“What’s New” for TINS

Every two years, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requires all state agencies and institutions of higher education to renew their Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189).

Return the completed, signed form by close of business April 15. All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on April 30. New forms are effective May 1.

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information.

Daily agency reports will be available for download effective March 11 for reversals and reclamations processed in the Direct Deposits – Reversals and Reclamations (DDEP) web application. To help prevent fraud, the account numbers will be masked and only the last four digits will display. See Daily Reversals/Reclamations Agency Reports on TexPayment Resource for details and sample reports.

TINS ACR 60608 unmasks account numbers on DDEP effective March 11. User security is required to access DDEP, so full account numbers are only accessible to users with the proper security. See Instructions for the DDEP Web Application for more information.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed March 29 to observe Good Friday; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9 – 11 a.m. The warrants will be from the March 28 processing cycle.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

Every two years, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requires all state agencies and institutions of higher education to renew their Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189).

Return the completed, signed form by close of business on April 15. All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on April 30. New forms are effective May 1.

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

Effective Jan. 27, mainframe systems (USAS, TINS, SPA, SPRS, HRIS and USPS) are available 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

System availability on weekdays (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Sundays (noon – 7 p.m.) remains the same.

See System Outages and Holidays for all mainframe general system availability.

A Direct Deposits – Reversals and Reclamations (DDEP) web application and the automation of direct deposit returned money were implemented in phases via Application Change Request (ACR) 60027 and ACR 60227 when the final phase migrated in January 2023.

Effective Jan. 2, 2024, agencies must process their own reversals and reclamations via DDEP. See ACR 60027 for more information, the DDEP Web Application for step-by-step instructions, and Direct Deposit Payments Made in Error for DDEP policy and procedure updates.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

Monday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Dec. 26: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

Warrants from the Dec. 22 and Dec. 26 cycles will be available Dec. 27.

Monday, Jan. 1: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

Warrants from the Dec. 29 cycle will be available Jan. 2.

See Payment Distribution or warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

To determine the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

Fiscal Management urges all agencies to review and further strengthen internal processes and procedures for requesting system or security changes. To avoid security threats, it is best to validate requests by a method other than email.

In the past, hackers harvested credentials such as user IDs, passwords, email addresses, etc., then used the credentials to access systems and gather data or other sensitive information.

Now, hackers target the credential with the most transparency — email addresses. They hijack an email account, change the password, then use the email address to request the agency to provide sensitive information or make detrimental changes to the user’s profile, such as changing direct deposit instructions.

This is what makes these hacks so dangerous. Everything about the email appears legitimate, because it is. Since the email account is compromised, the traditional strategy of training users to identify illegitimate email will not work. Only a second level of validation will ensure the instructions received were from the intended user.

See Fraud Prevention Recommendations for more tips, or contact your agency’s information security office for more information and/or to discuss and implement security improvements for your agency.

Monday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Dec. 26: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

Warrants from the Dec. 22 and Dec. 26 cycles will be available Dec. 27.

Monday, Jan. 1: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

Warrants from the Dec. 29 cycle will be available Jan. 2.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

To determine the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

A Direct Deposits – Reversals and Reclamations (DDEP) web application and the automation of direct deposit return money were implemented in phases via Application Change Request (ACR) 60027 and ACR 60227 when the final phase migrated in January 2023.

Effective Jan. 2, 2024, agencies must process their own reversals and reclamations via DDEP. See ACR 60027 for more information, the DDEP Web Application for step-by-step instructions, and Direct Deposit Payments Made in Error for DDEP policy and procedure updates.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

Effective Jan. 2, 2024, all agencies must process their own reversals and reclamations via the new DDEP web application. Employees who monitor direct deposit payments for their agencies and submit direct deposit reversals and reclamations should attend a DDEP webinar. Webinars cover step-by-step instructions for processing, editing and deleting direct deposit reversals, and for using payment search functions.

No registration is required. For webinar dates and access information, see DDEP Training Webinars.

Contact Payment Services for more information.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 22; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9–11 a.m. for the Nov. 21 processing cycle.

