Practice Management eSignature Reimagined for ProConnect™ Tax Online, Lacerte® and ProSeries® Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Written by Intuit Accountants Team Modified Apr 3, 2020 2 min read If you want to speed workflow in your tax practice and go green, it’s time to look at eSignature for Intuit® ProConnect™ Tax Online, Lacerte® and ProSeries®. Your world centers on taxes, but your clients’ world does not. That’s why they love the ability to review, sign and pay from anywhere on any supported device. Now, eSignature is fully integrated within your workflow so you will never skip a beat, and is powered by DocuSign, the leading eSignature brand and trusted worldwide for electronic signatures. New features for tax year 2019 include the following: Dashboard with automatic status tracking. By choosing the new, reimagined eSignature, your firm will save time by having the feature streamlined into your workflow with an automatic status tracking dashboard to keep you up to date on your clients’ signing status. With one simple view, you can stay on track to see who completed the eSignatures, which clients need extra attention, which eSignatures are in progress and what actions you next need to take. Eight new statuses are now included: declined, authentication failed, delivered, multiple, partially signed, need to sign, voided and expired. All forms will be available for clients to sign. You’ll gain the convenience of being able to use eSignature with any form. ProConnect products now support all forms, including individual and business modules, so you don’t have to worry about having two separate processes. This includes independent and business modules. Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA) is optional. This applies to all forms besides Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authentication. Other options that can be used to conform identity include access codes, phone authentications and text. In-person signatures + remote signatures help your firm go paperless. Whether you’re receiving eSignatures online or using the new option of collecting digital signatures on your computer or smart device, you’ll have fewer papers on your desk while helping save some trees. Now is the time to begin using eSignature; try it today and experience these and other benefits. If you’re new to eSignature, you’ll receive five free eSignatures that are waiting for you inside your product. Previous Post Creating your cloud workflow: Why it’s more secure and productive Next Post Professional Tax Software: Top 10 Factors for Tax Preparer Software Written by Intuit Accountants Team The Intuit® Accountants team provides ProConnect™ Tax, Lacerte® Tax, ProSeries® Tax, and add-on software and services to enable workflow for its customers. Visit us at https://proconnect.intuit.com, or follow us on Twitter @IntuitAccts. More from Intuit Accountants Team 29 responses to “eSignature Reimagined for ProConnect™ Tax Online, Lacerte® and ProSeries®” Will ProSeries provide a standard engagement letter for 2019 returns? Hello Rick, We will have a template for an engagement letter in the 2019 ProSeries product. Thank you. I would like to use e-signature for 2019 but, I’m still not sure how we handle individual returns in NYS. I understand they sign the 8879 on docu-sign. How is the state signature handled? Hello Carolyn, NY state does not recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes. Within our marketing, we say, “the IRS accepts electronic signatures on forms 8878 and 8879. eSignatures can be used for a wide range of online documents apart from IRS forms such as engagement letters, contracts, invoices, NDAs, and bank documents. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. Most states also accept electronic signatures on forms 8878 and 8879 or their equivalent. Notable exceptions that don’t recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes include Delaware, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia.” Thank you. Yes, I know they don’t accept e-signature. My question is how are other accountants in NY handling this? Are they sending the client paper returns and signature forms? Hello Carolyn, Each firm is unique on how they handle their signatures. The IRS recommends for New York to get a wet signature for forms 8878 and 8879 forms. You can do that with mailing in the return or scanning in the form to e-file it. Thank you. How and when do we (the preparers) sign the client copy of the return and the Form 8879? Hello Kristin, Based on form 8879 instructions, EROs signature included in part III and is required only if part III is applicable: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf. Use this chart to determine when and how to complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Don’t complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I and II. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. In addition, preparers can use their ERO PIN for their signature on the 8879 and for electronically filed returns. The ERO PIN is a number the preparer makes up to act as their signature. Here’s a Lacerte KBA for more details: https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1858848-ero-pin-information-and-input. How do we as practitioners sign the returns ourselves before we send to the client? (the 8879 forms) Our signature is required as well. Lacerte even has a diagnostic saying so. It defeats the purpose of e-signature if I still have to print the forms and sign them myself to give to the client. Hello Sarah, Based on form 8879 instructions, EROs signature included in part III and is required only if part III is applicable: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf. Use this chart to determine when and how to complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Don’t complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I and II. