Returns settings overview

Saved Messages

Here you can add, preview, and change Saved Message
templates that you can apply while processing a return. Saved message sections:

Saved Messages
: The message appears after the taxpayer authenticates and selects to begin.

Attachment Instructions:
This message appears in the Review > Attachments
section on the taxpayer side (if attachments are included with the return).

Paper File Instructions:
This message appears before the taxpayer views their paper file return (if paper file returns are included).

Add a New Message

Select the Add
button.

Enter the Name
of the message that appears for firm users during processing.

Enter the message text to display to the client. HTML format options are available.

Mark Allow users to edit before sending
to let users edit the message in the Delivery
section during processing.

Expand the Show Variables List
to include fields in the message that automatically fill with relevant taxpayer data.

ark Set as Default
to make this message the default for all returns during processing.

Select Add
to finish the Message and return to the Saved Messages screen.

note

To insert images, copy and paste them from another program.

Edit a Saved Message

Select a saved message from the message list. A preview of the message appears.

Select the Edit
button to open the editing window.

You can do the following:

Change the name of the message.

Set the message as the default message to use when processing.

Edit the body of the message in rich text format. This lets you change the font size, style, alignment, and color.

Let firm users edit the message before sending the return.

Select Save
when you are done making changes.

Client Instructions

Throughout the return process, clients receive email messages that contain instructions for filling out, reviewing, signing, and downloading their returns. They also receive reminders if they haven't reviewed or signed their returns, or if they have a payment due. The following is a list of the email messages and their purpose.

Messages can be added, deleted, or edited by using the controls on the screen. The editing options are the same as those for the Saved Message
section.

note

Whichever message is marked as the Default
is sent to all return recipients. These templates can't be selected on a return-by-return basis.

Message	Description
Initial Email	This is the 1st message sent to the client when the return is delivered.
Review and Sign Reminder	This is a reminder email sent to the client per the options set during delivery.
Voucher Reminders	This reminder email is sent prior to the voucher due date to clients.
Download E-Signed Forms	This message is sent to clients once all required parties have completed e-signing the forms in the return.
Recalled Return Instructions	This email is sent to clients when the firm recalls their return for correction.
Payment Instruction	This email sends when the client requires a payment.
Invoice Payment Success Mail Notification	The client receives an email message when their invoice is successfully paid (only applies when Stripe or CPACharge is used).
Voucher Revision Mail Notification	This notification is sent to the client when the firm uploads new estimated vouchers to the return.

Vouchers & Invoices

Payment Vouchers

Setting	Description
Enable payment voucher reminders	When enabled, automated voucher payment reminders are enabled by default during processing. During processing, this can be edited on a return-by-return basis in the Delivery section.
Set default reminder to	Select the default reminder period via the dropdown to determine how many days before the due date our system sends those reminders.
Receive an email notification when your client adds payment information	When enabled, users receive email notifications when clients enter their payment information into our system. note We don’t track the payments from the actual authority, only if the client adds the details to our system.

Default Voucher Due Date

Select the preferred policy for voucher due dates when not printed on the page.

Setting	Description
SSR Default Due date	The default voucher due date is automatically applied to all vouchers.
Voucher Form	The voucher date is pulled from the printed voucher when possible, otherwise the default due date is applied.

Invoices

Setting	Description
Enable Invoices	Switch on to let invoices be sent with returns.
Allow user to send without invoice	Mark the checkbox to let users send returns without an invoice.
Allow user to replace invoice	Mark the checkbox to let users replace the printed invoice during processing.

Invoice Payment Processing Options

Setting	Description
Stripe	Select the radio button to turn on Stripe integration.
CPACharge Integration	Select the radio button to turn on CPACharge integration.
Aiwyn	Select the radio button to turn on Aiwyn integration.
Third Party URL	Select the radio button to turn on payment through a Third Party URL . Select this option to enter a URL. The client is redirected to this site to make invoice payments.
Make Payment outside of SSR System	Select the radio button to Make Payment outside of SSR System . This disables all payment methods when selected. The client can download the invoice but doesn’t have payment options in SafeSend.

AI Automatic Voucher

Setting	Description
AI Recognition	Switch on to create vouchers automatically by extracting information from transmittal letters.

E-Sign Options

1040 Forms

Setting	Description
E-Sign all returns	Select the radio button to turn on electronic signature on all return types.
Manually sign all returns	Select the radio button to turn off the e-signature process on all 1040s.

1040 Knowledge-Based Authentication

Setting	Description
Use Knowledge-Based Authentication to initiate the Signing Process (Required by IRS)	Mark the checkbox to turn on the KBA process for clients before e-signing.
Allow disabling of Knowledge-Based Authentication on a return-by-return basis.	Mark the checkbox to let users turn on or turn off KBA in the Delivery section during processing.
Use Knowledge-Based Authentication to initiate the Signing Process for delegated signers (Required by IRS)	Mark the checkbox to turn on the KBA process for delegated signers

Allow ERO Signature Stamps

Setting	Description
Use ERO Signature Stamps	Mark the checkbox to let a Partner/ERO user upload a digital copy of their signature into the program to place onto returns.
Enabled ERO Stamp Delegation	Mark the checkbox to let the Partner/ERO stamp be applied automatically as users go through the preparation process.

Additional Document for E-Sign

This setting lets you create specific document types that a user in the firm can choose when uploading additional documents for e-signing. By default, Engagement Letter, Consent Form, and Others are available options. To add or edit document types:

Select the Add
button to add the document type to the list.

Select the Edit
pencil to change the name of the document type.

Select Delete
to remove the document type from the list.

