Adding a Signer

Tax signer information can be added to a staff member's profile. Information entered here will be used when a staff member is selected as a signer for a return from the default signer list in return configuration sets or in the signer code field in a tax return.

To enter signer information in a staff member profile, do the following:

1. Open Dashboard, click Application Links on the navigation panel, and then click Staff Manager under Staff.
2. Do one of the following to open the staff profile:
• Add a new staff profile.
  1. Click New > Staff in the Create group on the Home tab, or right-click in the Staff grid and select New > Staff from the menu.
  2. Select a template or an existing staff as the source for the new staff.
  3. Click Continue.
• Open an existing staff profile. Select a staff member in the Staff grid and click Open in the Edit group on the Home tab.
3. Click Tax > Signer on the navigation panel.
4. Enter basic information for the signer.

Component	Description
Signer code	Enter a unique alphanumeric code of one to five characters. Do not use leading zeroes or special characters. All signers must have an ID assigned. You cannot change a signer code once assigned. To assign a new code to an existing signer, add the signer as a new signer with a different code. Then delete the signer with the old code. You can reassign clients to the new signer when deleting the old signer code. Note: To add a signer to a return, enter the signer code on the General > Return Options > Preparer Information worksheet.
Signer location	Select a location if you want to use the signature block and EFIN information for a location set up in Tax Lists > Signer Locations instead of the signature block information specified in the return configuration set. Note: Select Use signer location for signature block in the return configuration set to apply the information from the signer location.
Name on return	Enter the signer's name as it should appear on tax returns.
Email address	Enter the signer's email address to apply to the Power of Attorney form, as well as to the New York Individual state forms and consent letters. The Foreign province and Country fields apply to tax years 2013 and later.
Phone number	Enter the signer's business phone number to apply to the Power of Attorney form, as well as to the New York Individual state forms and consent letters.
Fax number	Enter the signer's business fax number to apply to the Power of Attorney form, as well as to the New York Individual state forms and consent letters.

5. Enter the signer identification information.

Component	Description
Social Security Number	Enter the signer's Social Security Number.
Employer ID number	Enter the firm's Employer ID Number (EIN). Note: If a signer location is selected and the EIN for the location is different than in the staff profile, the EIN from the location overrides the number in the staff profile.
Federal ID number (PTIN)	Enter the signer's federal Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), consisting of a P and then eight digits. For returns for which the signer is responsible, the PTIN is used on returns if entered here. The PTIN can also be specified on the General > Return Options > Preparer Information worksheet.
CAF number	Enter the Centralized Authorization File number. The CAF number applies to the Power of Attorney and Tax Information Authorization forms.
Self-employed	Select if the signer is a self-employed contractor.
ERO PIN	Enter the electronic filing PIN number (Electronic Return Originator PIN).
OR preparer ID	For registered Oregon preparers, enter the Oregon preparer ID number to display in the signature block area of Oregon state tax returns. This option is only available for tax years 2019 and later.
NYS preparer ID	For registered New York state preparers, enter the New York State preparer ID number to display in the signature block area of New York state tax 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. This option applies to Individual, Partnership, Corporation, and S Corporation returns types and for tax years 2014 and higher. Note: The NYC preparer ID exclusion code in the staff profile overrides the same option for Signature Block in the return configuration set.
PTIN is accurate and I am the registered owner	If the staff member has confirmed that their PTIN information is correct, this check box is selected. As per tax authority requirements, signers must verify their PTIN information before they can electronically file returns. This verification must be completed by the owner of the PTIN. If this check box is not selected and the staff member's PTIN is associated with a Signer, the staff member receives prompts to confirm their PTIN information when they open Return Manager. The prompt will no longer display once the staff member has confirmed the information.
Designee PIN	Enter a 5-digit designee PIN. Note: You can also enter a designee name, email address, phone, and PIN on the Signature Block window in the return configuration set.

6. 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.

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
7. Click one of the Save buttons or Cancel. If the new staff was assigned access and this is the first time their profile is saved, they will receive an email, their ID and password, and program download information.

8. Button	Description
   Save	Saves the changes and the window stays open for editing.
   Save & New	Saves the changes and opens a new window to create a new staff. Note: This option is not available if editing.
   Save & Close	Saves the changes and exits the window.
   Cancel	Exits the window without saving your changes.