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Draft returns

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This article outlines the full taxpayer experience for draft returns. The taxpayer can access the return, review the return including vouchers/invoices and K-1s, and download documents during the Review step.
note
For married couples filing joint returns, only the initial recipient can view the return; it won’t be delivered to the spouse.
Clients can't complete the following actions from a draft return:
  • Signing
  • Delegating signing
  • Paying vouchers
  • Paying invoices
  • Distributing K-1s
  • Forwarding documents
Initial Email
The taxpayer receives an email with a link to the designated return.
  1. Select
    Let's Get Started
  2. Select
    Access Client Portal
    .
Homepage
  1. Contact
     the firm if you have any questions.
  2. Select
    Get Started
    .
Authentication
Social Security Number Authentication (personal returns only)
  1. Enter the requested 4 digits of your Social Security Number.
  2. Select
    Continue
    .
Access Code Verification (all return types)
  1. Select
    Send Code
    .
    • A message states whether the code is being delivered to your email address or your phone.
      • Email Access Code:
         An 8-digit access code is sent to the initial email address.
      • Mobile Access Code:
         A 6-digit access code is sent to your cell phone via text message.
  2. Enter the 6 or 8-digit access code in the code field.
  3. Select
    Continue.
Welcome Page
This is the main dashboard for your return.
  1. The title line has 4 options:
    • View
      Draft
       designation.
    • View the
      Tax year
       for the return.
    • Select
      Contact Person
       to show a contact at the firm in case you have any questions.
    • Select
      Client Panel
       to change your mobile number or edit your spouse's information.
  2. The progress bar shows the step the draft return is currently in.
  3. Total refunds and payments for the return are also shown.
    • Select
      Print
       to print the summary.
    • Use the bottom arrows to open the panel to view more.
  4. Select
    Get Started
     to continue.
Message from Preparer
This page shows any instructions or messages included by the tax firm.
  1. View the message from your tax preparer.
  2. Select
    Print
     if you would like to print the message.
  3. Select
    Next
    to continue.
Review Tax Documents
  1. Select the
    Return Section
     you want to review (filing instructions, tax return, and attachments).
  2. Select
    Download
     to download and save documents to your device.
  3. The
    Forward
     option is not available for draft returns.
  4. Select
    Next
     to continue.
Sign Tax Documents
There will be up to 2 options to sign depending on your firm's settings. You can't complete the sign step for a draft return, but you can review the steps that will occur when the final return is delivered.
  1. Select
    e-Sign
     to view the steps to sign electronically.
  2. Select
    Manually Sign
     to view the steps to print, sign, and upload forms.
eSign
A list of all pages that require your signature is listed in the left panel. You can review the steps that will occur when the final return is delivered. These steps can't be completed for draft returns.
  1. Select the
    Start
     arrow to be led to your first signature line.
  2. Select the
    Next
     flag to be guided to all signature blocks.
  3. Select the
    Next
     button to continue.
Manually Sign
You can review the steps that will occur when the final return is delivered. These steps can't be completed for draft returns.
  1. Review the manual signing steps.
  2. Select
    Next
    to continue.
Paper File Returns
The Paper File Returns section only appears if your delivered draft return includes a paper file return. The print and download options are not available for draft returns.
  1. View the message from your tax preparer.
  2. Select
    Next
     to continue.
A consent pop-up appears.
  1. Select
    I Consent
     to preview your paper file return or
    Skip
     this step.
  2. Select
    Next
     to continue.
K-1 Distribution
This option is only available for entity returns. K-1s can't be distributed or downloaded from draft returns.
Send Electronically
  1. Select
    Send Electronically
     on the K-1 distribution dashboard.
  2. Select the
    Edit Partner Details
     button in the
    Action
     column.
  3. Edit recipient details in the
    Update K-1 Partner Details
     window.
  4. Select
    Send Later
     to continue.
Tax Payments
View Tax Payments
Vouchers can be reviewed, but can't be paid or downloaded from draft returns. Vouchers can be downloaded during the
Review
 step.
  1. Select the
    Due date
     to view the payments due.
  2. Select
    Next
    .
View Estimated Payments
Estimated vouchers can be reviewed, but can't be paid or downloaded from draft returns. Vouchers can be downloaded during the
Review
 step.
  1. Select the
    Due date
     to view the payments due.
  2. Select
    Request Changes
     if the return is incorrect.
  3. Select
    Approve Draft Return
     if the return is correct.
End Page
Once the draft return is completed, you are directed to an end page. Your tax firm has been notified that you requested changes or approved the draft.

This article applies to:

  • Product: safesend
  • Audiences: Client