TaxACT Reads & Imports Data From PDF's

[AZ-Tax]

I received an email from "TaxAct" tax software. They claim the following: * "TaxACT can import tax data from PDF files prepared by the following software solutions: TurboTax®, H&R Block At Home®"
As I read this, you have a new client who brings in their most recent tax return filed in PDF format. TaxACT will import data from the PDF and locate the data in it correct location on the tax form like name, address, dependents names, AGI, etc. Does anyone have experience with this and how successfull was it? What if the new client brought you a hard copy of their most recent tax return. Then you scanned it into a PDF file. I wonder if TaxACT will still be able to import the data from this PDF file?

[FEDUKE404]

Using PDF data file

While I have no knowledge of this new option by TaxACT, one would think it would only work with the actual PDF data file. I would have grave doubts a mere PDF printout would be of much use, even if rescanned into a replacement PDF file.

Question unanswered would be what type of PDF file would you be starting from? The "filed" return, or same with "worksheets," or same with all the bells & whistles included in the data file/printout. Generally speaking a PDF output can vary, based upon personal choice, as to what is actually included.

The fact that TaxACT is working across multiple (limited) vendors tells me they may just have their software set up to know "where" to look within the PDF data files.

As a more practical matter, depending upon what tax software you are using, you might be better off requesting an electronic copy of the actual client DATA file (not PDF) the client's software generated. Many of the major software vendors already have the ability to "read" such competitor's files and then convert them into their own data format. Such would likely include things like DOBs, depreciation data, some carryovers, estimated tax payment information, etc. and would probably provide more information than a mere PDF file.

FE