There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 23 or 24. Warrants from the Nov. 22 and Nov. 24 processing cycles will be available for distribution on Monday, Nov. 27.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

A Direct Deposits – Reversals and Reclamations (DDEP) web application and the automation of direct deposit returned money were implemented in phases via Application Change Request (ACR) 60027 and ACR 60227 when the final phase migrated in January 2023.

Effective Jan. 2, 2024, agencies must process their own reversals and reclamations via DDEP. See ACR 60027 for more information, the DDEP Web Application for step-by-step instructions, and Direct Deposit Payments Made in Error for DDEP policy and procedure updates.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 22; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9–11 a.m. for the Nov. 21 processing cycle.

There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 23 or 24. Warrants from the Nov. 22 and Nov. 24 processing cycles will be available for distribution on Monday, Nov. 27.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

If you already completed our Fiscal Management customer service survey, thank you!

If you haven't had a chance to take our online survey, it will be available until the close of business Friday, Sept. 29.

We appreciate your feedback.

If you have any questions about the survey, email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov.

How well are we meeting your customer service expectations?

Please let us know by completing the online survey by Friday, Sept. 29. We appreciate your feedback.

Email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov with any questions.

State agencies and institutions must report certain salary supplements to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the State Auditor’s Office and the Secretary of State by Sept. 15.

See Salary Supplements Paid From Sources Other Than Appropriated Funds (FPP F.031) for instructions and the online report form.

Agencies must comply with the policies and procedures in TexPayment Resource (FPP P.007) when requesting and processing Comptroller-assigned 3 TINs (temporary Texas identification numbers).

All 11 digits of a 3 TIN must be used as assigned and must not be altered by using the middle nine digits as a temporary Social Security number (SSN). Those nine digits could be the valid SSN of an individual who is not the intended foreign payee, so using that number would be misuse of an SSN. Such unauthorized use also creates invalid payee setups in TINS, inaccurate payment records in USAS, and could result in an audit finding.

When an agency receives a Comptroller-assigned 3 TIN, it must be set up in TINS to prepare for a payment through USAS. A Comptroller-assigned 3 TIN may not be requested as a temporary SSN or as a temporary number to be used solely within an agency’s internal system.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

The 88th Legislature updated Article IX of the General Appropriations Act (GAA); changes take effect Sept. 1. See Changes to Article IX of the GAA and Other Bills of Interest to State Agencies (FPP F.008) for a summary of GAA changes and other legislation that affects state agencies.

The USAS annual cash-basis close for fiscal 2023 occurs Aug. 31.

The fiscal year-end close process requires shutting down the statewide fiscal systems. See Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events for more information, including:

• Processing deadlines
• System maintenance dates and times
• Support contacts

The Outstanding Warrants Control Report (DAFR8171) runs on the first Friday of each month (e.g., July 7 and Aug. 4). Agencies should monitor their report before warrants become void on Aug. 31.

See USAS Annual Close Process (FPP Q.004) for more information, including details on generating agency-customized reports via the Report Request Profile, USAS 91 screen. Also see Void Warrants.

Contact your appropriation control officer with questions.

State agencies and institutions of higher education must report certain salary supplements to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the State Auditor’s office and the Secretary of State by Sept. 15.

See Salary Supplements Paid From Sources Other Than Appropriated Funds (FPP F.031) for instructions and the online report form.

TINS ACR 60547 implemented new system edits to prevent invalid transactions from processing, and to allow agencies to process certain transactions without submitting forms to Payment Services.

Contact Payment Services for questions.

As part of our statewide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project, the Comptroller’s office is beginning the process of replacing USAS and TINS with a modernized software solution.

Input from users of USAS and TINS is critical for the success of this project. To help us identify the best solution, please complete this online survey by July 21.

Email Shelly Arnold or Laurel Mulkey with questions about the survey.

See the 2023 Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events for:

• Processing deadlines.
• Support contacts.
• System maintenance dates and times.

Monday, July 3: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; Payment Services will distribute warrants 9–11 a.m.

