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January 7 th RootWorks.com 8879 Digital signature options and process Amy McCarty Education Services

Objectives Learn the Rootworks recommended e- signature document process using EchoSign Learn the Thomson Reuters e-signature process using UltraTax CS RootWorks.com

IRS Requirements E-sign function must have Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA) and System must track signing method and Software must record: – Digital Image – Date and Time of Signature – Taxpayer IP Address RootWorks.com

Options for E-Signature Thomson Reuters – via UltraTax CS EchoSign Other 3 rd Parties – FYI – Right Signature claims to be IRS Compliant – but does not use KBA and states that require registration have not accepted their method RootWorks.com

E-signatures via UltraTax CS Requires sending the tax return to the portal from UltraTax Needs unique Taxpayer and Spouse s in UltraTax Expires 3 days after transmission $5 per 8879 (state forms included in price) – fee charged upon successful completion of signature $1 per document for engagement letters and consents RootWorks.com

E-signatures via EchoSign Requires you to buy KBA’s in batches from EchoSign ($1.50 per KBA in bundles of 50/100) Create a PDF of the form from FileCabinet (UltraTax and GFR will also work) Create a template for married/single returns Additional documents are part of your standard monthly fee RootWorks.com

E-signatures Process in EchoSign Create a template for 8879 signatures – Add Template to Library – Enter name and select blank 8879 PDF (just pull page 1 from irs.gov) – Select Create as reusable form field layer – Click Preview or Add Fields – With Participant 1 selected, drag the Signature field to Taxpayer’s signature line – Select Participant 2 and drag the Signature field to the Spouse’s signature line – Click Save RootWorks.com

E-signatures Process in EchoSign To create documents for signature: – Select Get a Document Signed – Enter address(es) – Pull in PDF (created from FCS) – Select Knowledge based authentication – Check box Preview, position signatures or add form fields – Apply the 8879 Template – Click Send RootWorks.com

E-signatures Process in EchoSign To monitor documents out for signature: – Manage Out for Signature Signed Cancelled/Declined RootWorks.com

E-signatures Process in UltraTax CS To enable the eSignature feature: – Setup > Office Configuration > eSignature – Mark ‘Enable electronic signatures (eSignature) (1040 only) ($)’ To create documents for eSignature: – File > Print Returns – Check Client copy and Electronic delivery – Web/eSignature RootWorks.com

E-signatures Process in UltraTax CS To transmit/retrieve documents for eSignature: – Utilities > CS Connect – Transmit returns and eSignature documents – Retrieve updated eSignature status and documents To monitor documents out for eSignature: – Home Page > eSignature Status Live RootWorks.com

Questions? RootWorks.com

Objectives Learn the Rootworks recommended e- signature document process using EchoSign Learn the Thomson Reuters e-signature process using UltraTax CS RootWorks.com

Resources on ngaf.comngaf.com Resources by Product – EchoSign Electronic Signature of Documents RootWorks.com

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