Overview Beginning with Tax Year 2026, E-Signatures will be offered through TaxAct Professional’s new Client Portals software. While the e-signature experience may look a little different, the new solution is designed to give professional tax preparers more flexibility, lower-cost signature options, and a more integrated client collaboration experience. Signature Options As part of this change, […]
If your preparer has requested approval on one or more files, follow these steps to review and submit your decision: Click Approve File in the email you receive. Log in to your account. Click the Files tab. Under From [Company Name], locate the file. Click the yellow Pending Approval button to review the file, then […]
In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log in to My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Locate the client in the list and click once to open their Portal details. Tip: You can use the Search bar or click a column header to sort. Click the Client Files tab. Click […]
You will receive an email that says [Firm Name] has requested files. The email includes two links. If the firm entered an optional message, it also appears in the email. The first link is the direct upload link and can only be used once. The second link opens your regular portal login page. To upload […]
The Request Files feature sends an email to the client with a secure link they can use to upload files directly to the To [Company Name] folder without logging in to their portal. The link can only be used one time; however, the client can upload as many files as needed during that upload session. […]
Upload Files Navigate to your preparer’s Client Portals website and locate the Guest Exchange panel. Click Upload Files. The upload screen is displayed. Complete the required information fields. Click Select to browse for the file(s) to upload. Click Upload. A verification window appears. Click Upload again to confirm. An email notification is sent to the […]
The Guest Exchange is a panel that appears on your Client Portals login page. Clients can use this panel to upload files to you or as an alternate way to download guest exchange files from you. Before using Guest Exchange, you must turn it on so it is accessible to you and your clients. Outgoing […]
You have received an invitation to use a Portals account from your tax professional. This article provides an overview of how to use your new portal to connect with your preparer. Activation When your tax preparer creates your portal, you will receive an invitation email. This email contains your username and a link to create […]
The following tabs are client-specific and are visible after opening the client details using these steps: In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log into My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Locate the client in the list and click once to open their Portal details. Tip: You can use the […]
To download select documents from your clients (taxpayers), follow the steps below. In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log into My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Locate the client in the list and click once to open their Portal details. Tip: You can use the Search bar or click […]
To upload documents to your clients (taxpayers), follow the steps below. In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log into My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Locate the client in the list and click once to open their Portal details. Tip: You can use the Search bar or click a […]
New Portal To add a new portal for your client (taxpayer), follow these steps: In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log into My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Click Add Client on the right. Enter the client’s details in the Add Client window. If this is a business client, […]
Using Client Portals Messenger, you can: Exchange messages with your client. Export a transcript of your conversation with that client. To message your client (taxpayer), follow these steps: In TaxAct Pro, click the Portals tab. Alternatively, log into My Account and click Client Portals. Click the Clients tab. Locate the client in the list and […]
When you purchase Client Portals for TaxAct Pro, you will have access to a new tab within your desktop program. This tab is visible to the Firm owner once your purchase is complete (you may need to log out and log back into the desktop program to see the new tab). Edit Access To add […]
Client Portals has the features you need to provide appointment-free tax preparation. The following guide will walk you through the steps for purchasing, configuring, and using your new Client Portals subscription. If you have not purchased, review product information in Professional Editions: Client Portals – Overview or visit the Client Portals product page. Purchasing You […]
Client Portals (Powered by Drake Software) provides a secure client file exchange, allowing preparers and their clients to exchange confidential tax documents securely and conveniently. It is web-based and works with most browsers and computers. Since it is a paperless document exchange, preparers spend less time printing, faxing, emailing, or mailing returns and other documents […]
Preparer Notes can be used by the paid preparer, electronic return originator, or taxpayer to provide additional, voluntary information related to Forms 1120, 1120-S or 1065 tax returns, but it is not required to attach them. These notes are added to the return in the same area where the Election Explanations and Regulatory Explanations are […]
The Import Wizard allows you to import prior year master information that you saved locally or online. The first screen you will see upon logging into your TaxAct Professional software will give you the option to import prior year Master Information, if available. To import prior year’s information: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, […]
To set up or edit your practice, preparer, or master information: Click Preparer, then click Master Information from the drop-down. Enter your practice information, then click Continue to Preparer Information. Edit, add, or remove preparers as needed, then click Continue to Master Info. Click Set Up Master Information Now to select preferences for returns, invoicing, […]
Online backup is a manual process unless you use the Professional Enterprise Edition online option. You must perform the operation in your program each time you choose to back up your client returns online: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, click File in the upper menu bar, hover your mouse over Backup, then click Client Return(s). Click […]
The IRS has advised that many people should expect smaller tax refunds for 2022. Here’s why your refund may not be as big as last year’s and some tips on what you can do to maximize your refund amount. Why do you get a tax refund from the IRS? Let’s review why we get a […]
Account Structure Each TaxAct Professional Edition user should create an account using first and last name, mailing address, and a unique email address. Once each account is set up, they can be linked together to form a practice. See the TaxAct Professional Online Resources Getting Started webpage. Definitions Practice Owner Account TaxAct account used to […]
The TaxAct® Professional programs start releasing in late October and are updated periodically throughout the filing season. The federal editions released in October are preview editions and do not contain the finalized tax forms. The programs are updated when the final forms are released. You can import your prior year clients with the preview and […]
All TaxAct Professional users will need to have a TaxAct Account with a valid Practice ID, Verified EFIN, and PTIN (or SSN if not using a PTIN). When attempting to e-file a client’s return, the Preparer E-File Wizard will automatically check to ensure your account is set up and prompt you if any required information […]
In order to e-file for the 2021 tax season, all professional preparers will need to have a TaxAct Account with a valid Practice ID, Verified EFIN, and PTIN (or SSN if not using a PTIN). Each preparer will need to obtain a Practice ID by requesting/receiving an invitation from the Practice Owner (who purchased the […]
