This is TaxTime USA, Inc.’s Personal Property Tax (PPT) Essential Services Assessment (ESA) update that will allow users to prepare, e-file and e-pay 2023 ESA returns.
Due to new IRS security rules PPT has incorporated Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). Please download the ESA Quick Start for more information on setting this up.
If you will be e-paying for your clients - Bank account and routing numbers will need to be entered from the main General Information screen. Click the E-Pay Banking Information button to enter this information.
NOTE – All PPT Express customers should download and install this update even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 25.5 (and possibly any further 2023 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2024 is released.
Our 2023 software now automatically checks for any updates when going into the program and if it finds any it will ask whether or not the update should be loaded. If you allowed for Auto Update you can check to make sure you are now using Version 25.5 by clicking on Help and then About.
If you disabled auto update (this feature can be found in Setup/Configuration and then clicking on the General Tab; near the top right of the screen there is a check box: Always check for updates when going into program) then download the update following instructions below.
This update includes all prior updates
To install update:
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 25.5
This update corrects a validation error when an ESA parcel only has a value in the Construction in Progress field.
Due to new IRS security rules PPT has incorporated Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). Please download the ESA Quick Start for more information on setting this up.
If you will be e-paying for your clients - Bank account and routing numbers will need to be entered from the main General Information screen. Click the E-Pay Banking Information button to enter this information.
Our 2022 software now automatically checks for any updates when going into the program and if it finds any it will ask whether or not the update should be loaded. If you allowed for Auto Update you can check to make sure you are now using Version 24.7 by clicking on Help and then About.
If you disabled auto update (this feature can be found in Setup/Configuration and then clicking on the General Tab; near the top right of the screen there is a check box: Always check for updates when going into program) then download the update following instructions below.
NOTE – All PPT Express customers should download and install this update even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 24.7 (and possibly any further 2022 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2023 is released.
This update includes any prior updates
To install update:
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 24.7
This update now allows for User Names to be added to an existing or new preparer for multi-factor verification purposes when e-filing ESA returns.
Our 2021 software automatically checks for any updates when going into the program and if it finds any it will ask whether or not the update should be loaded. If you disabled auto update (this feature can be found in Setup/Configuration and then clicking on the General Tab; near the top right of the screen there is a check box: Always check for updates when going into program) then download the update following instructions below. If you allowed for Auto Update you can check to make sure you are now using Version 23.4 by clicking on Help and then About; if that is your version you do not need to re-download.
NOTE – All PPT Express customers should download and install this update even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 23.4 (and possibly any further 2021 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2022 is released.
This update contains all prior updates including ESA Update 23.3.
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 23.4
This update allows users to access the ESA preparer entry screen without having to re-register the software.
This update also corrects a routing number validation issue.
Due to new IRS security rules PPT has incorporated Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). Please download the ESA Quick Start for more information on setting this up.
To update PPT using our Auto Update feature open the PPT Express Program and click “Yes” when asked to download and install the update. If you have successfully downloaded and installed the update version 22.5 through PPT Express’ auto update feature you do not need to run the update again. If the update did not complete successfully using the auto update feature click on the link below to manually update PPT Express.
NOTE – All PPT Express customers should download and install this update even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 22.5 (and possibly any further 2020 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2021 is released.
To install update:
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 22.5
This update includes the following E-File validation changes we are making to accommodate new State of Michigan requested payment date rules for E-Paying ESA returns. Please note the due date and timely payment dates remain August 15.
1) Payment date can never be greater than 90 days from today’s date for all cases below.
2) If the file is being E-Filed between May 1 and August 15 then the greatest requested payment date is August 15.
3) If the return is being e-filed between August 15 and February 29 the greatest payment date can be March 1
4) Returns field between March 1 and March 31 greatest requested payment date is March 31
5) Returns filed between April 1 and April 15 greatest requested payment date is April 15
NOTE – Any users who have not already allowed the Auto Update inside of PPT Express to update their program should download and install this update, even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 21.7 (and possibly any further 2019 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2020 is released.
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 21.7
This update fixes a State E-file rejection problem when filing zero acquisition Essential Services Assessment (ESA) returns when the zero acquisition checkbox is checked. If you have a rejected return please re-e-file it after loading this update.
This update contains all prior 2018 updates.
To install update:
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you where the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 20.8
This update now allows users to select the Revenue Sharing Codes for St. Clair & St. Joseph Counties on Line 4 of the Essential Services Assessment (ESA) Return.
This update also contains all prior updates.
To install update:
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
You will need to accept our License Agreement to continue the download. Click Next after you have done that.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Next.
The window will then show you were the update is being installed to. Click Next to continue.
A message: Installation Successful will open when update is completed.
Click on Finish.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 19.7
Subject: PPT Express ESA E-File Update Version 18.11
Dear TaxTime USA, Inc. Customer,
NOTE – All PPT Express customers must download and install this update even if they will not be filing any ESA returns. This update version 18.11 (and possibly any further 2016 updates) will be required to be installed in order to proforma when next year’s PPT Express 2017 is released.
This update includes a requested E-file program change from the State to help them match up third party E-filed ESA Returns (Form 5328) with prior filed Form 5278 (filed in February) and the MTO System. Prior ESA returns that have been e-filed and accepted by the State do not have to be refiled.
NOTE: As a reminder, per the State: an eligible claimant who fails to submit a certified Statement and pay the ESA tax in full via MTO or e-File by August 15 shall be subject to late penalty at a rate of 1% per week, up to a maximum of 5%, of the total amount due and unpaid. For an eligible claimant’s first assessment year, the penalty shall be waived if the Statement and full payment are submitted by September 15. As this is every claimant’s first assessment year, that applies to all 2016 filers.
NOTE: If your client goes up to the MTO System to pay their return and they do not see a current return on file they can still make a payment. They would need to click on ESA Actions and then under that click on Make a Payment.
NOTE: Please check your E-file Status Report to see if any of your ESA returns have been rejected. To review the status of your ESA returns go to Reports in the toolbar and then select E-file Status. Any rejected returns must be e-filed again by first going back into those files and correcting the problem before clicking on the E-file button.
If you did not install Update 18.8 you WILL have to re-register after installing Update 18.11 (Update 18.8 is included in the 18.10 Update) - to re-register:
• Go into PPT Express
• Click on Setup
• Click on Register PPT Express
• Use Web Registration
• Use the Customer # and Password that was included in your e-mail
Please click the following link to download our ESA Quickstart which provides ESA filing, payment and important software usage information: PPT ESA Quickstart
To install update:
If you are in PPT Express 2016 Please Exit
After clicking the below link, a File Download window will open.
Click Open or Run. If a Security Warning message opens, Click Run. *Please Note*: some browsers require you to save the file rather than run it. If your file was saved you will have to run it from wherever your downloads save to.
An Installation Folder window will open.
Change installation drive and folder to match where you originally installed the software
Click Finish.
The system will then ask to overwrite some files - click Yes to All. This update does not alter any client files; it only updates program files.
A message: Package Delivered Successfully will open when update is completed.
This will complete the update.
You may re-enter the software. Click Help from the main menu bar and then click: About. The software should now say Ver 18.11