Tuesday, July 4: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

Check the Forms page on FMX to ensure you use the current version. Previously downloaded forms might be outdated. The top of every FMX page has a link to the Forms page.

Topic pages (such as Appropriations and Payment Services link to their specific forms on the Forms page.

Note: Payment Services forms on FMX are secured and require login to prevent unauthorized users from accessing them and submitting them to state agencies. If it is necessary to maintain any of these forms on your agency’s website, ensure the forms require login and are the most current version.

For state agencies and institutions of higher education, the monthly and twice-monthly payrolls are due by the seventh workday before payday.

Submitting payrolls to the Comptroller’s office on or before the due dates ensures adequate processing time for direct deposits and warrant distribution.

See Payroll Due Dates and Direct Deposit Schedules (FPP E.030) for more information, including the fiscal 2024 payroll due dates and direct deposit schedule.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

TINS ACR 60019 created new reason codes for the release of held warrants, and updated the descriptions of each code to better define the disposition of a held warrant that is released. Updated reason codes display on TINS warrant release screens.

See Warrant Hold Release Reason Codes on TexPayment Resource for the updated list of codes.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

May is Direct Deposit Month, a yearly reminder that direct deposit payments save the state money and offer a safe, convenient method of payment to the state's payees. Each agency should review its direct deposit practices to protect itself and its customers.

See Promoting Direct Deposit/Pay Cards for more information.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed April 7 to observe Good Friday; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9 – 11 a.m. The warrants will be from the April 6 processing cycle.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

Check the Forms page on FMX before submitting a form to ensure you submit the current version. Previously downloaded forms or stored links might be outdated.

The top of every FMX page has a link to the Forms page.

Topic pages (such as Appropriations or Payment Services) link to their specific forms on the Forms page.

Friday, Dec. 23: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; Payment Services will distribute warrants 9–11 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 26: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; no warrants will be distributed.

Monday, Jan. 2: The Comptroller’s office will be closed; Payment Services will distribute warrants 9–11 a.m.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants 9–11 a.m. on that day.

The Comptroller’s office will also be closed Monday, Dec. 26; no warrants will be distributed.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must consider these dates when determining when to submit their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you generate or monitor your agency’s direct deposit payments, learn how you can help avoid fraud and safeguard state resources by attending a fraud prevention webinar on Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m. – noon. Topics include:

• Biggest threats to agencies.
• Business email compromise.
• Check fraud.
• Best practices to prevent fraud.

This webinar is offered by the state’s direct deposit vendor, J.P. Morgan Chase. Registration is not required. Visit the web-based training calendar on FMX for login information.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 23; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9–11 a.m. for the Nov. 22 processing cycle. There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 24 or 25.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must exclude these dates when determining when to process their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 23; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 9–11 a.m. for the Nov. 22 processing cycle. There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 24 or 25.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

When determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, exclude state and federal holidays that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must exclude these dates when determining when to process their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

How well are we meeting your customer service expectations?

Please let us know by completing the online survey by Friday, Sept. 30. We appreciate your feedback.

Email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov with any questions.

How well are we meeting your customer service expectations?

Please let us know by completing the online survey by Friday, Sept. 30. We appreciate your feedback.

Email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov with any questions about the survey.

Effective Sept. 16, TINS and USAS mask direct deposit account numbers on certain reports.

See TINS ACR 60486 and USAS ACR 60487 for more information.

Contact Payment Services for information about the TINS reports. Contact your agency’s appropriation control officer for information about the USAS reports.

State agency employees can now choose to receive their payroll and travel reimbursement on a pay card as an alternative to receiving payments by warrant or direct deposit. The vendor will load the pay cards with the payment on payday or on the day a travel reimbursement is paid. Employees can contact their agency payroll office to choose this option.

Payroll stuffers to promote the pay card program are available. See TexPayment Resource – Promoting Direct Deposit/Pay Card.

Pay card setup procedures are available for payments issued via USAS, USPS, SPRS and CAPPS. See Pay Cards for Payroll/Retirement Net Pay (FPP P.004).

