Instruction Letter for Pro Client - Mail or E-File
1

You can print the e-file instruction letter in the e-filing steps. When you come to the screen E-filing - Topics, use the option "Print Return" and "E-file Documents." On the E-filing - Print screen, use the "Click here" link at the beginning of the first paragraph for instructions addressed to your client. The preparer may get instructions by clicking Print Selected Items.

To choose whether the instruction letter to your client is about mailing the paper return or e-filing:

  1. Open the return.
  2. Click Preparer, then click Instruction Letter, then click Edit Client Copy, and then click Federal.  The instruction letter will appear in the view pane of your Forms view (usually on the right).
  3. Look for the bullet point item "Indicate how this return will be filed."
  4. Beneath it:
    • For e-filing, check the box for "If return is e-filed, enter the date of file."
    • You can then type in a "date" or use any of the form options below.
    • For paper filing, check the box for "If a paper return will be filed, do not enter e-file date (above) to indicate paper filing."

You can then print the instruction letter directly with the printer icon above the form in the blue bar, or from any of the commands to print the return (the Print button on the toolbar, from Preparer > Print Returns, from File > Custom Print or Print Client Return), or during the filing steps. When you get a Print Center window, make sure you are on the Client Return tab and that you specify at least one copy for Federal Instruction Letter. Then click the Print button at the bottom.

For the state return, the instructions are the same as above, but at step 2, you will choose Preparer > Instruction Letter > Edit Client Copy > State > and then choose the state. Step 3 will have slightly different language for the options under a section labeled in most cases Indicate how this state return will be filed.