Draft Returns Client Experience

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.  

Please note:

For married couples filing joint returns, only the initial recipient can view the return; it will not be delivered to the spouse. 

Clients cannot 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. Click Let's Get Started OR
2. Click Access Client Portal. 
   • See our Client Portal Experience article for more information. 

Start Page

1. Click Contact to reach out to the firm if you have any questions.
2. Click Get Started.

Authentication

Social Security Number Authentication (personal returns only)

1. Enter the requested 4 digits of your Social Security Number.  
2. Click Continue.

Access Code Verification (all return types)

1. Click 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 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.
2. Enter the 6 or 8-digit access code in the code field.
3. Click Continue.

Welcome Page

This is the main dashboard for your return. 

1. The title line has 3 options:
   • View Draft designation. 
   • View the Tax year for the return.
   • Click Contact Person to display a contact at the firm in case you have any questions.
   • Click 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 displayed on the left.
   • Click the Print icon to print the summary. 
   • Use the bottom arrows to open the panel to view more.
4. A quick overview of the steps required to complete your draft return is displayed.
   • Depending on what was included in the return by your tax preparer, these steps may appear differently. 

1. Click Get Started to continue.

Message from Preparer

This page displays any instructions or messages included by the tax firm.

1. View the message from your tax preparer. 
2. Click Print if you would like to print the message. 
3. Click Next to continue. 

Review Tax Documents

1. Click the Return Section you want to review (filing instructions, tax return, and attachments). 
2. Click Download to download and save documents to your device.
3. The Forward option is not available for draft returns. 
4. Click Next to continue. 

Sign Tax Documents

There will be up to 2 options to sign depending on your firm's settings. You cannot complete the sign step for a draft return, but you can review the steps that will occur when the final return is delivered. 

1. Click e-Sign to view the steps to sign electronically.
2. Click Manually Sign to view the steps to print, sign, and upload forms.

E-Sign

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 cannot be completed for draft returns. 

1. Click the Start arrow to be led to your first signature line.
2. Click the Next flag to be guided to all signature blocks.
3. Click the Next button to continue.

Manually Sign

You can review the steps that will occur when the final return is delivered. These steps cannot be completed for draft returns. 

1. Review the manual signing steps. 
2. Click 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. Click Next to continue.

A consent pop-up appears. 

1. Click I Consent to preview your paper file return OR
2. Click Skip to skip this step.
3. Click Next to continue.

K-1 Distribution

This option is only available for entity returns. K-1s cannot be distributed or downloaded from draft returns. 

Send Electronically

1. Click Send Electronically on the K-1 distribution dashboard.
2. Click the Edit Partner Details button in the Action column.
3. Edit recipient details in the Update K-1 Partner Details window.
4. Click Send Later to continue. 

Tax Payments

View Tax Payments

Vouchers can be reviewed, but cannot be paid or downloaded from draft returns. Vouchers can be downloaded during the Review step. 

1. Click the Due date to view the payments due. 
2. Click Next. 

View Estimated Payments

Estimated vouchers can be reviewed, but cannot be paid or downloaded from draft returns. Vouchers can be downloaded during the Review step. 

1. Click the Due date to view the payments due. 
2. Click Request Changes if the return is incorrect OR
3. Click 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. 

If you attempt to access the draft return again, you will see the following message.