When the taxpayer uploads a document or sends a message, a red dot will appear next to messages. You will then select the Unread Message dialog in the lower left corner of the screen (same as always).
The portal list will also display the number of documents that were uploaded.
In the below screenshot the link registered date is now populated because I created my portal login in order to upload the document.
Problem: You or your taxpayer receive the following message when clicking on an activation link (site activation, admin activation or customer portal activation).
Reason: This is due to the privacy settings on the device you are using. The privacy settings are trying to safeguard you from clicking a harmful link
Solution: Copy and paste the URL to a new browser window
You can now send your taxpayer their Customer Portal link from the Personal Information Page. The option will appear once you enter their email address on the personal information page. It defaults to “Don’t Send”. It automatically populates the email address and telephone number entered on the personal information page. Once you click continue on the page, an email is sent to the taxpayer with a link for them to register their account
The volunteer that prepared the return and the volunteers who can see all returns will see a notification when the taxpayer and/or spouse has signed the tax documents made available to them.
This is from the taxpayers view
The user that prepared the return and any users that have the ability to see all returns will see a chat/message notification
In this instance there are two unread messages because both taxpayer and spouse signed the tax document.
The volunteer will select the unread message(s) – Note we will be adding more clarification around which taxpayer the chat/message belongs to.
The chat history will display the messaging that the documents have been signed.
We delivered a new Customer Portal Management report that will help you more easily identify which of your taxpayers have been sent a customer portal link and which ones have registered their portals. You can also refer to this report for now to determine which return a chat/message belongs to via their email address.
Navigate to Reports>>Management Reports>>Miscellaneous Reports
Both reports contain the following columns:
Group Name = N/A
EFIN = Will be blank
First name = Primary Taxpayer’s first name
Last Name = Primary Taxpayer’s last name
Email Address = Email used to send Portal Link
SSN = Primary SSN (Issue 6967 to truncate to last 4)
Cell Phone = Phone number used to send portal link
Cell Phone Encrypted = Will be blank
Email Encrypted = Will be blank
Preparer Name = Preparer of Record
Website Sent Date = The date the customer portal link was sent
Portal Create Date = The date the taxpayer registered their portal
Portal Efiled Date = The date the site electronically filed the return
SSN Encrypted = Will be blank
Customer Portal signatures will only be displayed on the state equivalent e-file forms 8879/8453 if the state supports a digital signature.
Note: The signatures do not appear on the on the primary state forms (that are the state equivalent to the 1040).
At the time of this post, the following states support a digital signature on the state 8879/8453
AL, AR, AZ CA, CO, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, SC, VA, VT, WV
Scenario: I sent my taxpayer a customer portal link via text only (did not enter an email address)
Problem: The taxpayer cannot register their portal because we are currently requiring an email address in the registration process
We are working to resolve this.
Alternative: Click Customer Portal and enter phone number and email address and resend them the link. It will go to the email account.
Alternative 2: You can enter their email address in the efile section, Save & Exit the return and they can enter that into the portal registration
We currently have an issue reported where if the following happens, the signatures are no longer being displayed on the return
(Issue 6556)
We are actively working to resolve this. We recommend you encourage the taxpayer to only sign once (my signature looks like I signed a squiggly line with the wrong hand, but it is still a signature). We also strongly recommend you don’t clear it from within the application until this is resolved.