How to use Intuit Sign for Lacerte for Tax Year 2025 (Pre-Release)

Intuit Sign is fully integrated within Lacerte for TY25, making it easier to securely request and track signatures without leaving your workflow. This experience applies to new customers who opted into Intuit Sign Pre-Release for TY25.

Tip: You can share this How to review and sign your documents using Intuit Sign article with clients who need help using Intuit Sign.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the Intuit Sign pre-release?

Lacerte firms that have not yet used the current eSignature service, either for the current tax year (TY25) or in any prior tax years.

Can a firm opt out of Intuit Sign at any time after enrolling?

Yes, firms can opt out of Intuit Sign at any time during the pre-release phase.

To opt out of the Intuit Sign Pre-Release Program and switch to the eSignature experience:

1. Navigate to the Manage Signatures menu.
2. Select Purchase eSignatures.
3. Choose the reason for opting out.
4. Optional: Enter any additional comments or feedback to help improve this feature.

If a firm opts out of Intuit Sign, what happens to signature requests that were already sent through Intuit Sign?

In-process signature requests: Signature requests that are still in process will become unavailable upon opting out. Recipients won’t be able to complete the signature process for these requests. We strongly recommend that clients either finalize these in-process signature requests or that the preparer void them before the firm opts out.

Completed signature requests: Completed signature requests will remain accessible from the Dashboard, allowing you to view and download the documents even after opting out.

If a firm is eligible for Intuit Sign but chooses not to enroll, can they opt in later? Firms that opt out of the Intuit Sign pre-release won’t be able to join the program again until the official launch for the TY26 tax season.

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Sending Intuit Sign requests

• Confirm the return is set up for e-filing in Screen 1 - Client Information.
• You can request signatures on common IRS forms, including Form 8879 (e-file Signature Authorization).

To send a request

1. Select the client and go to the E-file menu.
2. From the Manage Signatures menu, select Request Signature.
   
3. Choose the forms to send. You can also include a copy of the return.
   
4. In the Document section, review the auto-attached forms by selecting their thumbnails for a preview.
   
   • If you need to include more files, select Add documents.
5. In the Recipient section, confirm the recipient’s name and email address.
   • If you need to make changes, select the Pencil icon and update the information.
   • To avoid KBA identity check errors on business returns, make sure the recipient is an individual rather than the entity name.
     
6. Choose an authentication method depending on your client type.

Individual clients

For 1040 clients, the default authentication method is KBA (Knowledge-Based Authentication), which requires the recipient to answer a series of security questions. This method can’t be changed unless the client is a returning client. See here for more information on returning clients.

Business clients

Business clients also default to KBA authentication. However, you can change this method if needed.

8. In the Message section, set up the email message that will be sent to your client.
   
   • Note: To make client responses easier to track from your email notifications, include the [Client Name] keyword in the subject line.
9. Manage your email notifications in the Reminders and Expiration section. You can customize follow-up emails and determine when the signature request expires.
   
10. Select Next.
11. The next screen displays the documents included in the signature request. Lacerte automatically adds signature fields to Federal 8879 and state signature forms that are auto-attached. You can preview these fields and don’t need to manually add more to those forms.
    • If you uploaded additional documents that need signatures, you can add signature fields on this screen.
    • To view all forms, select the icon on the left side.
      
    • For Married Filing Jointly returns, the screen defaults to the primary taxpayer so you can add signature fields for that taxpayer first.
    • To add signature fields for the spouse, select the spouse from the recipients dropdown menu and then add the required fields.
      
12. Select Next to proceed.
13. After selecting Next, a prompt will identify any documents in the signature request that don’t currently have signature fields. You can continue without adding fields for documents that don’t need them, such as the client copy of the return.
    
    • To move to the final review screen, select Proceed.
14. Before sending your request, review your settings. If changes are needed, select Back. When you’re ready, select Send.

Tip: You can share this How to review and sign your documents using Intuit Sign article with clients who need help using Intuit Sign.

Authentication options (identity verification)

When you send a request, choose how recipients verify their identity:

• Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA): Recipients answer security questions.
• Access code: You provide a code separately that recipients must enter to view and sign.
• No authentication: Recipients can open and sign without extra verification.

