Grouped Returns: Uploading, Processing, and Delivery

Grouped Returns allow firms to send multiple returns to a controller, CFO, or assistant. The recipient uses one link to access and manage returns. 

Important

The Controller will not be prompted to go through knowledge based authentication (KBA) when a 1040 return is delivered as part of a group. The Controller would need to delegate signing for the signer to be prompted to go through KBA. 

Uploading

There are three options when uploading returns to deliver in a group within SafeSend Returns. New returns can be added to an existing group at any time. Previously delivered returns cannot be added to a group unless they are recalled and reprocessed. 

Uploading Returns Through Grouped Returns

Note:

For CCH® Axcess™ and ProSystem fx®, you can upload up to 30 returns at once. For GoSystem Tax RS®, Lacerte®, and UltraTax CS® each return must be uploaded individually alongside separate PDF copies of any K-1 packages.

To manually upload a return PDF(s), follow the steps outlined below. If you are using integration to upload returns, please see the Uploading Returns Through Tax Returns In-Process or Add Return to a Group During Processing sections below. 

1. Navigate to Grouped Returns in the left panel.
2. Click Send Grouped Returns.
3. Click on the corresponding tax software button.
4. Drag the Client Copy to Drag files here or click to upload. 
5. View the Upload Progress bar; turns green when the upload is complete. 
6. Verify Client ID or enter Client ID.
7. Add a new group by typing in the Group Name field or selecting a previously added group.
8. Click Submit.

Uploading Returns Through Tax Returns In-Process

Important

For Grouped Returns, UltraTax CS® and GoSystem® integration users must follow the instructions for Uploading Returns Through Tax Returns In-Process or Add Return to a Group During Processing. 

1. Click Send Tax Returns.
2. Follow the standard upload steps for Processing a Return.
3. Check the box to the left of the taxpayer(s) name to select that return. 
4. Click the Group Return button. 
5. Select Create New Group or Add to Existing Group. 
6. Type in a new Group Name or select an existing Group Name. 
7. Click Save to add the return(s) to that group. 

Add Return to a Group During Processing 

1. Follow the steps for Processing a Return.
2. Click the Delivery Options tab. 
3. Select an existing Group Name or create a new group by typing in a name.
   • Note: The Finish button becomes disabled if a user enters a Group Name.
4. Click Save and Close.
5. The return is moved to the Grouped Returns > Send Grouped Returns section. 

Process Each Return in the Group 

Each return within a group should be processed as outlined in the Processing a Return help center article. Once each of the returns has been processed, the group can be processed and delivered. 

There are two ways to access single returns within a group. 

Send Grouped Returns Dashboard

1. Navigate to Grouped Returns in the left panel. 
2. Click Send Grouped Returns. 
3. Click the Group Name to view the returns in that group. 
4. Click the purple Process button to open a return.
5. Follow the steps outlined in the Processing a Return help center article. 
6. Click the Group Delivery tab. 
7. Toggle Mark this return as "Ready for Delivery" to confirm the return has been fully processed. 
   • This will allow you to deliver the return in the Process the Group step below. 
8. Click the Process button on another return to save and begin processing that return OR
9. Click the Finish button to deliver that one return to the Controller OR 
10. Click Save & Close to return to the Send Grouped Returns dashboard. 

Process the Group

Once each return is processed, the group can be processed and delivered. One or more returns can be delivered at once. Returns can be added to an existing group at any time. 

1. Navigate to Grouped Returns in the left panel. 
2. Click Send Grouped Returns. 
3. Click the purple Process icon for the group. 
4. Click the Finish tab. 
5. Click the Process button on another return to save and begin processing that return. 
6. Follow the steps outlined in the Processing a Return help center article. 
7. Click the Group Delivery tab. 
8. Toggle Mark this return as "Ready for Delivery" to confirm the return has been fully processed. 
   • This will allow you to deliver the return in the Process the Group step below. 
9. Click the Process button on another return to save and begin processing that return OR
10. Click the Finish button to deliver that one return to the Controller OR 
11. Click Save & Close to return to the Send Grouped Returns dashboard. 

Controller Info

The Controller Info tab is used to add/edit controller information for the group. 

1. Type the controller name into the Name field (required). 
2. Type the controller email address into the Email field (required). 
3. Type the controller social security number into the SSN field (optional). 
4. Select a country code for the Mobile No. field (optional). 
5. Type a phone number into the Movile No. field (optional). 
6. Click the Deliver Options tab OR
7. Click the Next button to proceed. 

Delivery Options

The Delivery Options tab is used to review and edit the default settings for the group. See the Processing a Return help center article for more information about what these settings do. The only new setting for grouped returns is the Choose Returns drop-down. 

1. Click Choose Returns. 
2. Select which returns to include on delivery. 
   • Note: Only returns marked as Ready for Delivery appear in this drop-down.
3. Click the Finish tab OR
4. Click the Next button to proceed. 

Finish

The Finish tab allows users to process returns that were uploaded in the group, mark those returns as ready, select which returns to deliver to the controller and choose how to route the group.

1. Please see the Processing a Return help center article for information about the Internal Routing and Delivery options. 
2. Select which returns to deliver. 
   • Note: Only returns marked as Ready for Delivery can be selected. 
3. Click the Process button to open a return marked as Ready for Delivery.
4. Click the Check button to mark a return as Ready for Delivery. 
   • Note: Returns should be fully processed before they are marked as ready. 
5. Click the Process button to open a return for processing. 

Delivery

Delivering Grouped Returns is similar to SafeSend Returns. After delivery, returns appear in the Grouped Returns Report. There are two ways to deliver returns to the controller.

Deliver Returns Through the Process Group Dashboard

1. Navigate to Grouped Returns in the left panel. 
2. Click Send Grouped Returns. 
3. Click the purple Process icon for the group. 
4. Choose Returns to be delivered in the Delivery Options tab OR
5. Select which returns to deliver in the Finish tab. 
6. Click Deliver to Controller. 
7. Confirm the Controller Info. 
8. Click Send. 

•  

Deliver Returns During Processing

1. Navigate to Grouped Returns in the left panel. 
2. Click Send Grouped Returns. 
3. Click the Group Name to view the returns in that group. 
4. Click the purple Process button to open a return.
5. Follow the steps outlined in the Processing a Return help center article. 
6. Click the Group Delivery tab. 
7. Click the Finish button. 
8. Click Deliver to Controller. 
9. Confirm or enter the Controller Info. 
10. Click Send.