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. In addition, preparers can use their ERO PIN for their signature on the 8879 and for electronically filed returns. The ERO PIN is a number the preparer makes up to act as their signature. Here’s a Lacerte KBA for more details: https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1858848-ero-pin-information-and-input. Our returns are predominantly NYS. Does this comply with NYS regulations individual and business returns for tax year 2019? Using Lacerte program For TY19 we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. Notable exceptions that don’t recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes include New York. When we use DocuSign, we no longer print the client copy of the tax return, but we like to send the client the payment voucher via U.S. Mail, along with the documents they provided to us. Is there anyway to have the program print the payment voucher without printing the entire tax return. Hello John, If user is referring to invoice as the payment voucher, there’s way to print the invoice from the left nav in Forms tab. They can save that as a file (Print to PDF) and then send the same for eSignature to DocuSign. Please let me know if they are looking for something different. I will also be sending you a screenshot via email so you have a visual. Thank you. Paid $5,394 in REP charges during 2018 yet Intuit wants to nickle & dime me for esignatures. It should be made part of the product ! Corporate greed knows no bounds. Hello Cindy, We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429. Thank you. I have two forms that we have clients sign. Accounting Policy and form 743. I don’t think either of these is in the Lacerte program. Will clients be able to sign these forms too? For TY19 we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. I believe I heard this feature will be available for business returns in the 2020 filing season on Lacerte. If so, which modules? Scott Hi Scott – Thank you for your question. For tax year 2019, we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. You should also keep up to date and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. So, are you saying that it will be available in allmodules of lacerte but we need to know which IRS returns can be accepted with a computer (Docusign) signature? Hello Scott, You are correct. You are able to upload any document but we highly encourage that they make sure what documents are accepted with the IRS with electronic signatures. Thank you. What will you be doing with the payment portion? We would like to have the option of requiring the payment to be made before the DocuSign completes. This year was difficult having to chase people after the signature completed for the payment. Our firm requires payment before we can file the return. Hi Tracy – great question. The development team is working on this, and as soon as we have an update or resolution, we will provide an update to this answer for you. Since our software cost for Lacerte is 12,500.o each year and increases 5% each year why dont you just give us the e-signing as part lacerte fee? Nickel and dime us. We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429. This really should be available as a free option for the Diamond Passport level. I’m already paying for the highest level for Lacerte, and this should be included. Hello Jeff, We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429. Thank you. Browse Related Articles Practice Management Intuit ProSeries eSignature Review/Sign Intuit® Accountants News Are you getting the most out of eSignature? Practice Management Save Time With Link and Get a Sweet Deal on eSignature Practice Management Set Up Your Lacerte eSignature Account Practice Management Small Changes with a Big Impact Intuit® Accountants News Intuit® Accountants announces new products and updates… Practice Management 4 Reasons to Consider eSignature Webinars Intuit eSignature hacks Practice Management Top 3 Tips to Improve Your Practice This Season Practice Management Intuit® eSignature helps South Carolina firm expand an…
Hello Rick, We will have a template for an engagement letter in the 2019 ProSeries product. Thank you.
I would like to use e-signature for 2019 but, I’m still not sure how we handle individual returns in NYS. I understand they sign the 8879 on docu-sign. How is the state signature handled?
Hello Carolyn, NY state does not recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes. Within our marketing, we say, “the IRS accepts electronic signatures on forms 8878 and 8879. eSignatures can be used for a wide range of online documents apart from IRS forms such as engagement letters, contracts, invoices, NDAs, and bank documents. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. Most states also accept electronic signatures on forms 8878 and 8879 or their equivalent. Notable exceptions that don’t recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes include Delaware, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia.” Thank you.
