Automated reminders explained

Learn how automated signing and voucher reminders work, who receives them, when they stop, and how firms can manage reminder settings.
SafeSend automatically sends clients reminders to sign their returns and pay their vouchers.

Setting up reminders

Question
Answer
How do we change firm settings and defaults for signing reminders?
A firm administrator can turn on or turn off voucher and signing reminder emails globally and set defaults under
Settings
E-Sign Options
Automatic Signing Reminders
.
How do we change firm settings and defaults for voucher reminders?
A firm administrator can turn on or turn off voucher and signing reminder emails globally and set defaults under
Settings
Vouchers & Invoices
Payment Vouchers
.
How do we update email templates sent to clients?
A firm administrator can edit email templates. Voucher reminder settings can be found at
Settings
Client Instructions
.

View or edit return reminders

note
When you select
Automated Reminder
, it shows your firm's default settings. It doesn't show the current settings for that return. To view the current settings for a specific return, select
Action
.
Question
Answer
How do I edit reminder settings before a return is delivered?
During processing, the voucher and signing reminder settings can be edited in the
Delivery Options
tab.
How do I edit reminder settings after a return is delivered?
After delivery, the voucher and signing reminder settings can be edited using the
Bulk Action Icons
or the
Action Menu
.

Reminders to sign

Question
Answer
Are reminders to sign only delivered once?
Reminders to sign are delivered multiple times based on the timeframe selected.
How long are reminders delivered?
Automated reminders to sign won’t be delivered after the filing deadline.
For returns uploaded after the filing deadline, reminders are delivered until the extension deadline.
Can automated reminders be turned back on after the filing or extension deadline?
Yes, automated reminders can be manually re-enabled after the deadline.
What statuses generate reminders?
Reminders will continue to go out as long as the status is
Awaiting E-Sign
,
Awaiting Upload
, or
Partially Signed
.
Who receives reminders for Partially Signed returns?
When the status is
Partially Signed
, the reminders are delivered to the spouse who hasn’t signed.
Who receives reminders for Group returns?
All reminders to sign are sent to the controller.
Are reminders delivered for Archived returns?
Yes, if the return is not signed and archived reminders will continue to be delivered based on the scenarios described previous.
Do past year returns generate reminders?
If a past year return is delivered, reminders will continue to be delivered based on the scenarios described previous.

Voucher reminders

Question
Answer
Are voucher reminders only delivered once?
Voucher reminders are only delivered once for each due date.
If the taxpayer has 5 vouchers due on April 15, they’ll only receive 1 email notification to pay these vouchers.
What happens if past-date vouchers are delivered?
A voucher reminder is delivered immediately after the return is delivered.
Who receives voucher reminders for married filing joint returns?
SafeSend delivers voucher reminders to the taxpayer, except when:
  • The return was delivered to the spouse first and the spouse hasn't yet signed.
  • The taxpayer is deceased.
Example 1:
If the return is delivered to the spouse first, but they haven’t signed yet, the spouse receives the reminder.
Example 2:
If the return is delivered to the spouse first and they’ve signed, the taxpayer receives the reminder.
Who receives voucher reminders for Group returns?
All reminders are sent to the controller.
If the client turns off their voucher reminders, can the firm turn them back on?
No, the firm will receive an error message if they attempt to edit the settings. The client can re-enable the reminders from the Make Payments section.