Using eSignature in ProConnect Tax

eSignature is integrated within ProConnect Tax. For common eSignature questions, see here.

Table of contents:

eSignature free-trial offers

1. Select .
2. In the pop-up window, under Tools, select Client Authorization eSignatures.
   • If the trial is available for you, you will see "Try eSignature now and get your first 5, on us." near the bottom of the page
3. Select Claim yours now
4. If prompted, enter your login credentials.

If you encounter an "Error Creating Account"

This can occur when there's already a DocuSign account with the same name and email. This causes ProConnect Tax to be unable to create the new account. This can be resolved by adjusting your information to prevent duplication.

1. In the ProConnect Tax, select .
2. Select on Manage Your Account, sign in if prompted
3. Select Profile
4. Select your Name
5. Adjust your name so that it is not exactly as what is entered on the DocuSign account.  Adding a middle initial will often work.
6. Save the changes.
7. Try activating your eSignature trial again.

Offer of 5 eSignatures included with purchase of Lacerte, ProSeries, and ProConnect Tax available through December 31, 2026, for customers who did not trial or purchase eSignature in tax year 2024 and have not purchased eSignatures for tax year 2025. Terms, conditions, pricing, features, service, and support options are subject to change without notice.

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Purchasing eSignatures

1. Select .
2. In the pop-up window, under Tools, select Client Authorization eSignatures.
   • Click here to go directly to the purchasing screen.
3. Select Buy now.
4. On the Purchase screen, Locate eSignature in Workflow solutions
   • Typically you will have the option to purchase more envelopes for the current year, or pre-order envelopes for next year.
   • You'll see your current eSignature balance for each year
5. Select the desired year to purchase.
6. On the next screen, use the entry field for how many eSignature credits you'd like to purchase, using the pricing chart just below it as a guide.
7. Once done, select Purchase Now.
8. Enter your billing information and submit your order.
9. Once your order is successfully processed, your purchase will be confirmed and your eSignature balance will be updated. If this doesn't happen, try signing out of your account, then log back in and check your balance.

Tax Year 2024: Choose this option to purchase envelopes for your 2024 Tax Product. These eSignature envelopes will be available starting 1/1/2025, and expire on 12/31/2027

Tax Year 2023: Choose this option to purchase envelopes for your 2023 Tax Product. These eSignature envelopes will be available now, and expire on 12/31/2026

Unlimited orders will expire on December 31st of their associated product year

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Creating email templates for eSignature requests

Create and save multiple email templates to send with client eSignature requests. Or, send specific email messages to subsets of clients, then save them as templates for later use.

To create a custom eSignature email template:

1. Select a tax return and select Client Information
2. Select the Return actions dropdown menu in the upper-right corner
3. Select eSignature
4. Select New eSignature request to continue to the Client authorization eSignature screen
5. Select or clear any of the standard tax forms, then select Start a request
   • On the following screen, you can add, delete or view any additional documents you want to send to your client.
6. Select Next to continue to the Recipients screen.
7. In the Email message bar, select the gear icon.
8. In the Email templates pop-up window, you can add, edit, or delete email templates.

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Sending eSignature requests

1. Go to the File Return tab.
2. Select Client Authorization eSignature in the left-side menu.
3. Select New eSignature request
4. The standard tax forms will be displayed. Check the box to include a copy of the tax return, if desired.
5. Select Start a request to continue to the Request eSignature screen.
6. Here you can delete or view any document you want to send to your client.
   • For instructions on adding documents, see the "Sending a request with additional documents" section below.
7. When you're satisfied with the list of documents, select Next to continue to the Recipients screen.
8. Review your client's name and email address for accuracy, and edit the email message they'll receive, if needed.
9. Select Next
10. Check the box next to any reminders you want to send
11. Select Next 
12. Review your selections, and select Send.