Signer Delegation

Setting	Description
Individual (1040) Returns	Switch on signer delegation for 1040 returns.
Entity (1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 990) Returns	Switch on signer delegation for entity returns.

Business & Trust Returns

Setting	Description
Enable E-Signatures for Business & Trust Returns	Mark the checkbox to turn on e-signature for non-1040 returns.

Automatic Signing Reminders

Setting	Description
Enable Automatic Signing Reminders	Automated reminders to sign are allowed by default during processing. During processing, this can be edited on a return-by-return basis in the Delivery section.
Set default reminder to	Select the default reminder period for signature requests.
Send default SMS Text Reminder before ___ from due date.	Switch to On to send a text notification X number of days before the due date.

E-File Forms Settings

If a date and/or title is already printed on the return from your tax application, you can prevent Returns from placing a fillable title field on top of the printed text.

Setting	Description
Do not insert dates on the E-File forms	Mark the checkbox to remove automatic date fields from e-file forms during processing.
Do not insert Name and Title on the Entity E-File Forms	Mark the checkbox to remove title boxes from e-file forms during processing.

General

Delivery Options

Setting	Description
Allow the Staff user group to deliver Tax Returns	Mark the checkbox to let users in the Staff group deliver returns.
Allow any internal user to Distribute K1's	Mark the checkbox to let users enter the return and send K-1 schedules on the client's behalf.

Download Options

Setting	Description
Transmittals	Select how Transmittals are downloaded, either Include in the Tax Return PDF or Create a Separate PDF for the tax return and transmittals.
Payment Vouchers	Select how Payment Vouchers are downloaded, either Separate by Quarterly Due Dates or Group in Single PDF.

Filing Option

Setting	Description
Paper File Returns	Turn on the Paper File section during processing.

Customize Delivered Report

A custom column can be added to the Delivered Returns
and Archive Returns
sections for reporting.

To add or edit a custom column:

Enter the name of the custom column into the Column Name
field.

Select Edit
to save any changes to the Column Name
.

Select Delete
to remove the Custom Column
.

Select Add
to create a value as a new selection in the Custom Column
.

Select Edit
to adjust the name of a Column Value
.

Select Delete
to remove the Column Value
from available selections.

Integration

Setting	Description
TaxCaddy	Turn on the integration with TaxCaddy and enter your TaxCaddy key.

Download PDF

Setting	Description
Enable	Switch on to let users add the Download PDF option to the Finish step during processing instead of sending it via email to the client.

Footer

Setting	Description
E-File Form	Add a Powered by SafeSend Returns logo on the footer of e-file forms.

Watermarks

Watermark templates can be created in the Settings
menu and applied during processing.

Switch Watermark
feature on.

Select Add
to open the

Add Watermark

window.

Edit the watermark as needed.

Add or edit the Name
of the watermark.

Enter the Watermark Text
to be displayed on the pages.

Select the Watermark's Font Size
.

Select the Font
style of the watermark.

Choose the Opacity
of the watermark.

Choose the Color
of the watermark.

Select the Default
switch to apply the watermark to all returns automatically.

Move the watermark to a location on the page. Use the Resize
handles to grow and shrink the font area, and the Rotate
handle to angle the text.

Select Save
.

Select Edit
to edit an existing watermark.

Select the Delete
icon to remove the watermark from the list.

K1 Settings & Instructions

Mask/Unmask SSN

Switch Mask SSN/EIN on all K1 documents
on to hide SSN/EINs on shareholder documents.

K1 Instructions

Returns provides IRS-generated instructional PDFs that are delivered to the K-1 recipient.

Select the Tax Year
dropdown to view/download/replace K1 instructional documents for different tax years.

Select the Download
icon to download the instructional document.

Select the Replace
icon to replace the provided instructional document with your own.

K1 Email Templates

The firm can edit the email notifications that are delivered to K-1 recipients. The message marked as Default
is sent to all K-1 recipients. Refer to the previous Saved Messages
section for additional information about editing options.

Select the Add
button to add a new message template.

Select the Edit
button to edit the selected template.

Select the Delete
button to delete the selected template.

Security

SS Return Access Options

Set Access
settings determine the default for who can and can't review returns after upload. Administrators can view all returns, regardless of settings.

Setting	Description
Default Access set to Everyone	Select the radio button to let all users review all returns after upload.
Default Access set to Individual User	Select the radio button to let only the user who uploaded the return to view it. Let the user set additional access to other users before delivery. Mark the checkbox to let the uploader adjust access settings.
Default Access set to Uploaders User Group	Select the radio button to let users in the groups assigned to the uploading user in User Management to access the return.

Screen Share

For security purposes, some firms want to control whether users can screen share with clients. This option can be turned on or turned off firm-wide. Refer to the Screen-Share: CPA Experience article for more information about this feature.

Setting	Description
Enable Screen Share	Switch on screen sharing for all users in the firm.

Taxpayer Authentication

For 1040 returns, the taxpayer is required to enter part of their Social Security number (SSN). The firm can choose if you would like them to enter the last 4 or first 4 digits of their SSN.

Setting	Description
Last 4 of SSN	Select the radio button to have the taxpayer enter the last 4 digits of their SSN to authenticate.
First 4 of SSN	Select the radio button to have the taxpayer enter the 1st 4 digits of their SSN to authenticate.

Retention Policy

The firm can choose how long to retain standard returns and attest client returns. Returns are automatically deleted after this retention period. The firm can also decide if it would like to let users override this default setting before the return is delivered.

Setting	Description
Default	Select a Default retention period from the dropdown.
Attest Clients	Select a Default retention period from the dropdown.
Allow any user to override before delivery	Mark the checkbox to let users override the retention period before delivery.

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Returns settings overview

This article applies to: