Start-of-Tax TY2025 Season
Start-of-Tax TY2025 Season
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Important End-of-Season Instructions
Tax-Aide Equipment Start of Tax Season Preparation
Tax-Aide Equipment Start of Tax Season Preparation
Proper preparation of Tax-Aide equipment helps ensure maximum availability and reliability for the entire tax season. The following instructions should help you to do these important tasks.
Chromebooks
Chromebooks
Reference: C11 Chromebook Accounts, Logging in, Adding and Removing User Accounts
Prepare a Chromebook for use after extended storage:
Plug in the power supply to the left USB-C port (yes, it does appear to make a difference on the newer models)
Charge the Chromebook battery to a minimum of 80% and power ON (by opening the screen or pressing the keyboard Power button.
If your Chromebook does not power on, take your Chromebook out of storage mode by:
Simultaneously hold down both the Refresh (circle)and Power keys and power ON the Chromebook, then release the keys. The device should turn ON.
Power on your Chromebook (CB) and connect to your secure wireless network (C12 - Chromebook Connection to a Network - a Basic Guide)
if present, remove any accounts listed from the main Login screen by selecting the down caret (ν) next to the account name and clicking Remove account twice. Do this for all the accounts on the Chromebook
Do not use any previously used accounts on Chromebooks due to security concerns
Log onto your CB with your TY2x login ID (123456789ty2x@aarpfoundation.org) and the initial password (TaxAide202x!)
Ensure the Chromebook has the most current OS updates (C14 - Updating Chromebook OS), which should be automatic.
Import your previously saved Bookmarks from a USB drive making sure to add the Maine Tax-Aide (https://sites.google.com/view/mainetaxaide/home) website to your "Incognito Window" folder list, which you can create.
Shut down your Chromebook to ensure future ChromeOS updates are downloaded when next used
Your Chromebook is now ready for use in the new tax season.
Storage: NEVER store Chromebooks or printers in vehicles, outdoor storage, portable storage units, or any location that cannot be climate-controlled or where it can be potentially stolen.
Printer - Brother HL-L2370DW
Printer - Brother HL-L2370DW
Remove all paper trays, toner & drum assembly; then clean the printer using an electronics compressed air duster can to remove paper debris.
Assemble drum & toner assembly and install into the printer (P09 Brother HL-2370DW Replacing Cartridge_Drum Procedure)
Turn the printer ON and connect it to the WiFi network (P02 Brother HL-L2370DW Network Printer Setup Guide for Chromebooks)
Update the printer firmware as needed (P08 Brother HL-2370DW Printer Firmware Update Procedure)
If installing a new toner cartridge and/or drum assembly, reset the counters for both (see Printers page, Helpful Links list) Note: Replace the drum only when you notice degraded printing (streaks, powder residue, etc., and when cleaning the drum does not improve print quality.
The printer should now be ready for use.
Network Equipment
Network Equipment
Power up the the router and/or Hotspot as applicable
Update the firmware as needed
Determine if your site will require a 1-Layer or 2-Layer router solution (see NEW TA Policy & Procedure for TY2025)
Test all connections at your Tax-Aide site
Store each in its original box in a similar environment as your Chromebook (per CB instructions above)
Tax-Aide Equipment - Ordering Replacements
Tax-Aide Equipment - Ordering Replacements
Tax-Aide provides the following equipment for tax preparation: Chromebooks, Printers, Shredders, and Scanners.
Equipment orders for returning counselors who turned in their equipment for the CB Refresh program or central storage should be started by district technical coordinators in cooperation with their district coordinators by mid-October 2024. Please provide one (no more than two, if needed) shipping contact person for your district whenever possible. This helps speed up the replacement process.
NOTE: This is not for ordering "spare" or prospective volunteer equipment, which will be done later. Instructions are provided below.
Update the portal volunteers list within your district as soon as possible. lists with the returning lists with the returning
Please complete the IV01 Chromebook - Printer - Shredder - Scanner Order Spreadsheet as follows:
Provide only one or two shipping contact persons per district whenever possible(more if needed for larger or geographically dispersed districts). This helps speed up the replacement shipping process
Include full name, shipping (no PO Boxes) addresses, best contact phone number and email address, and "Do Not Ship" dates for any time a volunteer plans to be away from their address (to prevent tempting porch pirates) for temporary absences
Include any new printers and shredders for your sites, as needed
Routers, Chromebook accessories (mouse, keypad, cases, etc.), and other "non-essential" accessory items should NOT included
Share the link to, or email the completed spreadsheet to the State Technical Specialist (TCS) who will place the orders for you. If you can't find nor complete the spreadsheet, please email the list and quantity of equipment needed, along with the shipping contact information, to the State Technical Specialist (TCS) and I'll take care of it.
Once the new equipment is received and distributed to the volunteer, please send me a list of the equipment including Model, Asset Number, Date Received, and to whom it was assigned so we can update the central inventory.
District Coordinators should ensure that their Technical Coordinators are properly identified in the portal at the earliest opportunity. If you need help with any of these instructions, please let me know as soon as possible.
NOTE 2: Printer consumables are ordered using the process described on the Printers page.
Questions?
Questions?
Please reach out to your district Technical Coordinator, state Technical Specialist or District coordinator with any questions or concerns.
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