Portals for Client Documents

Practitioners should consider using a secure portal to allow clients to securely upload and send scans or pictures of sensitive tax information and documents.  The secure portal uses encryption to protect files that are uploaded to and downloaded from it.

Most practitioners are aware of the vital need to password/encrypt any sensitive information sent to their clients; however, clients are not always aware that they should not use unencrypted email attachments to send tax documents or other information that contains Social Security numbers and similar sensitive information.

As a result, practitioners can offer a secure portal as an option for clients to use when sending such information.  Secure portals are often available as part of the purchase of annual tax software.  For example, Intuit offers a secure portal as part of the purchase of the ProSeries and Lacerte packages.

If a practitioner does not have a secure portal available as part of the purchase of tax software, there are stand-alone secure portal providers, such as CCH Axcess Portal and Secure File Pro.