Choose the option that best fits your firm’s security needs and the document you’re sending.

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Adding additional documents

1. From the Documents screen, select Upload Documents.
   
2. Select the document and then select Open.
   • Reference documents don’t require a signature.
3. On the next screen, you can add the Signature and Signing Date fields.
   

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Viewing and downloading completed documents

• Open the Intuit Sign Dashboard and locate the client.
• Use the Actions menu to view or download completed forms.
  

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Tracking request status

You can track signature status from the main Clients list and from the Intuit Sign Dashboard.

Tracking statuses from the main Clients list:

1. Add the eSig Status column to your Clients view. Go to the Settings menu, select Options, and then open the Display tab.
2. Under the Miscellaneous section, find eSignature Status and double-click it to add it to your display.
3. Select OK to save your changes.

To update status on the main Clients list:

1. Navigate to the E-file menu.
2. Select Manage Signatures, then choose Update Signature Status to refresh the signature information shown on your primary Clients list.

Tracking statuses from the Dashboard:

Signature statuses can also be viewed and refreshed on the Dashboard. Select Refresh in the top right corner to update status for all clients.

Common Intuit Sign statuses include:

• Sent – request has been issued.
• Expired – request wasn’t signed in time.
• Declined – client declined the request.
• Failed Auth – client didn’t pass identity verification.
• Completed – request was signed successfully.
• Multiple – the client has received several signature requests. Select this status to check the progress of each request.

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Feedback

We want to hear your thoughts! Let us know what you think.

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Additional common questions

What is Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)?

Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) is exclusively for US citizens and residents who possess valid Social Security numbers. KBA also requires signers to have public records from which questions and answers can be generated. Without these records, KBA can’t be used.

For 1040 clients, the default authentication method is Knowledge-Based Authentication and can’t be changed unless the firm e-filed a return for the same client in the prior year and an accepted return exists in EFE (Intuit’s internal e-filing system). In that case, the preparer can choose among KBA, access code, or no authentication.

For business clients, the default authentication method is also KBA. However, unlike 1040 clients, the returning client logic doesn’t apply, so the authentication method can be changed.

Why do both the sender and the firm administrator receive email notifications when a recipient updates or completes a signature request?

Whenever a client provides an update on a signature request, the original sender is automatically notified via email. Additionally, under Intuit Sign, the individual who initially configured the Intuit Sign for the firm is designated as the secondary email address; this person also receives notification emails. If you need to change the secondary email address, contact Lacertesupport to have the email address updated.

My client isn't receiving emails from Intuit Sign. What should I do?

Here are some steps you can take:

• Verify the email address: Go to the Dashboard and confirm the client’s email address is correct in the Email Address column.
• Check the spam folder: The Intuit Sign email may have been routed to spam or junk.
• Sender email address: Intuit Sign emails always come from intuitsign@notification.intuit.com.

Why doesn't the spouse immediately receive the Intuit Sign request email for Married Filing Jointly?

For Married Filing Jointly returns, the initial Intuit Sign request email is sent only to the primary taxpayer. The spouse receives their signature request email only after the primary taxpayer completes their signature.

What document formats are supported?

Only PDF documents can be uploaded.

Is there a file size limitation for envelopes?

Yes. The total size of all PDFs within an envelope can’t exceed 25 MB.

Who qualifies for the Intuit Sign Pre-Release?

Firms new to the digital signature process in Lacerte.

What is the cost of Intuit Sign?

Intuit Sign is available at no charge to firms participating in the Pre-Release program.

Can my client download their signed documents after completing the signing process?

Yes. Clients can download their signed documents immediately after signing. They’ll also receive a completion confirmation email containing a one-time download link that remains valid for 7 days after signing.

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Opting out of the Intuit Sign Pre-Release Program

Firms that opt out of the Intuit Sign pre-release will not be eligible to rejoin the program later.

To opt out of the Intuit Sign Pre-Release Program and switch to the eSignature experience:

1. Navigate to the Signature menu.
2. Select Purchase eSignature.
3. Select your reason for opting out in the pop-up.
4. Select Next to complete the process.

Completed documents that were previously sent through Intuit Sign can still be viewed, and any existing outstanding requests can still be finished. However, all new requests for digital signatures will now be sent using eSignature.

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