Returns
The taxpayer can access the return, review, sign, pay vouchers/invoices, deliver K-1s, and download documents.
Show all hidden content.
Initial Email
The taxpayer receives an email with a link to the designated return.
- SelectLet's Get StartedorAccess Client Portal.
Homepage
- SelectContactif you have any questions for the firm.
- SelectGet Started.
Authentication
Social Security Number Authentication (personal returns only)
- Enter the requested 4 digits of your Social Security number.
- SelectContinue.
Access Code Verification (all return types)
- SelectSend 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 same email address as the initial email was sent to.
- Mobile Access Code:A 6-digit access code is sent to your cell phone via text message.
- Enter the 6 or 8-digit access code in the code field.
- SelectContinue.
SMS Text Notification Consent
- This only appears if your tax provider has this feature enabled.
- By consenting to the SMS Text Notifications, you agree to let SafeSend send reminders to sign your tax return via text message. This consent is valid for 12 months.
Welcome Page
This is the main dashboard for your return.
- The title line has 3 options:
- View theTax yearfor the return.
- SelectContact Personto display a contact at the firm in case you have any questions.
- SelectClient Panelto change your mobile number or edit your spouse's information.
- The progress bar shows the step the return is currently in.
- Total refunds and payments for the return are displayed on the left.
- Select thePrinticon to print the summary.
- Use the arrows to open the panel to view more.
- A short overview of the steps required to complete your return is displayed.
- Depending on what's included in the return by your tax preparer, these steps may appear different.
- SelectGet Startedto continue.
Message from Preparer
This page displays any instructions or messages included by the tax firm.
- View the message from your tax preparer.
- SelectPrintif you would like to print the message.
- SelectNextto continue.
View or Pay Invoice
This section only appears if your delivered return includes an invoice.
- Review the invoice.
- SelectPay Now.
- Depending on your firm's settings, you may get a message requesting payment details or a new tab open to a payment site.
- If you don’t have thePay Nowoption, the firm doesn’t have a payment method available online. You can download the invoice in the next section.
- SelectNextto continue.
Review Tax Documents
- Select theReturn Sectionyou want to review (filing instructions, tax return, and attachments).
- SelectDownloadto download and save documents to your device.
- SelectForwardto forward all available documents to an external email address.
- SelectNextto continue.
Paper File Your Returns
The Paper File Returns section only appears if your delivered return includes a paper file return. You'll need to consent to the terms of the Paper File Return before you can print the documents.
- By selectingI Consent, you agree to file the paper return.
- If you selectSkipyou can access your paper returns from the summary page and receive theConsent to Paper File Returnsmessage again.
- PrintorDownloadthe paper returns individually in theActioncolumn for each return.
- SelectPrintto print all the returns in 1 PDF.
- SelectDownload Allto download a ZIP file with all paper file returns.
- SelectSkipto skip this step orNextto continue.
Sign Tax Documents
There may be up to 3 options to sign depending on your firm's settings.
- Selecte-Signto sign electronically.
- SelectManually Signto print, sign, and upload the forms.
- SelectDelegate Signingto send tax forms to partners or shareholders for signatures.
E-Sign
Identity Verification (personal returns only)
- Enter or verifyYour Date of Birthfor verification.
- Mark the checkbox to consent to e-signing.
- Enter your spouse's email address.
- Enter your spouse's mobile number to prompt access codes to go to their cell phone (optional).
- SelectNextto continue to:
- Knowledge-based authenticationfor individual returns.
- E-sign Your Documentsfor entity returns.
Knowledge-Based Authentication (personal returns only)
- Select the correct answer.
- Answer 3 of the 5 questions correctly to pass.
- If you pass, continue to theE-Sign Your Documentssection.
- If you fail, you are directed toManually Signyour documents.
- SelectNext.
E-Sign Your Documents (all return types)
A list of all pages that require your signature is listed in the left panel. A green check appears next to the page after it is signed.
- Select theStartarrow to go to your first signature line.
- Select the greenSignatureblock to open theAdd Signaturewindow.
- Select theNextarrow as you proceed through each signature.
- SelectType,DraworUploadto write your signature.
- SelectApply.
- SelectNextto continue.
note
If there is a spouse on the return, the confirmation screen appears. Here you can update the spouse's email and add a phone number (optional). Select
Next
to finalize signing. Manually Sign
- SelectDownloadto download documents requiring a signature.
- Drag and dropthe documents, or selectChoose Fileto open a file browser to upload the signed documents.
- View the alternative sending methods if you are unable to upload the signed documents electronically:
- Send by Mail
- Send by Fax
- SelectNext.
K-1 Distribution
This option is only available for entity returns. For more information about downloading K-1s to mail hard copies, refer to our K-1 Distribution - Taxpayer Instructions article.
Send Electronically
- SelectSend Electronicallyon the K-1 distribution dashboard.
- SelectEdit Partner Detailsin theActioncolumn.
- Enter the Shareholder's email address in theUpdate K-1 Partner Detailswindow.
- An email address is required to deliver a K-1 package.
- If a mobile number is added, the Access Codes are sent by text.
- SelectSaveto save any changes made.
- Select one or more K-1 packages to distribute.
- If youSelect All, the K-1s on the current page and any additional pages are selected.
- Select theEmail Documentsbutton.
- View theStatusof delivered K-1s.
Tax Payments
View Tax Payments
important
Estimated payments appear when you select
Done
. The options are the same for Tax Payment and Estimated Payments. - Select theDue dateto view the payments due.
- Mark or clearEmail me reminder....
- If marked, you can adjust the number of days before the due date that you receive the reminder.
- SelectPayment Voucherto download all vouchers.
- SelectFiling Instructionsto download all filing instructions.
- SelectDone.
Pay Vouchers
- SelectPay.
- SelectPay Nowto open a new tab with the taxing authority website to pay online.
- SelectGet Voucherto download the payment voucher.
- SelectAdd Payment Detailsto mark the voucher as Paid.noteThis step is optional and for record-keeping only.
- Review the pop-up warning and selectContinue.
- Enter the details for the payment made.noteCheck Number is optional.
- SelectAdd Paymentwhen done.
- SelectDoneto complete all steps.
End Page/Return Page
Once the return is completed you are directed back to the Welcome Page, but different options are now available. It is also what populates when you re-enter the return later.
- Summary panel.
- Select thePrinticon to print the summary.
- Send a reminder to spouse for joint 1040s.
- SelectMake Tax Paymentsto go back to the Pay section.
- SelectDownload Tax Documentsto review a list of documents included in the return.
- SelectView Tax or Forward Tax Documentsto go back to the review step.
- SelectView or Download Signed Documentsto download the signed e-file forms.
- SelectPrint and Mail Paper File Returnsto access your Paper File returns.
- SelectPay or View Tax Preparation Feesto pay your invoice or mark it as paid.
note
Any signed documents downloaded from SafeSend are password-protected and can't be edited. The audit report printed with the signed document is used as a security standard to track document history events. Allowing edits to the report would make it unviable.