Yes, I know they don’t accept e-signature. My question is how are other accountants in NY handling this? Are they sending the client paper returns and signature forms?
Hello Carolyn, Each firm is unique on how they handle their signatures. The IRS recommends for New York to get a wet signature for forms 8878 and 8879 forms. You can do that with mailing in the return or scanning in the form to e-file it. Thank you.
Hello Kristin, Based on form 8879 instructions, EROs signature included in part III and is required only if part III is applicable: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf. Use this chart to determine when and how to complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Don’t complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I and II. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. In addition, preparers can use their ERO PIN for their signature on the 8879 and for electronically filed returns. The ERO PIN is a number the preparer makes up to act as their signature. Here’s a Lacerte KBA for more details: https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1858848-ero-pin-information-and-input.
How do we as practitioners sign the returns ourselves before we send to the client? (the 8879 forms) Our signature is required as well. Lacerte even has a diagnostic saying so. It defeats the purpose of e-signature if I still have to print the forms and sign them myself to give to the client.
Hello Sarah, Based on form 8879 instructions, EROs signature included in part III and is required only if part III is applicable: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf. Use this chart to determine when and how to complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Don’t complete Form 8879. IF the ERO is . . . Not using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I and II. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and is authorized to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. IF the ERO is . . . Using the Practitioner PIN method and the taxpayer enters his or her own PIN THEN . . . Complete Form 8879, Parts I, II, and III. In addition, preparers can use their ERO PIN for their signature on the 8879 and for electronically filed returns. The ERO PIN is a number the preparer makes up to act as their signature. Here’s a Lacerte KBA for more details: https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1858848-ero-pin-information-and-input.
Our returns are predominantly NYS. Does this comply with NYS regulations individual and business returns for tax year 2019? Using Lacerte program
For TY19 we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS. Notable exceptions that don’t recognize e-signatures as valid for state e-file authorization purposes include New York.
When we use DocuSign, we no longer print the client copy of the tax return, but we like to send the client the payment voucher via U.S. Mail, along with the documents they provided to us. Is there anyway to have the program print the payment voucher without printing the entire tax return.
Hello John, If user is referring to invoice as the payment voucher, there’s way to print the invoice from the left nav in Forms tab. They can save that as a file (Print to PDF) and then send the same for eSignature to DocuSign. Please let me know if they are looking for something different.
Paid $5,394 in REP charges during 2018 yet Intuit wants to nickle & dime me for esignatures. It should be made part of the product ! Corporate greed knows no bounds.
Hello Cindy, We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429. Thank you.
I have two forms that we have clients sign. Accounting Policy and form 743. I don’t think either of these is in the Lacerte program. Will clients be able to sign these forms too?
For TY19 we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. Please keep updated and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS.
I believe I heard this feature will be available for business returns in the 2020 filing season on Lacerte. If so, which modules? Scott
Hi Scott – Thank you for your question. For tax year 2019, we are giving you the technical ability to use any document or form for your practice. You should also keep up to date and compliant on what forms you can and cannot use in connection with the preparation of federal tax returns with the IRS.
So, are you saying that it will be available in allmodules of lacerte but we need to know which IRS returns can be accepted with a computer (Docusign) signature?
Hello Scott, You are correct. You are able to upload any document but we highly encourage that they make sure what documents are accepted with the IRS with electronic signatures. Thank you.
What will you be doing with the payment portion? We would like to have the option of requiring the payment to be made before the DocuSign completes. This year was difficult having to chase people after the signature completed for the payment. Our firm requires payment before we can file the return.
Hi Tracy – great question. The development team is working on this, and as soon as we have an update or resolution, we will provide an update to this answer for you.
Since our software cost for Lacerte is 12,500.o each year and increases 5% each year why dont you just give us the e-signing as part lacerte fee? Nickel and dime us.
We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429.
This really should be available as a free option for the Diamond Passport level. I’m already paying for the highest level for Lacerte, and this should be included.
Hello Jeff, We allow firms to create a unique custom solution for their firm and that is why eSignature is a separate purchase. If you have any further questions please call us at (844) 877-9429. Thank you.