Run for reprinting, can re-use original check number without needing to use the re-number feature..To unvoid them, contact ACT.

These client preferences are used to control which print options are available in the lower right corner of the Adjustment screen and the Payment Type is ACH:

SEPARATE_EFT_PDF:  If set to Y, this enables the Create a Single File for all EFTS and Create a Separate File for each EFT buttons.  Set to N to permit only the Create a Single File option. If you use a signature card, you should set this to N, because your tax office will not be able to create PDF files, which is what are created when these buttons are enabled.

RETURN_EFTDIR: specify the FTP directory where the EFT files will be placed. These are PDF files.

EMAIL_EFT: Enables the E-mail EFT Slips radio button. Leave this set to N.

ACH_BATCH_JOB: Set to Y to generate ACH files as a batch menu job.

SECURE_ACHDIR - Directory path to which to FTP secure files. If this is set to N or does not exist for a tax office, the default path is used.

SECURE_ACH_JOB - Set to Y to send files to location determined by the preference SECURE_ACHDIR. Set to N to use the default directory ('xxx/spool/act')

SECURE_ACHDIR_PRINT_TAB: Directory path to which to FTP secure ACH files produced from the Payment Printing tab of the Check Writer. If this is set to N or does not exist for a tax office, the default path is used.

This adjustment screen also allows you to reprint checks if the codeset called CHECK_COPY_ALLOWED is set to Y and you have the role GLPRINT_COPY. If both of these apply, the Print Copy button on this screen will be enabled. You will then have the option to print all of the checks queried on the screen or just the one for the check that is highlighted.  Contact ACT for assistance in granting the role.

Escheated records are to be treated the same as those with a Void/Cancel option. These checks cannot be reprinted. You can 'un-escheat' check by selecting the 'No Adjustment' radio button on the Check Writer Adjustment tab.

Within a single batch, you can intermix each of the above options, since you choose them "per check" instead of "per batch."

If you have printed refund checks and still need to process certain checks that were withheld or damaged, you will need to load a new TC 536 file into TaxLedge for these checks.

As noted above, you cannot use the Void/Cancel option for remittance disbursements (to tax units and attorneys).  You must use the Void/Reprint option to void a remittance that has been processed, then go to the Remittance module to cancel it.

EFT slips can be printed from the Batch Menu. Contact ACT if you want this feature.

To re-number checks:

Consider this scenario as you follow the instructions below.

The user selects 30 checks to print and wants to use check numbers 20-49 to print them.  When the checks start printing, the printer pulls 2 checks at the same time creating a miss-numbering situation.

For example the first 5 checks print correctly on checks 20-24.  Check  no. 25 gets pulled through with the check no. 24, so the 6th check in the run ends up printing on check no. 26 instead of no. 25 and so on down the line until you get to the last check which prints on a blank sheet of paper.

What needs to happen is the checks need to be renumbered in TaxLedge, starting with check number 25 making no. 25 be no. 26, no. 26 is no. 27, no.  27is no. 28 and so on until the end of the run.  Then the last check that printed on blank paper needs to be reprinted, possibly on check number 25 because that check is still usable (but not necessarily).

  1. In the Check Writer module, click the Adjustment tab to display the Adjustment screen.
  2. Select the Bank from the drop-down list.
  3. (optional) Select the Bank Account from the drop-down list.  The Account Number will auto-populate.
  4. Select the correct Payment Type from the drop-down list.
  5. Select the correct Payment Method from the drop-down list.
  6. If you want to search for a currently valid check run, click on the All Valid button (this should be the default).  If you want to search for a previously voided run, click All Void. To search for escheated checks, click the Escheated button. Other options are Valid Outstanding and Valid Cleared. Checks that been marked as Reuse do not appear as either valid or voided. They can be seen in the Check Run screen, however.
  7. (optional) In the Payment Date range fields, enter the beginning and ending dates for searching when the check writing took place (MM/DD/YYYY).
  8. (optional) In the Check/EFT Range fields, enter the beginning and ending check or EFT number of the original processing attempt.  The first number should be the check number that was fed through blank (in our example, no. 25).  The last check should be the last check number that should have been used (in our example, no. 49).
  9. Click the Search button. TaxLedge retrieves the information based on the criteria you just entered.  The EFT Authorization Number is an information only field containing a reference number generated by the bank.  The Cleared On field displays the bank cleared date for the disbursement.
  10. In the Renumber Checks Starting With box at the bottom of the screen, enter the correct check number for the first good check (in our example, no. 26).  (The TaxLedge system knows check number 6, in our example, is the first one affected.)
  11. Click Update Check Numbers.
  12. Click the Reuse Check option next to the last check number.  That check did not print on check stock, so it needs to be reissued.
  13. Click Process. After processing, the screen shows any remaining records.
  14. Click the Check Run tab
  15. Re-query the available runs.
  • Select the same Payment Type as you did in the Adjustmenttab.
  • Click in the Selected box next to the batch you want to process.
  • Click Process Request.
  1. Click the Check Writer tab.
  2. You should see any checks that printed on blank paper (in our example, one check should appear).
  3. In the New Begin Chk box, type in the check number that you want to use for the check that fed through blank.
  4. Click Update Run.
  5. Click Print Checks.