The USAS annual cash-basis close for fiscal 2022 occurs Aug. 31.

The fiscal year-end close process requires shutting down the statewide fiscal systems. See Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events for more information, including:

• Processing deadlines.
• System maintenance dates and times.
• Support contacts.

The Outstanding Warrants Control Report (DAFR8171) runs on the first Friday of each month. Agencies should monitor their report before warrants become void on Aug. 31.

See USAS Annual Close Process (FPP Q.004) for more information, including details on generating reports via the Report Request Profile, USAS 91 screen. Also see Void Warrants.

Contact your appropriation control officer with questions.

See the 2022 Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events, which includes:

• Processing deadlines.
• Support contacts.
• System maintenance dates and times.

For state agencies and institutions of higher education, the monthly and twice-monthly payrolls are due by the seventh workday before payday.

Submitting payrolls to the Comptroller’s office on or before the due dates ensures adequate processing time for direct deposits and warrant distribution.

See Payroll Due Dates and Direct Deposit Schedules (FPP E.030) for more information, including the fiscal 2023 payroll due dates and direct deposit schedule.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

May is Direct Deposit Month, a yearly reminder that direct deposit payments save the state money and offer a safe, convenient method of payment. This is a good time for each agency to review its direct deposit practices to protect itself and its customers.

See Promoting Direct Deposit for more information.

The deadline to renew the Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189) has been extended to close of business May 20. All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on May 31. New forms are effective June 1. Warrants will not be distributed as of June 1 without an updated renewal form on file.

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed April 15 to observe Good Friday; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. The warrants will be from the April 14 processing cycle.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

Every two years, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requires all state agencies and institutions of higher education to renew their Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189).

Return the completed, signed form by close of business April 15. All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on April 30. New forms are effective May 1.

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

Every two years, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requires all state agencies and institutions of higher education to renew their Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189).

Return the completed and signed form by close of business April 15. All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on April 30. New forms are effective May 1.

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) groups it expired on Dec. 31, 2021. The SSN/ITIN/EIN Validation Rules on TexPayment Resource were updated to reflect the current valid ITIN ranges.

In addition, Payment Services implemented a new policy to define the acceptable dates on an IRS renewal notice when an ITIN group is expired and the individual needs to be set up in TINS.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

The Statewide Fiscal Systems (SFS) Security team’s name has changed to Statewide Security Administration (SSA).

Effective Feb. 14, the support email address (SFS.security@cpa.texas.gov) will be replaced with SSA.security@cpa.texas.gov. This email account is primarily for agency security coordinators to send questions/correspondence to the SSA team. Security access requests must still be submitted via the Security Request System.

Agencies should:

• Confirm with IT departments that the new SSA address is not subject to security filters.
• Update internal contact lists and web pages to reflect both the new email (SSA.Security@cpa.texas.gov) and the new name (Statewide Security Administration).

NOTE: The old SFS email account will not receive messages after Tuesday, March 15.

Agency security coordinators may contact the SSA team with questions.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

The Comptroller’s office will disable two transport layer security (TLS) protocols, 1.0 and 1.1, on Jan. 30. After that, only TLS 1.2 connections will work. This update is needed to correct security vulnerabilities.

This change will impact all connections to Comptroller systems, so be sure your information technology team is aware of the upgrade. The Comptroller’s office alerted state agencies to the upcoming change in September and has worked with agencies to replace the older protocols. See Microsoft’s update for more information.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

Check the Forms page or appropriate topic page on FMX before submitting a form to ensure you submit the current version. Previously downloaded forms or stored links might be outdated.

You’ll find a link to the Forms page at the top of any FMX page. Also, FMX topic pages such as Appropriations or Payment Services feature links to related forms.

The Comptroller’s office will disable two transport layer security (TLS) protocols, 1.0 and 1.1, on Jan. 30, 2022. After that, only TLS 1.2 connections will work. This update is needed to correct security vulnerabilities.

This change could impact any connection to Comptroller systems, so be sure your informational technology team is aware of the upgrade. The Comptroller’s office alerted state agencies to the upcoming change in September and has worked with agencies to replace the older protocols. See Microsoft’s update for more information.

Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23. There will be no warrant distribution Dec. 24.

Payment Services will also distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, the deadline to submit Direct Deposit Reversal Request form (74-191) for payroll reversals has been changed to 10 a.m. on Dec. 31.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

To determine the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, you must exclude federal holidays, since financial institutions are closed and no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must account for these dates to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

See the System Outages and Holidays calendar for federal holidays with no scheduled USAS cycles.

Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23. There will be no warrant distribution Dec. 24.

Payment Services will also distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements and the System Outages and Holidays calendar for more information.

Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, the deadline to submit Direct Deposit Reversal Request form (74-191) for payroll reversals has been changed to 10 a.m. on Dec. 31.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

To determine the direct deposit settlement date of a payment, you must exclude federal holidays, since financial institutions are closed and no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must account for these dates to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

See the System Outages and Holidays calendar for federal holidays with no scheduled USAS cycles.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 24; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. for the Nov. 23 processing cycle. There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 25 or 26.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

State and federal holidays with no scheduled USAS cycle that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar are excluded when determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must exclude these dates when determining when to process their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

The Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on Wednesday, Nov. 24; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. for the Nov. 23 processing cycle. There will be no warrant distribution on Nov. 25 or 26.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

State and federal holidays with no scheduled USAS cycle that are listed on the System Outages and Holidays calendar are excluded when determining the direct deposit settlement date of a payment.

Since financial institutions are closed, no direct deposit activity occurs on those days. Agencies must exclude these dates when determining when to process their payments to ensure prompt payment and avoid late payment interest.

If you need to submit a USAS or TINS batch file on a weekend or holiday, see the USAS/TINS Input Record File Submission Schedule.

Effective immediately, a new National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) rule requires the requestor of a direct deposit reversal to be the same agency that issued the original payment. The Comptroller’s office has updated Section 6 of the Direct Deposit Authorization form (74-176) to reflect the new rule.

If your agency uses its own form or electronic method (such as an online application or self-service portal) to process direct deposits through the Comptroller’s office, you must update it to match the new language on form 74-176. See Direct Deposit Forms on TexPayment Resource for more information.

Submit a copy of your agency’s updated internal forms or methods to Payment Services at tins.mail@cpa.texas.gov for review and approval no later than Oct. 15, 2021.

Contact Payment Services with any questions.

How well are we meeting your customer service expectations?

Please let us know by completing the online survey by Friday, Sept. 24. We appreciate your feedback.

If you have any questions about the survey, email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov.

How well are we meeting your customer service expectations?

Please let us know by completing the online survey by Friday, Sept. 24. We appreciate your feedback.

If you have any questions about the survey, please email us at fiscal.documentation@cpa.texas.gov.

BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 will be decommissioned Sept. 8. Customers must upgrade to BlueZone Web-to-Host 7.1 before that date. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for installation instructions.

Note: If you have trouble connecting to the FMX site or downloading BlueZone, contact your IT support to determine if your agency security policies or firewalls are blocking access.

BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 will be decommissioned Sept. 8. Customers must upgrade to BlueZone Web-to-Host 7.1 before that date. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for installation instructions.

Note: If you have trouble connecting to the FMX site or downloading BlueZone, contact your IT support to determine if your agency security policies or firewalls are blocking access.

BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 will be decommissioned Sept. 8. Customers must upgrade to BlueZone Web-to-Host 7.1 before that date. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for installation instructions.

Note: If you have trouble accessing instructions or downloading BlueZone, contact your IT support to determine if your agency security policies or firewalls are blocking access.

The 87th Legislature updated Article IX of the General Appropriations Act (GAA); changes take effect Sept. 1. See Changes to Article IX of the GAA and Other Bills of Interest to State Agencies (FPP F.008) for a summary of GAA changes and other legislation that affects state agencies.

The USAS annual cash-basis close for fiscal 2021 occurs on Aug. 31.

