Can clients complete an on-line version of the Tax Organizer or is hand-writing their answers the only option?

[pc321]

A client wants me to send them a Tax Organizer they can complete online.  The client doesn't want to have to print out a hard-copy and hand-write their answers.  It appears to me this is not an option -- the pdf version of the Organizer doesn't allow the client to type in their responses; instead, the client has to print out the pdf and hand-write their answers.

[itonewbie · Accepted solution]

Don't believe PS has an electronic organizer you can use.  You could consider using Intuit Link by populating a series of questions but it is really not up to par for the job despite the marketing hype: (1) there is no option for conditional question so you can really only ask for general information (2) for the same reason, it will be impractical to replicate the tax data organizer in Link, and (3) tracking outstanding items in Link with multiple threads ongoing is now very difficult after Intuit took away the functionality last year to mark and lock completed items.

If you need an online or electronic organizer (which won't provide a feed to PS, unlike Lacerte's integrated product, which has its cons too), there are third party products you can subscribe to.

We develop our own electronic organizer, which customizes itself based on user responses to a simple questionnaire, using Excel and VBA but it takes time each year to have it updated.

[Marc-TaxMan]

If Client fills in your e-organizer, do you auto import?

[Marc-TaxMan]

I send PDF Organizer to Clients.  Occasionally, they will use (free) Adobe Reader Sign&Fill [on the right side] to add text, and then send back to me

[itonewbie]

Adobe Sign&Fill will work, especially if your client is savvy enough to ask for an electronic version, although it's a bit arduous to add texts throughout the file without proper input fields.

[Marc-TaxMan]

Adobe is tedious on each end.  Does your Excel Organizer allow auto-import?

[itonewbie]

No, I wanted to build a bridge to proforma my organizers and feed the data back to PTO.  Unfortunately, that is not possible for PTO, at least at this time.

[gammoncs]

I am looking for an annual client organizer to send out to my clients.  Do you allow others to use the organizer that you have developed?  In other words do you share your organizer?  Thanks.

[dkh]

Who are you asking to share the organizer, one of us tax professionals or Intuit/Proseries?    I suggest you call customer support.