SKYWARD DOCUMENTATION – ACA COMMUNICATIONS TEST FILE CREATION AND SUBMISSION

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ACA Communications Test File Creation and Submission

The IRS processing steps listed in this document are an adaptation based on

information found in Publication 5164 located on the IRS Forms & Publications

page.

Step 1: Create/Save the Communications Test Files in Skyward PaC

From Pac, navigate to Human Resources > Payroll > Year End.

1. Select ACA File Communication Test and select Run.

2. Read the text carefully to understand what this utility will do.

3. Click Browse and choose a location where the two files will be created.

4. Enter your TCC Code, then click Run.

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5. When the process is complete, you will get a message indicating that two files have

been created: a manifest file and a request file. Click OK.

Note: Do not open these files, rename them, or edit them in any way.

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Step 2: Upload the Communications Test Files on the IRS AIR

Website

Navigate to the IRS AIR website.

1. From the Information Submission Services (ISS) menu on the right-hand side of the

page, click AIR UI Channel Login for Tax Year 2014 and 2015 AATS.

2. You will receive a notification that you are leaving the IRS site.

Click Leave IRS Site.

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3. Enter your login credentials, then click Login.

4. Select your Organization (do not select Individual), then click Submit Selected

Organization.

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5. If you are prompted to choose an AATS Version, select AATS 2016. Click Submit

Selected Version.

6. Under A, click Upload ACA Forms.

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7. Click Browse to locate both the manifest and request forms. The first

location should indicate where the Manifest file is located. The second

location should indicate where the Request file is located.

8. Click Transmit.

9. Carefully note the Receipt ID. You will need the Receipt ID to complete

the processing. Click Print to print this page for your records.

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Step 3: Check the Transmission Status of the Communications Test

Files on the IRS AIR Website

Navigate to the IRS AIR website.

1. From the Information Submission Services (ISS) menu on the right-hand side of the

page, click AIR UI Channel Login for Tax Year 2014 and 2015 AATS.

2. You will receive a notification that you’re leaving the IRS site.

Click Leave IRS Site.

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3. Enter your login credentials, then click Login.

4. Select your Organization (do not select Individual), then click Submit Selected

Organization.

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5. If you are prompted to choose an AATS Version, select AATS 2016. Click Submit

Selected Version.

6. Under B, click Check Transmission Status.

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7. Enter your TCC and Receipt ID. Click Find.

8. Note the status says Accepted. Again, note the Receipt ID. Click Print for

your records.

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Step 4: Call the IRS Help Desk to Update the Form Status from

Testing to Production

Contact the IRS help desk for confirmation and update of the TCC and/or Form

Status. Telephone Number 1-866-937-4130. Be sure to have your TCC and

Receipt ID handy. You must complete this step in order to move from Testing

status to a Production status, which is required in order to submit your actual files

later on.

After this phone call is complete, the IRS will verify the files at a higher level of

testing. You will receive a phone call back from the IRS telling you that everything

has passed and your status has changed from Testing to Production. This completes

the Communications Test process.