Basic tax preparation functionality and efiling were not scheduled to be affected for either program. The amended maintenance schedule also reversed the earlier plan that Tax Import for Lacerte would not be accessible from inside the program. The downtime would keep users of both tax packages from accessing Quick Employer Forms while Lacerte users would not be able to reach MyAccount from the Lacerte website or and ProSeries useres cannot log on to MyProSeries websites. Lacerte users were otherwise unaffected.

A spokesperson said there was no strong customer reaction to the plan, including the original proposal to take research off line. "Instead, the change resulted from redefining what needed to be done to ensure a smooth final few weeks of tax season," she said. Intuit began telling users about the maintenance period about three weeks ago, she continued.

ProSeries users will not be able to perform manual downloads, although new product downloads and updates from within the tax package are going to be available. They will also not be able to perform online efiling status look-ups or renewals nor will be they able to increase account balances for the pay per return option online, but will have to place telephone calls. New Tax Research and Tax Import customers will not be able to utilize those services if the purchase is placed during the two days.