Configuring Return Configuration Set Signature Blocks

The Signature Block window allows you to specify the firm and signer information to print on client returns. You can override signature block return configuration set options on the General > Return Options > Preparer Information worksheet, unless noted differently in step 4 or step 7. Refer to step 7 for the tax return locations that override the signer's license number.

To configure your settings for the signature block areas of a return, do the following:

1. Open Dashboard, click Application Links on the navigation panel, and then click Configuration > Return configuration sets under Tax.
2. Double-click a return configuration set on the navigation panel.
3. Click Signature Block on the navigation panel.
4. Configure the firm name and address for the signature block area of the tax return. 

Component	Description
Firm name and address
Use signer location for signature block	Select to use the information from Tax Lists > Signer Locations instead of entering signature block information in the return configuration set. See Managing Signer Locations for more information. When selected, the signer location details are used for the following options. All other settings from the return configuration set are applied to the return. Organizational unit Federal and state addresses Firm phone number Employer ID number EFIN Vendor control number Notes: Staff must also be assigned to a location in the staff profile. For tax years 2014, if a signer code exists on the 2848 worksheet, the signer location primary address is also populated on Form 2848 - Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. (Secondary signer location state address information, if entered to replace the primary address, is not populated).
Organizational unit	Select an organizational unit to retrieve the firm name and address. Note: If you select an organizational unit, the firm's name and address will automatically populate the Firm name and address sections of the window.
Federal name and address	Enter the name and address you want printed with the federal signature.
Federal City, State, Zip code, Foreign province, Country	Complete the address for state signatures, only if it is different from the federal address. Note: Foreign province applies to tax years 2013 and later.
Firm phone number	Enter a maximum of fifteen alphanumeric characters. This number prints in the Paid Preparer’s area of the tax return.
State name and address	Enter the name and address you want printed as the state signature, if it is different than the federal information. Information entered here prints on state forms if the federal signature block override information is not entered on the General > Return Options > Preparer Information worksheet. The federal signature block information prints in the state return if no state signature block information is entered.
State City, State, Zip code	Complete the state address for signatures.

5. Configure the signer identification numbers and settings.

Component	Description
Signer identification
Employer ID number OR Default signer	Enter the Employer Identification Number for the firm or select the name of a staff from the list. Staff are designated as signers in the staff profile. Note: The signer can be updated in Return Manager using Update on the Home ribbon or in Return Options > Preparer Information in the tax return.
Social Security Number	Enter the Social Security Number of the tax preparer. Hyphens are entered automatically.
Federal ID number (PTIN)	Enter the signer's federal Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). It will display on all federal returns instead of the Social Security Number and is used for states conforming to the federal provision. The number must begin with a P. Note: The PTIN, consisting of a P and the eight digits assigned to this preparer, must be formatted correctly or it will not save when you exit this window.
PTIN is accurate and I am the registered owner	If you are the signer and the PTIN information in this section belongs to you, select this check box to confirm that the PTIN information is correct. As per tax authority requirements, signers must verify their PTIN information before they can electronically file returns. Note: If the PTIN information for the signer is not already confirmed here, the signer is prompted to verify their information each time they navigate to this section. Also, if a 2019 or newer return is calculated while the PTIN information here is unconfirmed, the system generates a diagnostic advising that the PTIN information must be confirmed.
OR preparer ID	Enter the Oregon preparer ID number to display in the signature block area of Oregon state returns. This option is only available for tax years 2019 and later.
NYS preparer ID	Enter the New York State preparer ID number to display in the signature block area of New York state returns.
NYTPRIN exclusion code	For registered New York City preparers, select the appropriate New York City preparer ID exclusion code to appear in the signature block area of New York state tax returns. You can override this option on the New York > General worksheet. Notes: The NYC preparer ID exclusion code in the staff profile overrides the same option for Signature Block in the return configuration set. This option applies to Individual, Partnership, Corporation, and S Corporation returns types and for tax years 2014 and later.
Self-employed	Select if the preparer is a sole proprietor. When this box is selected, an X prints on the 1040 form.
Print date signed by signer/ERO	Select to print the transmittal letter/filing instructions current system date in the Date Prepared box on every applicable filing form.
Print signer signature	Select to print the signer name in the Preparer's signature area of the tax return. This option is applied to all systems and extension requests on both federal and complying state returns.
Require authorization for signer signature	Select to print the signer's name in the signature area only when the person logged into the system is an authorized signer.
Authorize Users	Activates when the Require authorization for signer signature box is selected. Click this button to specify the users who are authorized to print a signer's signature in tax returns. See Authorizing Users to Select a Signer for more information.

6. Enter the designee name, address, phone number, and 5-digit PIN. The designee detail appears in the General > Basic Data > 3 - Designee - Overrides Office Manager worksheet. If you authorize the taxing authority to discuss the return with the preparer, it will appear in the Third Party Designee section of the return as well. Designee information does not replace or act as signer information.

Note: You can also enter a designee PIN on the Tax > Signer window in the staff profile.

7. Select the signer's designation code, and then enter the jurisdiction and license number. These options are applied to Form 2848 - Power of Attorney for tax years 2012 and later.

Note: Entries for the signer's designation code, jurisdiction, and license number in the return configuration set are applied to the return if there is no signer code entered on the 2848 - Power of Attorney worksheet, or if there is no input for these fields on the worksheet.

Show me where I can override these values in a tax return.

• Individual. Worksheet Other > 2848 - Power of Attorney
• Corporation/S Corporation. Worksheet Other > 2848 / 8821 - Power of Attorney
• Partnership. Worksheet Other > 2848 / 8821 - Power of Attorney / Tax Information Authority
• Fiduciary. Worksheet Other > 2848 / 8821 - Power of Attorney / Tax Information Authority
• Exempt Organization. Worksheet Other > 2848 - Power of Attorney
• Employee Benefit Plan. Worksheet Other > 2848
• Estate & Gift. Worksheet Other > Power of Attorney
8. Click Save to save your changes and continue working in the return configuration set, or click Save & Close to save your changes and close the return configuration set.