Who in this group, uses portals to send documents to clients?

[Lion EA]

A portal by itself will not allow your client to e-Sign. But, it would allow your client to print the page, sign it, and scan/upload it to your portal or fax it back to you (some of my clients mail it back and some text it or email, no matter what I tell them). Something like CCH's e-Sign will send your client a copy of his return for review and the signature pages, which he can sign with a touch screen or type in his name or have it automatically entered after he verifies his identity. NAEA offers Verifyle which is a secure email and can produce e-signatures if you enter your own verification method. It came out so close to the start of tax season, that I didn't look at it much.

[BulldogTom]

54 minutes ago, Yardley CPA said:

I am also using CCH Portal for the past two years and it has been well received by my clients.  I believe you need an add-on program from CCH that will allow you to offer e-sign capabilities.  Maybe it's this:

https://taxna.wolterskluwer.com/firm-management-and-workflow/esign

Haven't pursued it yet.  I may next year. 

I am not using the CCH website.   I have another vendor.

Tom
Modesto, CA

[Lion EA]

e-Sign is a standalone program. I don't use the full CCH Portal; although, I use the simple portal FileShare that's free with my CCH SiteBuilder website. 

FileShare or any portal will allow you to upload anything you need to share with a client (or remote employee or...), so if a client needs a copy of his W-2, you can upload that alone. The full CCH portal can accept tax returns directly as I export for e-filing with just a check box, no separate export from the tax preparer. With FileShare, I do then need to upload to FileShare. I can upload the client copy or my copy or a customized list of separate pages or anything at all.

Run some demos of different products after tax season.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Hey Tom, see some of my concerns and ignorance in comments above.  Subsequently I have paid for Verifyle (I'm not in an organization that includes it; that would be more than the $108 annual fee or $9 per month so don't even need it all year).   There have been a few kinks but the clients that have so far used it are really happy.  It includes e-signing and documents can easily be uploaded and downloaded either way.  You can contact me if you want/need more info.  I really like it and am glad I finally 'get it.'