E - Services enhancements update #3 - Data fields

Hi, I’m Terri Steenblock, Assistant Commissioner of Individual Taxes. This is our 3rd video with updates on e-Services enhancements. e-Services is our new online system that allows business taxpayers to file and pay returns, access account information, and perform other tax related business electronically. One enhancement we’re working on is simplifying data fields. When data fields are shown, colors are used to identify field actions. We discovered the colors were often confusing and lacked guidance for our users. Here are a few sneak peeks at changes we’re making. Today, these background colors are used in the fields. A yellow field means you are required to enter the information. A red field means there is an error. Either you entered the wrong information or you didn’t enter any required information. A green field means entering information is optional. And a white field cannot be edited. In the future, white will be the standard background color. You will see a red asterisk where information is required. And red will continue being used when there is an error but error explanations will be clearer. A red circle with an exclamation point will be used to draw more attention to field in error. e-Services allows you to do more than file a return or make a payment. It allows you access to letters the department has sent to you, copies of your returns, and payment history. All of this can be viewed by logging into your account. This functionality is already available and here to stay. In closing, the department is still in the early stages of making navigational changes. Usability testing will be completed before the enhancements are made. What we are showing in this video could change based on feedback. We invite you to keep watching our video updates on our progress. Thank you.