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Customer Portal

  • The Customer Portal is a new feature available in TaxSlayer for TY24.
  • It allows clients to upload documents from their phone (e.g., large brokerage statements) which can then be printed or viewed easily
  • It allows electronic signatures when the client is not physically available.
  • The following slides show screenshots using Practice Lab and a client named Puppy Dog.
  • There are 5 Parts:
    • 1) Counselor “invites” client to the Customer Portal and client creates an account
    • 2) The client uploads their document(s) to TaxSlayer via the Customer Portal
    • 3) Counselor downloads documents from TaxSlayer and prints them
    • 4) If desired, counselor uploads completed tax return to Customer Portal and the client signs it electronically
    • 5) Counselor confirms it is signed

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Customer Upload Files

The next 3 pages shows screen shots from both the Tax Preparer on TaxSlayer and the Client using an iPhone (Android probably the same). This would be the most likely scenario when you are preparing the tax return, and the Client is present. Or, ERO is fixing return and the client doesn’t want to come back in. The Client needs to have their document(s) either as a “File” or a ”Photo” on their phone.

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Example Uses:

  • Customer has document on their phone which is too difficult for the Tax Preparer to read
  • Working with client remotely and need them to provide documents.
  • An off-site counselor can assist. For example, you need someone to QR Louisiana state return for Gambling income. The client can take pictures of documents, upload, then the off-site counselor can access those documents to QR the State return.

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Tax Preparer

Client

PART ONE: Once the decision is made to create a Customer Portal, the tax preparer “invites” the client, who then accepts the invitation and creates an account

You can send the invitation from the Basic Info screen, either to their email or phone number.

You can also create at anytime from the drop down at the client’s name

Client immediately receives link on their phone. They click the link

It follows a standard account registration process:

  • Username (6 characters min.)
  • Password (8 characters, Upper, Lower, number, special character)
  • Email
  • Mobile phone number
  • Client’s Last Name
  • Last 4 digits of the clients SSN

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A verification code is then sent to the phone.

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Second

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Client

PART TWO: Client uploads documents. You may need to walk them through the 5 steps below.

Customer Portal: Home Page

2) Select “Upload Documents”

3) Click the “Drop files here” box to open dropdown dialogue

This example: Choose Files

5) Click on file and hit “Open” at top

The upload will display as 100%. Ignore the moving blue bar

Home Page:

1 file Uploaded

1) Client Selects My Files, which is the person icon

4) Select file type

Document must be saved as file, or “photo” in their photo library

They should confirm the file was uploaded.

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PART THREE: Tax Preparer accesses file via ”Scanned Documents”. View, Download, Print

Tax Preparer

If the client isn’t with you, do a quick view of the document by clicking on it to confirm you received. You can then let the client go and finish the changes to the tax return. When you download the document(s), they are in your Google Drive in My Drive: on the bottom left of your Chromebook screen is the round button. Click it. Find Files and open. Find them in Files >> Google Drive >>My Drive. They are not in the “Downloads” (!!). From there you can print.

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Electronic Sign-off

The next 2 pages shows screenshots from the both the Tax Preparer on TaxSlayer and the Client using an iPhone (Android probably the same). Returns can be signed electronically, after the customer reviews the return in the portal and chooses to sign. The Client can then either be responsible to print their own return, or they can return to the site just to pick up the printed copy. These steps assume the Customer portal is already created (Part One).

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Example Uses:

  • Document rejected and ERO fixes and resubmits. Client doesn’t want to return to site.
  • If the spouse needs to sign but can’t come to the site.
  • If the client wants an electronic copy of their tax return (no sign off needed), just send return.

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Client

PART FOUR: The Tax Preparer uploads the tax return. The Client reads, agrees and electronically signs.

At the submission page, click “Send Document” located under the Customer Portal area. You DO NOT need to ”invite” them to the portal again if it is already set up.

Step 1: Client now sees 1 shared file. Click View Files

Step 2: Hit “Click to Add Signature”

Blank signature box appears.

Step 3: Using their finger. create a Signature and Save. Back.

Step 4: The option now shows to electronically sign. Click “Sign”

The updated screen shows the document has been signed.

Tax Preparer

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Second

That says “Sign”

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That says “Signed”

This is a 2 part process. 1) Create the Signature. � 2) Sign. �Creating the signature does NOT mean they are signing

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PART FIVE: Confirm it works

The electronic signature appears on the Submission Page

Tax Preparer

The electronic signature appears on the Signature Line of the 8879, the Federal return, and the other returns as appropriate

As soon as the taxpayer creates their signature (Part Four: Step 3), that signature will appear in Tax Slayer. You may need to refresh the screen.

Once the taxpayer confirms they clicked the “sign” option and it shows “signed” (Part Four: Step 4), you can confirm by printing (or print view) the return. REMIND THE CLIENT: these documents are available through the tax season – purged in November. They should download to their computer. If they don’t have the ability to print, come to the site to pick up a printed copy.

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Other Details (in random order)

  • On the Main Menu in production, there is a new button named “Portal Clients” that lists all clients with portals. Info on signature, etc.
  • All documents will be available through the tax year and will be purged in November.
  • Electronic signatures will be added to the 1040, 8879, other applicable consents, Amended and State returns, etc.
  • Only current year returns can be electronically signed.
  • Uploaded Documents have a max size of 5 MB each. The total max is 25 MB
  • Only Eddie or Susan can delete uploaded documents
  • “Chat” is currently turned off. If anyone wants to try this, Eddie or Susan can enable it for an individual tax preparer.
  • If initially set up using phone, it can also be accessed from the client’s computer at home. (http://vita.taxslayerpro.com/customerportal/)
  • More than one Tax Payer can be assigned to 1 email/phone number. Not sure when that is needed. Maybe parent with child? (like the 8 year old in Webster!)

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