Individual preparer information can be added and/or modified in the Preparer Master Information dialog box.

The preparer section allows you to:

• Click Add New Preparer to add a new preparer.
• Click the Pencil icon to edit a preparer.
• Click Inactive to remove a preparer from the active list.

NOTE: The first preparer you add should be yourself.

Preparer Information

You must enter at least one preparer to continue the setup process. You can access this information at any time by clicking Preparer > Master Information > Preparers. If you add a new preparer or edit a preparer, a dialog box with four sections will appear – Preparer Info, Electronic Filing Info, Permissions, and Invite.

In the Preparer Info section, you can add to or edit:

• Basic Information
• Address
• Contact Information

To add a new preparer:

1. Click Add New Preparer to enter information, keeping the following in mind:
   1. Check the Use My Practice Information box (in the Address section) to link the preparer to the Practice address. Otherwise, enter the preparer’s specific contact information.
   2. In the Basic Information section, selecting the “IRS may discuss…” option will populate the Third Party Designee field on the return with “PREPARER.”
   3. Enter “None” if the IRS has not yet issued a CAF number (you must submit Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative to the IRS to receive a CAF number).
   4. Be sure to enter a valid email address for each preparer. This is necessary in order to invite preparers to your online network.
2. To change the default preparer, select a name from the Default Preparer dropdown menu in the Preparers tab (Preparer > Master Information > Preparers). If you delete the Default and close the window, the next preparer in the list will become the Default.
3. Each practice is assigned a unique alphanumeric identification code called a “Practice ID”. If you have multiple preparers in your practice, each preparer will have the same Practice ID. The Practice ID, EFIN and PTIN (or SSN) is synched with your TaxAct Account to streamline the e-file process

To locate your Practice ID, Sign in to your TaxAct account and look in the upper right corner.

Electronic Filing Information

In the Electronic Filing Info section, you can add to or edit:

• E-filing Information
• Credit Card Information

An Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) is required to e-file returns. The IRS requires tax software companies to collect and verify EFIN Tracking Numbers from its professional customers. To obtain an EFIN, please see the IRS page Become an Authorized e-file Provider for more information. See EFIN Required Before Getting Started With E-Filing for setup instructions.

Credit card information is only required if you choose to pay e-file fees with each submission (Pay Per Return method). If no credit card information is entered, you will be prompted for credit card and billing information each time you e-file.

Permissions

In the Permissions section, you can add to or edit:

• Preparer’s Permissions

The first preparer you add to your practice will be the Practice Administrator by default (this cannot be removed). Anyone with the Practice Administrator permission will be able to invite other preparers to join the practice, modify other preparer’s permissions, and deactivate (or reactivate) preparers. See Setting Permissions for Preparers Invited to Your Practice for more information.

Invite

In the Invite section, you can add to or edit:

• Preparer Invitation

To grant network access to other preparers in your practice, the practice owner must “Invite” them to join your practice via email. See Preparer Invitation Process for more information.

Related Links

• Updating Preparer Information
• Removing Preparer Information from Client Return
• Preparer Preferences