You have received an invitation to use a Portals account from your tax professional. This article provides an overview of how to use your new portal to connect with your preparer.

Activation

When your tax preparer creates your portal, you will receive an invitation email. This email contains your username and a link to create your password. Click Sign In to proceed.

To create your password, enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN), create a secure password, and click Submit.

Interface

Once you are logged in, you will see the following tabs on the left:

• Home
• Profile
• Questionnaires
• Checklist
• Files
• Messages
• Account Settings
• FAQs

Note: Some offices do not offer certain services, and you may not see all options listed above.

On smaller devices, click the menu icon to display tab names.

Home

This is the default starting point. If there are tasks you need to complete, they will be displayed here. Click a task button to navigate directly to it.

Profile

The Profile tab allows you to add or review your demographic information. Edit your details and click Confirm Profile to verify that your information is accurate.

Questionnaires

Some offices use questionnaires to gather tax information. If your preparer uploads a questionnaire, it will appear here.

Checklist

Some offices use checklists to help organize and gather your tax documents. If your preparer uploads a checklist, it will appear here.

• Upload documents using the drag-and-drop area or the Choose Files option. You can upload a single file or multiple files at once.
  • Client Portals automatically identifies and assigns many common tax documents, including Forms W-2, 1099, prior-year tax returns, and other standard IRS forms.
  • For unrecognized files, you can manually assign a document by selecting Assign from the file menu.
  • Choose one or more checklist items to associate with the document.
• To upload documents one at a time for a specific checklist item, use the Upload button next to that item.
• If a checklist item is no longer applicable, mark it as Not Applicable and provide an explanation.
• Multiple documents can be linked to a single checklist item, and a single document can be linked to multiple checklist items.
• Once all checklist items have been completed or marked not needed, your preparer will be notified that the checklist is complete.

Files

Under Files, documents uploaded by your preparer appear in the From [Company Name] section.

You can upload files for your preparer in the To [Company Name] section using either Choose Files or drag-and-drop.

Note: You may also see general-use documents that the office has uploaded.

Messages

If enabled by your preparer, the Messages section allows you to securely communicate through the portal.

Account Settings

This tab allows you to update your account information.

FAQs

Displays a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

Account Settings

Update your email address, password, or configure MFA by clicking your username in the upper-right corner and selecting Account.

MFA

To configure multi-factor authentication (MFA), click your username in the upper-right corner and select Account. You can receive authentication codes through an app, email, or text message.

Application

1. Download an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator.
2. Under Two-Factor Authentication, select Application.
3. Link the authenticator app to your portal by:
   • Scanning the QR code, or
   • Entering the manual setup code.
4. The app will generate a six-digit code.
5. Click Continue in the portal.
6. Enter the six-digit code and click Confirm.

Email

1. Under Two-Factor Authentication, select Email. A six-digit code will be sent to your email address.
2. Enter the code and click Confirm.

Text Message

Note: Your phone must be capable of receiving SMS messages. Standard text messaging rates may apply.

1. Under Two-Factor Authentication, select Text.
2. Enter your mobile phone number and click Confirm. A six-digit code will be sent by text message.
3. Enter the code and click Confirm.

Mobile App

You can access your portal from any browser or by using the mobile app. Search for SecureFilePro in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

After installing the app, enter the email address used to create your portal and click Submit.

Your preparer's company name will appear on the sign-in page. Enter your Username and Password and click Sign In.

The mobile app provides the same functionality as the website, although the layout may differ.

To update account information, click the profile icon and select Account. To sign out, click the profile icon and select Logout.

The app automatically times out after a period of inactivity to protect your data.