The fiscal year-end close process requires shutting down the statewide fiscal systems. See Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events for more information, including:

• Processing deadlines
• System maintenance dates and times
• Support contacts

BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 will be decommissioned on Sept. 8. Customers must upgrade to BlueZone Web-to-Host 7.1 before that date. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for installation instructions.

Note: If you have trouble connecting to the FMX site or downloading BlueZone, contact your IT support to determine if your agency security policies or firewalls are blocking access.

Customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 can leave that version installed; it will not conflict with version 7.1.

After Sept. 8, BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 will no longer connect to the CPA mainframe and will redirect to a Comptroller.Texas.Gov welcome page.

Agencies and institutions may also use other TN3270E emulation software equivalent to BlueZone. See Alternative Emulator Configuration Settings (login required) in FPP N.007 or contact Information Technology Support at your agency or institution for assistance.

The Outstanding Warrants Control Report (DAFR8171) runs on the first Friday of each month. Agencies should monitor their report before warrants become void on Aug. 31.

See USAS Annual Close Process (FPP Q.004) for more information, including details on generating reports via the Report Request Profile, USAS 91 screen. Also see Void Warrants.

Contact your appropriation control officer with questions.

See the 2021 Master Schedule of Year-End Close Events, which includes:

• Processing deadlines
• System maintenance dates and times
• Support contacts

Although the Comptroller’s office will be closed for business on July 5, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8-10 a.m. The warrants will be for the July 2 processing cycle.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

Customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 may continue using this version until further notice. We recommend that you upgrade to Web-to-Host 7.1 at your earliest convenience; see Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for more information and installation instructions. The Comptroller’s office will announce the new decommission date for Web-to-Host 5.2 shortly.

All customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 must upgrade to the latest version, 7.1, by June 1, when the current version will be decommissioned on Comptroller systems.

Note: If you or your IT support already downloaded and installed BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 from FMX, you must upgrade to the latest 7.1 version. If your agency or office has its own licensed version of BlueZone or another 3270 emulator, you can continue using it to connect to the Comptroller’s mainframe.

See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for more information and installation instructions.

Agencies and institutions may also use other TN3270E emulation software equivalent to BlueZone. See Alternative Emulator Configuration Settings (login required) in FPP N.007, or contact information technology support at your agency for help.

For state agencies and institutions of higher education, the monthly and twice-monthly payrolls are due by the seventh workday before payday.

Submitting payrolls to the Comptroller’s office on or before the due dates ensures adequate processing time for direct deposits and warrant distribution.

See Payroll Due Dates and Direct Deposit Schedules (FPP E.030) for more information, including the fiscal 2022 payroll due dates and direct deposit schedule.

Unclaimed property transferred to the state includes property that might belong to state agencies or institutions of higher education. Money not claimed by May 31 will be deposited into unappropriated general revenue.

See Unclaimed Property Annual Notification for more information, including contact information for the Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division.

All customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 must upgrade to the latest version, 7.1, by June 1, when the current version will be decommissioned on Comptroller systems.

Note: If you or your IT support already downloaded and installed BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 from FMX, you must upgrade to the latest 7.1 version. If your agency or office has its own licensed version of BlueZone or another 3270 emulator, you can continue using it to connect to the Comptroller’s mainframe.

See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for more information and installation instructions.

Agencies and institutions may also use other TN3270E emulation software equivalent to BlueZone. See Alternative Emulator Configuration Settings (login required) in FPP N.007, or contact information technology support at your agency for help.

All customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 must upgrade to the latest version, 7.1, by June 1, when the current version will be decommissioned on Comptroller systems. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for more information and installation instructions.

Agencies and institutions may also use other TN3270E emulation software equivalent to BlueZone. See Alternative Emulator Configuration Settings (login required) in FPP N.007, or contact information technology support at your agency for help.

TINS implemented two application change requests (ACRs) effective March 26:

• ACR 60382 updated the direct deposit return reason code R17 as it was repurposed by the National Automated Clearing House Association.
• ACR 60446 implemented a new display that masks all but the last four digits of payees’ account numbers on the monthly direct deposit reports.

Contact Payment Services with questions.