If you renumber checks, the gap that is created between the check that you started with and the check that you started with when you renumbered is automatically flagged as being reusable.  If these checks cannot be used, you should use the discard checks feature to account for these checks.

To void a check or wire/ACH payment:

  1. Follow steps 1-9 at the top of this page. You cannot unvoid refunds that have been reprinted on a different check.
  2. Click either the Void/Reprint or Reuse Check options next to the checks or EFTs you want to void. If you are voiding a refund, you can also click the Void/Cancel option.  Leave No Adjustment selected for those checks or EFTs you are not voiding.

Notes: To select all of the checks at once, click the Star button at the top of each Escheat, Void or Reuse column.  

You cannot void checks that have been cleared through the Bank Reconciliation  process.

  1. To add a note, type it in the Note line.  Click the Apply-to-All box and click the Apply Notes button to display the note on all checks. Notes are saved automatically as soon as they are entered.
  2. The Void Date defaults to the current date. The date cannot be changed if the Void/Cancel option was selected. It can be changed for other options.
  3. Click Process. A confirmation message appears.

Note: If using the Void/Cancel option, the message states that the refund will also be reversed in TCS. If you select No, the void will not occur. If you select Yes, the void and the TCS reversal will occur. This feature assumes that the refund has been posted back to TCS.

  1. Click Yes to continue. A note is written to the Tax Collection System for refund checks. After processing, the screen shows any remaining records.

Note: The next check run that occurs may not start with the recovered check number(s) that were marked as re-usable. If this happens, enter the correct starting check number in the New Begin Chk box in the Check Writer screen.  The Adjustment screen will no longer display those checks.

  1. Click the Check Run tab and re-query those checks again (steps 1-7 at the top of this topic).  You will see different batches for the Void/Reprint and Reuse Checks.

Note:  If you void refund checks before printing and posting back in TaxLedge, they do not need to be reversed in the Tax Collection system. The reversal occurs automatically if using the Void/Cancel option.

To un-void a check or wire/ACH payment that have been voided but not yet reprinted or to un-escheat a check:

  1. Follow steps 1-9 at the top of this page, with this exception:  choose All Void or Escheat instead of All Valid in step 4. Checks that were voided with the Reuse Check option cannot be unvoided.
  2. Click the No Adjustment option to de-select the check number.

Note:  For voided checks, the Void box will be already checked.  If it is not, then this check has not been voided. This option also cannot be used for checks that were voided/canceled and then reversed in TCS.

  1. To add a note, type it in the Note line.  Check the Apply-to-All box (click inside) and click the Apply button to display the note on all checks. Notes are saved automatically as soon as they are entered.
  2. Click Process. After processing, the screen shows any remaining records.

To escheat a refund check:

  1. Follow steps 1-9 at the top of this page.
  2. Click the Escheat radio button for the checks to be escheated.

Notes: To select all of the checks at once, click the Star button at the top of the Escheat column.  

  1. To add a note, type it in the Note line.  Click the Apply-to-All box and click the Apply Notes button to display the note on all checks. Notes are saved automatically as soon as they are entered.
  2. The Void Date defaults to the current date. Change it if needed.
  3. Click Process. A confirmation message appears.
  4. Click Yes to continue. A note is written to the Tax Collection System for refund checks. After processing, the screen shows any remaining records.
  5. For users who have been granted the GLESCHEAT_UPDATE_TCS entitlement, the Escheat button will be red. To reverse the refund and transfer the money to an escheat account in TCS, click this button.
  6. In the popup window that appears, check the Select column for the Report Sequence to be escheated. This number corresponds to the File Batch Sequence on the Bank Register.
  7. Click Process. In TCS, a reversal deposit (named ES<report_sequence no.>RV) and a transfer deposit (named ES<report_sequence no.>TR) are created. A row is also placed in the Batch Request screen. The funds are reversed from the refund holder's account and transferred to an escheat account in TCS. This escheat account must be created prior to completing this process. When requerying in the Check Writer Adjustment screen, the Escheat Seq. column will show the batch request number of this 'escheat to TCS' process.

To change a print date:

  1. Follow steps 1-9 at the top of this page.
  2. Enter a New Print Date.
  3. (optional) Check the Apply to All button to make the change effective on all checks displayed.
  4. Click Apply.
  5. Click OK to the message about saving your changes.
  6. Click Process.
  7. Click Apply.

To print copies of checks or ACH slips:

  1. Follow steps 1-9 at the top of this page.
  2. Leave the No Adjustment radio button set.
  3. For EFT slips, select Create a Single file for each EFTs by Payment Type or Create a Separate File for each EFT.
  4. Click Print Copy.
  5. To print all of the checks/slips, click Yes to the confirmation message, to print only the first one, click No to the confirmation message.