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Sending a request with additional documents

Before you start:

• Verify the tax return is set up for e-file by selecting the Profile tab.
• Make sure you've completed the return and resolved all critical diagnostics.
• Starting in tax year 2020, the IRS permits electronic signatures on Forms 2848 and 8824.

To send the request:

1. Go to the File Return tab.
2. Select Client Authorization eSignature in the left-side menu.
3. Select New eSignature request
4. The standard tax forms will be displayed. Check the box to include a copy of the tax return, if desired.
5. Select Start a request to continue to the Request eSignature screen.
6. Here you can add, delete, or view any document you want to send to your client. To add a document:
   1. Select the Select document type dropdown
   2. Select the document type
      • The dropdown option Reference document doesn't require a client signature.
   3. Select Browse 
   4. Browse and select the desired PDF from your computer.
7. When you're satisfied with the list of documents, select Next to continue to the Recipients screen.
8. Review your client's name and email address for accuracy, and edit the email message they'll receive, if necessary.
9. Select Next to continue to the reminders and expiration options.
10. Check the box next to any reminders you want to set
11. Select Next to review your request.
12. Once you're satisfied with the request details, select Continue to DocuSign
    • A new tab will open for the next steps
13. The documents will be listed in a pane on the right
14. Select the document you added in Step 6.
15. Drag and drop the Signature tag(s) to the desired signature location(s).
16. Select Send to send the request to your client.

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Checking the status of an eSignature request

View the status of all eSignature requests in your Tax Returns hub.

1. Select  .
2. Select the By eSignature status option at the top of the screen.
3. Select on a status header at the top of the returns list to filter the returns.
4. Select the dropdown in the eSignature Status column to send your client a reminder, download completed documents, or view more details about an eSignature request. 

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Understanding the eSignature status:

Declined:

• This status means: Your client received the eSignature request and declined to sign.
• Next Steps: Your client can sign documents on paper, or you can send another request.

Authentication Failed:

• This status means: Your client failed the identity verification process required to sign the documents.
• Next Steps: Send a reminder to allow your client to try again, or void the request to have your client sign in person.

Expired:

• This status means: The request has expired.
• Next Steps: Send the eSignature request again.

Complete:

• This status means: All requested documents have been signed.
• Next Steps: Download the completed documents for your records.

In-Process:

• This status means: The request included other 'additional' forms, such as an engagement letter, but you didn't complete the process of inserting signature tags on those forms.
• Next Steps: Complete the process of inserting signature tags on the additional forms.

Partially Signed:

• This status means: Some but not all participants have completed the eSignature request.
• Next Steps: Wait for the taxpayer or spouse to complete the signature request or send a reminder.

Delivered:

• This status means: Your client has opened and viewed the eSignature request, but has not signed yet.
• Next Steps: Wait for the taxpayer to complete the signature request or send a reminder.

Sent:

• This status means: The request has been sent to your client.
• Next Steps: You can send a reminder to your client as well.

Voided:

• This status means: A preparer in your firm voided the eSignature request.
• Next Steps: Send the eSignature request again.

Not Started:

• This status means: No eSignature request has been sent to the client.
• Next Steps: Send an eSignature request.

Multiple:

• This status means: More than one eSignature request has been sent to your client
• Next Steps: Select the multiple status to view the status of all requests.

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To view and download completed eSignature documents

1. Go to the File Return tab.
2. Under the eSignature menu, select Client Authorization eSignature.
3. For a request with a Completed status, use the Actions column to select either View or Download and proceed.
4. Only the user(s) who sent the eSignature request and who have been included to receive eSignature notifications will be able to view the contents of the eSignature request

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Canceling an eSignature request

1. Go to the File Return tab.
2. Under the eSignature menu, select Client Authorization eSignature.
3. For that request that shows a Sent status, use the Actions column to select Void and proceed.

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Related topics:

• Using eSignature with business returns
• Signature requirements when e-filing state tax returns
• Authentication methods for eSignature